Spend my $1,300 on a portable setup for me... - Page 2

Hi, you would be much better off with something that has digital out than the hm801 something like a cowon v5 would work but I am not sure if it will work with the jh3a,

I know that it has digital out, via spdif and it's not optical. 

Do you currently use iTunes to manage your music, some other software or drag and drop? Would your main computer for syncing be OS X or Windows? Once I know that it'll be easier to suggest a dap/amp.

But I think if you are going to spend $1,000 + I would definitely looking at the Jerry Harvey (JH) customs. Both the JH 13 and 16 are very solid choices.

+1 on spending money on a decent portable and great earphones. Sources are important, but you might find that even a really expensive audiophile DAP may not meet your criteria for SQ. I'd invest in good iems that can be used with any dap from low to high and sound great. It's like buying a Nikon D3X and attaching a cheap 18-55 DX lens. Invest in the lens that you can use when your camera is outmoded. The earphones are the lens - they are the most important. You can upgrade your DAP later as something 'better' or more expensive comes along. Or you can settle on something cheaper that strikes a good balance between cost and performance.

my rig of choice is going to be ipod touch 4g 64gig>jh3a+jh16's and I'm saving up a little more for a gaming/high battery life laptop *one of those hybrids* XD.and the m2tech and using that as my desktop/tranport rig.

jeez I'm spending alot of money.... 1820+430/1300+160.

Alright then. If you want a decent UI that's easy to use that allows drag and drop and is a large capacity player I think you'd be a fool not to look at a refurbished or second hand iPod 5.5g (Or 5g) with rockbox installed. The player comes with a stock 80gb HDD and has the ability to be upgraded to 240gb. With rockboxed installed you get a fantastic parametric EQ, FLAC and various other format support, gappless playback, drag and drop as well as the ability to customize the UI and tinker with nearly every setting you can think of.

iPod Video 5/5.5gs come with a Wolfson DAC rather than the newer and arguably lesser performing Cirrus DAC. This is why they are used extensively for modifying (ie DIYMod, iMod, WhipMod) to allow users to bypass the internal amp and direct the signal directly into the line out (when a Line Out Dock aka LOD is used). This will prevent you from double amping and allow you to truly maximize any external amp you wish to use, whilst keeping the original headphone out (HO) 100% working if you want to just plug in and go.

So if you got some high end customs you would have enough left over to get an iPod 5.5g (maybe even a second hand xMod if you're lucky) and you have the options to upgrade when your budget permits. So you can go for a bigger hard drive, new battery, modification process, external amp + LOD cable, etc once you have some more money. Even if you don't want to upgrade anything you still have a fantastic sounding (in my opinion better than anything in the Cowon line up that you are also considering) player.

I'll say that the HiFiMan HM-801 is arguably a better sounding player, but it's more than basic UI and sub par navigation doesn't make it the most enjoyable player to use. It also suffers from treble roll off - for good or bad. I suggest you read some of the reviews/topics in warp08's signature.  He has reviewed the JH 13 and 16s, HM-801, HM-602, WhipMod and Whiplash cables and is also one of the few members to own both and extensively write about his gear. If you do infact consider purchasing a iPod 5.5g (modified or not)  I would suggest looking the WhipMods which allow you to maximize synergy (budget permitting) if you use a Whiplash cable for your IEMs.

There are a bunch of options out there, with countless combinations. I suggest you look at the break down of sonic improvements in my signature and allocate your budget accordingly.

Hope I helped and happy listening.

EDIT: Oh yeah and theres also the JH3A to consider and if so a AlgoRythm Solo and iPod 6/7th gen. Such a rig is very expensive, and has a large for factor but should be unrivaled as far (trans)portable sound goes.

Hi, if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of portability you could get a qa350.

Not the prettiest device but has digital out so would be a great match for the jh3a.

I really would suggest you look for something with digital out as it should give a better sound.

I don't think the qa350 will have the same digital connection to be used with the jh3a... can anyone confirm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden Monkey 

Well, after much consideration and balancing the desire to simply HAVE the best against the realism of maybe only using this stuff for a couple of hours a week, actual portability, and the sheer madness blowing obscene amounts of cash on things I don't need, I've scaled back my purchases.  I went with a 32GB Cowon J3, EarSonics SM3's, and another 32GB SDHC.  I'll decide after the stuff arrives if I do or do not need an amp, but if I do get one, I'll most likely go with the Headstage Arrow and a reasonable mini-to-mini.  You guys almost had me convinced I HAD to have the JHA's.  Maybe if I was a pro musician on in the industry or something I'd have gone that route.  I was even to the point of designing custom artwork, but reality came knocking, lol.  Thanks again for all your help fellas.

Hope you ordered a microSDHC and not a regular one.

Very nice system for the price. I'm sure you'll love it. The reason so many people (myself included) recommended the JHAs is if you are going to spend 1k+ on a new rig that's where your budget should go. If you came in here saying I wanto spend $500 I wouldn't have even mentioned his gear, or customs at all for that matter.