[CooLy_oNE]

Hai...I'm looking for my new full-can set....My budget is 450 for both portable amp and headphone...the issue is for the combo is...

1. good headphone,cheaper amp, i doubt the amp enough to power the headphone

2.good amp, cheaper headphone...i feel stupid

if possible, i want an amp that also good with my westone3....

plis help..

 

[smallcaps]

what is your source? lossless or lossy files? did you factor cost for a LOD or mini-mini interconnect? do you prefer closed or open cans?

 

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and what kind of music do you listen to?

 

[CooLy_oNE]

I used IPOD touch 1g via LOD..
sorry, but what the different between closed and open cans? now,i'm really feel comfortable with my sennheiser HD 485..anyway, is hd485 closed or open?

 

[CooLy_oNE]

I listen to most vocal and acoustic...somewhat romantic and mellow sensation

 

[smallcaps]

afaik they are open back design. have never heard them so i don't know your point of reference. if you like sennheiser then maybe you can continue with that sound signature by upgrading to a better model. in your price range you might want to look for a used pair of HD580's. you can usually find them for under 200usd on the fs forum. for an amp, i would suggest an ibasso d10 as it is versatile, feature rich and adequate enough to power the hd580's.

edit: forgot the price of the ibasso is about 100 usd too high for your budget.

 

[CooLy_oNE]

I just like the comfort of HD485..for sound..I think it balance, but it's not excel at any department...

I have read that D10 is very good...but I think it would be a waste as I would not use the DAC section...

for HD 580, would it better if I get the HD 600 or 650 instead..
at least I get either a high end amp or earphone so in the future I will only upgrade one of them..

 

[lifesundeath]

I don't have much amp experience, only the one I just got: Nuforce Icon Mobile...but it's great way cheap ($99) and will power anything you got.

 

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CooLy_oNE /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just like the comfort of HD485..for sound..I think it balance, but it's not excel at any department... I have read that D10 is very good...but I think it would be a waste as I would not use the DAC section... for HD 580, would it better if I get the HD 600 or 650 instead.. at least I get either a high end amp or earphone so in the future I will only upgrade one of them..

totally true, but i think if you get the cans first you will definitely miss the amp. maybe going with the amp first is a good idea? if you don't need a dac then maybe one of ray samuels' amps? from what i have read i hear the mustang and the sr-71a are good choices in regards to that line, but i have no first-hand experience.

 

[mrarroyo]

For portable I would suggest IEM's or buds. Full size cans are cumbersome, heavy, and way to "out there". For a portable amp the MiniBox-E+ and a pair of Yuin OK1 would fit the bill and set you back about $450. Or a MiniBox-E+ and an UM2.

 

[EFN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif For portable I would suggest IEM's or buds. Full size cans are cumbersome, heavy, and way to "out there". For a portable amp the MiniBox-E+ and a pair of Yuin OK1 would fit the bill and set you back about $450. Or a MiniBox-E+ and an UM2.

2X on this. I have just tested the MiniBox-E+ with a Shure E500s and I am amazed with the synergy as much as with MB-E+ and ER-4 (with bass boost on). There's lotsa juice from this amp and I do not see it having any qualm about driving anything within the 16-200 oHm cans. For your budget, it may be possible to get a Senn HD25-1 + MB-E+

 

[CooLy_oNE]

I really interested and curious about the AKGs....are they really good..since the price is very in the budget also....

I thought about getting AKG and XM5...how about it?but XM5..i dont like the look of it...

 

[Harvey/ Ga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CooLy_oNE /img/forum/go_quote.gif I really interested and curious about the AKGs....are they really good..since the price is very in the budget also.... I thought about getting AKG and XM5...how about it?but XM5..i dont like the look of it...

I have a pair of AKG-240S...2+ years old. Newer model is out. Very comfortable, open backed cans. Also have the XM-5. Very versatile amp for $250, and will drive just about any headphone with the included AD8397 chip.
Comes in silver and black, so there's a modest choice.

Otherwise, Ibasso makes some attractively packaged amps at a lower cost. They are well thought of here.

 

[smallcaps]

i think the op wants a nice set of cans as they already have the excellent westone 3's. for portable use that sounds good and are quite fetching, take a look at the Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9 Sovereign Wood Headphones. they are closed but fold flat and include a very nice carrying case. works well with and without amp.

 

[CooLy_oNE]

yeah...I'm doing my research to ATH-ESW10JPN...they look good...
Anyway...Can you tell me what the difference between closed and open can? how do they defer in sound quality?? is it significant???