Hi everyone, first time poster...

I got a pair of ESW9 last week and wanted to know your thoughts regarding amping. I have heard both that the cans DO get a noticeable improvement with amping, as well as they DON'T get that much of an improvement.

With that said, I've been doing some reading and have narrowed down the amps to: 1)the xin supermicro and 2)the XXS.

These amps fulfill my goals of price (<$200), portability and great sound.

I listen to a wide variety of music, and love the ESW9's clarity/lushness on accoustic/classical/jazz. I also enjoy the authority of the bass on hiphop/r&b but also think they go well with rock (I actually prefer a warm laid back sound with rock; anything to "forward" or "in my face" generally is too harsh sounding for me).

I'm using an iRiver Clix gen 2, and since it doesn't support flac, I settle with level 10 ogg vorbis.

Oh yeah, I have set the Clix's EQ with a bump up at 200Hz a bit, while decreasing at 1kHz and 14 kHz...that's the sound I generally go for.

Thanks in advance.

Jon

Big sound is the hallmark of the Xin SuperMicro-IV (04/11007 and above). But you'd probably know how difficult is is to get one now. Typically the wait can be over 1 year if ordered through Xin directly. Best bet is to buy from the used market at premium price.

Failing that, I recommend the MiniBox-E+ - verily. Because IMO this amp is capable of outclassing the Xin SuperMicro-IV and SuperMini-IV, not much but then again going level to level with the Xins are not something easy to accomplish.

Generally I would not recommend to amplify the headphone out, so I am going to wreck your wallet here to at least go for DAPs with a dedicated Line Out. The iPods offer Line Out and so does iRiver H series (H120/140 & H3XX). And yes, amplification pair best with lossless because when you start hearing the details, you don't want to hear the garbage as well.

Hey you risk getting poorer the more you ask

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Wow, I didn't realize the wait was THAT long. I don't think even Tesslas have a wait that long.

Yah, I've heard the minibox e+ is a great pairing...how portable is it? Anyone have any issues with carrying around/walking/etc?

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The most compact piggyback pairing can be achieved by using iPod Nano G4 + RSA P-51 The Mustang or iPod Nano G4 + Xin SuperMini-IV. They are really compact and can be easily pocketed.

But if you are keen on the MiniBox-E+, click on my sig below for my full review and to get a picture of the size. The thickness is about the same with iPod 5.5G 80GB which is still fairly slim for piggyback application. Most other amps uses Hammond or Hammond styled enclosures and they are thicker for sure.

The Xin SuperMicro-IV form factor is not as favorable as the Xin SuperMini because despite being the smallest, the SuperMicro-IV is actually thicker in depth.

But if you're on tight budget, the FiiO amps are affordable and relatively small. They are not bad either from the comments received.

I recommend you also consider the Nuforce Icon Mobile for the ESW9. For 99$ this one does sound very good. It is also a Dac where you can use it with your computer's USB.

Erm. Mini3?

RSA P-51 would be a nice match, also a Pico for source and amp looks nice also.

x2 RSA P-51 Mustang, Biggest (Sound) from Littleist (Amp). Definitely has synergy w/ESW9 FWIR. That's why I'm ordering a pair in a couple of days (see sig). I know it's more than your budget you mentioned above, but IMO it's worth every penny. Also, checkout Skylabs review on the Mustang at the RSA website. You should seriously consider, highly recommended. Good Luck.
Aloha
Headphile808

I've been listening to ESW10JPN from iMod, amped by ALO Double Mini. Very impressive, for the size. The sound is ample and all the instruments sound well-placed, very very musical.

Guys, the OP indicated a price of under $200. Why is it that "we" (please notice I wrote we since in other threads I have been guilty of doing the same) are recommending amps over the $200 budget stated by the OP?

OP, I am a major proponent of Dr. Xin's amps. However he is still in "research mode" and his amps are not being delivered as fast as he should be able to. If you are willing to wait buy it using your credit card which will not get charged until the amp is shipped. I would not recommend using PayPal because you will be charged immediately and it could take a long time to get your amp.

As an alternative you could get the iBasso P3 or the MiniBox-E+. Both allow op-amp rolling to get the sound you are looking for.

Good luck.

Hey, thanks for all the suggestions...from these various posts, it sounds like I CAN'T really make a bad choice, just good or better (or maybe just different variations/sound signatures that are good).

One last question...would you guys all recommend upgrading to a line-out DAP first or will I still get a noticeable boost in SQ from the Headphone Out?

Big shout out to everyone who were involved with the various 20+ amp shootouts. Very informative. Almost TOO informative (Just SO MANY options these days).

So thanks again from myself (but not so much from my wallet).

2X on mrarroyo suggestion.

For amps within the $200 range:
- iBasso P3 Heron
- MiniBox-E+
- Pre Built AMB Mini3 (Look in Head-Fi FS Forum)
- Microshar uAMP109+ (New and with discount) 2009 Microshar Electronics
- Used SuperMicro-IV (Look in Head-Fi FS Forum)

Any of the amps listed above will surely make you happy. Aside from the Microshar uAMP109+ which is very new, all of them are proven good for their price range. And again I highly recommend the MiniBox-E+ because despite belonging to the +$200 range, the sound is anything but cheap.


And yes, if you can spare another within the range of $150-200, you can get a DAP with Lineout and I recommend either iPod G5.5 30GB (which can be iModded/DIYmodded) later if you want to. Or you can also hunt for a used iRiver H120/H140 at eBay - the iRiver uses Mini-Mini interconnect which is a lot easier to iPod's dock. It's worth it to use line out compared to headphone out - the line out will offer cleaner signal because they don't go through the internal amp.

Cheers.

Yes the Mini^3 is a nice sounding amp, although I prefer the MiniBox-E+.

Thanks, guys. I have an offer for a headstage lyrix. What are your thoughts about this amp?

Also, Arroyo...I THINK I remember reading that Dr. Xin sends you amps for your input...have you heard anything in your correspondence with him about when he may be up to full speed again?

Keep the thoughts coming!

I wouldnt risk it with Xin at any point, I think you should read the sticky from his 'customers' that have been waiting over 18months.

another one for the mini^3 here