UPDATED 2/22 REVIEW 13 USB DAC amp - Predator, Pico, 2/3MOVE, D10 D3 D2 Viper/Boa D1, Lyrix,... - Page 57

The Nuforce definitely needs burn-in for a good bit of time, and it changes more with burn-in than any other amp except for the Predator. And I said the Nuforce was better in many areas but not all, and I detailed when and why it was or was not better.

I do get enough bass with my ESW10JPN which are similar in sound from what I recall (sold my HD25-1 over a year ago). I can hear 16Hz-16KHz and with the Nuforce and the NE-7M I could hear the 16Hz tones. The bass is not boosted but it is not lacking either. I will more often reach for the Nuforce before I reach for the D2 Boa.

The main disadvantage of the Nuforce is that the sound is brighter and more forward when used with an iPod instead of with the internal DAC, so I really prefer to use it with a computer more. The second disadvantage is the battery life is a bit less, and the battery drains when it is stored and not being used. The main disadvantage of the D2 Boa is the mids are not as detailed, and the bass is not as controlled.

I am willing to bet the D2 Boa will work well with the somewhat forward sound of the HD25. And the D2 will sound better out of the box than the Nuforce, just like the D3 Python sounds better out of the box than the D2 Boa. But I still needed at least 200-300 hours of burn-in with the D2 Boa, and the soundstage didn't fully open up until 600 hours.

Glad I could help. The 3MOVE is another portable with great power for the HD600, but it is too bass heavy for the IE8. The V1 seems to work better when using both of those phones, as far as synergy and power goes.

All the amps above the D3 come highly recommended and sound very good, including the Micro Amp. I am STILL using the Micro Amp and DAC in my bedside rig over 15 months after I bought it (while the Meier Headfive that it sits on is not even connected). When I am in bed I typically use it with my IEM and ESW10, but I could use it with any of my phones.

The Micro Amp has almost 2x the voltage swing for high impedance headphones when it is plugged into the wall, and it does better with HD600 than the modded D10. I did my review on battery power, not plugged in with the 15v power brick. So, for the headphones that you have I would keep the Micro Amp and try it during the 30 day money back guarantee time-period. Burn-it in for a couple hundred hours over the first 2 weeks, but it will already sound good right out of the box by the end of the first hour.

You can always add a $99 Vivid V1 for transportable DAC/amp (very nice with HD600), or even a cheaper hotaudio USB DAC later (which some day I do plan to review as well). For home a Super Pro DAC707 has a similar circuit to the Micro DAC but with LT1364 opamps in the output stage, and it would pair well with the Micro Amp for 1/3 the cost of the Micro DAC.

The P-51 is a little richer and more vibrant in the mids, but also a little spacious at the same too. It also seems a little more extended in the highs. When I don't need the DAC I grab the P-51, like with my iMod.

Glad I could help. More tidbits from my upcoming EF2 review.

I am burning in some NOS Raytheon 6AK5 tubes in the EF2 (equivalent to the 6J1) and they sound a little better, but I was surprised at how the stock tubes don't suck at all. The EF2 DAC is on par with the 3MOVE DAC, and is also a PCM2702E Japan, but the amp section is a little better than the D10 and closer to the EF1 amp (or Cavalli CTH, or Millett SSH). The only difference I found between the EF1 and EF2 (at CanJam) is that the EF2 couldn't adequately drive an 8 ohm orthodynamic headphone, with it running out of current before the EF1 did. The EF2 sounded so good that I swapped my $399 EF1 for a new EF2 to review.

I have typically been using the EF2 with either the D10 DAC or Pico DAC-only as the source, for maximum detail and space, but I enjoy the EF2 just as much with the built-in DAC. I am just not sure I would give up and sell my better DACs for using only the built-in DAC.

I have not heard the Gilmore Lite, but I have heard other similar SS discrete amps like Grahm Slee NOVO and Solo SRG. I would take the EF2 over the $350 NOVO with any headphone (similar to my EF1 findings), but I am not sure about the SRG - but then the SRG is also $700 vs $189. Most of my burn-in of the EF2 has been with my HD800, and the EF2 started out a little bright with HD800 but mellowed out over time, while the SRG had hundreds of hours on it and still sounded bright with the HD800.

So, that's all for now.