Portaphile V2 Owners Thread

[TooNice]

What about canal phones? Those are not known to have great soundstage if I am not mistaken. How are amps likely to affect those?

And is soundstage still relevant for non live concerts recordings?

[bobeau]

Originally Posted by TooNice

What about canal phones? Those are not known to have great soundstage if I am not mistaken. How are amps likely to affect those?

And are soundstage still relevant for non live concerts recordings?

Aside from my untrained ear that's likely why I'm having trouble relating to many of these comments.

[atx]

What about canal phones? Those are not known to have great soundstage if I am not mistaken. How are amps likely to affect those?

And is soundstage still relevant for non live concerts recordings?

I find that Sennheisers have the best soundstage. Etys second. Grados are the worst. Yes, soundstage is relevant for non-live recordings. Some recordings are worst than others, but on those that are good, you can hear the width, though not as deep as live performances.

[TooNice]

Thanks.

I think I -might- be getting a better picture of soundstage. I also get what is meant by "snappier". What I don't understand is what is meant by "air".

And regarding my earlier question, what I wanted to know is how the introduction of vocals affect the music in such a way that puts the portaphile in a competitive position.

[atx]

What I don't understand is what is meant by "air".

"air" is what space sounds like. Put yourself in a very quiet room where there is NO sound. Then plug your ears with some foam so that you don't hear any outside noise. You'll notice that the sound of "empty space" and the lack thereof, is different. The sound of this empty space is what I meant by "air."

air affects soundwaves. More air makes "sound" spacious and full. The lack of air makes "sound" more compressed and dull. Think of going into an airplane and the cabin depressurizes. Then the plane lands and your ear pressure goes back to normal... you feel more "air" and the sound becomes "fuller."

And regarding my earlier question, what I wanted to know is how the introduction of vocals affect the music in such a way that puts the portaphile in a competitive position

Well, that is my personal opinion. There is a good amount of depth to the soundstage when using the portaphile. Try singing in your living room and singing in your bathroom. You'll notice that when singing in your bathroom, your voice sounds different. The closed space of your bathroom creates an acoustical enclosure where your voice bounces off the walls and emphasizes the notes. Bring your boombox into the bathroom and play some vocals. Do you think it sounds better in the bathroom or in the living room? I think it sounds better in the bathroom !

The portaphile has this kind of property where the notes seem to bounce, instead of disappearing into thin air like the sr71. Vocals sound fuller, and have more substance.

[Romanee]

First Impressions of the Portaphile V2.0 production amp - Hot Off The Press!

I received the new Portaphile V2 on the way to work this morning. I just plugged it in (11a.m.). I love it right out of box!!! It will really be enjoyable hearing how this one develops with burn-in. In 5 minutes I've already compared it to V2 beta #1 and #2. This one is really a keeper. It's already got more definition, speed, texture, energy, dimension and pinpoint placement. I can really hear exactly where each performer/instrument is located and each seems to have its own distinct space/body/weight. The BlackGate NX caps were a Great choice. Great work, Cesar!

The case looks good, too. The thumbscrews Cesar chose are the easier out-and-in than both the SM and SR-71, with a more positive grip (deeper cut texture). Front panel look and layout are just right.

The sound opens my eyes, sets my feet tapping and my head bouncing to the music, and slaps a big silly smile on my face.

Based on the burn-in course that V2 beta 1 (Nichicon Muse 2x1000uf caps) and beta 2 (Panasonic FC 2x3300uf) took, the (beautifully tight and defined) bass should open up with more depth, body and impact -- and the top end should smooth out nicely.

The production unit is even more musical and involving than the 2 beta versions.

Cesar's refinement of his triple-opamp-topology-in-a-mini-case [separate opamp+buffer(s) in L, R & G channels] that he started early last fall with V2 beta #1 has matured very nicely.

Remember, my enjoyment and excitement are, at this time, solely based on my sonic chain (with 2 alternate players):
Mac G5 Tower (2x1.8GHz, Superdrive...) w/iTunes v4.7(AppleLossless&AAC files, Redbook CDs, Hybrid/SACD files) > Sonica USB+BlackGate mods (BIG Up to Lan!) > Zu Pivot 0.5m mini-to-mini (silver) cable > Portaphile V2 production unit > AKG K501 (stock cable) [alt player: Titanium Powerbook G4 1.25GHz 15", Superdrive]

More to come as the vagaries of burn in proceed. No more time now -- must get back to work (and listening).

