[syphen606]

Thanks for the info John (and the correction on the layering vs boards per panel! my mistake).

 

[F900EX]

Which opamp offers better sound stage and clarty/details ?

 

[Mutnat]

@JRoMan : thanks for the impressions, that's great.  I'm still getting used to all the terminology and what it really means, too. 

 

[Donnyhifi]

 
Quote:

Which opamp offers better sound stage and clarty/details ?

I believe the AD8620 would be the ideal choice, I'm thinking of picking up one of these with the AD8620 since I have warmer sounding portable cans. My UM3X and Fitear MH334 Customs are a bit on the warm side but portray a high level of detail, I think this would be the best choice especially with the reduced low gain.

 

[raysclim1568]

Hello all 
 
anyone have experience how C421 comparing with ALO Continental V2 ? 
Below are the specification for continental V2 :-
 
 
SPECIFICATIONS  

Tube type; one Raytheon 6111 NOS tube
Battery: Lithium-Polymer 
Battery Play Time: Approximately 7 - 8 hours per charge 
Recharge Time: Approximately 3-4 hours 
Frequency Response: 40Hz-20KHz +/- 1dB 
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >100dB 
Total Harmonic Distortion: 1% 
Stereo Crosstalk: >85dB @ 1KHz 
Input Impedance 30K ohms Output 
Output 300mW@ 32 ohms 
Dimensions: 120mm (L) x 72mm (W) x 27mm (H)
 

And Specification for C421 are below :-

 

1. Run-Time: 11+ hours
2. Charge Time: 2 hours to 80%, <5 hours to 100%
3. Frequency Response: +0.01, -0.41 dB (20Hz-20kHz)
4. SNR: Exceeded test equipment*, > 110 dB (20-20kHz)
5. THD: Exceeded test equipment*, < 0.0041%
6. Crosstalk: Exceeded test equipment*, < -57dB
7. Output Impedance: 0.1 ohms

 
How does the above two specification tell us ? 
I am planning to use it to pair with my LCD2 , AKG Q701 . both are around 60Ohm impedences .
 
Thanks 
Raymond Lim 
 

 

[ClieOS]

You can't look at spec and tell which is better. It doesn't work that way in most cases.

 

[bluishgreen]

Quote:

Hello all 
 
anyone have experience how C421 comparing with ALO Continental V2 ? 
Below are the specification for continental V2 :-
 
 

I was looking at the ContinentalV2 and the RSA SR-72A before the C421 came about.  Mike from Headfonia stated in his pre-release mini-review that the Continental (although I believe the original version) and the SR-72A are still better amps from a purely SQ point of view--however, it didn't appear to be by a lot, since he still recommended the C421 overall when taking into account everything like size and shape and extra features like bass boost.  When you consider that the other two amps cost more than twice as much (almost 3X for the Continental V2) it's tough not to go with the C421 if the SQ is that close.  But it will always come down to what you're looking for.  Do you want the more slim form factor of the C421 or is SQ your only criteria?  Do you specifically want a tube amp and the (usually) more natural high/treble tones that comes with it?  Is bass boost important to you?  Things like these are the real determinants, along with the price difference.
 
I'm still leaning towards the 8620 opamp, since I find my DT880's a touch too warm with my current setup, and am hoping the said brightness of the 8620 will help a bit.  I'm guessing, though, that this opamp won't work well with my K702's, and will likely make them too abrasive.  It sounds like the 2227 would be better for K701/2s, although I'm really more concerned with tweaking my DT880's sound than the K702's.  Although, I also wonder about the clearer mids of the 2227 (at least, according to the review).
 
Of course, I could buy two C421s--one with each opamp--and it'd still be over $150 cheaper than the one ContinentalV2 that I was going to buy.  So...that way, I'd actually be saving money...right?  
 

 

[theotherbk]

Hello!
Welcome to head-fi!
 
I went with the 8620. And yes, it is a bit bright but I believe it pairs rather well with both the Denon D5000s and Beyer 770 Pro 80 (which I mostly use with the amp). The amp as-is is a huge step-up from the JDSLabs CmoyBB, the NuForce Icon Mobile and the other cheapo Cmoy I had!
 
Would I choose it again? Probably as I don't know how the 2227 sound but some people find that the latter is more spacious and provides more mids. Mike from Headfonia put up his impressions on:
 
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=316049348439769
 
and he raves about 2227 (he didn't really like the 8620... ).
 
Thing is that the opamp is not replaceable ( ) so you have to take a chance to see which one you like! You could always order two and sell the one you like less! lol
 
Good luck!
And keep enjoying those D5000s! (they're sweeeeeet!!!)

Thanks gelocks! Sorry for the delayed response...thought I had set this to email notification. :/

Mike's take is interesting...it was so definitively pro 2227. I had actually read it before but wasn't getting much of a read as to whether the 2227 would necessarily be a good match for the d5000's. It seems that in general opinions of the 8620 are fairly positive. Maybe I should get a cmoy to start, see how both the chips sound with the d5k's. I know that it's not the same but maybe close enough a read to know which c421 to get....and I could continue to try different opamps/tins with the cmoy.
I guess I could alternatively just get two c421's but given my track record I'd just end up with two c421's...I'm more a buyer than a seller.

Thx! B

 

[Mutnat]

An update from the order page:
 
*Current Status: Now shipping preorders. All preorders will ship March 8 or sooner.

 

[ClieOS]

Saw that half an hour ago. Hopefully I'll receive mine in a week or two, finger crossed.

 

[F900EX]

Just Ordered mine, says it will ship in 2-3days.
 
Looking forward to it ....

 

[Mutnat]

Got my shipping notice this afternoon. 

 

[wje]

I should have checked this thread for the latest updates.  I just ordered my 2nd O2 amp today - this recent one being from JDS Labs.  I could have ponied in a few more $$ and had this other amp.  I guess I'll put one O2 up for sale and watch how the reviews come up on this amp comparing the two different op-amps and then decide what to choose.

 

[Donnyhifi]

Ordered an AD8620 version of the C421 and looking forward to trying it out. I borrowed my friends Go Vibe V6 AD8620 version for my diymod project and it matches up well with my Fitears, I'm figuring the JDS C421 should be a substantial upgrade.

 

[syphen606]

Quote:

I should have checked this thread for the latest updates.  I just ordered my 2nd O2 amp today - this recent one being from JDS Labs.  I could have ponied in a few more $$ and had this other amp.  I guess I'll put one O2 up for sale and watch how the reviews come up on this amp comparing the two different op-amps and then decide what to choose.

Its a similar quality of sound between my 8620 C421 and my O2 (With C421 bass boost off). I'd maybe give the nod ever so slightly to the O2 but not enough of a difference to my ears to really notice. BUT The C421 is true portable and offers the bass boost feature which I like for certain headphones (Like my Senn 558's).  I usually grab the C421 so far if I want to sit back on the couch or am travelling and use the O2 when at my computer.