Since this thread has come to a slow down, I an I can now answer my own questions....  I have now tried several op amps in this very nice amp.  I have tried the LT1028ACN8 op amps, and they are very niec, but with my source (sflo2) and earphones (ER4-S), I can't tell agreat deal of difference from the AD8610 op amp, may be a little more bass with the LT1028 ACN8, but not much difference otherwise.  The LT1128CN8 is not a good choice for me, as this op amp brings out more treble (too much for me), and less bass.  I really am enjoying the LME49710's (from National Semiconductor).  They give a smoother sound and with my set-up (sflo2, neco soundlab V2 with LME49710), my Westone 2 earphones sound really good, even better than the ER4-S's.  I am however using the cable that converts ER4-P to ER4-S with the Westones.

Just received my Neco Soundlab Portable V.2 and with only 1 hours of listening I can say that it sound amazing. The clarity and musicality this little amp produce is unreal. I got it with the upgrade ad8610 opamps and 500ma Li-ion battery. I tried it first with my DT1350 and notice the improvement in the soundstage immediately. I'm now listening to a very great Jazz album from Diego Barber with my HD650 and get a good listening volume at 9:00  . And the bass are sounding tight and detail so power is not a problem with this PORTABLE amp.



 
I can't wait to get a bit of burn-in to ear how good it can get. I'm not kidding I think the HD650 sound better than with the Nuforce HDP.
 
Thanks to my friend Proglover and this thread I have a very good amp that will be use at work with a Dacport. (to be coninued...)
 
Edit: Added pictures.

 
 

Quote:

twinster said:

Just received my Neco Soundlab Portable V.2 and with only 1 hours of listening I can say that it sound amazing. The clarity and musicality this little amp produce is unreal. I got it with the upgrade ad8610 opamps and 500ma Li-ion battery. I tried it first with my DT1350 and notice the improvement in the soundstage immediately. I'm now listening to a very great Jazz album from Diego Barber with my HD650 and get a good listening volume at 9:00 

. And the bass are sounding tight and detail so power is not a problem with this PORTABLE amp.



 
I can't wait to get a bit of burn-in to ear how good it can get. I'm not kidding I think the HD650 sound better than with the Nuforce HDP.
 
Thanks to my friend Proglover and this thread I have a very good amp that will be use at work with a Dacport. (to be coninued...)
 
Edit: Added pictures.

 
 
 

Click to expand...

where did you buy get that? i can't find it in ebay..

 
 

Quote:

i_djoel2000 said:

where did you buy get that? i can't find it in ebay..

 
 

 
 

Click to expand...

Seller: 'neco_soundlab'
http://cgi.ebay.nl/DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier-V-2_W0QQitemZ140574869933QQihZ004QQcategoryZ122650QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 
 
 
@Twinster; congratulations with the amp Simon! It's really a great thing, made by a great guy who became more then a friend then a seller to me. I chose his portable over the Meier's and I don't regret it for a moment
 

Looks great, i like the clean look 
 

 
Quote:

hifimiami said:

Purchase V.2 on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier-V-2-/140452042344?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item20b3981668#ht_4308wt_
1107
 
Order with AD8610 op amp option
 
in July 2010. Neco is an excellent seller good communications and timely shipping.
 
PACKAGING:  the V.2 was packaged in a bullet proof configuration.
 
BUILD QUALITY: the V.2 is built like a tank superb finish and quality feel, with Neutrik female mini female jacks.
 
SOUND: Started noticing improvement after 50 Hr burn in, reached max performance at about 100 hrs. Overall sound is very neutral all frequencies with a very tight and deep bass.
The sound stage is wide and deep with excellent instrument separation.I used Shure SRH840, Sennheiser HD595, Sennheiser HD600. Source AloSony D25S line out with ZXAC " SCS mini cable. The listening experience is like listening to a high quality desk top headphone amp.
I compared the performance to an Ibasso Toucan PB1 and I prefer the Neco V.2 due to it's natural, neutral presentation and superb soundstage. I highly recommend this amp.
 
The battery life appears to be over 20 hrs with normal playback.
 
 

Click to expand...

 

 
Hmm Neco soundlabs huh.
 
Thx the opamp sound info... anyone have any ideas what I can replace LME49610 with?
 
I also need to replace TDA1308 in my Teclast T51.
 
I value detail and treble, I don't like NOS sound, if that helps?
 
Thx.
 
 

Just to pile onto the bandwagon -- I love my 18V "portable" dual mono amp from Neco Soundlab. It is probably the most bang for the buck I have had with any audio equipment I've purchased. In case you're wondering, my other headphone amp is a Burson HA-160D. The 18V amp from Neco rocks!!!
 
Best regards,
Adam

Neco has a solid track record.  I have one of the original versions and it is a powerhouse portable with great build quality.  The newest ones have even better specs and a nicer finish but still remain a great value.   The owner/builder is an EE in the UK -- not a third world product and it shows.

This little amp is very powerful for sure. Moreso than my Centrance DACmini. I wonder how it would compare to the Objective 2 (O2)???

Neco Soundlab V3 will be out soon!

How do you know? Do you have any details? I've been considering getting one of his BOSSFET amps to go along with my 18V dual amp "portable" amp...

Well, heard from the man himself. Still waiting.

I received my Neco V2 with AD8610 opamps yesterday.
It seems like it needs burn in for me.

V3 spotted on ebay - 18v in the same v2 case, USB rechargable, long battery life. Sounds like a winner -
 
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/new-V3-DUAL-AMP-portable-headphone-amplifier-/140669301618?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item20c08b3372
 
Also has bass boost and gain selection (internal) and the usual battery and op-amp optional upgrades (both look worth it to me).
 
Was a big fan of my v2 which I ended up giving to my brother and then missing a lot.
 
Once I get over christmas financially I'll definitely be getting a v3.

Hello all
 
I too , just order Neco Soundlab 18V portable Amp V3 .
will be going with all the available upgrade option he provided :
 
1. additional Battery to boost to 60 hours usable time .
2. upgrade Op amp. ** I have specially request to use LT1028ACN instead of AD8610 offered at ebay. he have responded that he felt that it is a interesting Op Amp and he is helping to source it to install for me . technically ,he confirm that it is going to work flawlessly with his Amp, except that battery life will be shorter due to higher current drawn. however , with the extra battery. it is not a issue at all .
3. Bass Enhance easy access case modification. 
 
he will work on it when he is back on 05 Jan2012 . can't wait to receive this .
 
one question that I have is on the gain setting . 
two gain setting are available : a. Gain 1 is set to 2.3  and b. Gain 2 is set to 6 . they are switchable with insert and remove the jumper beside the Op amp.
My head phones gear mostly falls below 100Ohm . ( Ultrasone Edition 8 / Grado RS1i / Beyer DT1350 / Hifiman HE500) .
what gain setting should I use ?
 
appreciate your advise and Happy New Year to all !
 
Thanks 
Raymond Lim