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Best Amp with Bass Boost option

post #1 of 31
4/25/10 at 2:43pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

what are some headphone amplifiers out there that offer bass boost option?

I will use the amp for Westone UM3X (I need bass boost option for them) and also AKG K181 DJ so it has to be very powerful as these require a lot of amplification (iBasso D2+ doesn't amp them so well).

Would Headstage Arrow 12HE be good/ powerful enough?

Recommendations welcome!
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post #2 of 31
4/25/10 at 2:50pm
You need bass boost for um3x and k181 dj O_O...
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post #3 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:11pm
I wish I could give you some insight on the Arrow, but it seems I'm not getting mine anytime soon due to the volcano in Iceland. lol.

And as whacky as ti sounds, I'm looking forward to the bass boost option of the Arrow for my Senn IE8's.
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post #4 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:12pm
I have the Arrow 12HE and it boost bass quite well! I usually use the lowest bass setting on it, sometimes #2 but never past that. The Arrow is a great all around amp with a lot of setting to pair with your IEM's. I chose it for that reason and the fact it's super thin and matches the size of my iPod.
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post #5 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:15pm
Thread Starter 
I love the bass boost function on my K181 DJ so I would also like bass boost option for UM3X, from what I've learned about'em so far they have great bass quality but not the greatest bass quantity which bass boost would fix if necessary (depends on what I am listening to).
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post #6 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you Panges and Eggroll, my only concern is if it is more powerful than iBasso D2+, powerful enough to properly amp K181.
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post #7 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:30pm
I'm not sure if it is more "powerful" than the D2+ but from what I read about the K181 DJ, it is 42ohms and the Arrow can run them no problem. The Arrow website give a lot of info about all the things the Arrow can do. Headphonia.com - Headstage Arrow 12HE (High Efficiency)
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post #8 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TranceDude View Post
Thank you Panges and Eggroll, my only concern is if it is more powerful than iBasso D2+, powerful enough to properly amp K181.
From what I recall, someone mentioned that Robert (the maker of the Arrows) was able to power his Senn HD650's perfectly with them, and it was confirmed by a couple other people on head-fi. I don't know if the K181 need more than the HD650's, but it seems like a good reference point.

I wish I had amp so I had more first hand experience to relay to you, but for now, all I can offer are responses from other people. lol.
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post #9 of 31
4/25/10 at 3:56pm
I'm using a Xin Macro4 that has bass boost of 6 db. Also has crossfeed and hi/low gain. I use it mostly with the Ety 4s and RS-1 to help the ipod's sound without EQing.
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post #10 of 31
4/25/10 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
My only estimation can be based on this data: Arrow has a 1200mAh (4.2V) battery that can put out 12V for 15 hours of play time and D2+ has 470mAh (4.2V) battery that can put ?V for 38 hours of play time. D2+ is rated 100mW per channel so I am assuming Arrow about triples that. Just an assumption, really can't be sure.
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post #11 of 31
4/25/10 at 5:04pm
Practical devices XM4 have bass boost. Also you can change the opamps to AD8620 or 8066.
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post #12 of 31
4/25/10 at 6:26pm
best portable amp with bass boost,, hhmm let me think,, triad audio Lisa III
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post #13 of 31
4/26/10 at 12:04am
XM5 with 634 busbar buffer can put out one full watt(very powerfull) for headphone with bass boost and gain about 10mw(BTW it's already bassy).
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post #14 of 31
4/26/10 at 1:37am
x2 on the xm5 - but it can be almost overpowering
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post #15 of 31
4/26/10 at 1:46am
I have an M^3 with a variable bass boost. It can put bass into anything. I hooked it up to the UM3X and heard absolutely no difference. The amp simply took it to where it already was. It boosted the PFEs. It boosted the TF10. It boosted the SE530. It boosted the Sennheiser HD 650 and 800. It boosted all of my Grados - and (with the exception of the 125, 225 and RS-2) I've had them all from the iGrado to the GS-1000. It didn't boost the ER4P/S, which just wouldn't put out as far as bass was concerned, and it didn't boost the UM3X, which already had plenty of bass. I think you're wasting your money if you buy an amp to bass-boost a UM3X. If you're not getting plenty of bass from your UM3X, check your tips. You may need to use something else to get the right seal.
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