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People are on the move these days. We want to be free. We want the access of 5000 songs at the flick of a switch, with stunning sound quality. That's why we've become a portable generation.
Using high impedance phones, my current need is 3 - 6 mA, not several hundreds. It's not current, it's quality. Few good compontents, deep into class A. Good design. I can't imagine any stationary amp being much better than my portable JISBOS, class A up to 30 mA. It sounds close to perfect.
I think there's a way to an almost perfect portable solution, but the makers aren't working on it. They just feed us with yet another same-same-but-different amp with a third grade opamp in it.
I'm all for computer based systems. But this requires a kickass DAC to compete with quality CDPs.
And no portable amp
Please note that I'm just as excited as many here to hear the Pico this weekend and, hopefully, the Predator as well, though I'm far more interested in the Cosecant, Nate's Hersten's dac, Thrice's last tweaks on the Beta, the WE tubes with the Woo5, and the TaketT H2/TR2. All will stomp the mini options, though that won't make them any less impressive for what they are.
I'm always wondering how did some people know what k701 "should" sound, have you ever interviewed with designers of it?
anybody working in R&D team in AKG??
Point taken. Perhaps "as they are capable of sounding," might be better, but the assumption is that the makers knew what they were doing, purposefully created that capability for great sound, and would want people to hear them as they wanted them heard, rather than crippling the sound with sources and amps that can't come close to doing it right.
Originally Posted by Edwood
Why, yes. I should rephrase to "Computers as a Transport" then. That is what mine is running as.
Originally Posted by Computerstud
I'm also curious.
Can someone in this thread link me a scientific article that proves this assumption?
Or at the least a comparison using the minimal factoids to even consider this topic serious such as:
1) A control (was there a control factor used for a comparison)
2) A large sample size of participants
3) Blind testing (to eliminate placebo, etc...)
4) Environmental control
5) Data of the participant's hearing capability, age, music preference, etc...
Originally Posted by boomana
What the hell are you talking about? Go get yourself a damn good amp and source and find out for yourself.
X2
His post would be actually hilarious if he wasn't serious though....
__________________
REALITY is PERCEPTION
Communication is the Problem to the Answer
(10CC: The Things We do for Love)
With portable amps, batteries internal resistance let them down a bit, so I'm guessing a portable amp powered by a (good) walwart should sound better than when running on batteries as the supply voltage should be more stable?
I won't expect it to sound as good as a home amp, but it would be interesting to see 3 amps which use the same op amp and other parts each powered from different sources (battery, walwart, mains)... and see how the SQ compares depending on power source.
Also, out of interest, what sort of voltage swings do home headphone amps normally do... I assume it's higher than portables.
I'm sorry Boomana but while I agree with your sentiments on portable amplifiers, the statement you have posted in your signature comes off as condescending. Not all of us have the money or more importantly the want to invest $2k into a source or amplifier for a headphone rig and what seems only "good" or adequate to you, might be over the top for someone else.
I have had middle of the range equipment for the past year now and can honestly say that I don't feel disappointed in the least. Even when I'm driving my HD650s out of the headphone on my Denon PMA-2000IVR integrated I'm not thinking, man I could be doing better if I was powering them with a balanced Extreme, I'm thinking, this sounds pretty darn good. Despite people constantly saying that you need a dedicated amplifier to fully enjoy the Senns, I find myself enjoying them quite a bit without one. Some people have different priorities and they should not be ridiculed or looked down upon for it.
Point taken. Perhaps "as they are capable of sounding," might be better, but the assumption is that the makers knew what they were doing, purposefully created that capability for great sound, and would want people to hear them as they wanted them heard, rather than crippling the sound with sources and amps that can't come close to doing it right.
I see, I'm just another noob, and looking for you Pico(I just pre-ordered one) impression!
If it doesn't drive HD650 or K701 fairly well, I may look for something easier on amping, probably PL750 or D2000
With portable amps, batteries internal resistance let them down a bit, so I'm guessing a portable amp powered by a (good) walwart should sound better than when running on batteries as the supply voltage should be more stable?
Yes.
Originally Posted by MikeHunt79
I won't expect it to sound as good as a home amp, but it would be interesting to see 3 amps which use the same op amp and other parts each powered from different sources (battery, walwart, mains)... and see how the SQ compares depending on power source.
I remember more than a few threads with tests and experiments on this subject.
__________________
REALITY is PERCEPTION
Communication is the Problem to the Answer
(10CC: The Things We do for Love)
Linear Mode
