Recommend me an amp please

If you have extensive background in home audio, why do you think you need an amp to drive your 203?

203's don't need an amp, you'll just be adding distortion.

Being able to use a LOD  does get you a much cleaner signal from the iPod.  But to get that cleaner signal, you then need an amp, regardless of how easy the 'phones are to drive.  I think that's where the OP is coming from.

But right... which one to get?  Did you peruse this extensive posting http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/214588/review-portable-amp-roundup-56-portable-amps-reviewed-and-compared-last-update-12-20-10-added-rsa-sr-71b ?

In my case, I've been using a Headroom Bithead -- and I believe the AirHead is the same amp without the USB DAC.  I haven't done any comparison, but this has been reliable, it's got selectable crossfeed, and high and low gain settings.  Versatile.

Best of luck!

Yes, LOD = cleaner signal. But will this difference be audible in the HD203? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric_C 

Yes, LOD = cleaner signal. But will this difference be audible in the HD203? 

I'm not familiar with the HD203.  I made this shift to LOD + amp with my M50s and it's definitely beneficial in that case -- compared to using them straight out of the iPod or using them just with iPod + amp.  Of course this may depend on what amp is used as well.

flatmap: Agreed that effectiveness varies between amps. However, there can be headphones which are efficient enough so as not to reap much benefit from a dedicated amp. My IE8 do not appear to benefit much from many amps that I have tried in the sub-$300 range (have not tried more expensive amps).

OP: you may not need to buy an amp. And since the HD 203 retail for $35-50, I don't see many amps you can buy anyway, unless you are willing to spend more on an amp than your headphones.