[Poimandres]

Quote:

Does anyone know if Cesar is open to custom Portaphile builds? I was hoping to maybe approach the man and ask him to do a Portaphile custom build for me which involved a DAC. Anyone?

What dac did you have in mind?

 

[PCWar]

Quote:

What dac did you have in mind?

I was wondering this also? The Dacport LX pairs wonderfully with the Portaphile 627 I currently own. Though it would be a battery killer since the DLX is a class A also.

 

[Poimandres]

The LX wouldn't be a bad choice, I wonder how much current it draws?  I am not sure it would fit in the case plus the heat may be too much.  Unless we could separate the dac from the amp portion of the LX.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

What dac did you have in mind?

I was thinking remove a CLAS from it's enclosure and put it in one enclosure with the Potaphile. I know, hopeful wishing but I can't help but wonder if it's possible. The LX wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

[Poimandres]

The ODAC would be the most cost effective I would think, the CLAS would be really expensive plus the ODAC is open source.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

The ODAC would be the most cost effective I would think, the CLAS would be really expensive plus the ODAC is open source.

True, I've never heard the ODAC though. The CLAS-db I own and really like though plus it's also got iPod support. I'm thinking it's all wishful thinking on my part right now.

 

[Poimandres]

There is one way to find out...email Cesar.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

There is one way to find out...email Cesar.

Which is doable but here's the thing, has anyone paired a CLAS-db/-R with a Portaphile yet so we all know they will actually sound good together?

 

[audionewbi]

Mine should be ready by end of this week, super excited. Haven't been this excited about an item for a long time. Last time I was this excited was when I made the order for EX-1000. 

 

[PCWar]

Exactly like me, ex1000 and porta marked my highest enthusiasm levels

 

[PCWar]

And deepest pocket levels I reached for audio

 

[Omphalopsychite]

I've just placed an order for a 627X and am hoping it will further enhace the already excellant sound of my FitEar F111s/DX100 kit. I was ready to get an ALO RX MkIII but was put off by the reports on this forum of hiss with sensitive earphone and the lack of responsiveness from ALO.  That's something Cesar at Portaphile certainly couldn't be accused of. I email him in the early AM his time (I'm in OZ) with a question about the power adapter and got a response almost imediately.
 
I strongly considered the RSA Blackbird but was put off by the clumsy battery replacement. At this level of kit the performance appears to be quite close so other factors have an influence that might be trivial when taken alone.
 
Thanks to everyone for sharing their impressions of the 627.  I live in a small town in rural NSW Australia and have no opportunity to listen to kit, your contributions on this forum are greatly appreciated.
 
When the 627X arrives I'll post my impressions. It'll be interesting as the F111/DX100 combo is excellent as it is. I'm just hoping for that little bit more...

 

[audionewbi]

I am sure you will enjoy the portaphile during those amazing nights in the country side Australia. I have a few friends and relatives who have listened to 627 and they were incredibly impressed by it. They did not consider the 627 as a portable amp simply because of its battery life but they considered it as a clean sounding small sized desktop amp.
 
I have spoken to people who have owned all the high end amps that they ever was in the market and they were all had nothing but great things to tell me about the 627. I am sure the 627x is as equally good.
 
Also Cesar has been super responsive with all my inquires. 

 

[smial1966]

Guys,
 
Whilst the original 627 is undoubtedly a superb sounding headphone amplifier, how many users can honestly tolerate 4/5 hours run-time before the battery needs recharging?!? I thought I could. So whilst being utterly beguiled by the 627's sonic ability, I became very frustrated having to recharge it so darned often. Now the revised 627X offers a more satisfactory 10 hours run-time but for a $100 premium. In my opinion the Pico Power sounds virtually as good as the 627, is slightly cheaper, has better build quality and form factor, and will run for 40 hours on a pair of 9 volt batteries. 
 
I still really enjoy using my 627 at home, plugged into the mains as a bedside amp, but for portable use the Pico Power is unbeatable.
 
Cheers,
Andy. 

 

[Omphalopsychite]

Quote:

Guys,
 
Whilst the original 627 is undoubtedly a superb sounding headphone amplifier, how many users can honestly tolerate 4/5 hours run-time before the battery needs recharging?!? I thought I could. So whilst being utterly beguiled by the 627's sonic ability, I became very frustrated having to recharge it so darned often. Now the revised 627X offers a more satisfactory 10 hours run-time but for a $100 premium. In my opinion the Pico Power sounds virtually as good as the 627, is slightly cheaper, has better build quality and form factor, and will run for 40 hours on a pair of 9 volt batteries. 
 
I still really enjoy using my 627 at home, plugged into the mains as a bedside amp, but for portable use the Pico Power is unbeatable.
 
Cheers,
Andy. 

 
For me the 627X will be a bedside amp plugged into mains so all is good. When I'm travelling I'm happy with my Cowon J3.