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Clear, Transparent, Detailed Amp!

post #1 of 17
1/9/11 at 4:19am
Thread Starter 

What amp do you guys suggest that is the most Clear Transparent and Detailed at <$300 range? (Its good to have a DAC built in, but not necessary)

 

It going to be home use only, and to power low impedance phones and iems.


Edited by Xymordos - 1/9/11 at 5:06am
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Etymotic ER-4P Portable In-Ear Earphones
FiiO E9 Desktop Headphone Amplifier and Dock for E7 USB DAC
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post #2 of 17
1/9/11 at 8:37am

The Matrix M-Stage (Black Cube Linear clone) is known as an extremely neutral amp, and can be had for $250 new. It works well with both low and high impedence 'phones, but probably a tad better with low ones. What 'phones are you using? There is no dac built it, but I used to feed my m-stage with a little uDac ($99), and had wonderful results!

 

-Daniel

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post #3 of 17
1/9/11 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 


I'm using the ER4p, and I got a E7, I guess I'll wait for the E7 line out kit to be released and use it as my DAC. So I'm just trying to find an amp that have lots of details.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BournePerfect View Post

The Matrix M-Stage (Black Cube Linear clone) is known as an extremely neutral amp, and can be had for $250 new. It works well with both low and high impedence 'phones, but probably a tad better with low ones. What 'phones are you using? There is no dac built it, but I used to feed my m-stage with a little uDac ($99), and had wonderful results!

 

-Daniel

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post #4 of 17
1/10/11 at 5:20am
Thread Starter 

People in other forums been recommending me RSA Shadow and Stepdance...but they're quite expensive :\

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post #5 of 17
1/10/11 at 5:24am

This is probably too obvious a question, but since you already have the E7, is there something you don't like about the E9? It is perceived as a very clear, transparent and detailed amp at this price point (and even compared against more expensive amps).

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post #6 of 17
1/10/11 at 8:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ukkisavosta View Post

This is probably too obvious a question, but since you already have the E7, is there something you don't like about the E9? It is perceived as a very clear, transparent and detailed amp at this price point (and even compared against more expensive amps).


Really? Coz when I look at the review, the E9 is described as average at everything, but good at its price, and it was described as slightly warm. I was considering it, but thought that others could do better on detail at a similar price range or a bit higher? 

 

It seems like that the <$300 price range doesn't have any detailed amps ):

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post #7 of 17
1/10/11 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xymordos View Post



Really? Coz when I look at the review, the E9 is described as average at everything, but good at its price, and it was described as slightly warm. I was considering it, but thought that others could do better on detail at a similar price range or a bit higher? 

 

It seems like that the <$300 price range doesn't have any detailed amps ):


Funny. I've seen people describing it as completely transparent and black, and not adding anything to the sound. I suppose it's the E7 that's adding the warmth, if there is any.

 

Have you checked out the London mini-meet thread? http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/525901/london-mini-meet-impressions

 

I think it's a good testimony as to how the E7/E9 delivers.

 

Other people have also described the E9 as a very transparent amp:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/60#post_7033889

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/60#post_7033987

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/60#post_7034048

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/75#post_7034274

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/135#post_7040640

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post #8 of 17
1/10/11 at 8:52am
Thread Starter 

Wow! thanks! 

At first I thought the E7 E9 combo is no brainer too, but I wanted to see some alternatives :P

Looks like E9 is still my best option
How does the E9 compare to the other amps like Shadow? (Looking at the price Shadow should be tons better)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ukkisavosta View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Xymordos View Post



Really? Coz when I look at the review, the E9 is described as average at everything, but good at its price, and it was described as slightly warm. I was considering it, but thought that others could do better on detail at a similar price range or a bit higher? 

 

It seems like that the <$300 price range doesn't have any detailed amps ):


Funny. I've seen people describing it as completely transparent and black, and not adding anything to the sound. I suppose it's the E7 that's adding the warmth, if there is any.

