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Best Sounding Portable Headphone Amp/Dac with User Knowledge of Chips and Amps Used

post #1 of 12
8/31/09 at 3:32am
Thread Starter 
I am looking for the best portable Amp/Dac to use with Ipod Touch, my Computer, and other portable sources. I am currently using Westone 3 and have ear molds ready to ship to JH Audio for the 13 Pro. I have tried the RSA Predator and did not like the SS. However because I cannot find out what components were used, I don't know what might sound better to me. I would like to know which companies models show the Dac chips and type of Amps used, and which ones might be user swap-out capable. Also any straight reccomendations are welcome as well. Discussion of which Amps provide certain SQ or SS characteristics would be helpful. Thanks
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post #2 of 12
9/1/09 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
Hello? Anybody, Pico amp/dac? HiFi Man? Aloha?
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post #3 of 12
9/2/09 at 4:03am
I recently had a chance to listen to a Predator with Ray Samuels personaly at a mini meet in Denver and I was quite impressed. The lack of SQ may be your source, The "Touch" is not considered Ipods best dap. You may want to look into getting an Imodded 5th generation Ipod video. Plenty of storage for large files. and excelent SQ. You may find that you Predator will be much more to your liking with a better source. Also the Westones will have a different overall signature from the JH13's so wait until you get them before making any decisions like switching from your 450.00 Predator.All the portable amps I use are low end and would not do the Westone 3's justice, let alone a new set of JH's, but my favorite so far is the 59.00 us Travagans Red. I have heard many rave comments on the D10. but I have not heard it myself.

Cheers and Aloha from Oregon and Pahoa ( Nanawale property owner)
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post #4 of 12
9/2/09 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomy3555 View Post
The lack of SQ may be your source, The "Touch" is not considered Ipods best dap.
Cheers and Aloha from Oregon and Pahoa ( Nanawale property owner)
Cheers and Aloha yourself! & Mahalo for the response. Good to know there are other HeadFiers with ties here in Hawaii. I don't know if it's out of respect for Ray or what, but people seem to find it hard to leave a comment or continue with this thread. I too like and respect Ray and RSA and I am not trying to say the Predator is a poor amp, only that I do not prefer it's particular coloring and sound signature.
That being said, the Touch (at least what I have, G2), actually is a pretty good DAP, not only better than most people seem to think, but don't forget it too has an unamped line out through an LOD, and the Predator is also a DAC which means I also use it to access the larger library on my computer. No matter what combination I have tried, (3 different high quality LOD's, mini-to-mini, straight DAC, you name it, it isn't just revealing the weaknesses of the DAP, it is coloring the sound in a way that does not enhance my personal listening experience. BTW, I of course have also used the amp in combos with all my other headphones and IEM's.
So, because we do not know what chips and amps are used for the Predator, I still don't know which direction to go, hence the query.
Thanks again for the suggestions, I think I am leaning towards the iBasso because of the swappability, but I've heard great things about the Pico too.
Aloha & mahalo nui loa for the share.
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post #5 of 12
9/2/09 at 1:41pm
The pico uses the WM8740 DAC chip

The HiFiMan uses PCM1704(UK)

Both are good dac chips but the hifiman uses imo one of the BEST dac chips available on the market, portable or not
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post #6 of 12
9/2/09 at 8:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jinp6301 View Post
The pico uses the WM8740 DAC chip

The HiFiMan uses PCM1704(UK)

Both are good dac chips but the hifiman uses imo one of the BEST dac chips available on the market, portable or not
Thanks, also just an update: the DAC section of the Predator just mysteriously improved dramatically, listening to Norah Jones last night, pretty nice. All the highs came back, good upper dynamics, the music wasn't stifled.
I have about 400 hrs of burn in already. The straight amp still compresses everything. So I am still looking.
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post #7 of 12
9/2/09 at 8:33pm
Also the ibasso D10 uses the same dac chip as the pico.
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post #8 of 12
9/3/09 at 2:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jinp6301 View Post
Also the ibasso D10 uses the same dac chip as the pico.
Yes, and with opamp rolling options yes?
I think I'm leaning towards the T4 for purely portable and the D10 for transportable options.
Or wait for the Pico Slim?

Also Moderator: Should this thread be moved to the Portable Amp section?
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post #9 of 12
10/21/09 at 10:45pm
Consider iBasso's new D4 Mamba. Uses dual Wolfson DAC chips (same chips in D10 and the PICO).
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post #10 of 12
10/23/09 at 1:32pm
I have the iBasso D4 Mamba.. What a steal.. It's an amazing amp! Dual Wolfson DAC's are the best!! and iBasso is great to deal with.
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post #11 of 12
11/17/09 at 11:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo Killah View Post
I am looking for the best portable Amp/Dac to use with Ipod Touch, my Computer, and other portable sources. I am currently using Westone 3 and have ear molds ready to ship to JH Audio for the 13 Pro. I have tried the RSA Predator and did not like the SS. However because I cannot find out what components were used, I don't know what might sound better to me. I would like to know which companies models show the Dac chips and type of Amps used, and which ones might be user swap-out capable. Also any straight reccomendations are welcome as well. Discussion of which Amps provide certain SQ or SS characteristics would be helpful. Thanks
i have the same exact problem, i too have the pred and i was very surprised it did not outperform my audio technica ha25 d amp/dac(has optical spdif)
and this seems to provide more clarity than the 16 bit dac on the predator.
--also i was hoping for more bass, the predator cannot properly amp my denon 7000, i didnt get it for that, but when i was testing between the two i was suurprised how much better my at ha25 d amp/dac was,,, at first i was a litle disappointed witht he ha25 d but the sound has really gotten better with burn in,
---so basicallly i too am looking for an amp/dac or even portable that will properly power the bass potential of the denon 7000....
what pocket amps have more bass than the rsa predator amps,
thanks
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post #12 of 12
11/17/09 at 11:03pm
so which of the above has the most bass, the d10, the ibasso(which model), the lisa 3
the pico ah yes and even MORE Importantly which of these amps has a 24bit DAC??
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