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| Portable Headphone Amps Discussion of portable headphone amps. |

12-28-2007, 10:22 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Santa Rosa, CA --image Katmandu, Nepal Summer 2006 *We are but a cosmic blink or was that wink?*
Posts: 7,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlingo
Mine doesn't even blink. I haven't seen it blinking yet. is that normal?
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Yeah, the blinking can be hard to see. I noticed it the other day and then realized it doesn't BLINK but dims just a little as it blinks. You have to go into a darkened room. LOL I don't know, it doesn't blink real obvious but I haven't had any problems keeping this one charged.
I reported earlier that the gain switch did not change the sound but it does, a little. In the 0 gain it is slightly warmer and decreases in warmth as you go to the highest gain setting but this is a minor change but convenient as even in the 0 gain I have enough for my headphones.
Last edited by jamato8; 12-28-2007 at 10:26 PM.
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12-28-2007, 10:49 PM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Montreal, Melbourne, Jakarta Constantly moving!
Posts: 860
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Yeah me too, I prefer to set the gain on low. It's somewhat more musical, slower, airy, tubey, better decay, relaxed and warm compare to being set to mid and high. It's in fact very noticable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8
Yeah, the blinking can be hard to see. I noticed it the other day and then realized it doesn't BLINK but dims just a little as it blinks. You have to go into a darkened room. LOL I don't know, it doesn't blink real obvious but I haven't had any problems keeping this one charged.
I reported earlier that the gain switch did not change the sound but it does, a little. In the 0 gain it is slightly warmer and decreases in warmth as you go to the highest gain setting but this is a minor change but convenient as even in the 0 gain I have enough for my headphones.
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__________________
Portable1: iMod 80GB 5.5G -> ALO Ag/Au -> VCAP -> CablePro Panorama -> Predator -> UE-11 Pro/ ER-4P Apuresound
Portable2: iMod 80GB 5.5G -> ALO Ag/Au -> VCAP -> AE-2 -> Ultrasone Edition 9(AWESOME)/ UE-11 Pro
Portable3: iMod 80GB 5.5G -> ALO Ag/Au -> VCAP -> SR-71A -> Ultrasone Edition 9
Home1:iMod 80GB 5.5G -> ALO SuperCotton ->VCAP -> CablePro Reverie V.2 -> EarmaxPro(CV6091 Triple Mica Square getter GEC 1963 & 7308 Amperex USA white label PQ military type, labelled Amperex, gold pins 1961, Siemens CCa 1963, Telefunken CCa)
-> HD650 Equinox LE(For Classical/Opera, Complex Energetic Instrumental)
Home2:Freeway 2 -> Grace M902(Marigo Power Cable) -> CablePro Reverie 2 -> LISA Expedition 19/100
-> Grado GS1000 Black Dragon(Jazz, and Extra JAZZ)
-> Denon AH-D7000
-> HD650 Equinox LE(For Classical/Opera, Complex Energetic Instrumental)
1. UE-11Pro still my top choice.
2. UE-10Pro
3. ER-4P Apuresound
Own iPOD Classic 80GB and there is no way the SQ to be anywhere close to iMOD 5.5G with VCap. The Vcap miles away in terms of: Soundstage, Decay, Depth, Midrange, MUSICALITY! with ER-4P(Apuresound)
Last edited by jlingo; 12-28-2007 at 10:56 PM.
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12-28-2007, 10:57 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jlingo
Mine doesn't even blink. I haven't seen it blinking yet. is that normal?
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I'm on my second day with my new Predator. After speaking to Ray about exactly this subject, he advised me that simply charging it for 2 to 3 hours would get the job done if you needed to do it during the day. Another alternative is to plug it in overnight to be sure. There is absolutely no risk of overcharging.
The subtle blinking of the power switch LED only happens briefly while the unit is switched on while charging. If switched off, you will notice nothing.
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12-28-2007, 11:04 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8
Near 600 hours and I am still experiencing changes and not always subtle ones.
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I'm not even at 60 hours yet and the burn-in reminds me of my experience with my Hornet. 400 hours or so into that burn-in and it really started to show its qualities. I've been very happy with the Hornet and am looking forward to the maturing of my Predator.
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12-29-2007, 02:22 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: PEI, Canada
Posts: 4,501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8
Yep, exactly what I got at first. I thought, "whoa, this thing sucks, what was Ray thinking?" It takes some time to open up and goes through more changes than Jim Carrey in The Mask.
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Wait, I'm confused, I thought you said the one you were sent had 300 hours on it already.
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12-29-2007, 02:34 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Santa Rosa, CA --image Katmandu, Nepal Summer 2006 *We are but a cosmic blink or was that wink?*
Posts: 7,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elnero
Wait, I'm confused, I thought you said the one you were sent had 300 hours on it already.
