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Truck Driver needs advice on Headphone Amp

post #1 of 14
5/27/09 at 9:23pm
Thread Starter 
I drive cross-country and have been following the discussions here and searching the threads for a few weeks now, and have some questions and would like some advice please.

I want a headphone amp for my truck setup. When I’m driving I listen to a Sansa Clip (8Gb) with Yuin PK3s. I am happy with this combo, but to hear the quiet parts of the music over the road noise, I have to turn up the volume way beyond normal listening levels, which causes the battery to go down faster than a pizza at a weight watcher's convention. The battery is not replaceable (by a truck driver anyway), so to spare the tiny clip and battery, I need an amp. (ok ok, and I also want a new toy).

I’m not expecting audio nirvana; just more volume with less strain on the clip. If it sounds better, that’s a bonus. When I’m stopped, I listen to my laptop through Grado SR60s, so I don’t want something so cheap it degrades the sound if I plug it in there.

My top requirement is ruggedness. Lots of bouncing and temperature fluctuations here. Second, A/C is at a premium in the truck, so charging preference would be 1) usb, 2) 12v cig lighter, distant third – A/C only. If it disappears at a truck stop I don’t wanna cry, so let’s say <=$150.

The mini3 seems like a possibility, and many of you seem to like it, but it appears to need a wallwart. The Fiio5 has usb, but is it sturdy? (and can anything for $20 sound good?). I really like the Penguin Caffeine/BioScienceGeek Altoid ones too for the camouflage don't steal me off the dashboard look, but can they be vibrated?

Does any of this make sense? Sorry to ramble, but I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction. It’s not like I can pull my 18 wheeler into the local audio shop and look around. If by chance one of you audiophiles has pictures of your suggestion, that would be cool.

Justin
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post #2 of 14
5/27/09 at 10:03pm
You might be better of with some better isolating IEMs/headphones rather than a amp. Better to get isolating headphones and listen at a lower volume then get an amp and listen at a higher volume. Don't wanna damage your hearing.
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post #3 of 14
5/27/09 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 
For safety reasons I can't wear IEs or anything that keeps me from hearing sirens, etc. Besides, I didn't mean headbanging loud.. just diesel engine Louisiana pothole loud =^)
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post #4 of 14
5/27/09 at 10:34pm
Might wanna look into a nuforce icon mobile then, since you can use it as a DAC as well (Good for bypassing any bad soundcards the laptop might have). It charges through the USB, which is another plus for you.

That's about the only one I have experience with. I don't remember seeing much of a volume improvement with my E5 though....
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post #5 of 14
5/27/09 at 11:57pm
thats one of the most scary thread titles I think i've evr seen . but once I came in here to see you are using PK3 it put my mind at ease. go with the mini^3 for the price its a really great buy; the icon might be good though; as would the XM4 or XM5 as they have dacs.
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post #6 of 14
5/28/09 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qusp View Post
thats one of the most scary thread titles I think i've evr seen . but once I came in here to see you are using PK3 it put my mind at ease. go with the mini^3 for the price its a really great buy; the icon might be good though; as would the XM4 or XM5 as they have dacs.
qusp-
I've looked in the used section at the mini3, but everyone seems too proud of theirs. It seems they want $100 and a new one is about $125? Who would you suggest I ask to build me one? If that's not good ettiquette, maybe PM me with a suggestion.

As for an external DAC, I've never used one. Does it just show up as a device to the O/S when you plug it in?
Justin
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post #7 of 14
5/28/09 at 12:42pm
Honestly, if you're not looking for audio nirvana, want to charge via USB, and would prefer something replaceable if lost, I would recommend the Fiio E5.

It's cheap, charges off USB, sounds OK (far from Mini3 quality, but for volume boost over diesel noise? It's fine.), and is so small that there's no room for anything inside to jiggle much from vibration. It has a built in spring clip (like the last-generation iPod Shuffle) so it should be pretty easy to find a place to park it in your rig.
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post #8 of 14
5/28/09 at 3:47pm
The E5 sounds like a good option for you. Not much sound quality to offer, but it will give you the juice you are looking for. You definitely wont cry if you lose it either.
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post #9 of 14
5/28/09 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the feedback. The fiio does sound like it fits the best, but after thinking about it for awhile, I realized that I don't think I can mentally handle it. Knowing I have an amplifier in the food chain that costs as little as a CD would always bother me. Everytime I heard something a little off in the music it would make me wonder, "would that sound better if I didn't have this cheap amplifier?" I guess I'm shallower than I'd like to admit. So I just ordered a mini3.
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post #10 of 14
5/28/09 at 4:32pm
Well the Mini3 is a really terrific amp, so congratulations.

You asked whether it needs a wallwart. Strictly speaking, it doesn't. What it needs is a supply of non-noisy current, at between 15 and 24 volts (see The Mini³ Portable Stereo Headphone Amplifier, click on Parts List and scroll down to AC-DC adaptor). What you might do is post in the DIY forum asking if anybody can suggest a way to turn the (unregulated and probably nasty with noise) 12VDC in your truck into current suitable for keeping the Mini3 charged. Failing that, you're probably back to a standard wallwart.
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post #11 of 14
5/28/09 at 4:40pm
I would just buy a charger that runs off of the voltage system you have. I use a Tekeon battery setup that can charge off of my car battery, put out a range from 5 volts to 18 of good pure DC, and I have no worries. I can charge and use the output of the battery at the same time.
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post #12 of 14
6/1/09 at 10:15pm
My advice is not to wear headphones or iems while driving a huge truck on public roads with other drivers. I am sure it is illegal in most states (I KNOW it is in my state) and I think there are pretty good reasons for that. I'm sure the engine in the cab is loud, but isolating yourself from outside noise like horns, sirens, or even squealing tires can't be a safe way to drive. I don't care if you kill yourself. I do care if you kill me or my family. Keep the headphones or IEMs for when you're stopped.
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post #13 of 14
6/1/09 at 10:29pm

iBasso t-4?

I can't believe no one suggested this yet. Small, not a lot of parts to rattle around. USB chargeable, $130 shipped. Sounds twice as good as and E5... What's not to like..........
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post #14 of 14
6/2/09 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trialanderror View Post
My advice is not to wear headphones or iems while driving a huge truck on public roads with other drivers. I am sure it is illegal in most states (I KNOW it is in my state) and I think there are pretty good reasons for that. I'm sure the engine in the cab is loud, but isolating yourself from outside noise like horns, sirens, or even squealing tires can't be a safe way to drive. I don't care if you kill yourself. I do care if you kill me or my family. Keep the headphones or IEMs for when you're stopped.
I agree. Please see posts #2 & #3 above.
I was looking for something that I could hear as well as my bluetooth, hands-free headset for my cell phone.
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