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best portable amp for 200 bucks

post #1 of 10
3/3/09 at 12:32am
Thread Starter 
just got the t4 ibasso.. i want something more!! can u all recommend me something in the 200 dollar price range!! i will be using iem.. super fi 5 pro,PFE and nuforces iems!
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post #2 of 10
3/3/09 at 2:37am
little dot mkI. very underrated amp imo.
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post #3 of 10
3/3/09 at 2:42am
how about alo double mini3?
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post #4 of 10
3/3/09 at 5:00am
I wouldnt recommend the double mini^3 its too much extra money to spend for not much difference to the stock mini^3. would only cost an extra 20 over the standard mini^3 for so to get a builder to do what they do with that.

I would actually recommend upping your budget a bit; mainly because you already have an amp and while you will get an upgrade for $200, IMO it will not be huge and you will likely be in the same position in a few months time. i'm not a fan of incremental upgrades; actually ends up costing you more in the end as opposed to just spending a bit more and putting yourself in the upper end of quality amps. I would buy a used pico or something like that. for just under $300 you would be able to get a really nice amp. or you could get the D3 for your budget, actually slightly less.
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post #5 of 10
3/3/09 at 7:11am
Thread Starter 
what about this iBasso D10 or the iBasso D3 or ALO Double Mini3 what which would be the best? i wanna go with one of these three!
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post #6 of 10
3/3/09 at 2:46pm
yeah, first step try mini^3! next, .......!
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post #7 of 10
3/3/09 at 3:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JOEYBUCKETS View Post
just got the t4 ibasso.. i want something more!! can u all recommend me something in the 200 dollar price range!! i will be using iem.. super fi 5 pro,PFE and nuforces iems!
I have the T4, too, and it's great. Any amp you get henceforth will no longer feel 'portable'. Burn it in for 200 hrs or so and see if the sound signature is good enough for you.

Just a few questions to help with more recommendations:

What are you using as your source?
Upgrading the source may provide a greater improvement in sound than a new amp. For example, turning an iPod into an iMod, trying a different portable player.

How are you connecting your source to the T4?
For example, if you're using an iPod, are you using a Line Out Dock or are you using the headphone out?

What is your definition of "more!!" (or less, too) ?
For example,
Are you looking for more clarity/transparency/warmth ?
Are you looking for less hiss/distortion/bomminess ?
Want an equalizer that works? (i.e. not an iPod or Rockbox an iPod)
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post #8 of 10
3/3/09 at 3:50pm
I'll vote for iBasso D3. Sweet sounding amp.
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post #9 of 10
3/3/09 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
im using a ipod 32gb touch, im using LOD.. i want something with less hiss and more powerful..doesnt have to feel portable i want something i can use for a while and not need an upgrade with.


Quote:
Originally Posted by trickywombat View Post
I have the T4, too, and it's great. Any amp you get henceforth will no longer feel 'portable'. Burn it in for 200 hrs or so and see if the sound signature is good enough for you.

Just a few questions to help with more recommendations:

What are you using as your source?
Upgrading the source may provide a greater improvement in sound than a new amp. For example, turning an iPod into an iMod, trying a different portable player.

How are you connecting your source to the T4?
For example, if you're using an iPod, are you using a Line Out Dock or are you using the headphone out?

What is your definition of "more!!" (or less, too) ?
For example,
Are you looking for more clarity/transparency/warmth ?
Are you looking for less hiss/distortion/bomminess ?
Want an equalizer that works? (i.e. not an iPod or Rockbox an iPod)
Reply
post #10 of 10
3/3/09 at 10:20pm
I would consider the Xenos 1HA-EPC - it is less than $200, and it is a class above any other sub $200 amp... No hiss at all - it is dead quiet if no music is playing (and I am extremely sensitive to hiss!). In high gain mode it is very powerful. The great crossfeed circuit is also very useful.

See here for details:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/r...mpared-214588/

You could get one from Xenos direct, or alternatively I am selling one as well (at a lower price, with a premium leather case, with full 5 yr warranty) - here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f42/ne...c-sale-411592/
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