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Review: Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared - FINAL update 12-20-10... - Page 14  

post #196 of 3234
2/7/07 at 6:40pm
That's a gain switch on the back of that PR II. Down should be low gain, and up should be high or regular gain. And yes, the PR II with AD744 in output bypass mode does produce more hiss than any other op-amps I tried with it, doubt if even a low gain setting could improve that.
post #197 of 3234
2/9/07 at 8:03am
I have a very simple question concerning the Hornet: are both the sockets 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch? From all the photos I've seen I think its 1/4' but I keep thinking to myself its portable so it must have 1/8' sockets
post #198 of 3234
2/9/07 at 8:16am
Both are 1/8, the thing is just damn small^^
post #199 of 3234
2/9/07 at 8:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rhymesgalore View Post
Both are 1/8, the thing is just damn small^^
(sighs) back into the wallet again
post #200 of 3234
2/9/07 at 12:22pm
Hi Sky,
Can you clarify the "wow factor" a bit? Is this a description of the dynamic sound of one amp vs. another?
post #201 of 3234
2/9/07 at 12:33pm

XM4 Op-amps

Hey Sky....great review! I've referred back to it several times now.

Quick question...have you tried swapping the opamp in the PD XM4? I've been exchanging emails with the Ebay seller and have been told that an AD8620 opamp mounted on a so8-dip adapter would probably "not fit".

Thanks!
post #202 of 3234
2/9/07 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tbonner1 View Post
Hi Sky,
Can you clarify the "wow factor" a bit? Is this a description of the dynamic sound of one amp vs. another?
For me, it's simply the goose bump test - when I listen to music to a given amp, do I get that "WOW this sounds good!" feeling, or does the amp have too many compromises/limitations for me to get that feeling.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ecclesand View Post
Hey Sky....great review! I've referred back to it several times now.

Quick question...have you tried swapping the opamp in the PD XM4? I've been exchanging emails with the Ebay seller and have been told that an AD8620 opamp mounted on a so8-dip adapter would probably "not fit".

Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. As mentioned in the review, I don;t op-amp roll, and so all my comments refer to the op-amps as supplied by the manufacturer.
post #203 of 3234
2/14/07 at 7:21pm
This is a great thread, Skylab. I can't wait to hear your views of the Lorocco Diablo when you get it. It looks rather interesting...
post #204 of 3234
2/14/07 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperpwc View Post
This is a great thread, Skylab. I can't wait to hear your views of the Lorocco Diablo when you get it. It looks rather interesting...
I assume that someday I will actually get the Diablo. I do plan to spend some quality time with the Larocco PRII mk2 version that I just got this week, and will report on that.
post #205 of 3234
2/14/07 at 9:16pm
Ah, so I that's not the Larocco that you reviewed. I see now that that was the Audio Pocket Reference II. The Mk2 is assumedly an upgrade but no smaller. Look forward to hearing how it has changed.
post #206 of 3234
2/20/07 at 8:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperpwc View Post
Ah, so I that's not the Larocco that you reviewed. I see now that that was the Audio Pocket Reference II. The Mk2 is assumedly an upgrade but no smaller. Look forward to hearing how it has changed.
I added the following note to the original review today:

**** UPDATE 2/20/07: I got my PRII mk 2 last week. It was a 3 month wait, and was kind of angst-ridden, but I have it. And it is awesome, no doubt about it. While I do not have the original PRII to compare it to, it easily betters every portable amp I currently have. There is no doubt that the PRII mk 2 is still the king of the hill, as far as I am concerned. If anything, I'd upgrade the soundstaging to an A, and also note that in low gain mode only my E500's hiss. The PRII is still not a good choice for IEM users. But otherwise - it's the best portable amp I have ever heard. Larocco Audio can be frustrating to deal with, but this amp is great.
post #207 of 3234
2/20/07 at 8:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
I added the following note to the original review today:

**** UPDATE 2/20/07: I got my PRII mk 2 last week. It was a 3 month wait, and was kind of angst-ridden, but I have it. And it is awesome, no doubt about it. While I do not have the original PRII to compare it to, it easily betters every portable amp I currently have. There is no doubt that the PRII mk 2 is still the king of the hill, as far as I am concerned. If anything, I'd upgrade the soundstaging to an A, and also note that in low gain mode only my E500's hiss. The PRII is still not a good choice for IEM users. But otherwise - it's the best portable amp I have ever heard. Larocco Audio can be frustrating to deal with, but this amp is great.
Vorlon1 has the 1st gen of the LaRocco PRII, he had them lower the gain and added the AD744 op-amp. I believe it is a killer amp, and IMO only one portable bested it. Yes the Supermicro IV.
post #208 of 3234
2/20/07 at 8:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Vorlon1 has the 1st gen of the LaRocco PRII, he had them lower the gain and added the AD744 op-amp. I believe it is a killer amp, and IMO only one portable bested it. Yes the Supermicro IV.
Faaaaaaaaanboi!

(kiddin)..
post #209 of 3234
2/20/07 at 9:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
Vorlon1 has the 1st gen of the LaRocco PRII, he had them lower the gain and added the AD744 op-amp. I believe it is a killer amp, and IMO only one portable bested it. Yes the Supermicro IV.
I would love to hear a Supermicro IV. I have no intention of ever buying one, and I don't really miss my Supermacro IV, which I felt was inferior to the PRII. But I'd love to listen to the SupermicroIV.
post #210 of 3234
2/20/07 at 9:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
I would love to hear a Supermicro IV. I have no intention of ever buying one, and I don't really miss my Supermacro IV, which I felt was inferior to the PRII. But I'd love to listen to the SupermicroIV.
When I get out of some "issues" I will get one and will gladly send it your way for a week. But it has to come back to me.
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphone Amps › Review: Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared - FINAL update 12-20-10 added RSA SR-71B