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A decent portable rig?

post #1 of 19
3/29/10 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

I've recently decided that my portable rig needs upgrade. Basically I have an iPhone 3g but it will be kinda ultraportable because 8gb isn't enough so i need a decent portable rig that i will cary wherever I have my bagpack with me. I'm gonna need a 40gb+ HDD space. In this case the choice seems quite easy; Ipod Video or Classic. I'd use the LOD to get the signal to an AMP. I don't know what AMP to get though, i was thinking about iBasso T4. I don't need a DAC, just AMP. I want something quite small and handy, i was also thinking about NuForce® Icon Mobile because it's cheaper and quite small too. I could go DIY too I can find any interesting construction. To clarify;
Ipod Video or Classic,
Ibasso T4 or NuForce® Icon Mobile,
DIY LOD,
for now i would use my Nu-Force which I'm supposed to receive soon. Is that any decent? I don't think I could possibly find better budget stuff but maybe...

Matt
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post #2 of 19
4/4/10 at 2:31am
How much are you willing to spend on the amp/lod? From what it looks like I'm guessing around 100 bucks?
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post #3 of 19
4/4/10 at 8:58am
For sound quality and compactness, I recommend a Sansa clip paired with an Electric Avenues PAV2 headphone amp.

So far in the time I've had my refurbed Clip, the combination has been magic.

While my current headphones are nothing to write home about, a cheap pair of Magnavox MPH1100's for $10, the qualities of this combo really shine.

Of the lot of DAP's I've gone through, this is the FIRST one that closely matches the sound quality of my old Kenwood portable cd player.

Being able to transfer music at AAC 256KBPS also helps
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post #4 of 19
4/12/10 at 2:19pm
I second the clip, specifically the clip+ as it supports .flac, and rock box. It has 4 gigs built in, and I think supports 32 gig micro sdhc card.
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post #5 of 19
4/12/10 at 5:59pm
^I would also throw some kudos the Clips way for soundquality although it doesn't have as much power as one might need :/

s:flo2 has better overall SQ IMO.
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post #6 of 19
4/12/10 at 6:06pm
iPod Classic 6.5gen 160gb

what headphones are you using?
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post #7 of 19
4/14/10 at 5:44pm
Thread Starter 
OMG, I completly forgot about this thread tbh :P. Well basically I'm kind of going to buy it step by step, firstly the DAP and the AMP and then headphones. I'll do it this way because once I got my source I Can go to any shop and listen to any headphones and see which ones I like most. I had a look at the S:FLO2 and I like it but apparently the software is full of bugs and mistakes. The advantage of having iPod would be iTunes I'm really used to use and I practically can live without :P. I'm thinking to spend about 300$ overall considering that I'll buy second-hand stuff or at least s-h DAP and AMP.
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post #8 of 19
4/14/10 at 5:59pm
how many of you guys are using amplifiers with portables which have no dedicated line out? I was always against this...not because it sounds bad or something (at first i used my D2 with airhead) but only because the knowing that i am double amping. but i am very tempted to hook my new sansa clip+ to my total airhead and give it a go with my D5000,or better... get a second pair of pk1's! the clip sounds so good...unbelievable!
can someone please shead some light on this for me please?
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post #9 of 19
4/14/10 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
I see where you're coming from but afaik you can use LOD wire to get line out signal from any iPod. Same with the S:flo2 that has dedicated line-out output.
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post #10 of 19
4/14/10 at 6:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jawor121 View Post
I see where you're coming from but afaik you can use LOD wire to get line out signal from any iPod. Same with the S:flo2 that has dedicated line-out output.
I don't know if you reffered directly to my post...anyway,I used the ipod classic with LOD cable in the past and it was very nice...realy line out or not...it was better than the HP out for sure. anyway,I was just wondering how many of you guys are using portable players with out line outs with amps?
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post #11 of 19
4/14/10 at 7:07pm
^Just for reference, the ipod line out isn't really a line out, more of a glorified headphone out port; it still sounds great none the less

But I use a T51 and with a good amp you get noticeably better sound through the line out than the headphone jack.
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post #12 of 19
4/14/10 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Young Spade View Post
^Just for reference, the ipod line out isn't really a line out, more of a glorified headphone out port; it still sounds great none the less

But I use a T51 and with a good amp you get noticeably better sound through the line out than the headphone jack.
Are you sure about that. you cannot control the volume from the ipod when u use an LOD right? Therefore it must be a line out?
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post #13 of 19
4/14/10 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott_Tarlow View Post
Are you sure about that. you cannot control the volume from the ipod when u use an LOD right? Therefore it must be a line out?
I think this mystery will never be solved... since i joined head-fi there is not seem to be an agreement on this.
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post #14 of 19
4/14/10 at 8:05pm
Guys if I may, I would like to see what you think of this portable set up that I have in mind of getting next week.

DAP= Iphone 3GS( i am currently using) or get a Sansa Clip 8g

Amp= not sure if I want a DAC/AMP or just a dedicated AMP
Im leaning towards a HeadAmp Pico or an RSA.I looked up
Electric Avenues PAV2 and it looks decent as well. I
currently have FiiO 5 but I would like a portable amp that
can power and match UE TF10.

HP/Earphones= Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10/ Grado SR80i/Yuin PK3

I am looking for a set up that can deliver very tight lows and I dont mind a little color to my music so it does not sound sterile at all.I already have the Iphone and leaning towards UE 10 as my main portable to get.I just dont know what would be a good mix.
Any recommendation would be very much appreciated.
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post #15 of 19
4/14/10 at 10:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott_Tarlow View Post
Are you sure about that. you cannot control the volume from the ipod when u use an LOD right? Therefore it must be a line out?
hi,

when i use my apple universal dock with my 7th gen ipod classic or iphone 3g (need to confirm this again), the volume automatically jumps to 100%, but i can still control the volume of the ipod classic

when i used my iphone 3g with my older iphone 3g only dock, the volume control disappears

so it seems like something in the lod connector and/or device firmware that determines this?

i will have my ibasso CB07 and LOD soon to test.. but i'm sure others can chime in with their experience
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