[MacroPower]

I have the Alpha Dogs, and I was looking for something more portable than my Bifrost/Asgard stack. I just wanted to know your guys' opinions on OTL amps, similar to the xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp on Massdrop currently. Does anyone use something similar with their planars? Is there an all-in-one of a smaller size that would work well? I could probably spend $500 or so, but cheaper is better. Also not a big fan of tubes that distort the audio too much, the ADs are already pretty smooth.

 

[cel4145]

OTL amps are better suited for medium to high impedance headphones. Note how the output power rating for the xDuoo TA-03 is listed for 150 and 300 ohms, not 32 ohms.

Given that Sound and Vision found the Alpha Dogs to be 56 ohms with a fairly low sensitivity of 90db, probably best to go for a dac with a hybird solid state/tube amp or a solid state amp. I'd say go for solid state if you want maximum transportability.

 

[MacroPower]

Do you happen to know of anything good? I always just depended on Schiit, but their gear isn't the most portable - at least the higher-end stuff. Really, I would be okay with a DAC/Amp that was Bifrost-sized, I just don't want to have to carry two hunks of metal and interconnects when I take my audio gear other places.

 

[cel4145]

What about an O2/ODAC? The size is very transportable, even small enough to slip in a messenger bag with a laptop: http://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/

 

[MacroPower]

That looks pretty nice actually. It gives me a gain option, do you happen to know what's best for orthos? Probably just standard?

 

[thoughtcriminal]

Haven't tried them but both the cayin c5 and fiio e12 have the power to drive alpha dogs quite well

 

[MacroPower]

Haven't tried them but both the cayin c5 and fiio e12 have the power to drive alpha dogs quite well

I actually have the FiiO E17, it doesn't really do it for me. I think I'm going to need something with a bit more power. It's excellent for when I need to amp my phone's output though.

 

[MacroPower]

Any opinions on the NFB-15?

 

[cel4145]

That looks pretty nice actually. It gives me a gain option, do you happen to know what's best for orthos? Probably just standard?

Ask JDS Labs if you decide to order. They'll know what the best gain option is for your headphones

 

[cel4145]

Any opinions on the [COLOR=222222]NFB-15?[/COLOR]

I have the NFB-11, which is the same size as the NFB-15. I don't think it's smaller than the Asgard (you could check measurements). Does power my HE-400s easily.

 

[MacroPower]

Ask JDS Labs if you decide to order. They'll know what the best gain option is for your headphones

Alrighty, will do. The custom order is really nice, haha. Glad they have an option for a larger jack, I'd hate to use adapters all the time.

 

[MacroPower]

I have the NFB-11, which is the same size as the NFB-15. I don't think it's smaller than the Asgard (you could check measurements). Does power my HE-400s easily.

That's good to know. I'd like to make some headroom in case I ever buy the LCDs or something like that. If it's around the Asgard's size, but is a DAC/Amp, that would probably be okay. I'll think about it anyway. Thanks so much for the help.