...Pico Slim vs RSA Protector!
Feb 26, 2010 at 4:14 AM Post #121 of 204
I couldn't decide, so I was going to get them both, then decided that I didn't really need either of them so I finally backed out of both and purchased a Headstage Arrow 12HE instead. It's thinner than the Slim, with 12v auto-power management, and available impedance, gain, crossfeed, and bass boost adjustments. No lifetime warranty, but replacement rechargeable batteries are only $8.

It's not as small overall as the Slim, and it certainly doesn't offer a balanced output like the Protector, but it reportedly sounds great and will certainly meet my needs. I decided that that the most important thing after all, was to meet my "current" needs rather than drive myself crazy with the latest-and-greatest "cutting edge" amps that would just drive future purchases making me want $1,000+ custom IEMs and at least a few hundred $ more in balanced cable adapters and headphone re-wiring.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I still want to go balanced, but I want a lot of things and will go desktop balanced first.

Both of these new amps sound great, really; but I do feel like I just gained a little control over my "impulses", and therefore my sanity, from this entire experience
beerchug.gif
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 4:19 AM Post #122 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Just for the record: I think Darth Beyers are fun, but they were only "the Bee's Knees" to me when I was new to headphone audio. I much prefer any of the other high-end cans I own over the Darth Beyers - T1, HE-5, D7000, DX1000 - all are much better sounding than the Darth Beyers. The only Darth Beyers I even still own are completely one-off versions using 600 ohm drivers that I came up with myself.


That does sound much better. Maybe just a granule of salt now
tongue.gif
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 4:35 AM Post #123 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by djbnh /img/forum/go_quote.gif
One thing I had not initially taken into account was the cost of some professional person or party reterminating three pairs of headphones, plus the cost to reverse retermination should I want to sell any / all of the phones.


The other thing is, considering that many amp makers have moved to digital volume controls, that surely means the Protector will too. So once it does, the value of what you bought will have dropped considerably.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jalo /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Let me make sure I understand your point here, are you saying and agreeing that a larger gauge cable does and will increase bass?


Very (and probably too) generally, yes. It can be a side-effect.
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 4:59 AM Post #124 of 204
you probably can call me crazy, I have all 3 incoming soon. I figure I can sell them back with little or no lost if I don't like any of them. Chances are I will mostly keep the Pico Slim since I love how the Pico amp/dac sounds. I will report back my impression once I got them all in. The bad thing is I have to sell my current Pico yo fund this. Headphone will be JH13 with SE and balanced TWag from Whiplash.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grokit /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I couldn't decide, so I was going to get them both, then decided that I didn't really need either of them so I finally backed out of both and purchased a Headstage Arrow 12HE instead. It's thinner than the Slim, with 12v auto-power management, and available impedance, gain, crossfeed, and bass boost adjustments. No lifetime warranty, but replacement rechargeable batteries are only $8.

It's not as small overall as the Slim, and it certainly doesn't offer a balanced output like the Protector, but it reportedly sounds great and will certainly meet my needs. I decided that that the most important thing after all, was to meet my "current" needs rather than drive myself crazy with the latest-and-greatest "cutting edge" amps that would just drive future purchases making me want $1,000+ custom IEMs and at least a few hundred $ more in balanced cable adapters and headphone re-wiring.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I still want to go balanced, but I want a lot of things and will go desktop balanced first.

These new amps sound great, really; but I do feel like I just gained a little control over my "impulses", and therefore my sanity, from this entire experience
beerchug.gif



 
Feb 26, 2010 at 5:39 AM Post #125 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by jc9394 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
The bad thing is I have to sell my current Pico yo fund this.


That's not a bad thing at all. The Protector seriously outperforms the Pico. I guess we'll have to wait and see if the Pico Slim sounds a lot better than the Pico.
Also, the Protector is very lightweight, it felt lighter than the original Pico/DAC.
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 5:56 AM Post #129 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by jc9394 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
you probably can call me crazy, I have all 3 incoming soon. I figure I can sell them back with little or no lost if I don't like any of them. Chances are I will mostly keep the Pico Slim since I love how the Pico amp/dac sounds. I will report back my impression once I got them all in. The bad thing is I have to sell my current Pico yo fund this. Headphone will be JH13 with SE and balanced TWag from Whiplash.


While you're at it, why not the TTVJ Slim as well?
smily_headphones1.gif


I look forward to your "larry-style" arrow vs protector vs pico slim review!!
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 6:01 AM Post #130 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by jelt2359 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
While you're at it, why not the TTVJ Slim as well?
smily_headphones1.gif


I look forward to your "larry-style" arrow vs protector vs pico slim reviews
smily_headphones1.gif




Running out of fund, I'm not made of gold. I have to sell my Pico, Mustang, and Predator to fund this.
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 6:07 AM Post #131 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by jc9394 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Running out of fund, I'm not made of gold. I have to sell my Pico, Mustang, and Predator to fund this.


