Touche. I guess I haven't been staying up to date on the new portables.
Touche. I guess I haven't been staying up to date on the new portables.
I forgot the Sony PHA-1 

Any words on the Verza yet? Also, will Val and V-MODA keep their promise about the special offer for previous VAMP owners like us? We don't want to be left out...
These are two key unanswered questions. I am experiencing deja vu with the Verza launch from my experience with the M-100 launch. I suppose there are legitimate reasons for the delays, but the last we heard Verza was coming out around the holidays. There are now many more choices- Centrance M8, Sony, FiiO E12, upcoming JDS C5 (CEO has provided launch info) all at a variety of different price points, features and portability. IMO, Vamp was underpowered for the price, so I hope Verza is beefed up. I am very pleased with the SQ of Vamp overall, so my interest level is high on Verza as long as promised special pricing is offered for Vamp owners who deserve to be reward for their loyalty and leap of faith, plus it's good business.

These are two key unanswered questions. I am experiencing deja vu with the Verza launch from my experience with the M-100 launch. I suppose there are legitimate reasons for the delays, but the last we heard Verza was coming out around the holidays. There are now many more choices- Centrance M8, Sony, FiiO E12, upcoming JDS C5 (CEO has provided launch info) all at a variety of different price points, features and portability. IMO, Vamp was underpowered for the price, so I hope Verza is beefed up. I am very pleased with the SQ of Vamp overall, so my interest level is high on Verza as long as promised special pricing is offered for Vamp owners who deserve to be reward for their loyalty and leap of faith, plus it's good business.
Such is the life of most consumer electronics. It is the negative side of being made aware of products that are in the design pipeline. There are almost always delays, just the nature of the business.




Thank you for digging up the upgrade promise. We will see what "compelling" means and if the upgrade from Vamp would be $100 to $250. I agree if it is more than that I will stick with Vamp.



Respectfully, I think that is a completely unrealistic expectation and it will probably retail for over $500 which is in line with others that have built-in DAC with Apple compatibility. However, there are plenty of portable amp-only options in that price range.

I have been researching and considering all of the pros and cons of the new amp releases. Verza looks like it wins vs. other Apple compatible amp/DAC combos regarding portability and even price, especially when factoring in the Vamp upgrade. Bass boost is another positive. Looks are great. The big question mark for me is power. A $500 portable amp should have more than "enough" power to reach good listening levels with low impedance headphones. I prefer to not strain my amp near full volume when I am in the mood for high volume listening and hope Verza comes in at least 250 mw/channel when it is released.
Verza looks to be amazing. I can't wait for its release! This will probably be my first portable amp purchase. I'll be likely using it with my smartphone.