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Best Amp With Shure Se530

post #1 of 16
5/25/09 at 11:18pm
Thread Starter 
Just want to know which amp has the best synergy with the Shure Se 530 with an iPod and iPhone. Thanks.
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post #2 of 16
5/25/09 at 11:28pm
RSA Tomahawk has a long standing reputation for driving the SE530's especially well. They've surely come down in price a lot by now too, so that may be a good choice.
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post #3 of 16
5/26/09 at 12:32am
Thread Starter 
What about the P-51 Mustang? I have heard mixed things. Some people saying it works well with the Shures, others not at all.
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post #4 of 16
5/26/09 at 12:43am
x2 for Tomahawk.

I have Mustang, it doesn't work well with 530, it's quite very powerful, but somehow, it doesn't work well. I'd rather connect my 530 directly to my Cowon.
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post #5 of 16
5/26/09 at 1:58am
Thread Starter 
So of all the RSA amps, which is the best with the SE530's? I have heard maybe the Tomahawk and also the Hornet as being a good combo.
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post #6 of 16
5/26/09 at 7:01am
Tomahawk is one of the best combo with SE530. Well defined mid, extended treble, the bass is tight with punchy. If you prefer warmer sound, then may be the Corda XXS is good enough too. Don't aim for much expensive options, because not all suitable for SE530.
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post #7 of 16
5/26/09 at 8:09am
How suited would the iBasso D2 be for the SE530s?
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post #8 of 16
5/26/09 at 11:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe91 View Post
How suited would the iBasso D2 be for the SE530s?
I've got this combo and it works fine. However, my best answer to the thread in general is none. I find that the difference between amped/unamped with SE530s is pretty negligible. I think there's a whole lotta placebo goin' on with all the people who insist you have to have an amp for these phones.
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post #9 of 16
5/26/09 at 12:03pm
I'd also go with the "none needed" option, especially if SE530's are the only IEM/headphones that you will be using. I know my T4 (and that is as big as I want it as far as portable amps are concerned) for example doesn't really help the SE530's that much, and wouldn't be worth it just for them.

With that said, if you ABSOLUTELY had to get one, it'll probably be Tomahawk as I've mentioned before. IIRC Tomahawk was tuned by Ray Samuels with 530's as primary headphones.
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post #10 of 16
5/27/09 at 2:40am
Nobody's interested in the Pico Slim? Or even the Shadow?

Edit: Oh wait, Ipod and Iphone. Yeah, nevermind.
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post #11 of 16
5/27/09 at 3:06am
^ I really have no clue what you were meaning.
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post #12 of 16
5/27/09 at 3:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by atothex View Post
Nobody's interested in the Pico Slim? Or even the Shadow?
Interesting on a product not yet released is another issue, but for my experience on both brands, Pico's may not sound better than RSA's with SE530. Any way, it is too early to comment on which is better as not yet released.
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post #13 of 16
5/27/09 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Knight View Post
^ I really have no clue what you were meaning.
I know you like the LODs, but I'm a non-believer in portable amps, especially from iPods. IMO, the more cost-effective approach is to simply buy a better portable source. If we're adding up the total cost of iPod + high-priced portable amp + LOD, then we can easily top $500. Also, the fatty LODs can damage the jacks on your portable amp.

That's why I said nevermind.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ManAtWork View Post
Interesting on a product not yet released is another issue, but for my experience on both brands, Pico's may not sound better than RSA's with SE530. Any way, it is too early to comment on which is better as not yet released.
Yeah, who knows? But if OP has some patience, I think reports from CJ will be coming in soon enough. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be able to get his hands on either of those products anytime soon.
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post #14 of 16
5/27/09 at 6:18pm
pico works great with them, as does the D10. so if Justin has made improvements to the pico slim regarding its use with IEMs, that may be a great choice. basically any nice and most importantly quiet amp with a low noise floor but of course synergy does come into play. I run iphone 3G sometimes too and there is IMO a difference in soundstage, tightness/control in the bass and extension in the highs. no placebo here; also there are plenty of LODs that do not damage jacks and from a regular ipod HP out (not as much the iphone because it sounds great already from HP out) there is to me a decent noticeable improvement. just because SE530 are low impedence does not mean they are easy to drive to potential.
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post #15 of 16
5/27/09 at 8:30pm

Ibasso D3

Using the D3 with my 530s.

Difference between amped and unamped is minimal but its there.

Attend Can Jam and I am sure you will find the answer to your question!
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