Good thing you're not made of gold.. If you WERE made of gold, you would have to sell your right arm and left leg to fund this!
smily_headphones1.gif
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 6:52 AM Post #132 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by djbnh /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I'm in the queue for a Protector. I have three pairs of phones I'd like to use with the amp.

One thing I had not initially taken into account was the cost of some professional person or party reterminating three pairs of headphones, plus the cost to reverse retermination should I want to sell any / all of the phones.

The total price of ownership of a Protector increases by a not inconsiderable factor when these costs are taken into account. One quote I've received from a well-thought of Head-Fi vendor is $75 for reterminating an existing cable, plus shipping costs for the vendor and myself (in this case, a 1/4" Neutrix plug is removed and the Protector-required plug added for the $75 fee). If shipping is $5 each way, that makes it $85 for retermination. So, 3 X $85 = $255, for three sets of cans. Let's say it costs the same amount to reverse the retermination of the 3 sets of phones. That's a possible $510 investment in retermination and reverse termination.

The Protector early buy cost is $425, shipping unknown at this time. If I use the $255 amount for three sets of cans to be reterminated, that brings the cost to a minimum of $680. If I change my mind, then add the 2nd $255 and I'm up to $935.

Just something to consider. As an aside, it seems that two pairs of my headphones may have to undergo rewiring to be able to be run balanced, much less simply be reterminated. Gotta love this hobby!


I think soundwise, for $935 you are better off doing the following:

1. Spend the money in a pair of Beyer T1's
2. Once you get them, sell your 3 cans and you will earn around $500
3. Use the $500 to buy an amp

You would have much, much better sound quality
 
Feb 26, 2010 at 7:16 AM Post #133 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by jelt2359 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
While you're at it, why not the TTVJ Slim as well?
smily_headphones1.gif


I look forward to your "larry-style" arrow vs protector vs pico slim review!!


Throw in the iBasso T3D for the value proposition too
tongue.gif


Im hoping to get both the Protector and the slim, im in the preorders for both, and barring a monetary emergency will be getting both to listen with my JH-13's. The outlay wasnt quite as bad for me since i already ahd the TWag cable, so i just needed the retermination and the adaptor. Though i dont know how much everyone will listen to my reviews since they will be my first headphone amps ever
biggrin.gif
 
Feb 28, 2010 at 5:27 PM Post #134 of 204
I originally voted for both, but I've decided to stick with the Protector only. I've always been keen to try out an RSA amp, and by all accounts so far the Protector is awesome. Plus, regardless of whatever research has gone into the Pico Slim, I think going Balanced is more important to me. A desktop amp is absolutely out of the question- I'm leaving the country and don't want to be shipping bulky electronics. I know there are other Balanced amps coming out, but I want to try a Balanced RSA product
smily_headphones1.gif


Other random musings:
1) Headphoneaddict, whose opinion I respect, also mentioned in a post that he cannot always tell the difference between balanced and single-ended input.

2) Ray may have made a mistake saying you need an 18awg cable... but well, he's stressed, and I don't think one post reflects on your ability to make a quality amp. I believe his expertise in that regard is well proven.

3) Lastly, so many people are on the slim preorder, that I believe I'll easily find a guy who's having buyer remorse and buy it second hand.

4) Considering I already have my d10, my TTVJ, my iQube... Really, how many portables do I need? LOL
 
Mar 1, 2010 at 4:03 AM Post #135 of 204
Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyDebord /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think soundwise, for $935 you are better off doing the following:

1. Spend the money in a pair of Beyer T1's
2. Once you get them, sell your 3 cans and you will earn around $500
3. Use the $500 to buy an amp

You would have much, much better sound quality


I thank you and others for their respective input. Being without power here in NH for a few days has given me a break from the topic. I note that regarding my Senn 650 cans, I have an Stefan AudioArt Equinox cable, which I'd reterminate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by S J /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Well, couldn't you have an adapter made (Protector plug to 2x 3-pin XLR or a 4-pin XLR) and have your cans re-terminated appropriately? Then at least you could sell them as regular balanced cans and not have to re-re-terminate if it comes to that. Seems like a better idea regardless, as you can then use the cans with other balanced amps too. Unless of course the bulk of an adapter is a non-starter for you... then yeah, you'd be screwed
smily_headphones1.gif



Great points, please PM offline. TY.
 
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