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That's right, it had 300 hours but when I fired it up the cap took a couple of hours to settle and for the sound to become focused. I have often heard this with equipment that has been off for a while.
If you go to the first page from the 18th of December, I mentioned this in the beginning of the second paragraph.
__________________
John aka Jam and Jama
Photo gallery at: www.pbase.com/jamato8 Recent publication: Ethnobotany Research & Applications, Vol 7 (2009) Kam Guilzhouh nyim Guangxxih di Benxtux Wenchual nyim Zihyuanc dih Gonxliix: Kam Local Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Resource Management in Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces, China http://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/
The one constant in life is change, so will that change?
Feel with your own heart, see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears.
JH13's > Why stay home when you can go to the concert?
Listening with: JH13 Pro, Grado HF2 #469
Digital conversion: the all new MB-1 optical dual Wolfson portable dac
Amps I am currently listening with: RSA P-51 Mustang, SR 71A, iBasso D10, Lisa III, OEM BLack Gate, Non Black Gate, iBasso P3+, iBasso T3 (new version), RSA Shadow, iBasso D4
Favorite monitors: JH13 Pro, Grado HF2, Ultrasone Ed. 9 #1010, ATH-ESW10JPN
Portable monitor ratings: 1. JH 13 Pro 2. ESW10 JPN 3. PortaPros, KSC35 (modified-a great value) *4. UM2
Source: iRiver H130,140, D303 optical out, D-EJ955, D-EJ1000, D-EJ2000, 25s, 25, D-303, D-777 and others (optical out if available)
Digital Conversion: MB-1 optical Dac, Altoid tin Monica Dac I, Altoid tin Monica II Asynchronous Reclocking Dac, iBasso D10
Headphone Amplifiers:RSA: Shadow, Predator, P-51 Mustang, SR71A, Xin: IV Micro, IV Mini, Reference, SM3B, SuperMacro V LE, SM3 V6 (IV all switches), XRTA X-1, C&C Box, iBasso: P1, P2, P3, P3+, T1, T2, T3, T4 D1, D2, D3, D4, D10 Woo 3 Modified-Siemens 6922 driver, 7236 power tube, Woo 6 with the original Pseudo dual PS -
Ear Monitors: JH13 Pro, Ultra Ed. 9, Grado HF-2/F1 #469, HD650, ATH-ESW10 JPN, Ultrasone 750, HFI780, PortaPro modified, KSC35, Equation RP-21, Westone UM2
Last edited by jamato8; 12-29-2007 at 02:38 AM.
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12-29-2007, 06:13 AM
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500+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 571
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Does it matter wether or not the unit is on or off when charging overnight? I just got a Zune. Perhaps not the best but I just discovered portable. COOL!!
__________________
FEEDBACK
Headphones:
Denon DM5000 (Markl modded with beauty wood cups),SR-325woodies,325iwoodies SR-225 woodies,' HD-25 (Equinox)
Headphone Amps: RSA Hr-2, RSA Predator, Little Dot MkI,Little Dot MkV
Sources: Talk Thunder 3.1b, Magnum Dynalab Etude tuner to be MD-106T, Tivoli CDP,Zune30GB, Ipod Classic X2
Preamp : Pass X1
Amp : Pass X250.5 in case I'm able to run my Hales T5's(small house)
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12-29-2007, 06:20 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 419
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It doesn't matter if the Predator is switched on or off while charging. You're good to go either way.
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12-29-2007, 06:20 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Santa Rosa, CA --image Katmandu, Nepal Summer 2006 *We are but a cosmic blink or was that wink?*
Posts: 7,601
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It can be charged on or off. It is designed not to overcharge the battery.
__________________
John aka Jam and Jama
Photo gallery at: www.pbase.com/jamato8 Recent publication: Ethnobotany Research & Applications, Vol 7 (2009) Kam Guilzhouh nyim Guangxxih di Benxtux Wenchual nyim Zihyuanc dih Gonxliix: Kam Local Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Resource Management in Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces, China http://www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/
The one constant in life is change, so will that change?
Feel with your own heart, see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears.
JH13's > Why stay home when you can go to the concert?
