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First portable headphone amp...?

post #1 of 23
2/25/10 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
what should I get?

ALO rx
Pico slim
RSA P-51 Mustang
RSA Protector
other (please suggest something)
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post #2 of 23
2/25/10 at 1:55pm
All! Then compare and sell of the one(s) you like the least...
Or tell us a bit more about what you are looking for. Like what matters the most:
* Price tag
* Physical size
* Sound quality
* Weight
* Features
* ...

Also worth mentioning what it will be paired up with. Source ear-/headphones, music, ..
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post #3 of 23
2/25/10 at 2:07pm
Thread Starter 
I'm willing to spend up to $500 USD (I'm in Canada) but the cheaper the better
it'd be used with my iPhone 3GS
portability is probably most important
looking to invest in some triple.fi10pro's and get them reshelled into customs.
Listening to mostly grateful dead, phish, that kinda thing.

this is my first venture into the world of hi end audio so I'm really excited but nervous at the same time.

Also, I realize some of these amps arent even out yet so it might be hard to make an accurate suggestion right now but I figure i'd get a few peoples input before and after some new amps come out.
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post #4 of 23
2/25/10 at 2:28pm
Don't leave out the Shadow by RSA. The protector would require you to invest in getting a special cable built to use it, in order to get it's full potential.

The Shadow is the smallest of the RSA amps. Perhaps too small for attaching to an iPhone. Don't forget to get a quality LOD as well. There are several MOTs that make hi-end LODs.
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post #5 of 23
2/25/10 at 2:57pm
I would go with the Shadow or the Pico Slim.
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post #6 of 23
2/25/10 at 7:59pm
TTVJ Portable! Check out the threads here on Head-Fi. Size-wise it's a perfect match with your Applemonster and SQ is supposedly stellar.
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post #7 of 23
2/25/10 at 8:55pm
Whichever you choose, be sure to invest in a high qulity LOD made specifically for an iphone. There are several MOTs that you could buy from. My personal preference is Quasp's cabels.
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post #8 of 23
2/25/10 at 10:48pm
If cheaper is important, I'd consider the buy/sell boards and look at whatever comes up. Honestly, all of those are excellent amps that would sound incredible - but they're also, and this is just my opinion, please don't flame - more of an amp than the triple.fi 10s are IEMs. That's not to say they won't make the TF10s sound better - they will.

But if you're going to be spending $500 amp + $150 LOD, or even a $350 amp and a $50 LOD, you could arguably get better overall sound quality by just using the headphone out of the iPhone 3Gs (which is quite good by itself) and invest in a better custom IEM, such as the Westone ES3X.

Here's a review, and the second is the appreciation thread. This would be a huge improvement over the TF10, even without an amp.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/w...ml#post5432706

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/w...thread-409063/
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post #9 of 23
2/26/10 at 1:18am
I've ordered the Pico slim and plan later to get JH-13s. For me too, portability and lack of bulk is ultra-important. I tried a portable before, the Corda Move, and it was simply annoying. The Protector, as I've said elsewhere, looks like it has been rushed to market and the connector is un-tested. I'm sure it wont be long, if balanced portable amps take off, that better ones with digital volume controls come to market, which will leave Protector owners with an amp of little value. The TTVJ and ALO Rx look very interesting and it wouldn't surprise me if they tend to get overlooked because they are larger and less hyped.
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post #10 of 23
2/26/10 at 2:09am
the p51 has won several comparisons amongst some of the popular reviewers here.
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post #11 of 23
2/26/10 at 2:14am
IMHO, TF10 does not benefit from amp too much. I used it on my iPhone 3Gs with or without Pico and Mustang, I can hardly tell except the difference. I highly recommend you look at a full custom and spend the money there instead. Take a look at JH audio, UE, and Westone.

On the other hand, I can easily tell the difference when amping my JH13.
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post #12 of 23
2/26/10 at 2:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cck5 View Post
the p51 has won several comparisons amongst some of the popular reviewers here.
Comparing to Pico? I know I prefer Mustang over Shadow.
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post #13 of 23
2/26/10 at 2:18am
iBasso D4 anyone
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post #14 of 23
2/26/10 at 2:19am
the mustang also has beat out the pico in reviews also, but i know nothing of synergy between Iem's and portable amps, only with big cans.

what i was told is the p51 is warmer and more fun and the pico is colder

but dont get me wrong id take either, i cant decide on which amp i want for myself between the pico, rx and p51 either.
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post #15 of 23
2/26/10 at 2:23am
x2 with Jc9394. But if you must get an amp I would suggest ttvj hybrid (or slim) and pico slim never heard but good reputation people thats behind it. Why ttvj hybrid because its the only portable amp I knew that can drive my HF2 quite close to WA6 and you'll never know if you need a full size headphone in the future. the trade off is portability ,as much hybrid this is, size wise also hybrid between desktop and portable amp
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