Hi guys!

I see a lot of iBasso reviews here. is it that good an amp?

i also saw a review of pico vs iBasso, according to which, the iBasso was not even worth mentioning..

Basically - i will be using the AKG702 pair at home and se530 for commute paired with a classic ipod (do you recommend some other players? as the ipod does hiss a bit on both the phones), which i was planning on using rockbox on the ipod in order to play flac files.

Anyhow, thanks a bunch in advance.

While I don't have a pico and thus cannot comment on it, I do have an iBasso d-10, and I think it's a fine piece of gear. Also I have been using at as a dac/amp combo only, so can only comment on it as such. In its stock configuration, it is a pretty neutral amp (if not a tad bright), with a great soundstage that works well with both the se530 and the k701. The amp is very quiet and very fast, which can startle you at the beginning of some tracks even at lower listening levels due its fast attacks. There is not a lot of gain on this amp. With the 701s I have to turn the nob over 3/4s of the way on high gain to get to my comfortzone, with the 530 I turn up a little less that half way point on low gain, but in either case there is no derioration in the sound. It also offers you the chance to do some opamp rolling. I am currently using a set of opamps from hiflight opa2350/ad8616 with the d10, 530 has very nice textures in the mids with this amp, and the 701 is spacious and brawny. In fact I was just listening to some vinyl rips of Metallica on the 701s. Other than the lack of the deapest end of bass (that would be the fault of the 701s), it's quite impressive with its control and power. Also if you do decide to buy the d-10 and start opamp rolling with your current set of phones, do not get the highflight's topkit (ad743/ad8616) as it didn't work well with my 701s, and the produces quite a bit of hiss with the 530s, ask him for the opa2350 instead.

I have the D10 and am very happy with it. I have not heard the Pico but it seems to be very well thought of.

My impression from reading is that many believe that the D10 is very close to or on par with it.

I use the D10 mainly with my computer - either through USB or even better optical, so using the DAC and amp. I have the T4 for portable.

Pico is smaller than the D10 if portability is important.

I'm doing this exact same combo...AKG K702 and shure se530..is the iBasso D10 the best choice? How about Heed Canamp?

Well a akg is going to be hard to drive properly with a portable amp canamp is supposedly a good match for akg's....

The D10 is awesome with Shure 530s. For all the features it has, the price is ridiculously good. I can't comment on the AKGs. Save those for home use and get a nice desktop amp.

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Cool. Are the 530s hard to drive? Could I get away with something like a Nuforce Icon Mobile, or even a Fiio E5? What does the D10 come with?

se530's are extremely efficient and don't gain a lot from amps compared to other cans imo.

I attempted to drive a pair of K701s with an RSA hornet for way too long before buying a heed canamp and I can tell you right now I don't think there is a portable amp out there which is actually a portable size thatcan do justice to a pair of K70Xs. If you haven't considered a canamp for your cans you might want to look into it.

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Not hard to drive, IMHO. I've read the Icon Mobile is tinny, not very bass friendly. I've also read the E5 is too muddy. Again, this is just from reading posts on here, not from personal use.

D10 has USB AND optical. Unless you're not using it with a computer, then that's a moot point

Also you may want a decent LOD to pair your phones to your iPod/amp. Better SQ out of the dock than the headphone jack.

There's a lot to read and know about audio gear. Be prepared to do a lot of reading on this site. Ask lots of questions. Good luck

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LOD?

(feels like an idiot)

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the 530 are easily driven by any hp out but yeah you do want to use the line out (LOD, line out dock) and i find and icon mobile works fine with them.

but then it is the only reasonable amp ive used but its just so conveniently shaped and sized

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My thoughts exactly. The heed canamp really makes the k-701/2 shine. I had used mine exclusively with the Pico Dac/Amp combo and thought they were good and the experience was pleasant. However, the Heed just takes them to another level. I would suggest that the Pico purhase would be ok as a start and only if you REQUIRE portability. If you will be listening at home then buy the canamp for the same price as the Pico dac/amp combo.

Yeah, not looking to take the K702s too far...I guess I'll stick it with Heed for home usage...

I guess one amp doesn't fit all....

So the SE530s are pretty efficient? Should I even amp them?
Considering:
Fiio E5 ($20)
Nuforce Icon Mobile ($90)
iBasso D10 ($275...but heard so much good things about...)
How's the Pico Slim? Any news?