Review: Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared - FINAL update 12-20-10... - Page 113  

I'm just catching up on this thread (again) and focused just on the now famous Post #1. I've found that in the past couple of years I've been doing less and less portable listening but that will be changing soon as I'll be spending more time on the road.

So after reading through all 36 amps reviewed, I kind had this "cut to the chase" sensation, as in "Thanks, skylab... but I'd hate to be you and have to do all of that work!" although it has quite clearly been a labor of love.

Oh, the "cut to the chase" part... well, I have several portable amps and quite like them all (RSA Hornet, Tomahawk and the transportable XP-7, a couple of Xin amps, I believe SMIIIv6 and SMIV, Portaphile 2v2). At the same time, I'd like to try a new one or two, and these outstanding reviews give me a chance to see rather clearly through the otherwise murky waters:

1. Triad Audio Lisa III
2. Qables iQube
2. Headamp Pico
2. Larocco Audio Pocket Reference II mk 2
2. Meier Audio 2MOVE (and the older MOVE)

I like that! #1 and then 4 different #2 choices. Interesting.

The #1 amp is definitely worth looking into. I suspect I'll end up owning one eventually, but at that price I'd love to hear it first. There will be many times when it will be nice to have an outstanding transportable amp on hand, especially when I can listen for hours on end and I'm just parked somewhere relaxing.

The #2 amps can then be ranked by price and size (smaller being better) and that leads me to the 2MOVE. Of course Jan is a great guy (not that any of the others aren't), the price is right, and I'd love to have an excellent portable amp with crossfeed. Done!

I wouldn't have been led to either of these amps were it not for this thread, so that's what the "thanks" is all about. Sometimes you have to do your own listening, but other times (like this, for me), it can be equally wise to simply allow yourself to be guided.

I'm also happy to know that the RSA and Xin amps that I now have and very much love, have rated quite highly on this list. To the extent that these #2 options might be even "better" in some ways is highly encouraging. Even if (as I suspect) they represent more of a "different flavor" than an absolute improvement, having one or two of them to toss into the mix will add a lot to the fun of my portable listening sessions.

I'd like to give some of these amps a good listen at CanJam '08. Among other tasks, I'm wanting to compare the Pico to the Predator to the 2MOVE. I know that all are winners, but I think it will be fun to do the listening myself before deciding.

I'd love to consider the iQube but at 399 Euro (nearly $600), that would take a lot more convincing. Absolutely gorgeous case work though!

As for the Lisa III, one day, one day... I'm looking forward to hearing that one as well. The price factor becomes less of a gulp (relative to the iQube), since it seems to be more or less in a league of its own (and is actually less money). Again, portability is not an issue for me because this amp would serve a different role than the others.

indeed, thanks as always!

I agree with your statements regarding the description of the sound qualities of the Predator and XXS (HeadSix). I love both of them, for different reasons and with different cans.

Based on how much better my Predator sounds vs my HeadSix when I listen at my home, I'm surprised Predator it isn't tied with the 2MOVE. I understand the price can affect the rank, but I would have guessed the size should make up for some of that. Oh well. It sure does sound more like a full-sized amp than ever thought possible from a portable. I look forward to your DAC evaluation. The loaner has about 220 hours on the DAC section, RSA recommends 150 for burn-in.

The HeadSix, being the same as the XXS, is the portable that I found had the best synergy with the Darth Beyers (small cups) as the HeadSix (XXS) would tame the boomy bass and bring the mids more forward at the same time.

The Predator sounds pretty good with everything I threw at it, except the Darths. It performs stunningly with my Edition 9

That is great to hear as I hope to get some 9's in the future. The bass from the Predator, after maturing, is some of the best quality bass I have ever heard. From what I have read it should couple very will with the Edition 9.

Skylab, have you had the chance to listen to the 2Move with your Dt 990's? I'm hoping it would tame the highs just a little bit, tighten up the bass somewhat so that the mids would come a tad more foreward. Are these realistic expectations?

Have you listened to the XXS with your livewires at all? I'm looking at it and a few others, and finding it hard to make a decision. I like a fairly bright presentation (Grado fanboy) so what you describe with the Darths sounds like it might work for me, assuming it has a similar effect with the livewires.

I had DT990 / 250 Ohm and I did not like them with Move. There were too much bass and treble with this combo. I liked DT990 with Headroom Bithead more.

That doesn't sound good at all. Those are exactly the things that I want too avoid. Thanks for the input!

@ Skylab: thank you very much for sharing your experiences with us! Your title of 'Reviewerus Prolificus' is well deserved!

Thank you Skylab for the excellent reviews ! Much appreciated as always !

Thanks for the reviews. You've really been doing great service to the community

Yes, very good reviews...
How are the mids of the PIco VS the Arietta...?
Thanks

thanks for the reviews =D

hopefully, we can get the iBasso P2, D2 reviews too later on