Multi-Portable Amp Thread: 12 amps reviewed (Shonyun 306 added 10/03/12) - Page 9

Just got the portaphile 627 and in a word it is PHENOMENAL!  I will write a proper review, and hope to get it out by early next week, but as of right now I could not be happier.  Average_joe definitely didn't embellish his review when he said that it was the best amp he'd heard to date.

Its funny - when the choice in single-ended portable amps was between Stepdance, Lisa/L3, Pico and various amps from RSA and iBasso, I remember thinking 'Whoa ! Too many choices !'. That situation has worsened, IMO - in addition to your glowing recommendations, we now have the ALO Continental/National, there is a new Leckerton and Justin is talking about making the 'Power Pico' a reality. Great ..... 

The obvious answer is a meet where ALL of these amps are assembled in one place. That, or be prepared to spend ~5K USD on a drawer full of portable amps.  

(the above assumes that you aren't also seduced by the balanced portable amps - depending on the degree to which you wanted to go crazy with that, you could easily blow your amp budget out to 8K USD, not counting the cost of source/headphones. No question that it would be a blast, but I can see why longtimers like Skylab moved off to concentrate on desktop kit)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnsgroto91 

Thanks for great review. Have ordered beyer dt880 250 and wondering if iPhone case would be any use as a driver?

Hmm... I would like to answer not the question but the intention and I'm still lost.

Not really the thread for this kind of question, but to give a quick answer, you'll be able to hear music from the DT880 from an iphone but the 32ohm version would be much better for that. The 600 ohm version is intended for a quality amp; even a Fiio E9 isn't bad with it, but that will cost you a $100. I'd read through this whole thread though when you have the cash to spend on amp, especially if you need a portable. Average_joe has done some stellar reviews here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnsgroto91 

Thanks for great review. Have ordered beyer dt880 250 and wondering if iPhone case would be any use as a driver?

PLEASE read Tyll Hersten's thoughts on the 250-ohm version before you settle for those Beyers. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you really need to read his thoughts and look at the measurements for each version of the DT880, 

I went on a trip combining work followed by a short vacation and took a Senn HD580 and the Portaphile 627 among other cans. I had spent some time driving the HD580 with the Portaphile 627 and new it could drive well in low gain, at least for the listening levels I listen at (about 9 o'clock). I spent additional time and found that I enjoyed the music a lot and it was the set up I chose if sitting down (can't listen in bed with big headphones).

The most interesting thing is how effortlessly and enjoyable the listening experience is. It is a non-tiring and musical experience that allows for many hours (up to four  at least for now) of enjoyment and this with an iPod via LOD as a source. It will be hard to return this amp and not have it around (until I can save some $). Cheers.

I was able to write a review on the Portaphile 627.  If anyone is interested in a bit of reading you can head over over to http://www.head-fi.org/t/615822/portaphile-627-review and give it a go.  Bear in mind that I'm a much better writing than I'm am a photographer, so please excuse me in that respect haha.