[Fabi]

RunAbout is a very solid portable amp that has no problem beating most, if not all sub-$100 amp, though probably not going to top the $200 category. QuickStep will indeed be an even better amp to have and should easily be one of the best of any price range.

Thank you very much for the input.
Sure the RA can't be as good as the top sub-$200 amps but it will probably be enough for my needs (size, power, removable 9V battery, SQ) , we'll see, it's my first portable amp

 

[vinpin]

Great comparison!

 

[stevemoore]

Thanks for the review. I'm looking for a new amp.

 

[golov17]

http://bengkelmacro.com/

 

[TeeEl]

This is probably a stupid question...
 
do I need an amp?
 
The reason I ask is that I've seen about 50% of posts/articles saying yes...  and 50% saying no.  (Or, specifically, not unless your source isn't able to drive the volume enough.)  Some reviews state that IEMs perform better with an amp (even sub $20 IEMs), some reviews don't even mention them.  As I'm just officially entering the HiFi world I find this to be far more confusing than anything else I've looked into so far.
 
So I guess the better question is, how do I know whether or not I need an amp?  (Keeping in mind I use IEMs 99.99% of the time.)

 

[Fabi]

  This is probably a stupid question...
 
do I need an amp?
 
The reason I ask is that I've seen about 50% of posts/articles saying yes...  and 50% saying no.  (Or, specifically, not unless your source isn't able to drive the volume enough.)  Some reviews state that IEMs perform better with an amp (even sub $20 IEMs), some reviews don't even mention them.  As I'm just officially entering the HiFi world I find this to be far more confusing than anything else I've looked into so far.
 
So I guess the better question is, how do I know whether or not I need an amp?  (Keeping in mind I use IEMs 99.99% of the time.)

What IEMs do you have?

 

[TeeEl]

  What IEMs do you have?

Nothing overly fancy, just the 1MORE E1001s.  If I get an amp though I would be testing it with whatever IEMs I have lying around, just for ****s and giggles.

 

[Fabi]

  Nothing overly fancy, just the 1MORE E1001s.  If I get an amp though I would be testing it with whatever IEMs I have lying around, just for ****s and giggles.

I guess you don't need an amp if your source has enough power to make them shine.
 
You're right, if you're curious and have the money, you can get an amp to try different stuff, hear different sound colorations and different pairings with cans and sources you encounter, to know better what your preference is. 

 

 

 

[TeeEl]

  I guess you don't need an amp if your source has enough power to make them shine.
 
You're right, if you're curious and have the money, you can get an amp to try different stuff, hear different sound colorations and different pairings with cans and sources you encounter, to know better what your preference is. 

 

 

Thanks!  My source will most likely be a FiiO X1 (which I'll try to fill up with lossless rips of my favorite CDs).  I was looking at the FiiO A5 and came across the A3...  but I wanted to see if either of these would even be worth it in the first place.

 

[Fabi]

  Thanks!  My source will most likely be a FiiO X1 (which I'll try to fill up with lossless rips of my favorite CDs).  I was looking at the FiiO A5 and came across the A3...  but I wanted to see if either of these would even be worth it in the first place.

Fiio A5 has good reputation, so as Fiio X1 line out. 2 good products.
Also that you may be able to hear the true potential of your iems with a bit more and "good" power.
 
Sorry for your wallet my friend 

, don't forget to get a good interconnect, good eartips, a leather case, 128gm micro sd, etc hahaha

 

 

[TeeEl]

  Fiio A5 has good reputation, so as Fiio X1 line out. 2 good products.
Also that you may be able to hear the true potential of your iems with a bit more and "good" power.
 
Sorry for your wallet my friend 

, don't forget to get a good interconnect, good eartips, a leather case, 128gm micro sd, etc hahaha

 

Hahah.  Thanks.  I have a few smaller spare MicroSDs I was going to start with, until they were full.  (I know lossless will eat up the space quickly though.)  I was also looking at Comply tips but was going to wait to see how they fit and seal was with the stock tips.  I mean, it comes with a staggering 9 sets of tips!  The case for the 1MOREs looks pretty solid, but you're right, I would need one for the X1.  Though mostly it'll stay at work as that's there the vast majority of my listening happens.

 

[Fabi]

Yep, take your time. The journey will be more pleasant.

 

[TeeEl]

Yep, take your time. The journey will more pleasant.

I'm just grateful that I don't have more money or I'd be blowing it all on new equipment.

 

[ClieOS]

X1 has more than enough output to drive 95% of all IEM out there to good performance, so no, you don't need an amp now. Instead, save the money for even better source that has a really good headphone-out, then you know you don't need an extra amp around.

 

[TeeEl]

  X1 has more than enough output to drive 95% of all IEM out there to good performance, so no, you don't need an amp now. Instead, save the money for even better source that has a really good headphone-out, then you know you don't need an extra amp around.

Thanks!  I was looking at the X3 as well, since it's just $70 more... but at what point do I stop the "it's just a little bit more"?  What are other good portable lossless media players?  By which I mean, ones that won't make me weep whenever I look at my bank statement.