Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphone Amps › Good Portable Amp with Ath-A2000X?: Iqube/ rsa shadow/ ttvj slim
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Good Portable Amp with Ath-A2000X?: Iqube/ rsa shadow/ ttvj slim

post #1 of 12
6/18/10 at 7:53am
Thread Starter 

Hi, I'm a newbie Head-fier.

 

I drive my ath-a2000x with a portable device and find the sound rather light and fatiguing even though there's no problem in volum. For now A2000x sounds somewhat harsh, dry, hard and cold (with a bit of sibliance)  

 

So, I'm looking for an amp that can add some deep tight bass(not booming), sweeter vocal, moist, warmth, concentration, and wider soundstage. Forward vocal is ok for me.

 

Which among the three would be the right thing? Any other recommendation is also welcome, but I'm already torn enough!

 

Thanks in advance for the replies of any kind.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

(Added) More descripstion about a2000x

 

Sound features listed above are its shortcomings only. As a matter of fact, I'm more contented than dissatisfied in that it sounds like an open can with wide sound stage, good separation and tranparency. Among others, it knows very well when to stop and when to go. (Is this what's called 'dynamic range'?) It's not so dry and hard as Ultrason HFI 580 or 780 and its sibliance is negligible compared with denon D5000.

 

If I didn't try w5000, I might not be looking for an amp. Amped (dont remember the model. non portable, worth around $100) w5000 had the very deep bass I was looking for and for some reason less fatiguing performance than my a2000x. A2000x will never sound the same as w5000 in any sense, but some change can be made thgouth amps, I hope.     


Edited by dural - 6/20/10 at 7:22am
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000
post #2 of 12
6/18/10 at 8:54pm

I would wait a month for the headstage Arrow 12HE, I had the iqube and ttvj and only kept the arrow, plus its 100 cheaper! a no brainer

Reply
post #3 of 12
6/18/10 at 11:10pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you for response!  Owing to you, I came to be torm more. Arrow, it's real slim and people say it has good midbass. By the way, why do I wait a month? Can't I get one here now? http://www.headstage.com/The-Arrow-Amp:::1012.html

Reply
post #4 of 12
6/18/10 at 11:46pm

I assume the one month wait is about the time it will take for your order to be delivered as there is a backlog of orders with the Arrow. 

another option for an amp might be the original TTVJ portable hybrid. the sound you are looking for pretty much fits to what this amp is known for, with lush intimate vocals, thicker and warmer sound. The bass is nice and deep, though not boomy but maybe a tad soft (plump). also the highs are a tad mellow but still have detail without any sibilance, 

I've only briefly tried the A2000x at a shop comparing it to the w1000x, and my impression is similar to yours with very nice clarity and lighter (thin) sound. granted I wasn't too interested so didn't really spend enough time with it, and the conditions at the shop was hardly a place to make an informed judgement on the cans. 

 

They are not as portable as other newer amps due to the pinging of micro tubes inside (the amp is the first portable tube amp) which makes sweet pinging sound when tapped or bumped. However, no problems once placed down. so its pretty important how you will be using the amp -  if as transportable or limited portable (as long as you dont bump it works fine, which I take it with me on walks etc.). however, for true portability, you are probably better off with other amps. 

 

Also this amp has plenty of power, and probably will drive other full size cans nicely as far as portables goes. however, some people did not like it as much with iems, due to low volume channel imbalance or hissing with very sensitive iems. 

 

so there are positives and negatives of the amp you should consider. for me, with my esw10jpn, I am more than happy with the sound and would never think of letting it go. 

 

todd (TTVJ) provides a 30 day money back guarantee so you can always get it or the TTVJ slim to try it out. if you are not happy with it, just return it to get back your money. I think that is a great customer service and an opportunity for those of us who otherwise have no chance to listen.

 

hope this helps.

 

Reply
post #5 of 12
6/19/10 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 

.


Edited by dural - 6/20/10 at 4:23am
Reply
post #6 of 12
6/19/10 at 11:37am
Thread Starter 

Deep gratitude for your sincere advice. LevA. I've also heard that tube amps are good for rendering sharp sound less stinging. (And tubes also give some romantic air! )Checking this thread http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/465160/ttvj-millett-portable-hybrid-awesome , I see the TTVJ portable hybrid may produce "the sound", even though there were divided words on the pinging.