 

Have you checked out the London mini-meet thread? http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/525901/london-mini-meet-impressions

 

I think it's a good testimony as to how the E7/E9 delivers.

 

Other people have also described the E9 as a very transparent amp:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/60#post_7033889

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/60#post_7033987

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/60#post_7034048

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/75#post_7034274

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/518997/the-official-fiio-e9-thread-with-video-unbox-review/135#post_7040640

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post #9 of 17
1/10/11 at 8:59am

For it's pricerange I believe the E-9 is a pretty transparent amp. But I'd still recommend the m-stage as a more transparent alternative, and an EXCELLENT bang for your buck as well at $250 new. To me, the E-9 just didn't sound quite as smooth and refined as the Matrix, it seemed to have almost a raw, grainy sound to it at times, FWIW. Both are great amps at their pricepoints IMO. If you can cop an extra $110 I would definitely shoot for the m-stage though.

 

-Daniel

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post #10 of 17
1/10/11 at 9:09am
Thread Starter 

I would love to, but I'm unable to buy online, and I'm in Hong Kong, gotta do with what my current shops have...):

They sell ALOT of chinese amps here, even in very reputed headphone shops...so I have no idea if they're good or not.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by BournePerfect View Post

For it's pricerange I believe the E-9 is a pretty transparent amp. But I'd still recommend the m-stage as a more transparent alternative, and an EXCELLENT bang for your buck as well at $250 new. To me, the E-9 just didn't sound quite as smooth and refined as the Matrix, it seemed to have almost a raw, grainy sound to it at times, FWIW. Both are great amps at their pricepoints IMO. If you can cop an extra $110 I would definitely shoot for the m-stage though.

 

-Daniel

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post #11 of 17
1/10/11 at 9:33am

I've only seen good things written about the m-stage, so it's obviously a good choice as well.

 

I can only buy online (I live in the middle of nowhere), and the E9 is my first dedicated HP amp, so I can't compare it to any other HP amps (other than the cheap tube amp, which is pretty much appalling in comparison - lots of hum, distortion and channel imbalance - but it needs tweaking anyway), so I'm just repeating what others have said.

 

That said, I'm very happy with the E7/E9 combo and consider it excellent value for money.

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post #12 of 17
1/10/11 at 10:09pm
Thread Starter 

Hmm...most other amps are not available here, so I think I'll go with the E9, unless the other Chinese forums I use can suggest me something better :P

 

EDIT: Hows the iBasso series? and the Corda XXS? Any good? I can get them second hand for quite cheap, around E9's price or even cheaper


Edited by Xymordos - 1/10/11 at 10:10pm
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post #13 of 17
1/10/11 at 10:40pm
I think the new Dynalo is selling for $300. A classic and possibly the most neutral, transparent amp out there. A favorite with DIY'ers, as well. No DAC, but there are plenty of good DACs out there.
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post #14 of 17
1/10/11 at 10:44pm
Thread Starter 


I'll see if I can find it in Hong Kong. I'll be waiting for my E7's line out kit to use as my DAC.

By the way, I saw a Chinese seller selling the "FA1" which he described as the replica Beyerdynamic A1, using same circuit and same parts o.o

And its only selling for ~$170. What do you think about it?

T2gRdtXchXXXXXXXXX_!!34582996.jpgQuote:


Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post

I think the new Dynalo is selling for $300. A classic and possibly the most neutral, transparent amp out there. A favorite with DIY'ers, as well. No DAC, but there are plenty of good DACs out there.
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post #15 of 17
1/11/11 at 12:53am

Which one, the HA-006?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post

AI think the new Dynalo is selling for $300. A classic and possibly the most neutral, transparent amp out there. A favorite with DIY'ers, as well. No DAC, but there are plenty of good DACs out there.
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Etymotic ER-4P Portable In-Ear Earphones
FiiO E9 Desktop Headphone Amplifier and Dock for E7 USB DAC
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