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Portaphile V2 Owners Thread - Page 20

post #286 of 456
6/26/05 at 8:48pm
Cortes,

Think of the batteries as the fuel tank of say a car. Having more fuel in a car vs another doesnt automatically mean it performs better. The design and efficiency of the amp plays a more important part in performance.
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post #287 of 456
6/26/05 at 9:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gremlin255
Cortes,

Think of the batteries as the fuel tank of say a car. Having more fuel in a car vs another doesnt automatically mean it performs better. The design and efficiency of the amp plays a more important part in performance.
Most (ordinary) cars drive fine without a full tank, until the tank gets really low... into the crud zone.

It will be nice if someone comes up with an electrical answer that satisfies everyone, but does all this battery/voltage/current/storage chat have anything to do with how any amp actually sounds in real life, to real ear/brain interfaces ... all the interesting theories or EE rules aside (not how it ought to sound, theoretically)?

I'm sure it all affects the longevity of whatever batteries are used, which is a real money concern... and some solutions are a real weight/portability issue... and some amp/battery designs aren't so efficient or successful. BUT... if this gets any more intense, it might more appropriately belong the the DIY forum -- or here in the amps forum as a separate batteries thread.

How do your various amps SOUND to YOU? (great, I hope...)
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post #288 of 456
7/12/05 at 8:27pm

joining the club

I hope it's OK to resurrect this (kinda) old thread. You guys have convinced me to try the V2 (NOT the newest V2^2). I just ordered a demo off Cesar's bargains page, so I will be getting much the same one that many of you received about 3-4 months ago, but mine will probably be largely burned in already (and hopefully not much the worse for wear). It's the same old Head-Fi story. I started with a (used) Super Mini Moy, which is OK with my Grado SR-80s, but downright awful with my Senn HD-580s. Since the Grados sound quite good unamped, and I'm still trying to learn to appreciate the Senns, the Portaphile seems like a good companion. Of course, now I need to improve my source(s), as I am listening to a bunch of MP3s carelessly ripped at 128k (I know better now... maybe I should post in that thread about regrets). I wil also probably be moving to a Chaintech AV-710 card to take advantage of the Wolfson DAC. I'm not sure how much the Zen Micro will benefit from an amp, but I guess I'll try it -- I imagine much of the time the amp will be used with my desktop though. Anyway, I'm hoping I can hear the difference & continue the quest this place has started me on.

Tom
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post #289 of 456
7/14/05 at 3:59am

Welcome!

Quote:
Originally Posted by htbyron
I hope it's OK to resurrect this (kinda) old thread. You guys have convinced me to try the V2 (NOT the newest V2^2). I just ordered a demo off Cesar's bargains page, so I will be getting much the same one that many of you received about 3-4 months ago, but mine will probably be largely burned in already (and hopefully not much the worse for wear). It's the same old Head-Fi story. I started with a (used) Super Mini Moy, which is OK with my Grado SR-80s, but downright awful with my Senn HD-580s. Since the Grados sound quite good unamped, and I'm still trying to learn to appreciate the Senns, the Portaphile seems like a good companion. Of course, now I need to improve my source(s), as I am listening to a bunch of MP3s carelessly ripped at 128k (I know better now... maybe I should post in that thread about regrets). I wil also probably be moving to a Chaintech AV-710 card to take advantage of the Wolfson DAC. I'm not sure how much the Zen Micro will benefit from an amp, but I guess I'll try it -- I imagine much of the time the amp will be used with my desktop though. Anyway, I'm hoping I can hear the difference & continue the quest this place has started me on.

Tom
Hi, Tom!

Of course it's okay to "resurrect" this thread ... it's an ongoing owner's thread anyway.

It will be interesting to hear your impressions of the V2. I have one and use it every day -- mostly at work (on my desk), of course in transit, and late night at home. The V2^2 is a noticeable improvement, but at a higher price due to the additional costly components and I wouldn't be surprised if it saw further enhancements.

I've never tried the Zen Micro, but unless I'm mistaken it does not seem to have a line out feature, so any amp will limited by the player's headphone out circuitry.

