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| Headphone Amps (full-size) Discussion of desktop headphone amps. |
03-16-2008, 03:55 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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First amp: iBasso D2, P2, or other?
Just wanted to say thanks to everybody to start off. I've been lurking the boards for about a year now, and have gotten some great advice from you folks. Thanks to my research on your boards, I recently purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD595's, and they are absolutely awesome! I also own a pair of v-moda Vibes and have been pretty pleased with those as well.
Anyway, I am now looking for an affordable portable amp to use with my HD595's. My sources will be (until I decide I need to burn some more cash) my laptop, my Creative Zen Vision:M, and my portable CD player. I am currently working on improving the quality of my digital music collection as well, trying to keep everything AT LEAST above 192 kbps, but sticking as closely as possible to 320 kbps, high quality VBR, and FLAC.
After a couple days worth of research, I've narrowed my search down to the iBasso D2 or P2. I really like the idea of having the DAC on the D2, but I'm not entirely sure how well it would work with my computer. I run Ubuntu Linux 7.04 as my operating system (although I'll be upgrading to 8.04 in April) and use Audacious (a Winamp spinoff) as my music player. I'm not entirely sure that the D2 would work with my software, so if anybody has any experience using it, or any other DAC for that matter, with Linux (especially Ubuntu) I would greatly appreciate your input!
On the plus side for the P2, I like the bass boost switch and the smaller price tag, especially if the DAC on the D2 wouldn't end up working out for me.
On to my questions:
First, I'd like to make sure these amps would suit my HD595's well. I mostly listen to various types of rock music, especially metal, although I do listen to some 80's and 90's pop/alternative from time to time. Is there another amp out there that's in my price range that would work better? I realize that sound is almost entirely dependent upon the listener, but being the experienced listeners that you are, I'd like to hear your opinions. 
Secondly, I'm wondering how the sound of just the amplifier of the D2, ignoring the DAC, compares to the P2. I feel pretty confident that either of them would work quite nicely for me, but I'd like to get as much out of my money as possible.
I'd like to keep the price below $200 if possible, but I may stretch that out if I feel the need.
Thanks for reading my excruciatingly long post, and thanks for all of your help!
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03-16-2008, 07:09 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 397
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Hey!
The P2 and the D2 share the same amp station. The D2 just has the additional DAC which works for me in Linux (Arch) on a 2.6 kernel out of the box with ALSA (though you have to configure it a bit... but you can also simply take XMMS go into the Preferences, then Audio In/Out, then ALSA Plugin and there you can choose which audio device to use.).
The D2 sounds awesome anyway. I can't compare it to any other amp right now but it makes a day and night difference with my Grado SR-60. Soundstage is increased, bass is much more refined and goes deeper. Mids and treble is clearer and everything sounds more open.
You could also consider the following amps:
Go-Vibe Petite (w/ DAC)
Corda HeadSIX
Headstage Lyrix (different models, w/ or w/o DAC)
...
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03-17-2008, 03:36 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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Well, that pretty much leans me toward the D2. I just wish it had the bass boost switch like the P2, although I'd rather have the DAC than the bass boost switch anyway.
Anybody have experience with the Go-Vibe Petite in Linux? How does it compare to the D2?
Thanks!
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03-17-2008, 03:15 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 397
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The Go-Vibe Petite should run under Linux as well (I think it has the PCM 2702).
From what I heard it is also a nice amp/dac. You can't go wrong with either one.
Btw. the D2 delivers plenty of Bass anyway, so I don't think you'll really need the bass boost switch.
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03-18-2008, 02:39 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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Well, sounds good to me.
I can't wait to get my D2! 
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03-18-2008, 06:15 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 126
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The amp hold its value pretty well, so if it don't work you can just sell it.
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03-18-2008, 12:08 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 397
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It's pretty new, so you cannot really say if holds its value. But on the other hand if you get one with the DIP sockets (on iBasso I read a few days ago that there are 30 pcs left) it is possible that it even increases in value.
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03-18-2008, 03:14 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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OK, I've ordered my D2! Now all I gotta' do is wait. This could be tough...
I was thinking it would be pretty awesome to get one with the DIP socket anyway. I bought a couple opamps for a CMoy project that I never ended up getting to, so I could give those a shot just to see the difference, and if I think it's worth it I could buy some better ones also.
This is going to be awesome.
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03-18-2008, 03:37 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Austria
Posts: 397
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Yep. I think you'll like it.
How much do you have to wait for it now? I think they said they'll need a week or so to assemble the last 30 with DIP sockets.
Btw. I also wanted one with DIP sockets because I thought of opamp rolling... but to be honest I don't really know why I should do it ^^. I really like how it sounds out of the box given that it isn't even fully burned in (I think that I don't even have 50 hours on it).
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03-18-2008, 07:57 PM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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Well, the website does say it'll take a week for processing, although I'm not sure if that means assembly, also.
I went for the UPS/DHL option for shipping rather than the slower Airmail option, so hopefully I'll have it sometime next week.
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03-21-2008, 03:20 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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I noticed that my payment went through today, but I never received a confirmation from iBasso. I did get one from PayPal, however, so that's a good thing.
I just sent iBasso an e-mail asking if they would provide me with a shipping notification or a tracking number when my D2 ships out. I'm not sure how much longer I can wait!
On a side note, I've been re-ripping my CD collection to FLAC, and noticed a night and day difference between that and 128 kbps, especially when it comes to drums and other percussive instruments. I'm really excited to see how much improvement I can get with the D2. I can't wait to get it!
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03-21-2008, 05:44 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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How do you use FLAC with Mac?
My D2 is sounding very good. At times very lifelike which I don't think is always easy to do.
__________________
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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03-21-2008, 08:35 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
How do you use FLAC with Mac?
My D2 is sounding very good. At times very lifelike which I don't think is always easy to do.
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VLC player - free, very good sound.
__________________
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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03-21-2008, 08:38 AM
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100+ Head-Fi'er
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 271
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I don't have a Mac, I run Linux on a Dell laptop.
But if you're looking to try and use FLAC on a Mac, these might help:
FLAC - download
How to play .flac files in iTunes - Simplehelp
I can't test either of these out since I don't have a Mac, but I suppose it would be worth a shot if you wanna' give it a go. From what I've read it still isn't perfect, but it does work.
Edit: Aaah, didn't see the VLC comment. Even then, I didn't realize they made VLC for Mac. But yes, VLC is great.
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03-21-2008, 10:08 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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The D2 is a very good choice.
Burn it in for a couple hundred hrs.It will sound even better.
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