Quote:
Originally Posted by
FlatNine 
Now as a fellow head-fier, I'm hoping you tell me the amp doesn't make it that much better. I just dropped $399 for the Touch and $175 for the Ety's. An amp will probably be another $250 at least. 
If you're satisfied with your Ety's through your Touch, close your browser and slowly walk away... LOL
I'm sorry to have to break it to you (and your wallet) my friend, but this cheap little $6.00 amp/volume booster has made enough of an impression on me to have me searching for deals in the Amp For Sale forum. (turn back now)
It really fills out the sound on my Ety's and my new Grado SR60i's. I almost wish I didn't get the amp with my Ety's now. I will say this, with the additional boost, my Ety's came alive and my new Grado's sound wonderful. I've even offered my Sennheiser IE8's up for trade for an Amp/Dac combo or a step up in the Grado line. After listening to my Ety's through that little amp, I hear "more" bass with no loss in overall definition or clarity. It warmed up the overall sound of the Ety's but not substantially. I did notice a bit more soundstage and sparkle when I set the Touch EQ to Treble booster. The only thing I'll miss about the IE8's (if they go) is the wide soundstage and the ability to rattle fillings from my teeth :) (final warning)
I will tell you this, if I can't find a trade, I'm not going to go crazy on my first amp. You can find deals for under $100 for a quality used portable amp and I've read great reviews on Gary's PA2V2 amp. For $60 new, you get a good portable amp and what amounts to lifetime support, you really can't go wrong. If you want to see/hear the difference for yourself, order one of these FiiO E3's and have a listen. For $6.25 with free shipping you can grab one from DealExtreme.com. They label it as a volume booster, but I have to believe it also has a bass boost as well. It's tiny, but I don't plan on taking any amp with me on the go, it will only be used when sitting at my desk. I'm quite happy with the Ety's from my Touch on the move. I just find I'm doing more listening at home lately, which is why I decided to try the entry level Grado's.
Now, It may not seem like it, but I'm almost done. I'm quite satisfied with what I currently own, and I know, I'll never be able to afford the finest out there. My goal is simple: find the best sound for my ears within my means. Some might call it self control or self preservation. I call it a serious lack of disposable income. LOL
If I can trade my IE8's for a USB/DAC/AMP.. I'll be done.
My setup will look like this:
Portable (beach - pool - running): Sansa Clip+ - S4's
Portable (dry & safe): iPod Touch - ER-4P's
Home: iPod Touch - LOD - DAC/Amp - Ety's or Grado SR60i
Home: PC - Foobar - USB/DAC/AMP - Ety's or Grado's
I'll live happily ever after, at least until something breaks... LOL
I tried to save you, I really did. But never fear my friend, sometimes ignorance is bliss. I'll never know what the JH-16's or Sennheiser HD800's sound like and I can't miss something I never had or heard, right?? LOL