Cesar at Portaphile uses Senn 600s as his target phones for his amp designs -- as does Ray Samuels, so the V2 will do very nicely with your 580s. A better portable player with line out will be a big improvement (along with a good interconnect cable ... I use Zu Pivot 0.5m & Silver Dragon 0.5m ICs, but there are others, including RnB180's lovely cables -- see him at headfi's Mall Fi section).

Since this thread is ongoing, your future posts will be seen.

Cheers.
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post #290 of 456
10/13/05 at 8:56pm
Hi Guys, my maxxed v2^2 arrived this morning, initial impressions are very encouraging. Amazing instrument separation, very musical.

Will begin burning in those lovely big black gate caps, look forward to hearing it blossom over the next few hundred hours of enjoyment.

Will report back once burned in.

Gavin
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post #291 of 456
10/13/05 at 9:04pm
Mines on its way too!!! A birthday present no less!! My first headphone amp! I will of course report back! Happy to join the club!
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post #292 of 456
10/14/05 at 12:02am

Burn, Burn, Burn!

Hi, Big G and Mishakrisa … and big Congrats!

You may already have read the burn in notes in this thread, but if not:

It could take as much as 200 hours to fully mature. At around 100-120 hours you may experience alot more bass energy and impact. My PV2 had a very erratic burn in pattern between 120 and 170 hours (mine got very constricted in sound and soundstage, noisy, and rolled off at both ends -- which really scared me) … and at about 170 hours the top end really opened up. All the problems disappeared and the amp became extended at top & bottom, more open, dimensional, deep and punchy, and sweet on top.

Your amps may follow a somewhat different pattern, but it should be fun. Don't get anxious if the sound takes some weird turns along the way, though you may be lucky and not experience any of that. Burn in can really make your head twitch!

Be patient and you'll be amply rewarded.
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post #293 of 456
10/14/05 at 8:32am
Thanks Romanee! Just the kind if info I needed...afterall this is my first amp! Will report back throughout the burn in process..


Now....for some cans......

Damn you headfi!
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post #294 of 456
10/16/05 at 8:46pm
Really enjoying mine, managed to spend quite a few quality hours with it over the weekend (well 1 full battery - 20hrs).

I'm really liking what this amp brings to the music's presentation, I feel that it doesnt just amplify the signal, but adds allot of depth and definition, instruments are all nicely defined, I can hear the individual bass notes being plucked, rather than just a muddy underpinned bass tone.
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post #295 of 456
10/16/05 at 11:53pm

Battery Life - voltage

Heres a quick question re battery life:
what voltage do 9v alkalines usually register on a multimeter when flat, and what are the tell tale signs with your Portaphile amps when the battery is low.
At 7.5Volts, my amp exhibits distortion like a waah waah effect, kinda like a little effects generator..=) Is that the sort of voltage you would expect to see when the battery is depleted? Or does the amp have a cutoff voltage above what the battery would be when fully discharged?

Also does the amp consume more battery power whilst burning in?
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post #296 of 456
12/19/05 at 4:22pm
My black Portaphile v2^2 Maxed arrived this morning. I picked it up from Audiogon.

Dang, this thing is small! I wanted a pocket-able amp to replace my lost Porta Corda, and the Portaphile definitely fits the size bill. The metal casing is also very lovely.

I need to visit the hardware store to pick up something to open the front faceplate. I don't know what the current switch settings are and I want to try it out with the switches set for max sound quality.

I've had less than 15 minutes with it so far. My very much initial impressions are in agreement with earlier posts which compared it with the SR-71. Back to listening.
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post #297 of 456
12/19/05 at 6:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by socrates63
My black Portaphile v2^2 Maxed arrived this morning. I picked it up from Audiogon.

Dang, this thing is small! I wanted a pocket-able amp to replace my lost Porta Corda, and the Portaphile definitely fits the size bill. The metal casing is also very lovely.

I need to visit the hardware store to pick up something to open the front faceplate. I don't know what the current switch settings are and I want to try it out with the switches set for max sound quality.

