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FreeBlues, when I had a PRII MkII I placed a piece of closed cell foam between the batteries and the case to prevent them from dislodging. Give it a try it is a very cheap mod.
Well he states on his site it is infact it's all business. The reason the PRII is "fragile", despite it's aluminum case is it's not really crammed into the case like all your other more "durable" feeling amps are. Batteries can't fall out of their spots if it has no way to move, ala all of your more current portables. Also, everything is pretty spacious in the PRII whereas in all your other more recent amps, stuff is crammed into the smallest space possible, making it feel more solid.
__________________ Nate
Music -> Amp -> Headphones
"I want a nightclub on my head." :basshead:
mr_baseball: I guess times have changed and Head-fiers are getting laid like champs now. (Except I seriously doubt that's the case given all the anime and computer related threads around here..)
Nate, FWIW here are some thoughts and information.
1. I have exchanged emails w/ Graham and he is getting new cases for the next batch (250 units) of the Voyager. That should help in the aesthetics department, at this time I have no idea of what the new cased amp will sell for.
2. When I purchased my iBasso D1 it could be had for $209 w/o cables. The total was $232 w/ S&H. A fantastic price for any amp w/ a DAC. Thanks to people like HiFlight and Jamato8 we know of op-amps which sound better than the stock ones. The combination you tried LHM4562 for the buffers (2) and the OPA2107 for the L/R is definetly better than the stock. However it is not as good as the LHM6643 for the buffers (2) and the AD8599 for the L/R. Next (with the help of a Ron) I hope to try jumpers on the buffers and the AD797 which according to many is the best they have heard. If so the AD797 and a browndog adapter would set me about $35 which when added to the $232 brings the total cost to under $270. Overall a low price IMO, and of course you have a DAC which can be fed by optical/coaxial/usb.
Both of these units are very nice and IMO should be on the top of many lists (the newer P2 is perhaps better than the D1). Of course not every one hears the same way and may not agree w/ you nor I. For example Vorlon1 listened and preferred the D1.
At the end of the day the good thing is the variety of amps currently available!
Note: I wonder if the SR71 you have was damaged in transit. To me the SR71 is one of the best portable amps for my kind of music (Jazz), I find it has great soundstage and a sweetness that very few amps have.
I have the Echo Indigo I/O. I thought the only difference between it and the DJ is that the DJ has two outputs instead of one output and one input. You are definitely spot on though about it being neutral. It has been a wonderful tool to me, even before head-fi and without it, I might not be here.
Now I want to see the LISA III compared to the Voyager if it supposedly beats the PRII mkII!
Wish that someone could get a hold on a supermicro IV for a comparison too. Can you imagine how one of those looks with a new nano?
The problem with Xin is that on a realistic comparison stand point, is it takes so long to get one, then to add to that, some people JUST ORDERED and received his latest one and then an update is released. It's almost to the point to say you can't effectively compare his amps to anything because of his build time and business practices. IMO, it's only worth doing if you already have a Xin, rather than try to buy one and then compare it because by the time you get one, who knows what version will then be out, let alone new amps, lol.
Miguel, I think I'm going to have to try and get some of those opamps and see how it transforms. IMO as it sits right now, it sounds REALLY close to the original hornet, which is the sound I was after (before I heard the Voyager). Interesting....
__________________ Nate
Music -> Amp -> Headphones
"I want a nightclub on my head." :basshead:
mr_baseball: I guess times have changed and Head-fiers are getting laid like champs now. (Except I seriously doubt that's the case given all the anime and computer related threads around here..)
Added the XIN Reference, SuperMicro IV (SMIV), and GoVibe Petite to the review...pretty surprising results...
__________________ Nate
Music -> Amp -> Headphones
"I want a nightclub on my head." :basshead:
mr_baseball: I guess times have changed and Head-fiers are getting laid like champs now. (Except I seriously doubt that's the case given all the anime and computer related threads around here..)
Member of the Trade: Rudistor Sound Systems US/Canada Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3000 can be shoved down one's throat.
Have you guys heard the LISA III, I have right now the two versions here, and trust me that it is the best portable/transportable amp I have heard in years. It is a real shame it was not included in this review as well...
Even though not sure hat your opinion will be if you rate the PRII on the 7th place...that fact alone do not me make feel too optimistic about the headphones used with them...
__________________
I do love the Edition 9, and probably you know what that means, so you have been warned...!!!
Disclaimer: Please assume every single of my statements, to mean: “in my system”, “to my ears”, "in my experience", “in my opinion”, etc...(otherwise stated).
Neutrality, accuracy? OK, just ask yourself first: Do you know for sure how the recording is supposed to sound? So for me euphony is all about!!! Please do yourself a favor, stop listening your gear, and begin to feel the music instead!!!
Home setup: Sony DVP-NC555ES => BJC IC's => RPX-33 MKII/RPX-31 => UE9
"On the go" setup: Panasonic SL-CT570 => XJ-03 => Sleek SA6/Klipsch Images X5/X10
Proved that despite its huge size, the CD3K can be shoved down one's throat...
And how about now the Ultrasone Edition 9?
EQUIPO HEAD-FI HISPANO: DILE ADIOS A TUS AHORROS!!!
Not argue abou that, cos never tried it, but thats like USD 550 shipped. For an portabable use only, just a little to much for my wallet, at least for now.
Originally Posted by Sovkiller
Have you guys heard the LISA III, I have right now the two versions here, and trust me that it is the best portable/transportable amp I have heard in years. It is a real shame it was not included in this review as well...
Even though not sure hat your opinion will be if you rate the PRII on the 7th place...that fact alone do not me make feel too optimistic about the headphones used with them...
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Main use@NAD C542 CDP
Amplifier: Yoshino EAR HP4
Phones:Grado GS1000
Cables:DH Labs Silver Sonic BL-1 Series II/Monster M1000i RCA/MicrophonicAudio RCA/Wyvern Audio-Cyprium One LOD
Portable@ iAudio X5L 30G >Go-Vibe Petite DAC>ATH ES7/ATH ESW9/Koss KSC75
