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new to this - is a portable headphone amp worth it? Ray Samuels P-51? - Page 2

post #16 of 25
1/20/12 at 5:12pm

Not trying to step on your toes or anything - I just think it would be better to find out what OP really wants first - then point him in right direction.  I only have experience with about 8-10 IEMs - so I;d probably point him to Joker's thread only .....

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-214-iems-compared-jvc-ha-fxt90-and-ha-fx500-added-1-8-12

 

Pick your price bracket, get a short list, then ask for more info :)

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post #17 of 25
1/20/12 at 5:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brooko View Post

Not trying to step on your toes or anything - I just think it would be better to find out what OP really wants first - then point him in right direction.  I only have experience with about 8-10 IEMs - so I;d probably point him to Joker's thread only .....

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/multi-iem-review-214-iems-compared-jvc-ha-fxt90-and-ha-fx500-added-1-8-12

 

Pick your price bracket, get a short list, then ask for more info :)



oooo! i forgot about those mass threads on IEM's!! >_<

 

and yeah i know what you mean. i do that a lot. but tend to forget a lot at the same time. i have been getting sloppy >_<

i'm more into just plain discussion threads now :/

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post #18 of 25
1/22/12 at 7:22am
Thread Starter 

ok - for the most part I listen to jazz, funk, blues, rock, but also some electronica, punk, ska. (I grew up in the punk era and have an affection for that, even though most people look at me funny when they hear that) to give you an idea , when previewing stereo gear my go-to cd's / albums are Stanley Turrentine - "Cherry" (I have the Japanese version) I have the LP and finding a digital copy was hell until the Japanese market re-issued it. Stanely Turrentine " Don't Mess with Mr. T" and Papa Mali' "Do Your Thing".

 

Listening to various genre's I tend to like accuracy - if it's bassy I want to hear that, but if it's a more mellow track I want to hear that too.

 

I don't think anyone was pushing an expensive amp, at least not in this thread.

 

 

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post #19 of 25
1/22/12 at 9:17am

To your original question - I don't think an amp is going to really help your IEMs. IMO you won't really notice any difference. For your budget though, you could get a much better set of IEMs than the 215s. 

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post #20 of 25
1/22/12 at 10:13am
Thread Starter 

just went to the link - OMG that's a lot of info to go thru

 

Just so you know I do appreciate all the answers and help - you are a much better bunch than some of the other forums (some audio some not that I deal with) - helping a newbie, especially since I know (I moderate a forum on a completely different topic) how often you get the same questions over and over.

 

so the next question is which IEM's - I will try and pare it down based on the other link - figure a $300 max figure for new IEM's (including shipping and the like) assume accuracy and clarity or paramount

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post #21 of 25
1/22/12 at 3:02pm

I can only point you in the direction of what I've heard - and what I've read.

 

Fischer DBA2 / Brainwavz B2 are very good - quite neutral, maybe a little lean on the bass and also can be a little bright for some.  I find them quite good for many of the genres you listed.  I checked mp4nation and they no longer list the B2 which is strange.  They were priced pretty good too - around the $150 mark.  They are dual drivers.

 

Vsonic GR07 is one I haven't heard - but am keen to demo.  It consistently gets very good reviews and a lot of people recommend it.  It is supposed to be well balanced across the spectrum - worth looking at in Jokers reviews.

 

Westone2 also worth looking at - as is UM3X (this one really interests me - I need to try it).

 

You could look at the Earsonics SM3 - personally I didn't like it - I found it too warm, and although I usually like IEMs with a forward mid-range, I found the SM3 to be too soft - needed more high-end clarity and 'bite'.

 

The Shure SE425 (which I owned) is good, neutral, and quite analytical - but in the end the rolled off highs weren't my preference and I sold it.  Fit, isolation, and mid-range all very good though.  Yet to try the SE535 - but they are pricey.

 

AthCK10 - Joker rates this IEM extremely highly.

 

Wish I could give you more direction here - you may need to get specialised help.  Don't be afraid to ask questions in Jokers thread.  He has actually heard all the IEMs he's listed - so he can gice you some very good direction.

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post #22 of 25
1/27/12 at 11:38am
Thread Starter 

Noticed the wallet issue beyersmile.png  - I ended up getting the Westone UM3X-RC's - can you recommend a portable amp for those, for use with either an Ipod classic or an android phone - so 2 cable connections - a ipod LOD to 1/8 plug and a regular 1/8 to 1/8. - I did some critical listening and found the shure se215's to be too bassy - and not clear enough for me. So I went to the UM3X's and I really really like them - will an amp help?

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post #23 of 25
1/27/12 at 12:31pm

For what it is worth, I do love the P-51 with my iPod classic. I have not tried it with IEMs, but it will drive (handily) just about anything I throw at it - including various orthos, which frankly, surprised me given its size. Good battery life too. 

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post #24 of 25
1/27/12 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tao1 View Post

Noticed the wallet issue beyersmile.png  - I ended up getting the Westone UM3X-RC's - can you recommend a portable amp for those, for use with either an Ipod classic or an android phone - so 2 cable connections - a ipod LOD to 1/8 plug and a regular 1/8 to 1/8. - I did some critical listening and found the shure se215's to be too bassy - and not clear enough for me. So I went to the UM3X's and I really really like them - will an amp help?



I can't comment on the UM3X - as I haven't heard them - and I'm not sure if they need extra or not.  These threads may help:

http://www.head-fi.org/search.php?search=um3x+portable+amp

 

Again I'll reiterate my own personal experience - that unless an amp is actually needed (eg high impedance / low sensitivity iems) - I've found that for the iems I've used, an amp does not add a lot.  Of course I may have tin-ears and YMMV.  Really - if you want to see what a portable amp will do - and don't want to break the bank - grab a CMOY or the E11.  At least you can then experience it yourself.

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post #25 of 25
1/30/12 at 11:30am
Thread Starter 

Good thoughts on the Fiio's and seeing for myself, will look into it, the honest truth is that the UM3X's are plenty loud on both the ipod and the phone - I don't put the volume up all the way on either. Although with the phone I only keep them 1 or 2 tic's from the top volume level, 2 down when flat, 1 down when using the EQ on.

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