I get one of these because I need something small enough to be placed in my pocket together with my DAP while I am moving around the house. Kind of an ultra-portable solution.
Here are some spec:
No volume control (designed to be used with DAP's phone-out)
Rechargeable Li-ion battery, 100mAH, 3.7V (last 12 ~18 months, replacement plan in future)
Operation over 24hrs in single charge (4hrs to full in first charge)
16ohms / 80mW max on each channels
10Hz~55KHz ; -/+ 1dB (32 ohms Loading)
Fixed gain of 2.5
Charged via mini-USB (w/ overcharge protection)
Switch on/off automatically when headphone is inserted/removed.
Four different colors: Green, red, gray, white.
Accessories:
Leather case
Two interconnecting cables (10cm + 60cm)
lanyard cable
Three sized elastic bands
Mini-USB cable
^you can take the whole PCB out, but quite difficult to put back in. Unknown opamp.
For something that cost me only ~$50, the Travagan's Colors certainly comes with a lots of goodies.
Sonic impression: (iriver clix2, flat EQ)
While Colors is probably one of the best looking/packaged small amp around, it is not designed to compete with other larger sized counterparts. I use it to drive my PK1, iM716 (HD mode) and MX90vc. A quick A/B-ing reveals that Colors is less detail and, more noticeably, less in the bass department when compare to other portable amps I have. This result is of course expected, when giving the consideration of its small size.
For all the three 'phones, iM716 is the most difficult to drive (probably better off with Bass mode, or amped Bass mode); PK1 sounds better, but still lack a bit in bass for my desire. MX90vc sounds pretty good, definitely improved the most out of the three. Over all, I think the improved SQ of (PK1 + Colors) is acceptable, especially if EQ to increase the treble and bass response. However, you will get the best result with a more sensitive 'phone (than PK1).
IMO, Travagan's Colors will be good as an inexpensive startup amp for newbie. For those who are serious about getting into the headphone amp market, you can probably find a better sounding DIY'ed amp on the same price range (just less colorful and not as many accessories). For me, it will be my ultra-portable solution from now on
[EDIT]
Yes, it is the ultra portable mini amps show down.
FiiO E3 bass boost is quite obvious going against dogbone. What FiiO lacks is the detail of dogbone. With better detail, dogbone spots a wider soundstage. Also worth noticing, E3 introduces hiss and even a very slight bit of distortion while dogbone is dead silence with high sensitivity IEM like SE530. Overall, I still prefer dogbone. However, I guess I can't complaint much after considering the price of E3.
Here is a basic frequency response graph for those who are interested.
[Impression] Travagan's Colors (aka Dogbone) featuring FiiO E3
) but I am am quite happy for my new toy... until the upgradtitus hits again
