SR71B, 2stepdance, mk3

I have an iPod classic => CLAS => SR71B=> LCD2 set up. I use the balanced cable from double helix for LCD-2. If I am on the move I switch to Beyerdynamic DT 1350. Both the set ups are amazing but the balanced set up is obviously an advantage. I think you could always upgrade to a balanced cable for JH16 Pro later on. I even saw a couple of SR-71B's on sale in the for sale forum...  

I just posted in the portable sources thread about recently mating a home/portable rig with an IPod Classic=> CLAS=> GoVibe Porta Tube +.   I use Westone UM2s as mobile IEMs and HiFi Man HE-500s at home.  The PortaTube + does not have much information out on it and is something of an unknown which may scare some users away but it does have some interesting features:

 

• It's a portable tube amp, making it different from the solid state SR-71 and Rx MkII
• It has a built-in DAC accessible via a USB Mini B plug, making is usable with desktop systems (not IPod LOD friendly tho)
• So far, it has had no problems driving the IEMs and the much tougher HE-500s.  Going much above 50% on the HE-500 starts getting into "too loud for me" territory.  Much above 20-25% on the IEMs is "front row at a Who concert".  Obviously, the listening dynamics of IEMs vs. big Orthos means you're listening for different characteristics in the music.  But so far this combo has definitely been fun to listen to in either setting.

 

Downsides are real:

• The 3 pieces together are a brick.  It's portable technically, but not ready for the gym. Unless your workout is just lugging this combo around?
• The PortaTube + volume control is prominent and moves easily, meaning if you bump it while it's in your bag, you can get a huge uncomfortable volume surge. 
• And like I said, GoVibe provides next-to-no information about the product, so durability="?" Warranty= "?" Tech Specs = "?"

 

The PortaTube + is single-ended only at this point.

Wait it out kokushu. From what I have heard, the SR71B is best balanced and the MK3 could be great unbalanced as well as balanced. However, since it's not released yet it is hard to make impressions other than CanJam. Also my bet is that after the MK3 is released Ray Samuels is going create a successor to the SR71B....just a guess ;)

I am going to be getting an SR71 soon as I want to try balanced but I can tell you that If I were not experimenting with balanced then I would still be more than happy with my stepdance. I have the original and it sounds wonderful and with the external 15v battery mod it has oodles of power to bring out the LCD's magic. The only downside is that there is another slab to add to the equation so if portability, e.g. listening on the move is something important to you it can be a little limiting.

I don't like walking and listening to music as Drivers here are as dumb as OX's and I need all my faculties to survive the city streets, Also my etymotics create such a good seal all I can hear is my feet pounding when walking!

I do a major part of my listening on set or in coffee shops which is where this set up really comes into it's own!

Man, you folks must have serious cash. Or should that be HAD serious cash ? 

It's called having no debt! Have not owned a credit card for over twelve years now. I don't need or own a car and I am not into name brand clothing. It's amazing how far money can go without that lot on ones shoulders!

Best thing I ever did was to pay off my debt and stop owning a credit card!
Edited by ianmedium - 11/18/11 at 7:53am

Totally agree. Nothing like having no dept. 
 

 

Greece just rang - apparently they want you two to run their economy !

I think the US and many other countries could use some help, live within your means. It is disgusting, the waste and misuse that US politicians participate in. I saw this first hand in Micronesia while living there. The US gives 200 million a year, and they know that it is one of the most corrupt countries in the world and this is just one tiny island nation. The US throws US tax payers money out like it is feed to the cattle with little regard for the people whose money it really is. 

 

And how about that music. :^)

That's ok, at least Micronesia isn't attacking us!  We give Billions (with a B) of dollars to Pakistan, all of which goes to their corrupt military, and some of which ends up getting funneled into people who kill our own troops!
 

 

This is so far off topic it's ridiculous, however.... one very good reason to give financial aid to Pakistan is so that some extremists in the border areas try to foment hatred of the West, rather than have Islamabad and the entire country, and all the surrounding countries doing it. At least the pro western military is in control of their nuclear arsenal. You think it's easier and cheaper to wash our hands of it and walk away from that mess?

Guess again.

Exactly how many people would you say have actually HEARD the mk3 ? Of those, how many have been able to kick back and really evaluate it side-by-side with the other amps mentioned here ? I doubt that most of the people here who own balanced amps actually use them 'on-the-go' - always happy to hear otherwise.