Listening with: JH13 Pro, Grado HF2 #469
Digital conversion: the all new MB-1 optical dual Wolfson portable dac
Amps I am currently listening with: RSA P-51 Mustang, SR 71A, iBasso D10, Lisa III, OEM BLack Gate, Non Black Gate, iBasso P3+, iBasso T3 (new version), RSA Shadow, iBasso D4
Favorite monitors: JH13 Pro, Grado HF2, Ultrasone Ed. 9 #1010, ATH-ESW10JPN
Portable monitor ratings: 1. JH 13 Pro 2. ESW10 JPN 3. PortaPros, KSC35 (modified-a great value) *4. UM2
Source: iRiver H130,140, D303 optical out, D-EJ955, D-EJ1000, D-EJ2000, 25s, 25, D-303, D-777 and others (optical out if available)
Digital Conversion: MB-1 optical Dac, Altoid tin Monica Dac I, Altoid tin Monica II Asynchronous Reclocking Dac, iBasso D10
Headphone Amplifiers:RSA: Shadow, Predator, P-51 Mustang, SR71A, Xin: IV Micro, IV Mini, Reference, SM3B, SuperMacro V LE, SM3 V6 (IV all switches), XRTA X-1, C&C Box, iBasso: P1, P2, P3, P3+, T1, T2, T3, T4 D1, D2, D3, D4, D10 Woo 3 Modified-Siemens 6922 driver, 7236 power tube, Woo 6 with the original Pseudo dual PS -
Ear Monitors: JH13 Pro, Ultra Ed. 9, Grado HF-2/F1 #469, HD650, ATH-ESW10 JPN, Ultrasone 750, HFI780, PortaPro modified, KSC35, Equation RP-21, Westone UM2
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12-29-2007, 06:22 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 419
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We must have hit the submit button at the same time jamato8.
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12-29-2007, 07:38 AM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rocky Mountains, CO
Posts: 11,823
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8
Yep, exactly what I got at first. I thought, "whoa, this thing sucks, what was Ray thinking?" It takes some time to open up and goes through more changes than Jim Carrey in The Mask.

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So, what does it mean when mine sounded nice (not perfect, but not flat, sucky or dull) right out of the box?
I have 28 hours on predator now and it sounds very nice. I haven't compared it yet to the rest of my plethora of amps yet, but I will. I am burning in the DAC and Amp together with my Proline 2500 which now have about 76 hours on them and are sounding really good too. Makes me want to save the New Edition 9 for later - got them in today but I'm afraid to listen to them
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leonardo_BVB
...honestly, it's like comparing ugly Betty with Scarlett Johjansson, you do not know where to start because you cannot take your eyes off Scarlett...
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Larry Head-Fi Feedback
Oct 09 Colorado CanJam @ RMAF Impressions
SEE PUBLIC PROFILE "ABOUT ME" FOR LINKS TO REVIEWS AND MY GEAR.
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12-29-2007, 08:33 AM
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1000+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,395
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I was afraid to listen to a new amp that I got over a week ago,and still have not listened to it yet!
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12-29-2007, 11:10 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Kent, England, UK
Posts: 145
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Burning mine in now, sounds good so far, using flac through USB (using Foobar), its been on now for 19 hours, just on the charge it came with. I'll post more later
__________________
eBay Feedback Link itsabitnutty
Source: iPods; Nano G1, Mini G1, Shuffle G1, 40GB G2, 40GB G3, iPhone 3g
DAC: Zero
I/C: TURBODock V8, TURBO DIABOLOUS V8, ALO CryoDock, ALO Cryo SXC 22G
Portable Amps:RSA Hornet, RSA Predator, RSA SR-71A Blackbird, RSA SP-51 Mustang, Go-Vibe V6 V6M V7, Corda Move, Headsix,XIN Supermicro (On Order), iBasso D1 & P2, HeadAmp Pico w/DAC, Little Dot MKV
HeadPhones:Senn HD520II, Senn HD650, 8ft Equinox Noir, Yuin PK1, Beyerdynamic DT770-Pro/80 Ohm, Westone 3
Owned: XIN Reference, Shure E5c's
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12-29-2007, 01:18 PM
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Headphoneus Supremus
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: PEI, Canada
Posts: 4,501
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jamato8
That's right, it had 300 hours but when I fired it up the cap took a couple of hours to settle and for the sound to become focused. I have often heard this with equipment that has been off for a while.
If you go to the first page from the 18th of December, I mentioned this in the beginning of the second paragraph.
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Ok, that was weird, I posted that last night before I went to bed, got up this morning and not only did I not see a reply but I didn't see my original post. Not a big surprise, I'm on dial-up so sometimes things time out and I don't realize it so I reposted a little bit ago, I check again and now my original post and subsequent reply are there while the one I just posted is gone???
Anyhow, yes I've read the thread and even with the cap settling in as you say I didn't think you would equate one with 300 hours on it to a new one, it was just a confusing statement to me. So what do you attribute this settling period you experienced to, the amp having not been used for a period of time or something else?
Last edited by elnero; 12-29-2007 at 03:15 PM.
Reason: edited for grammar
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12-29-2007, 02:41 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 419
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With the ridiculous (in a good way) battery life that the Predator offers, you could simply leave it switched on all the time and forget about the "settling period" altogether. Just plug in the charger every few days or so.
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