Indecision is getting costly! - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

markkr · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 04:17 PM

Well guys, this forum is running me ragged! Just when I think I know what I want, I see a post that makes me think twice.

I couldn’t decide between a HeadSave Transit or a XIN Super Mini. I talked with Norm at HeadSave and he recommended his Intro amp instead of the Transit for my needs. So I went ahead and ordered the Intro minus the Class “A” bias to increase battery life.

Then I read all these posts with people just RAVING about the XIN amps. So I ordered a Super Mini too!!

I haven’t seen any posts comparing these two amps, so once I receive them and listen for a while, I’ll post some feedback.

davidmiya · #2 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 11:18 AM

You could purchase a PPA with the battery board. Then you'll never have anything to complain/debate about ever again in the portable realm. Though, I'm guessing that the PPA is bit above your budget.

markkr · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 04:53 PM

I have not seen any small PPA amps. Where can I see one? How much are they on average?

I'm not rich so money is an issue to a point. I've already invested over $1000 in my portable setup, to me thats ALOT!!

I'm new to this so I have just been going on what seems to be general consensus of what's the best sound vs. cost, so far it been working.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Watchdog · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 12:40 AM

Is a PPA with the battery board really portable though? I mean a dozen AA cells inside a box to power a 2nd box that contains the amp. Including the source, you're carrying around 3 things.

That doesn't sound portable to me.

Perhaps I don't understand what the PPA is and that's the problem. How much do various configurations of the PPA cost anyhow?

ppl · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-2003, 10:20 AM

The PPA Amp and the battery Board can both fit into the same hammond Enclosure. That makes a one box portable amp about the Size of a Brick. see tangents site for details on both the Amp and Battery board. He has Detailed instructions covering all aspects of constructing this Amp. http://tangentsoft.net/audio/ppa/

BTW the Headsave Amps are quite a good value also and should serve you well for the price/performance ratio thay offer. Hope this helps!

markkr · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 07:37 PM

OK, I've used both of these amps now for about 75hrs each. I'm not sure how to describe the differences in words but here it goes anyway. I used my iPod and ER4S’s for this comparison. The music that used was one of my favorite albums, Dire Straits/Money for Nothing.

Headsave Intro:

The first amp I received was the Headsave Intro. I had only one change made to the standard model per Norm’s recommendation, that was to remove the Class “A” bias to increase battery life. I was VERY impressed with the support that I received from Norm throughout the buying process. I ordered 2-Plainview NiMH batteries from him as well. The amp sounded great right out of the box. I hooked it up to my iPod and left it running for 48hrs to give it some “break-in” time as suggested. I absolutely love this amp, The soundstage is broad and clean, there is absolutely no “hiss” at all. It feels like the musicians are inside my head, very lifelike, clean, and just a tiny bit on the bright side.

Supermini V6.2c:

First impression, WOW its small!. I found the amp to sound very harsh, so I gave it the same 48hr “break-in”. I hate to say it, I’m not really impressed with anything other than its size. It does sound good, but the soundstage seems closed in and the midrange a bit exaggerated. The highs are also not jumping out at me where I think they should. I don’t like the digital volume control, I would prefer the knob style any day. I honestly cannot hear any difference between the x-feed on and off. In my Total AirHead it makes a tremendous difference with the x-feed on?? The x-feed switch is entirely too small. If I were to order another one, and I think I might, I’m getting it without the x-feed, and with the analog volume knob. The cutouts in the case for the digital volume and x-feed switches are extremely sloppy. Overall I’m not very happy with this amp, which really surprised me since it seems to be the one of choice for portable use around this forum.

IMO the Headsave Intro is a vastly superior product if you can live with its size which is roughly 2-1/2 times larger than the Supermini.

This is of course just my opinion. (and you know what they say about opinions!!)

Musicfan123 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 07:58 PM

Not to offend anyone, but I would have used more polite language in describing the respective amps.

Just my 2 cents.

markkr · #8 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 08:33 PM

I dont want to come off as a jerk with my description of the Supermini, I just didnt like it. I'm not offended and I really dont find my comments offensive. I'm just telling it as I see it. These are just my opinions?

braillediver · #9 (**permalink**) 10-26-2003, 11:40 PM

Hey nice review and great input.

Say it like it is and you'll get more respect. You didn't slam a product you just gave your honest impression.

The cross feed should be subtle and there are a couple of different implementations of it.

Mitch