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Multi-Portable Amp Thread: 12 amps reviewed (Shonyun 306 added 10/03/12) - Page 13

post #181 of 211
10/8/12 at 11:33pm
Just re checked and they were all off the screen but in my phone, it was only the Shonyun one on my computer so yes guessing my browser so don't worry. As for the pico slim, yeh the ex1000 do have peaky highs but the pico slim clearly had masses of treble quantity and this just summarises has synergy. I guess the pico slim is made for a warm phone and that's why the owner was so happy with it and his JH13.
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post #182 of 211
10/9/12 at 12:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post

 

I am not sure I understand how a DAC will be compatible with an Apple camera connection kit.  Isn't the kit so you can use an external card with an iPad?  Other than the iStreamer (which needs external power), Fostex HP-P1, and CLAS, I don't know of any i device DACs, although some will be coming out for the iPhone 5 by early next year.  

 

 

While it isn't an amp/DAC, the Hisoundaudio Studio V would make a very nice pairing with the ES10.

 

Emm... What is an "external soundcard connected via USB" if not a USB DAC + something more? :) In fact, there are devices that are more "officially" compatible with Apple products (http://www.leckertonaudio.com/2012/05/uha-6s-mkii-available-in-june/ for example). CLAS is excellent, I am sure, but this is above my price threshold...

 

Thanks for pointing out to Studio V, although I don't really need a DAP.

 

What do you personally think about D-Zero?

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post #183 of 211
10/12/12 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 

There are external and internal sound cards.  DACs are essentially the same thing, but sound cards can perform other functions such as processing for games, mic input, etc. while the DAC is just an output.  You really only need an external DAC.  

 

The Leckerton looks good and might work for you.  I haven't heard the D-Zero so I can't comment, unfortunately.  

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post #184 of 211
11/23/12 at 7:32am

Which one do you think is the best all-rounder portable amp?

 

- good for most IEMs, I won't drive high impedance/planar headphones using it though. Currently using AKG K3003i, probably going for UE PRM next. Source: Sony F series

- long battery life

- preferably smooth sounding, neutral to warm.

- no need for equalizer such as treble/bass boost, as i would always turn them off anyway

 

I'm thinking around:

- Headstage Arrow 12HE 4G

- ALO RX Mk.III

- ALO Continental

- Pico Slim

 

anything else?

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post #185 of 211
11/23/12 at 11:49am

Portaphile 627 will blow those out of the water in every category...save for batter life.  I would check it out if you can stomach about 4-5 hours of batter life. 

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post #186 of 211
11/23/12 at 1:35pm

4-5 hours is too short... I'm eyeing for minimum of 20 hours

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post #187 of 211
11/25/12 at 5:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by etherlite View Post

Which one do you think is the best all-rounder portable amp?

 

- good for most IEMs, I won't drive high impedance/planar headphones using it though. Currently using AKG K3003i, probably going for UE PRM next. Source: Sony F series

- long battery life

- preferably smooth sounding, neutral to warm.

- no need for equalizer such as treble/bass boost, as i would always turn them off anyway

 

I'm thinking around:

- Headstage Arrow 12HE 4G

- ALO RX Mk.III

- ALO Continental

- Pico Slim

 

anything else?

 

Okay, Pico Slim won't get that battery life, Pretty sure the ALO amps will not as well. The Arrow 4G may not be the bet fit though as the manufacturer will not tweak the channels to allow for better pairing with high-sensitivity IEM's. You may find yourself with a channel imbalance at low volume. OTherwise it sounds like a good fit performance wise. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by etherlite View Post

4-5 hours is too short... I'm eyeing for minimum of 20 hours

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post #188 of 211
11/25/12 at 10:16am

so...any other suggestions?

 

although I will be using it for high volume listening, already got minor hearing loss on both sides so i can't enjoy low volume listening anymore...

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post #189 of 211
11/25/12 at 2:20pm

Thing is you won't know how the two will pair until you've tried it or had someone else try it. The channel imbalance may show up in different ways depending on the setup of the drives/driver in each pair of headphones or IEM's you use. I can't really comment if the imbalance is even there for the UE PRM's, but I wouldn't be terribly surprised if there was some and you won't know for sure at what level the two ears would be equal until it has been tried. It's a hard position to be in. I'm quite glad I don't have to use a portable amp these days as their is no real good option without some sort of sacrifice. My best suggestion would be to try asking around. The UE PRM's shouldn't be too far off from the UERM's, which many people have. Also the K3003i's arent terribly rare to find owners on here either. Try hitting some of them up over PM and see what they have found best. That's probably gonna be your best bet in finding something that will work the best for you. It's a big reason the community can be a big help with this type of stuff. I havent really come across any particularly unfriendly members and they are usually able to help or at least point you in a better direction. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by etherlite View Post

so...any other suggestions?

