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Just got my (practically new) ALO Mini^3 amp....! - Page 2

post #16 of 39
2/4/09 at 2:44pm
Sorry, I meant the sound.
PhaedrusX and billybob_jvc suggested that it's just a marketing bluff..
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post #17 of 39
2/5/09 at 3:50am
Thread Starter 
I was just listening to Rage Against The Machine with my ALO amp,ipod and my M Audio Q40's(my perfect cans with DT770 velour's.It doesn't sound like i'm listening to my ipod or mp3's.I rather listen to Rage now with my portable set up then anything else including my Harmon Kardon AVRII."Bullet In My Head" sounds sensational with booming hard kick drums and loud crashing snares.High loud detailed guitars and the bass moving along nicely with the rhythm.And that is at a fairly loud level with some gain to spare.A truly awesome mid range.Prominent and warm.Every song on the "Rage Against The Machine" album sounds fantastic with the amp and ipod.And they are imported via AAC VBR at 192 kbps.Those who have heard this amp know what i mean when i say this is one fantastic little amp with awesome dynamics.Created by AMB.org.Perfected by ALO?Here are some internal pics.Bare with me.And yes there are obvious differences between this and the original Mini^3!
LL
LL
LL
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post #18 of 39
2/5/09 at 4:12am
Thread Starter 
I can see why some people are skeptical.But like i said earlier.The previous owner,who has alot more experience with portable amps said."The only amp i have heard better then this is the Preditor."That was said after the purchase.I was planning to buy the original Mini^3.But luckily i stumbled upon this 2 month old unit,getting it for $180 including shipping.
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post #19 of 39
2/5/09 at 4:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lamenthe View Post
All accurate/inaccurate product descriptions aside: Congrats on finding an amp you like.
Thank You.
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post #20 of 39
2/5/09 at 6:26pm
Having a heck of a hard time making out those photos Nirvana - time for you to get yourself a nice little digital
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post #21 of 39
2/6/09 at 2:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3NTAL View Post
Having a heck of a hard time making out those photos Nirvana - time for you to get yourself a nice little digital
Actually i was using a Canon digital,but the lighting was crap!I'll try to get some clear ones soon.I guess you want to know what resistors they use,right?By the way ALO aren't the only ones charging a few dollars more for "Black Gate" capacitors.Portaphile.com are charging $25 extra for them.xAlso they(Black gate) stopped production in 2006 so what ever is out there is all that's left of them.And i guess ALO could of sold their kits prebuilt.But i guess they chose not to and charged for labour plus parts instead.
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post #22 of 39
2/7/09 at 4:07am
Thread Starter 
I just got my new Qable LOD with solid silver signal wires and it is a perfect marriage.I can now hear everything better. Detail,soundstage and so on.with this new LOD cable.The amp sounds superb!Rock,electronic,industrial and especially Trance sounds amazing compared to the ipod solo.I just listened to Siamese Dream by the Smashing Pumpkins and Undertow by Tool!What a treat!The sound stage is better and the highs are more extended and bass is a bit tighter and punchier!I don't know if it's just the new cable and burn in.Probably is both.And the amp doesn't sound like a portable but maybe more a home amplifier.I bet if i gave blind listening sessions i could probably fool people into thinking it's a tube instead of solid state.I can't wait to hear Jude's review of this amp.Oh by the way i updated the internal pics with more clear and less blur.(same post)
LL
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post #23 of 39
2/7/09 at 4:20am
Glad you like your amp! ALO charges quite a bit for labor and the BG caps I'd say. In my opinion, they are the Bose of the head-fi world.

The mini3 does sound magnificent, I've never heard Ray Samuels amps though, well I owned the xp-7 5 years ago, but forgotten about it.

I built this one for $70 shipped including panels and case!





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post #24 of 39
2/7/09 at 4:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefroastbeef View Post
Glad you like your amp! ALO charges quite a bit for labor and the BG caps I'd say. In my opinion, they are the Bose of the head-fi world.

The mini3 does sound magnificent, I've never heard Ray Samuels amps though, well I owned the xp-7 5 years ago, but forgotten about it.

I built this one for $70 shipped including panels and case!
Very nice.But i totally disagree with your Bose comparison.ALO have more audiophile knowledge and way better gear.And they don't spend anywhere near what Bose spends on marketing.Just because you know how to make an amp and save money on labour doesn't mean you know ALO's or any other companies exact profit margins.No doubt if they lowered the price they would sell more amps.But we don't know their exact profit margin.But as you said that's your opinion.
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post #25 of 39
2/7/09 at 10:57am
I agree with what you are saying, the faceplates themselves are probably a bit costly as well. Perhaps they are hiring the Queen Elizabeth to do the soldering.

Enjoy your amp!
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post #26 of 39
2/7/09 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chiefroastbeef View Post
I agree with what you are saying, the faceplates themselves are probably a bit costly as well. Perhaps they are hiring the Queen Elizabeth to do the soldering.

Enjoy your amp!
That's a good one.She's probably does alot of repairs on her crown!All jokes aside i probably sound like a ALO rep.And i applaud all the DIY'ers out there.If i could do it i probably would attempt to make a great amp and save money too.My initial intent of this thread is to merely point out that this is a killer amp.And props to Amb.org for their resources and creating the original.By the way can anyone recommend some good IEM's under $100.So far i have the Soundmagic PL30's,Yuin PK3,OK3's,NuForce NE-7M's and Head Direct's RE 2's in mind.
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post #27 of 39
2/11/09 at 12:03am
The mini3 is a great amp huh! The mini3 was actually my first diy project, built four weeks ago. It is great fun, you should give it a try!

As for IEMs, I'm not sure what is good for under $100, you can probably find the Westone UM2 for a little more cash, which are terrific sounding, and comfortable. When I tried them out, they sounded better than the super fi pros and were MUCH(10x) more comfortable. Now I have customs though, I'm in my own little world.
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post #28 of 39
2/12/09 at 1:20am
Switch to High Gain on your iBasso D2 and you will get same sound from it. May be even better
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post #29 of 39
2/13/09 at 7:17pm
Thread Starter 
Tried it.High and low.Not even close!This amp(ALO Mini^3) isn't missing anything sound wise.The bass is alot more impactful,and extended.And this amp has that extra power/gain the Boa was missing.Don't get me wrong.The D2 Boa has a great DAC and a good amp.But with the ALO Mini^3,there is no contest.As soon as i got the A.Mini^3 plugged in my M Audio Q40's.The ibasso D2 boa was no longer needed and was returned.
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post #30 of 39
2/13/09 at 11:30pm
Ugh, if those internal pics are improved versions with better quality, I hate to see how blurry the originals were!

I had a Mini3 built by MisterX for a while, it was an awesome amp. I'm seriously contemplating getting another one from him
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