Multi-Portable Amp Thread: 16 amps reviewed (Leckerton UHA-6S MKII added)
Jun 6, 2012 at 11:30 AM Post #91 of 283
Not to rush you average_joe, but I was hoping some updates on the soundstage, resolution, clarity, and any other information about your views on the Arrow 4G would come out. Any chance you have had more time since April to make up your mind about it? I am interested in picking it up to be a thinner overall setup with my iPod than my Pico Slim and am using it with Aurisonics AS-2's which have a dynamic driver and a dual BA setup in them. I am wondering mainly if I should sell the pico Slim to buy the Arrow or just buy the Arrow and sell the Pico Slim after if I like the Arrow more. 
 
Jun 7, 2012 at 2:42 AM Post #92 of 283
Quote:
Not to rush you average_joe, but I was hoping some updates on the soundstage, resolution, clarity, and any other information about your views on the Arrow 4G would come out. Any chance you have had more time since April to make up your mind about it? I am interested in picking it up to be a thinner overall setup with my iPod than my Pico Slim and am using it with Aurisonics AS-2's which have a dynamic driver and a dual BA setup in them. I am wondering mainly if I should sell the pico Slim to buy the Arrow or just buy the Arrow and sell the Pico Slim after if I like the Arrow more. 

 
My review will be going up soon and should answer many of your questions.  The Arrow 4G is more versatile, but if you can get both and just sell the one you prefer the least, that is always the best way to go IMO as you are letting your ears decide.  The Arrow 4G is a bit cleaner with the AS-1b than the PS and the treble of BA drivers is a bit smoother with the 4G.  
 
Jun 8, 2012 at 1:41 AM Post #94 of 283
Quote:
Three reviews officially added in the first post: Portaphile 627, Epiphany EPH-O2, and Headphonia Headstage Arrow 12HE 4G


thanks, I have arrow 4G and I was waiting to your 4G's review from the first day that I read this thread.
 
Jun 8, 2012 at 1:47 AM Post #95 of 283
What are your thoughts on the 4G?  It is quite versatile with the bass and treble boost switches (although I can't see myself using the bass boost or treble past the I position).  
 
Jun 8, 2012 at 3:38 AM Post #96 of 283
Got the Arrow 4G. As an amp newb, I don't have anything to compare it to, but part of my overriding intentions have been met: form factor, form factor, form factor. I bring this with me and don't leave it at home. It fits in my pocket with the music playing phone. Sure, the fatter, larger amps can pack more sound enhancement, but what good is it if left behind? As for subtle but useful features, I look forward to double headphone insertion and watching a movie on the pc with the wife. Sound is enhanced with no thrown switches. Switches thrown do result in appreciable differences.
 
Jun 8, 2012 at 7:30 AM Post #97 of 283
Quote:
What are your thoughts on the 4G?  It is quite versatile with the bass and treble boost switches (although I can't see myself using the bass boost or treble past the I position).  


sorry, I haven't heard any other amp to comparing them with arrow 4G (I live in Iran)
but I can say some things absolutely:
1- I hear a lot of interference when some one is trying to call me (my phone is Motorola)
2- the Arrow is really portable (I put it in my pocket while going to university)
3- I can't hear any noticeable improvement in SQ of my shure se315 (although I didn't expect any improvement on SQ when I ordered arrow)
4- when I listen to live recording tracks, the sound stage is amazing
5-I'm planning to buy a westone 4r with a 75ohm added impedance to pair with my arrow ( this is why I ordered arrow
etysmile.gif
)
 
 
edit: do you find the crossfeed function useful ? I just use it on some live recorded tracks.
I haven't use bass boost; but put the treble on " I " some times.
 
Jun 8, 2012 at 11:20 AM Post #98 of 283
Crossfeed, for me, helps with heavily separated stereo tracks, that can otherwise be a little disconcerting. Some old James Gang tunes are an example.
 
Jun 9, 2012 at 5:02 AM Post #99 of 283
Jun 9, 2012 at 6:02 AM Post #100 of 283
I read your impressions on the Portaphile 627 and I concur with your findings. I do not have ultra sensitive IEM's (Westone 2 and TripleFi 10) so I did not hear the hiss you did. I sure hope Cesar can increase the battery life to around 10 hours.
 
Jun 9, 2012 at 7:06 AM Post #101 of 283
Miguel, I know you like to listen at low volumes - how did you find the low volume performance of the 627 ?
 
Jun 9, 2012 at 8:16 AM Post #102 of 283
just received my portaphile 627 yesterday. it is the version with the blue lights. The amp is currently going thru burn in. I can say so far that using CK10 there is no hiss and no perceived channel imbalance down to the quietest volume setting (I had to take off one ear piece to verify sound was actually coming out both). the bass quantity/impact is significantly increased. I'll reserve the rest after burn in

one more thing...Mr. Aguilera has been extremely helpful thru this transaction - emails were replied promptly and I was given updates on the order processing, and a surprise on shipping :wink:

[edit] and of course I post this in the wrong thread doh
 
Jun 9, 2012 at 9:01 AM Post #103 of 283
average_joe, are you going to review the Alo Rx MKiii as well?  I've been eyeing this upgrade, but now the 627 sounds really interesting too (although a somewhat different animal).  Would like to see your review of the RX3 and a possible comparison with the 627.
 
Jun 9, 2012 at 1:16 PM Post #104 of 283
Quote:
Miguel, I know you like to listen at low volumes - how did you find the low volume performance of the 627 ?

Very good, the low gain is 2 and the high gain is 7 as you can imagine I used the low gain setting. Using an iPod as a source via a line out dock the performance of the amp using iem's or earbuds I found:
 
1. Good channel balance.
2. No hiss.
3. Easy to set up the volume even with the Westone 2 or the TripleFi 10.
 
Jun 9, 2012 at 4:56 PM Post #105 of 283
Thanks Miguel - very encouraging. I didnt send my UHA-120 back, even though Justin promised to fix the early channel imbalance issue with the Vishay pots free-of-charge, and it has frustrated me ever since when I want to listen at low volumes. My Leckerton seems to have died, so that's a bin job - I guess you really only learn the true value of an amp 18 months after the initial buzz has died down - bizarrely, the only amp which has performed flawlessly from day one is the cheapest - my Fiio E9 - but others claim they have had grief there so I guess its the luck of the draw. 
 
(to be fair, my EHP-02 hasnt played up, but I've only had it for 6 or so months - unfair to compare it to the others)
 

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