 

although I will be using it for high volume listening, already got minor hearing loss on both sides so i can't enjoy low volume listening anymore...

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post #190 of 211
11/25/12 at 6:18pm

That's why I'm posting here, because I know Joe has UE PRM :D

 

I've tried K3003 with headstage arrow 4G before. It was pleasing, but i didn't try it with Sony F807 :(

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post #191 of 211
11/25/12 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by etherlite View Post

That's why I'm posting here, because I know Joe has UE PRM :D

 

I've tried K3003 with headstage arrow 4G before. It was pleasing, but i didn't try it with Sony F807 :(

 

What did you like/dislike about the Arrow 4G?  What are you looking for that is different or the same?  I haven't heard either of the ALO amps, but the iQube sounds like it might fit the bill, but the price is high, and depending on your requirements, could be overkill.  Also, if you are going to get the PRM and get your amp first, you will be able to tune the PRM with it in your source path, allowing you to build the amp sound into your PRM sound preference.

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post #192 of 211
11/25/12 at 10:13pm

I've twiddled around with the demo for the PRM's. and I dont think they would advise you to use the amp during the tuning process. The amp is highly specialized and frankly may need to be replaced in a matter of years and then you wont be happy with the $2k you shelled out for the PRM's.

Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post

 

What did you like/dislike about the Arrow 4G?  What are you looking for that is different or the same?  I haven't heard either of the ALO amps, but the iQube sounds like it might fit the bill, but the price is high, and depending on your requirements, could be overkill.  Also, if you are going to get the PRM and get your amp first, you will be able to tune the PRM with it in your source path, allowing you to build the amp sound into your PRM sound preference.

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post #193 of 211
11/25/12 at 10:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenman345 View Post

I've twiddled around with the demo for the PRM's. and I dont think they would advise you to use the amp during the tuning process. The amp is highly specialized and frankly may need to be replaced in a matter of years and then you wont be happy with the $2k you shelled out for the PRM's.

 

My logic is different...why not use what you will be using to drive your PRM?  What would you suggest?  They provide an iPod Touch which, from my experience, isn't all that great in the output.  I used the DX100 and my iPod -> Arrow and am happy with my results.  To me, it makes sense to tune with what you will be using.  If you tune with an inferior setup, it is possible to overcompensate for source issues.

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post #194 of 211
11/25/12 at 10:33pm

I think you'd get better results how you did it using multiple sources. Good to know your experience. I guess that's a pretty valid solution then

Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post

 

My logic is different...why not use what you will be using to drive your PRM?  What would you suggest?  They provide an iPod Touch which, from my experience, isn't all that great in the output.  I used the DX100 and my iPod -> Arrow and am happy with my results.  To me, it makes sense to tune with what you will be using.  If you tune with an inferior setup, it is possible to overcompensate for source issues.

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post #195 of 211
11/25/12 at 10:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post

 

What did you like/dislike about the Arrow 4G?  What are you looking for that is different or the same?  I haven't heard either of the ALO amps, but the iQube sounds like it might fit the bill, but the price is high, and depending on your requirements, could be overkill.  Also, if you are going to get the PRM and get your amp first, you will be able to tune the PRM with it in your source path, allowing you to build the amp sound into your PRM sound preference.

 

Nothing in particular, it's just that everyone seems to prefer some other amps over Arrow 4G and I haven't tried my new Sony F800 with it.

 

That's a good idea, I think I'll take Arrow and tune the PRM with it

Quote:
Originally Posted by average_joe View Post

 

My logic is different...why not use what you will be using to drive your PRM?  What would you suggest?  They provide an iPod Touch which, from my experience, isn't all that great in the output.  I used the DX100 and my iPod -> Arrow and am happy with my results.  To me, it makes sense to tune with what you will be using.  If you tune with an inferior setup, it is possible to overcompensate for source issues.

 

Agree with this. If you're going to use a different source/amp, why would you tune using their ipod touch?

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