 

As for me, portablility matters. Other than the ping sound, TTVJ portable hybrid seems a bit big. Could you tell me it's dimension? Anyway, I wasn't unaware of the 30 day refund guarantee Todd provides. He must be a good guy. Thank you again for a good tip.

 

Now that they say TTVJ silm sounds similiar to TTVJ hybrid, I might have almost finished hesitating if TTVJ slim were a bit smaller (It's dimension is 10.4 x 7.0 x 1.2cm. Heigh is woderful, length is ok, but 7.0 is too wide for my device. That size is ideal for iPod classic.) In this respect, Arrow 12HE that is 9.8 x 5.6 x 0.84 suits mine perfectly and Iqube is the farthest out of my mind besides its price

 

Well, glad to meet another ATH user. esw10 is very nice-looking and good to carry as well as sounds good even without an amp. I just choose a2000x in want of airy, spacious sound. What's funny in a2000x is it's both mellow and hard; bass mellow (though not booming), highs hard, not permitting any resonance, which some call 'precise' while others say 'dry or fatiguing'. I want it reversed. (Yuin OKs have it; tight bass and reveberating mid-highs.)

 

Hope there's anyone to give some comparison among Shadow(or Mustang) and TTVJ. It's interesting to see the argument over "Who's the winner" here. It would be better if I could hear HOW one is better than the other.

 

Forgive my poor English.

Reply
post #7 of 12
6/19/10 at 11:39am
Thread Starter 

.


Edited by dural - 6/20/10 at 4:21am
Reply
post #8 of 12
6/19/10 at 1:05pm

You can edit your 2nd post and just put a ".".

 

I have both the Arrow 12HE and the TTVJ Hybrid. Both are very easy to listen to, not harsh at all. I like both. The Arrow has a tighter and deeper bass. But the TTVJ Hybrid surpasses the Arrow in the mids and is more open sounding.

Reply
post #9 of 12
6/20/10 at 6:13am
Thread Starter 

Thank you wuwhere. It looks better. Is there no way to delete it completely? I like Prince, so seeing him many times is ok, but others may not.

 

One thing I mind about Arrow is that it has so many switches on it. Maybe, many switches mean more freedom to choose from, but won't they someday stop functioning? I live in too far a place to send it for repair. Don't you have any problem so far?  

 

Some more questions:

* It seems to be charged through USB cable. Is it ok I charge it with a wall USB charger?

* Is 3.5-to3.5 connecting cable included?

 

Now I see why GuyDebord said "wait a month"

It says on the page that "New orders will ship in July 2010"

Reply
post #10 of 12
6/20/10 at 7:54am

Only the mods/administrator have the power to delete/move posts.

 

The switches makes the Arrow very flexible for different IEMs/HPs.

I'm sure that someday the battery will have to be replaced.

But the micro switches should last, their manufacturers have tested them.

Also, its really not often that you change their settings for a particular IEM/HP.

You can charge it with any USB charger, be it a PC, laptop or a wall wart.

A 3.5 cable is not included.

 

This is my setup:  Laptop > Foobar > USB DAC Cable > Arrow > ER4S/P/UE10Pro.

 

The only bummer is it takes a long time for an order to get delivered.

It took 8 weeks for my Arrow to arrive at my doorstep.

Reply
post #11 of 12
6/24/10 at 10:52am
Thread Starter 

I've ordered Arrow 12he and waiting in line. Thank all of you for helping me to decide. I hope it's my cup of tea.  Robert said mine would be shipped at the end of July. I'll come back then and go on this thread with some impression so that this might help others.

Reply
post #12 of 12
7/3/10 at 4:37pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by dural View Post

I've ordered Arrow 12he and waiting in line. Thank all of you for helping me to decide. I hope it's my cup of tea.  Robert said mine would be shipped at the end of July. I'll come back then and go on this thread with some impression so that this might help others.


I'm sure you will not be disappointed with the SQ of the Arrow. I've stopped looking for a better portable amp since owning it as I've never felt let down by it's sound.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Portable Headphone Amps

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Audio-Technica ATH-AD2000
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Portable Headphone Amps › Good Portable Amp with Ath-A2000X?: Iqube/ rsa shadow/ ttvj slim