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Received iBasso T3...no increase in SQ at all?

post #1 of 41
2/26/10 at 12:11am
Thread Starter 
I recently bought a T3 amp, and I received it today. I auditioned it, and I listened to music for 3 hours. I hear absolutely no difference in SQ, except a little bit more bass, but that's all. It would be an understatement to say that I'm disappointed.

Is there anything that I'm doing wrong? I'm using my RE0 with an LOD straight to my iPod Classic 160GB (2007 version). Another thing is that my T3 is defected from the "out" jack. When I move/spin my RE0 in the jack, it produces static noise along with decrease in volume (like when you plug your headphones in partially). Do you think that's the reason that I'm not noticing any SQ increase, because it's a completely defect unit? I tried it on many sources (iPod. PC, Sony MP3), so I know that it's not my iPod.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
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post #2 of 41
2/26/10 at 12:49am
No, it's really just that at this price range amps don't make too much of a difference. Hell, even comparing my iPhone to my uDac, I can't tell there's much of a difference between the two, to the point where if I'm at the library with my laptop already out, I'm too lazy to take out the uDac to listen through in lieu of my iPhone.

Even with home amps it can be difficult to objectively judge quality differences, though it's very easy to judge differences in enjoyability once you get to middle tier ($200 used and up). With portable amps IMO they too can be hard to judge between in terms of technical sound quality, but unlike home amps it can even be hard to judge between increased enjoyability as well. So personally I wouldn't bother with em. I mean hell, I've read people who can't tell too much of a difference between their iPhone and their Pico amps.
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post #3 of 41
2/26/10 at 12:54am
Thread Starter 
That's just horrible. I spent 150$ on this, and I get almost no increase in SQ. Why is there so much hype and positive comments on them then on these forums?
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post #4 of 41
2/26/10 at 1:23am
your T3 is defected from the out jack..im either that tired or have no idea what thats supposed to mean
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post #5 of 41
2/26/10 at 1:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rawrster View Post
your T3 is defected from the out jack..im either that tired or have no idea what thats supposed to mean
+1 lol
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post #6 of 41
2/26/10 at 1:54am
I've found that dynamic drivers don't really have that much impact when driven by an amp or an iPod - current ipods to dynamic drivers so well that there is hardly any reason to get an amp. If you owned a cowon or meizu, or a hissy Sony, I'd understand. I have the T3 and agree. But when paired with balanced armatures, it is another story. It fills out those frequencies which are missing when driven by and iPod which either will lose bass, mids or highs and suffer distortion. The T3 is a VERY GOOD amp for balanced armatures, better even in some respects than its more expensive brethren, if not being as smooth.
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post #7 of 41
2/26/10 at 1:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shigzeo View Post
I've found that dynamic drivers don't really have that much impact when driven by an amp or an iPod - current ipods to dynamic drivers so well that there is hardly any reason to get an amp. If you owned a cowon or meizu, or a hissy Sony, I'd understand. I have the T3 and agree. But when paired with balanced armatures, it is another story. It fills out those frequencies which are missing when driven by and iPod which either will lose bass, mids or highs and suffer distortion. The T3 is a VERY GOOD amp for balanced armatures, better even in some respects than its more expensive brethren, if not being as smooth.
I would agree with this. With the JH13's there is a transparency and dynamic range to the music that does not reach the same heights when comparing the T3 to no amp used.
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post #8 of 41
2/26/10 at 2:03am
All I know is, with the T3, Sony X1050 and Grado GR8 the difference is blatantly obvious.
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post #9 of 41
2/26/10 at 2:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dongringo View Post
All I know is, with the T3, Sony X1050 and Grado GR8 the difference is blatantly obvious.
I dont know what the GR8s are like, but I get more air with the T3, my Sony and the 325is. I dont know how well RE0 responds to amplification - I threw mine in the bin.
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post #10 of 41
2/26/10 at 2:09am
Aside from the hiss (which isn't terrible, but it is... 'meh'), I find the T3 to be perhaps the best professional 'budget' amp out there. Love... it... to... pieces.
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post #11 of 41
2/26/10 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by estreeter View Post
I dont know what the GR8s are like, but I get more air with the T3, my Sony and the 325is. I dont know how well RE0 responds to amplification - I threw mine in the bin.
The RE0 is supposed to do pretty well with amping but I guess the T3 didn't do it for the OP
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post #12 of 41
2/26/10 at 2:32am
When i went from my Practical devices xm4 to my P-51 Mustang , I could not believe the difference in the 2 amps. The Mustang completely blew away my xm4. I was being kinda pessimistic when i first purchased my mustang thinking how much better is this amp gonna be. And the amp basically melted me, i could not believe the difference. spend a little more and you will see what I'm talking about. SQ comes at a price. cheers
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post #13 of 41
2/26/10 at 4:21am
I could certainly hear a difference with my TF10s. Sound was more detailed, there was a greater soundstage, bass was tighter. But that's with TF10s out of an iPhone 3Gs. I think every setup is different.
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post #14 of 41
2/26/10 at 4:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AVU View Post
I could certainly hear a difference with my TF10s. Sound was more detailed, there was a greater soundstage, bass was tighter. But that's with TF10s out of an iPhone 3Gs. I think every setup is different.
i have both the RE0 and TF10, and ulike AVU, i dont hear much difference with TF10s but i certainly notice major differences on vocals with RE0, it becomes more "lively" and much cleaner when compaired to the phone out... it is probably due to both the Line out signal and the amp itself
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post #15 of 41
2/26/10 at 5:19am
Ive never used an amp either, just been using straight out of my 6.5G iPod Classic, and im a little worried, though optimistic, of the benefits of using an amp. THough i am jumping in headfirst by getting the Protector, i figure if im going to hear a difference it will be with the best this is all using my jh-13s, which is a balanced armature headphone with a complex crossover so it should highlight the benefits of an amp. Though the bass is awesome right now, im hoping the lowest octaves gain a little weight with the amp, which im pretty sure will happen. Gonna be like an upgrade from a 12" to a 15" subwoofer lol
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