Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Any full-size amps that run off of USB power or batteries?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Any full-size amps that run off of USB power or batteries?

post #1 of 11
3/9/11 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 

I'm looking into headphone amps for my laptop setup, and while I have space and don't need a headphone amp that will fit in my pocket, I'd still like one that doesn't need to run off of mains power to prevent me from having to run more long cables.   I've seen many portable amps that can do this, but most seem on the low side for power output, or don't list their output specs.  For example, I can't make heads or tails from the iBasso website which amps have more juice. I'm looking heavily at getting a  pair of 600 ohm Beyerdynamic cans for my next purchase, and don't want to under power them.

 

So to summarize i'm looking for an amp that:

1) can run off of batteries/usb power

2) can effectively drive 600 ohm headphones

3) doesn't need to fit in my pocket.

Reply
post #2 of 11
3/9/11 at 2:26pm

I think driving 600ohms is asking a bit too much of a battery/usb powered amp.

Reply
post #3 of 11
3/9/11 at 2:45pm
off the top of my head theres the alo amphora and the isabella
Reply
post #4 of 11
3/12/11 at 7:13pm

Might i humbly suggest the DACport? It:

 

1) can run off USB power

2) can effectively drive 600 ohm headphones

3) can fit in your pocket!

 

I'm using it to drive my Z1000s and it can definitely drive 600ohm headphones as well.

 

Have a read about it at www.centrance.com or just goole "DACport". Many interesting online articles about it. It basically uses the 500mA, 5V USB power and generates 5 different sources of varying voltage for jitter management and clock sync. 

Reply
post #5 of 11
3/13/11 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 

I'm not really looking for a DAC right now, and I need an analog in for some of my uses.

 

I do like that it has multiple internal voltage rails including a +/-9v. That seems to be missing from many portables and is needed for the 6000 ohm cans.

Reply
post #6 of 11
3/13/11 at 9:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShadowKntSDS View Post

I'm not really looking for a DAC right now, and I need an analog in for some of my uses.

 

I do like that it has multiple internal voltage rails including a +/-9v. That seems to be missing from many portables and is needed for the 6000 ohm cans.


Yeah, it does seem lacking if analogue input is need but otherwise, i would think it is perfect for your need. Very high fidelity sound in a compact package. Do keep us posted on your hunt! :)

 

 

Reply
post #7 of 11
3/13/11 at 11:40am

How about iBasso's balanced portable amps the PB-1 and PB-2?  They have the power to drive ANY headphone with authority.

Reply
post #8 of 11
3/13/11 at 11:52am

I read about the Scherzo Audio Andante once. It runs off of sealed lead-acid batteries, and has gotten some good reviews.

Reply
post #9 of 11
3/14/11 at 11:03pm

Emmeline XP-7, Corda Stepdance

 

Reply
post #10 of 11
3/15/11 at 9:30am

Total bithead. 

 

There are a lot of USB dacs/amps that run off usb power or batteries. 

Reply
post #11 of 11
3/15/11 at 9:53am

there is only so much you can do with usb power, the 500ma @ 5vdc is the 'standard' but ost laptop usb ports are not going to put out quite this much, throw in some buck boost dc to dc convertors and you wil get higher voltage, but at the expense of much lower current 5vdc @ 500ma (2.5w) = +/-9vdc at 138.88ma then if there is other regulated voltages and the cost of the convertors, this figure is much lower.

 

for portable battery power check out the pelican, which is the ibasso you are looking for, or perhaps the new smaller fiquest. there are a number of full size battery powered amps, some of which have been mentioned already, but most will be quite heavy


Edited by qusp - 3/15/11 at 9:55am
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphone Amps (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphone Amps (full-size) › Any full-size amps that run off of USB power or batteries?