- Joined
- Apr 12, 2004
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- 817
Intro
Ever since I first discovered the Portaphile amps, I've always wanted to hear one, but there was always something preventing me, either funds, or the lack of opportunity (i.e., the 2006 National Meet), or finally the lack of availability (since Cesar discontinued them back in the summer). Thanks to the very generous Romanee, who loaned me his much-valued Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed, I have now been able to sample this high-end portable amp. A very big thanks to Romanee for this loaner, as without his generosity I don't think I would've been able to demo one otherwise.
Romanee's Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed isn't just an ordinary V2^2 Maxxed either. This one has all the upgrades - LT1210 in the power supply and Black Gate 1500uF NX caps - and it's burned in to boot!
You guys might ask why I'm bothering to review this amp when it's not even available from Cesar. Well, that might be true, but it's still available in the used market, and this amp is also highly underrated and deserves as much praise as it can get!
Equipment Used
Sources:
- Arcam CD73 w/ Black Sand Violet Z1
- Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2 w/ Iron Lung Jellyfish
Interconnects:
- Signal Cable Silver Mini and Analog Mini interconnects
Test CDs
Alison Krauss - Now That I've Found You
Jewel - Spirit, This Way
Massive Attack - Blue Lines, Mezzanine
Orbital - Middle of Nowhere
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
Radiohead - OK Computer
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Thievery Corporation - Sounds From The Verve Hi-Fi
The Crystal Method - Vegas
Frequency Response
Compared to the 2005 HeadAmp AE-1, the V2^2 Maxxed has much better bass strength and extension. It passed my frequency test with flying colors - although since I don't have my ATH-AD2000 at the moment, I couldn't really test its extension as well I would've liked to. Still, with the quintet of the K171S, K501, K601, K701, and SR225, there were no apparent deficiencies in the amplification stage - just strong, clear sound all the way up and down.
I found the overall sound of the amp to be slightly aggressive (though not forward in any way). A bit more emphasis on the treble than the mid-range, as it offers a crispness and edginess that in no way is harsh, but gives just the slight impression of being aggressive. Somewhat similar to the sound of the AD8397 that I heard with my old SuperMini-III, but not entirely similar - I found the AD8397 quite aggressive, but the V2^2's implementation of the AD8610 doesn't seem as aggressive.
Bass on this amp is really just a glory to behold - deep, powerful, and full of inner force. It brought out the bass on the K601 and K701 to new levels - there was more push, a better sense of force behind low bass notes. It's too bad the headphones don't extend as low as they could though, as it sounds like they're the limiting factor, not the amp. However, if the HeadAmp GS-1 is truly transparent through the entire spectrum, then the V2^2 seems to have an emphasized bass, as it has more bass presence in comparison. It's the kind of bass that seems like it'd be able to render the earthmoving boom of a thunderstorm, or the waking-up-of-the-dead bass slap of a very large drum. There's also more warmth to the mid-bass that provides a gentle, analog quality that sounds more intimate than detached - but don't get me wrong, it's not a tubey sound at all, it's just on the warm side of solid-statey.
The V2^2's mid-range seemed relatively flat to my ears - in contrast to the GS-1, which has a definitively warmer mid-range (but keep in mind I don't find the GS-1's mids very warm on their own). An interesting result, and this makes it an ideal partner for copper interconnects along with a warm source and warm headphones. In fact, I found music to be somewhat on the dull side with my silver-core IC and more pleasant & lively on the copper-core IC.
The treble is another area where the amp shines - although it's a tad on the aggressive side as already mentioned, it's also very clean, clear, and defined. There's enough air on the edge of the frequency extreme that lets it breathe, yet it also has that sense of being very precise, with an almost razor-like definition. This didn't make it pair very well with the Cambridge CDP, as the CDP has the exact same treble signature - a pairing like this is clearly only for the treble extremists who demand ultimate precision. However, on its own the amp is just fine and isn't terribly treble-offensive - it's just that the other components it's used with should be carefully considered, as it merely brings out whatever it's fed, particularly in the treble.
Detail & Soundstage
The V2^2 isn't an extreme detail freak - compared to the GS-1, anyway. It failed to pick up the extremely fine and nuanced micro-details that I've grown accustomed to with that amp. That doesn't mean it's anti-detail though, it's just not at the level of the GS-1, and this is saying a lot! Am I trying to compare a <$300 portable amp to a $750 home amp? Believe it!
To put it simply, nothing about this amp is lacking in terms of detail, it just simply falls short of the mark in providing micro-detail, but for less than $300, there's absolutely no reason to fault this. It's able to capture subtle changes in tone and timbre, extremely quick leading edges, and every kind of clink, whink, and tink you could possibly think of.
Soundstage is also very well-defined on this amp - it's not as airy and far-ranging as the AE-1, but it provides a better sense of forward projection. In fact I found myself on more than one occasion instinctively trying to stand up as if to get a better view of the stage.
It's a great partner for the K701 in this aspect, as it makes the soundstage that much more 3D and introspective, and really makes you feel like you can peer into any direction and get a sense of what's going on there.
Overall
There's absolutely no question, the Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed is not only a steal at under $300 (if you can find one used), it's also THE best-sounding portable I've heard yet. That's not actually saying a whole lot as I haven't heard too many portable amps, but this amp blows the doors off the Little Dot Micro+, Xin SuperMini-III, and HeadAmp 2005 AE-1. I certainly hope Justin is pulling out all the stops to make the AE-1 revamp a whole lot better than the current design.
And actually you can still order a V2^2 Maxxed from Cesar at portaphile.com, go there and check the News page! Looks like he's producing very limited quantities while the Shohin is in development!
