Portable Amp for K701's
Oct 23, 2007 at 6:58 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 56
PhearthecowZ

PhearthecowZ

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I was curious as to what suggestions you guys would have on amping some K701's? I use my iPod 2G Nano (going to upgrade to a larger capacity model soon, hopefully an iMod) and am looking for a portable amp to pair with this set of cans. However, I am at a loss as to whether I should buy a cheaper amp now to tide me over until I can *truly* afford a nice amp, such as an SR-71 or LaRocco or go kind of middle-of the road here?
I was looking at the Minibox-D, C&C XO (That's pretty high price, but oh-so-beautiful), Little Dot MK1, Practical Audio, iBasso...etc...
There are so many to choose!

I want the best 'value' here, not the best of the best. I want to bring out the best in my cans without breaking the bank (even preferably saving the bank).

Suggestions?
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 7:48 AM Post #2 of 56
Ever heard Mini^3? - a user here called "Mister_X" is able to build you one, or you can order from grasshopper audio (check sponsor forum).

K701 notoriously hard to drive, but based on user experience here, Mini^3 able to drive HD650 in high gain version. You can check it out.
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 8:16 AM Post #3 of 56
FWIW I'm currently listening to my K701 out of a crappy laptop sound card and a Corda Headsix powered by a 9V rechargeable battery. Sounds far better than it should.

I've also tried the Headsix w/ K701 out of some better sources too... E-MU 0404 USB and my Cambridge Audio CDP. Scales very well for a $150 portable amp.

I also think your decision should be partly guided by how big you want the portable amp to be... were you planning on using this amp + K701 combo on the go, or is this just a transportable setup?
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 8:23 AM Post #4 of 56
I have an SR-71 and I think it drives my K701s very well and sounds very good. There is a thread here on the Minibox-E, which mrarroyo thinks is better than the SR-71 and is a lot cheaper, so maybe you could consider that, as well.
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 9:10 AM Post #5 of 56
My 'on-the-go' and transportable rig. So size is a factor. Budget is the main thing I'm looking for here, will I hear a significant difference between a more budget priced model versus a higher priced model? $200 is about the absolute max I want to pay right now.
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 10:36 AM Post #7 of 56
I drive mine with the excellent Corda Move and I am very satisfied. The Move was certainly an upgrade from the Little Dot Micro+ I used before. The LDM+ did near to nothing for my setup.
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 11:03 AM Post #8 of 56
I agree with the Corda Move: it adds warmth and bass to my 701. It does require the volume pot to be at about 2-3:00 on some music however, but the s/q is excellent.
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 1:29 PM Post #10 of 56
Quote:

Originally Posted by dw6928 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I agree with the Corda Move: it adds warmth and bass to my 701. It does require the volume pot to be at about 2-3:00 on some music however, but the s/q is excellent.


Sorry to be off-topic, but my amps requiire significantly higher volume settings to drive my DT880s than my K701s, so I was just wondering where I would need the volume control on a Move to drive my DT880s, if it's at 3 to drive the K701s.
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 1:47 PM Post #12 of 56
Quote:

Originally Posted by Capunk /img/forum/go_quote.gif
you can order from grasshopper audio


It's "Rockhopper Audio" as in the the penguin.
wink.gif
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 1:51 PM Post #13 of 56
lol, my mistake - I keep wrong spelled many manufactures company
biggrin.gif
 
Oct 23, 2007 at 2:03 PM Post #15 of 56
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaw007 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
C&C XO


Are you asking or answering the question? Do you have expierence with this combo. XO and K701's? Please enlighten us.
blink.gif
 
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