[DigitalFreak]

Since everyone here is having fun crunching numbers on a portable rig let's crunch the numbers on my rig. An iPod Classic is 50 bones more expensive here in Canada by the way and I just ordered the CLAS yesterday.
 
Transport
iPod Classic 160 GB 7th gen= $250
Mobile DAC
CLAS -db = $699.00
Amp
UHA-6S MKII with op amp 8610= $279.00
Op amps
OPA627AP = $50.00
OPA209AID = $12.00
Rig Interconnects
Fiio L9 = $14.95
Fiio L8 = $7.95
CIEM
Heir Audio 4A (after 40% off sale and add in upgraded cable and color canals) = $700.00
Grand Total
$1712.90
 
An that's not even counting any of my other amps, DAP's, various IEM's, mobile headphones, ear impression costs, all the shipping costs and duties, not to mention down the road I'll probably be going balanced which means a more pricier interconnect and maybe a balanced cable for the CIEM/headphone and one or two pricier balanced amps. I'd say the days of a $3-4000 dollar mobile rig are already here. I should know, I'm in the middle of building one from the ground up which is not cheap when you're starting from scratch. The only reason I kept it around 1700 is because I lucked out with a good sale on the CIEM and I cheaped out with the Fiio interconnects. If I hadn't the price would be closer to the $22-2500 mark.

 

[mosshorn]

Quote:

Since everyone here is having fun crunching numbers on a portable rig let's crunch the numbers on my rig. An iPod Classic is 50 bones more expensive here in Canada by the way and I just ordered the CLAS yesterday.
 
Transport
iPod Classic 160 GB 7th gen= $250
Mobile DAC
CLAS -db = $699.00
Amp
UHA-6S MKII with op amp 8610= $279.00
Op amps
OPA627AP = $50.00
OPA209AID = $12.00
Rig Interconnects
Fiio L9 = $14.95
Fiio L8 = $7.95
CIEM
Heir Audio 4A (after 40% off sale and add in upgraded cable and color canals) = $700.00
Grand Total
$1712.90
 
An that's not even counting any of my other amps, DAP's, various IEM's, mobile headphones, ear impression costs, all the shipping costs and duties, not to mention down the road I'll probably be going balanced which means a more pricier interconnect and maybe a balanced cable for the CIEM/headphone and one or two pricier balanced amps. I'd say the days of a $3-4000 dollar mobile rig are already here. I should know, I'm in the middle of building one from the ground up which is not cheap when you're starting from scratch. The only reason I kept it around 1700 is because I lucked out with a good sale on the CIEM and I cheaped out with the Fiio interconnects. If I hadn't the price would be closer to the $22-2500 mark.

 
 
Wow, that's pricey. I've never really gotten the CLAS thing. I mean, sure, it makes a great sounding rig, but by the time you're done, you LITERALLY have a brick.
 
:|

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

 
 
Wow, that's pricey. I've never really gotten the CLAS thing. I mean, sure, it makes a great sounding rig, but by the time you're done, you LITERALLY have a brick.
 
:|

I decided to get the -db because you can also hook it up to your PC. I don't have a home rig so I thought the -db would be a good stepping stone as far as that is concerned. I look at it as a two in one, good for mobile and home use.

 

[DigitalFreak]

double post sorry

 

[eke2k6]

The DT 880 is impressing the HELL out of me right now. Bloody hell man.
 
I'm listening to Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek, and her voice is haunting. 
 
The biggest difference I'm hearing going from my iems to this full-sized open headphone, is the quality - not necessarily size - of the sound stage. It makes every little nuance become more apparent, and it's just so friggin immersive. The bass is far from lacking too.
 
Too bad it leaks sound like a broken faucet, and lets so much noise in. 
 
They've definitely cured my burning desire for the HE-400, for only $45 bucks. 
 
This much luck can't be free. I feel like I'm going to get hit by a car tomorrow.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

The DT 880 is impressing the HELL out of me right now. Bloody hell man.
 
I'm listening to Imogen Heap's Hide and Seek, and her voice is haunting. 
 
The biggest difference I'm hearing going from my iems to this full-sized open headphone, is the quality - not necessarily size - of the sound stage. It makes every little nuance become more apparent, and it's just so friggin immersive. The bass is far from lacking too.
 
Too bad it leaks sound like a broken faucet, and lets so much noise in. 
 
They've definitely cured my burning desire for the HE-400, for only $45 bucks. 
 
This much luck can't be free. I feel like I'm going to get hit by a car tomorrow.

We want pics or it didn't happen

 

[Silent One]

Stay indoors eke2k6, we need new residents at the hospital, not patients! 

 Congrats on your discovery.

 

[eke2k6]

Quote:

Stay indoors eke2k6, we need new residents at the hospital, not patients! 

 Congrats on your discovery.

 
 

 
 

 

[james444]

Lol, the devil's in the detail! 

  Congrats on your bargain buy!
 

 

[Sylverant]

Thats really cool eke2k6. I love it when people sell audio items that they don't really know the worth of, even if I feel just a little bit guilty afterwards

Great find!

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Lol, the devil's in the detail! 

  Congrats on your bargain buy!
 

 

 I hadn't even noticed...good eye! That's something I might need to buy as an add-on for some of my upcoming self-study purchases.

 

[drez]

Nice find x2 they look great.

 

[Sylverant]

My portable dream rig would involve completing my iPod Video setup:

DAC:
iPod Video 5.5G refurb: $120
KomputerBay 128GB 600x Compact Flash: $140
Tarkan Akdam's iFlash Compact Flash Adapter (MKII): $20
iMod: $250
Dock Cable: $195

AMP:
JDS Labs 02: $144

UERM: $999

Which comes to a grand total of $1868

Of course, the iMod/dock cable could be averted through diy. I'm willing to bet I could save $300.

For around $1900 though, a DX100 + 64GB micro SDXC (in FAT32) + UERM just seems worth the extra convenience.

 

[Maxvla]

My ultimate portable rig is the one I have, HTC DNA -> UERM. Done. No need for portable amps and all that. Far too much bulk and you are constantly battling road/travel noise so why bother trying to get those last few %.

 

[drez]

...

Of course, the iMod/dock cable could be averted through diy. I'm willing to bet I could save $300.


For around $1900 though, a DX100 + 64GB micro SDXC (in FAT32) + UERM just seems worth the extra convenience.

My ultimate portable rig is the one I have, HTC DNA -> UERM. Done. No need for portable amps and all that. Far too much bulk and you are constantly battling road/travel noise so why bother trying to get those last few %.

Sounds pretty sweet, until I heard w4 i had pretty much written off portable audio, and you can probably tell me how much the better the ierm is. For now though I am happy with w4.

My next hard decision is whether to invest more into amping my he6 or just stick with hd800 and upgrade other components. My guess is this one will do my head in :S