I've had less than 15 minutes with it so far. My very much initial impressions are in agreement with earlier posts which compared it with the SR-71. Back to listening.
Congrats, Socrates!

I expect you've read some of the owner postings about the burn-in curve — but in case you haven't: The out-of-box sparkle and character will change as it matures.

At around 120 hours the bottom will extend with much more depth and impact. The period between 120 and 200 hours seems to vary between units, but you might experience some weird or unpleasant changes … but if you do those will clear up.

At around 170-200 hours the top end should extend and become smoother and cleaner with a bigger, more open sound stage, quieter background and richer sound overall.

When fuller matured it will sound different from the SR-71. No, it won't sound like the Hornet, but it does have a little in common with the Hornet in its lively energy and more forward presentation than the SR-71.

I'll leave the rest for you to experience and relate to us.

It will be interesting to hear your experience and impressions as the sound develops.

Cheers!
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post #298 of 456
12/19/05 at 10:24pm
I received a Custom made Kimber mini to mini a few weeks ago, beutiful cable and has opened up the Pv2^2, almost like lifting a veil..

sounds even more open, with more upward extension, but it is very transparent, showing up more flaws in recordings.
Is a nice match for the slightly recessed HF-1

Listening to most recordings, you really get the impression of depth, drums have good weight, and attack, but it somehow feels like they are placed where they should be, cymbals arent right in your face.

Loving my portaphile, extremely satisfied with the purchase, after much research, and wanting to avoid the temptation to upgrade down the track the portaphile is fulfilling all my desires in a portable / home amp.

My only 2 upgrades now are to replace the pocket dock (im sick of the non locking design) with a turbodock 2... and to source a Audio specific 18 - 24 volt linear regulated power plug pack....one that doesnt introduce a hum. so far no luck after trying 2-3 different units. I get a hum when touching the amp case or the volume is turned past 12 oclock (only noticable with no signal - source paused or stopped), but I know its there so it bugs me.

Im going to order a guitar effects pedal power pack from a local guitar store, fingers crossed it has a clean power feed.
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post #299 of 456
12/19/05 at 11:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big G
I received a Custom made Kimber mini to mini a few weeks ago, beutiful cable and has opened up the Pv2^2, almost like lifting a veil..

sounds even more open, with more upward extension, but it is very transparent, showing up more flaws in recordings.
Is a nice match for the slightly recessed HF-1

Listening to most recordings, you really get the impression of depth, drums have good weight, and attack, but it somehow feels like they are placed where they should be, cymbals arent right in your face.

Loving my portaphile, extremely satisfied with the purchase, after much research, and wanting to avoid the temptation to upgrade down the track the portaphile is fulfilling all my desires in a portable / home amp.

My only 2 upgrades now are to replace the pocket dock (im sick of the non locking design) with a turbodock 2... and to source a Audio specific 18 - 24 volt linear regulated power plug pack....one that doesnt introduce a hum. so far no luck after trying 2-3 different units. I get a hum when touching the amp case or the volume is turned past 12 oclock (only noticable with no signal - source paused or stopped), but I know its there so it bugs me.

Im going to order a guitar effects pedal power pack from a local guitar store, fingers crossed it has a clean power feed.
Sounds like a very nice cable. Can you provide more details on the cable, its maker, cost, wire, configuration, termination, etc.?
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post #300 of 456
12/19/05 at 11:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big G

Im going to order a guitar effects pedal power pack from a local guitar store, fingers crossed it has a clean power feed.
Have them look into Dunlop's guitar power supplies - I've been using various guitar pedals since the 70s and my Dunlop wah pedal's PS is freakin' huge (and quiet) at 18v - but not as big as my Eastland pedal board PS (9v) so you may want to have them check out the Eastland line too, it's made in China and delivers a clean output to my board.
Then again, my main amp is a Marshall JCM800, so I guess you could say I'm into "noise"

I love my Portaphile V2, I use it at home and sometimes at work with the HD600s - I only wish I had the maxed-out version to play around with
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