Thanks again to Romanee for the generous move and letting me trial this incredible amp! In my listening tests it proved to have enough power for all my AKG headphones and found a unique synergy with each one.
Ever since I first discovered the Portaphile amps, I've always wanted to hear one, but there was always something preventing me, either funds, or the lack of opportunity (i.e., the 2006 National Meet), or finally the lack of availability (since Cesar discontinued them back in the summer). Thanks to the very generous Romanee, who loaned me his much-valued Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed, I have now been able to sample this high-end portable amp. A very big thanks to Romanee for this loaner, as without his generosity I don't think I would've been able to demo one otherwise.
Romanee's Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed isn't just an ordinary V2^2 Maxxed either. This one has all the upgrades - LT1210 in the power supply and Black Gate 1500uF NX caps - and it's burned in to boot!
You guys might ask why I'm bothering to review this amp when it's not even available from Cesar. Well, that might be true, but it's still available in the used market, and this amp is also highly underrated and deserves as much praise as it can get!
Equipment Used
Sources:
- Arcam CD73 w/ Black Sand Violet Z1
- Cambridge Audio Azur 640C V2 w/ Iron Lung Jellyfish
Interconnects:
- Signal Cable Silver Mini and Analog Mini interconnects
Test CDs
Alison Krauss - Now That I've Found You
Jewel - Spirit, This Way
Massive Attack - Blue Lines, Mezzanine
Orbital - Middle of Nowhere
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
Radiohead - OK Computer
Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
Thievery Corporation - Sounds From The Verve Hi-Fi
The Crystal Method - Vegas
Frequency Response
Compared to the 2005 HeadAmp AE-1, the V2^2 Maxxed has much better bass strength and extension. It passed my frequency test with flying colors - although since I don't have my ATH-AD2000 at the moment, I couldn't really test its extension as well I would've liked to. Still, with the quintet of the K171S, K501, K601, K701, and SR225, there were no apparent deficiencies in the amplification stage - just strong, clear sound all the way up and down.
I found the overall sound of the amp to be slightly aggressive (though not forward in any way). A bit more emphasis on the treble than the mid-range, as it offers a crispness and edginess that in no way is harsh, but gives just the slight impression of being aggressive. Somewhat similar to the sound of the AD8397 that I heard with my old SuperMini-III, but not entirely similar - I found the AD8397 quite aggressive, but the V2^2's implementation of the AD8610 doesn't seem as aggressive.
Bass on this amp is really just a glory to behold - deep, powerful, and full of inner force. It brought out the bass on the K601 and K701 to new levels - there was more push, a better sense of force behind low bass notes. It's too bad the headphones don't extend as low as they could though, as it sounds like they're the limiting factor, not the amp. However, if the HeadAmp GS-1 is truly transparent through the entire spectrum, then the V2^2 seems to have an emphasized bass, as it has more bass presence in comparison. It's the kind of bass that seems like it'd be able to render the earthmoving boom of a thunderstorm, or the waking-up-of-the-dead bass slap of a very large drum. There's also more warmth to the mid-bass that provides a gentle, analog quality that sounds more intimate than detached - but don't get me wrong, it's not a tubey sound at all, it's just on the warm side of solid-statey.
The V2^2's mid-range seemed relatively flat to my ears - in contrast to the GS-1, which has a definitively warmer mid-range (but keep in mind I don't find the GS-1's mids very warm on their own). An interesting result, and this makes it an ideal partner for copper interconnects along with a warm source and warm headphones. In fact, I found music to be somewhat on the dull side with my silver-core IC and more pleasant & lively on the copper-core IC.
The treble is another area where the amp shines - although it's a tad on the aggressive side as already mentioned, it's also very clean, clear, and defined. There's enough air on the edge of the frequency extreme that lets it breathe, yet it also has that sense of being very precise, with an almost razor-like definition. This didn't make it pair very well with the Cambridge CDP, as the CDP has the exact same treble signature - a pairing like this is clearly only for the treble extremists who demand ultimate precision. However, on its own the amp is just fine and isn't terribly treble-offensive - it's just that the other components it's used with should be carefully considered, as it merely brings out whatever it's fed, particularly in the treble.
Detail & Soundstage
The V2^2 isn't an extreme detail freak - compared to the GS-1, anyway. It failed to pick up the extremely fine and nuanced micro-details that I've grown accustomed to with that amp. That doesn't mean it's anti-detail though, it's just not at the level of the GS-1, and this is saying a lot! Am I trying to compare a <$300 portable amp to a $750 home amp? Believe it!
To put it simply, nothing about this amp is lacking in terms of detail, it just simply falls short of the mark in providing micro-detail, but for less than $300, there's absolutely no reason to fault this. It's able to capture subtle changes in tone and timbre, extremely quick leading edges, and every kind of clink, whink, and tink you could possibly think of.
Soundstage is also very well-defined on this amp - it's not as airy and far-ranging as the AE-1, but it provides a better sense of forward projection. In fact I found myself on more than one occasion instinctively trying to stand up as if to get a better view of the stage.
Overall
There's absolutely no question, the Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed is not only a steal at under $300 (if you can find one used), it's also THE best-sounding portable I've heard yet. That's not actually saying a whole lot as I haven't heard too many portable amps, but this amp blows the doors off the Little Dot Micro+, Xin SuperMini-III, and HeadAmp 2005 AE-1. I certainly hope Justin is pulling out all the stops to make the AE-1 revamp a whole lot better than the current design.
And actually you can still order a V2^2 Maxxed from Cesar at portaphile.com, go there and check the News page! Looks like he's producing very limited quantities while the Shohin is in development!
Thanks again to Romanee for the generous move and letting me trial this incredible amp! In my listening tests it proved to have enough power for all my AKG headphones and found a unique synergy with each one.