[Jester]

Well I just placed my order for a Portaphile V2. It will be interesting to compare it to my SR-71 and my SuperMacro V3 (whenever it arrives). Thanks to all who have provided feedback in this thread!

[atx]

I can really hear exactly where each performer/instrument is located and each seems to have its own distinct space/body/weight

This is really what makes portaphile a winner! After 20+ hrs or so (I should've paid more attention), the soundstage really deepens, giving you that "surround" sound feeling. It makes me want to pull out my cmoy with 627s because I don't think the 627 comes even close!

[bobeau]

Originally Posted by Romanee

First Impressions of the Portaphile V2.0 production amp
Based on the burn-in course that V2 beta 1 (Nichicon Muse 2x1000uf caps) and beta 2 (Panasonic FC 2x3300uf) took, the (beautifully tight and defined) bass should open up with more depth, body and impact -- and the top end should smooth out nicely.

You definitely have that waiting in the wings, just a few days of burn-in and something quite magical takes place.

Thanks for your impressions, good to hear the Black Gates (and other tweaks since beta) make a significant impact.

- Beau

[TooNice]

Originally Posted by Jester

Well I just placed my order for a Portaphile V2. It will be interesting to compare it to my SR-71 and my SuperMacro V3 (whenever it arrives). Thanks to all who have provided feedback in this thread!

Wow, thats a lot spent on amps!
I hope to hear a comparison of all 3 from you in due time!

[Jester]

Originally Posted by TooNice

Wow, thats a lot spent on amps!
I hope to hear a comparison of all 3 from you in due time!

Man your telling me! And that does not include my home rigs (with a Raptor ordered), plus the SuperDual which is a sleeper in the portable amp world.

I've been on a quest to find the ultimate travel rig. My job has me on the road 3-5 days a week all over the country, so that is a lot of seat time on a plane. With that said I am always switching between rigs trying to find nirvana. Once I get the Portaphile and SM burned in, I will dig in and provide my thoughts.

[bobeau]

FWIW, another Head-Fier with a Portaphile - http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=110641

[bobeau]

Kent mentioned in the above re: Pimeta vs. Portaphile

"I like the Portaphile much much more.

It just felt like the Portaphile had a lot more "control" of the sound than the PiMeta. It wasn't working as hard to push out bass, or extract details. Much more transparent."

[bobeau]

FWIW, with well over 100 hours of burn-in I can say at this point I detect a huge difference, as far dimensionality/soundstage, between using the Portaphile and running an 0404 unamped. It's involving to the point where I really do lose touch with the outside world and can focus on my work with tunnel vision. Just very organic - the music seems more like music than a highly detailed reproduction of music that Etys are known for giving. How much is from burn-in and how much is from rewiring my brain? Who knows, it sounds awesome. Never has music sounded so good, never has it gotten in my head like this.

I was vasillating over checking out other canalphones, the Westones in particular, but for now the Etys have a new lease on life.

[Romanee]

Originally Posted by bobeau

FWIW, with well over 100 hours of burn-in I can say at this point I detect a huge difference, as far dimensionality/soundstage, between using the Portaphile and running an 0404 unamped. It's involving to the point where I really do lose touch with the outside world and can focus on my work with tunnel vision. Just very organic - the music seems more like music than a highly detailed reproduction of music that Etys are known for giving. How much is from burn-in and how much is from rewiring my brain? Who knows, it sounds awesome. Never has music sounded so good, never has it gotten in my head like this.

I was vasillating over checking out other canalphones, the Westones in particular, but for now the Etys have a new lease on life.

It's probably both ... but I've gone through a lot of new review samples and loaners and am intimately familiar with burn-in cycles. Some are really dizzying in that their sound is all over the map until burned-in. I think the 2 V2 prototypes I burned in followed a reasonably steady course of maturation (with a few wiggles). Just as with my K501s, the Portaphile V2 really does improve/mature dramatically with lots of burn in. It seems to start out surprising and exciting with some rough edges and a bit of spectrum compression, and ends up well-rounded, more extended, smoother on top, more dimensional, more comfortable to hear and more immersive.

Have fun.