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Portaphiles get no love? - Page 2

post #16 of 247
9/5/07 at 3:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIG POPPA View Post
I've been listening to one the last few days and I don't get it? It is a very nice sounding amp? I know it eats 9 volts. It is a little bigger than a hornet. I know it is not close to a Lisa III. For the price it is a steal. What am I missing?
Of course I have to say: How do you know it's not close to the Lisa III if -- A) you haven't put 400+ hours on the Portaphile -- using the fully maxxed Portaphile (with LT1210 + 2x1500uf Black Gate NX caps) -- and -- B) you haven't personally done a side-by-side comparison of the amps in a quiet environment (with high-quality power, source, cables, phones, etc.).

(Not a criticism -- just a note.)

My Portaphile Maxxed will drive most large, dynamic phones with ease, including K701 (I have … I do … it does.) For a while I've had Senn HD600 & HD650, Beyer DT880-250/2005, K701, K501 and portable Westone ES2 IEMs, Senn PXC300 NR phones -- and all synergize well with the Portaphile.

…and World Peace…

[Thou has awakened the sleeping Dragon … albeit a friendly one.]
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post #17 of 247
9/5/07 at 3:38pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Romanee View Post
Of course I have to say: How do you know it's not close to the Lisa III if -- A) you haven't put 400+ hours on the Portaphile -- using the fully maxxed Portaphile (with LT1210 + 2x1500uf Black Gate NX caps) -- and -- B) you haven't personally done a side-by-side comparison of the amps in a quiet environment (with high-quality power, source, cables, phones, etc.).

(Not a criticism -- just a note.)

My Portaphile Maxxed will drive most large, dynamic phones with ease, including K701 (I have … I do … it does.) For a while I've had Senn HD600 & HD650, Beyer DT880-250/2005, K701, K501 and portable Westone ES2 IEMs, Senn PXC300 NR phones -- and all synergize well with the Portaphile.

…and World Peace…

[Thou has awakened the sleeping Dragon … albeit a friendly one.]
Sorry that I have not had the time yet to really test drive the Portaphile yet. Family guy with a honey do list 10 feet tall. When I get back from the beach on Friday I will do more listening. Between a Lisa III exp proto and a Lisa III with the gain of 10 with a regulated power supply to compare to. And I have more amps to compare to. The Portaphile I have is maxxed with everything. I have not been able to poach The Naim CD5i yet to do any critical listening or the other headphones I use to put the amp through the wringer. I will use the equipment I reviewed the Lisa with and the amp will be burned in. Have not got the feel for the amp yet on capabilities thats all
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post #18 of 247
9/5/07 at 3:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIG POPPA View Post
Sorry that I have not had the time yet to really test drive the Portaphile yet. Family guy with a honey do list 10 feet tall. When I get back from the beach on Friday I will do more listening. Between a Lisa III exp proto and a Lisa III with the gain of 10 with a regulated power supply to compare to. And I have more amps to compare to. The Portaphile I have is maxxed with everything. I have not been able to poach The Naim CD5i yet to do any critical listening or the other headphones I use to put the amp through the wringer. I will use the equipment I reviewed the Lisa with and the amp will be burned in. Have not got the feel for the amp yet on capabilities thats all
Ah! You have lots of nice toys to play with -- during the 5 oft-interrupted minutes per week free time.
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post #19 of 247
9/5/07 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
I stay up late and BBQ everyday if I can to get some good listening in. I can squeeze a few hours everyday at the minimum. At the beach the family has been warned leave me alone with a twelve pack and my toys!!!!
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post #20 of 247
9/5/07 at 7:04pm
IMO the Portaphile amps would get more love if they were still being actively produced. "Limited quantities available" on the V2^2 isn't all that inspiring. Cesar needs to step up and get that Shohin amp out, he's turning into the next Xin or LaRocco!

Very good sound on the V2^2 too, just bypass the batteries and use one on solely AC power, it sounded very nice that way when I tried one.
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post #21 of 247
9/5/07 at 7:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asr View Post
IMO the Portaphile amps would get more love if they were still being actively produced. "Limited quantities available" on the V2^2 isn't all that inspiring. Cesar needs to step up and get that Shohin amp out, he's turning into the next Xin or LaRocco!

Very good sound on the V2^2 too, just bypass the batteries and use one on solely AC power, it sounded very nice that way when I tried one.
Actually, my main problem right now is that parts are getting pretty scarce. BUF634U's are completely out everywhere and expected availability is posted as 2012??? Aside from that, I've never taken anyone's money up front without delivery like some of these others mentioned so please don't put me there. Everyone who's ordered an amplifier from me has received it promptly, although stock is usually limited.

Thanks for the comments fellas!
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post #22 of 247
9/5/07 at 7:29pm
Er...oops...sorry, didn't mean any offense by that. Apologies for that tactless comparison. I was referring to wait time only, since it's been a long time since the last update. And I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that the Shohin is very eagerly being anticipated.
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post #23 of 247
9/5/07 at 7:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asr View Post
... I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that the Shohin is very eagerly being anticipated.
DITTO! (Hi, Cesar!)

The ways the competition's been crankin' … looks like the Shohin will have to have a DAC in its tank -- and fit inside a wristwatch!
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post #24 of 247
9/5/07 at 10:46pm
No worries ASR, no offense taken. I just don't want there to be any misconceptions for anyone who doesn't know me.

Hi Peter, I wish I could get it out sooner but it hasn't been easy. I'll post an update explaining where things are soon.

Thanks again everyone!
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post #25 of 247
9/6/07 at 11:20am
wow i hope the shohin is coming soon.
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post #26 of 247
9/6/07 at 3:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIG POPPA View Post
So How would you rate the sound against the other amps you have reviewed? Just curious Also not having a built in battery charger is not a drawback to me. I prefer it. I just buy a box of batteries from Costco and I'm set. The exception to that is my Red Tomahawk
See post 3 at: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=252667
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post #27 of 247
9/7/07 at 5:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post

On a quick re-look through your very entertaining reviews, I couldn't find much description of the sound of the Portaphile other than it has a lot of bass, and that the battery drain soured it for you. Did I miss it?
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post #28 of 247
9/7/07 at 9:56am
and could Mrarroyo or Vorlon do a check on a Portaphile with 800+ hours on it??? And if "yes" can someone loan them a Portaphile for said testing??? Mine's approaching 600 hrs, so if nothing else, I'll donate.
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post #29 of 247
9/7/07 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo View Post
I just got back from my little getaway with the family. I read it but there is not much about the sound and just a little more on the battery life of the amp? Did I miss something kind sir?
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post #30 of 247
9/7/07 at 9:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tracyrick View Post
My V2 maxxed sounds awesome to me.
Ditto!
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