Clip+ to phones vs. Clip+ to amp to phones? - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

turnstyle · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 11:44 AM

Hi all, just wondering what you think the difference here would be:

Clip+ > Westone UM3X

vs:

Clip+ > iBasso D4 > Westone UM3X

And, if that makes sense, what is the general rule-of-thumb advice on what volume setting to leave the Clip+ set to (ie, if the head out then passes to another amp).

Thanks...

qusp · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 01:52 PM

there will be a small improvement, but IMO not worth the trouble. you both ruin the portability of the clip and also the D4 is a dac/amp and you wont be using the DAC.

also the UM3X while improving with an amp, are very efficient, so are driven pretty well by a quality DAP like the touch 3G, iphone 3GS, or sony X

Hsiu · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 04:59 PM

I don't have D4, I have D3, the amp will improve sound stage and bass that is noticeable however D4/D3 will greatly reduce portability. Do you have such big pocket for it ? if not, either go with a T4/T3 or just don't use amp at all. UM3X isn't that hard to drive

btw I am also a Clip+ user.