mrarroyo
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2005
- Posts
- 19,073
- Likes
- 43
Part 1 of 2:
Today I got together w/ vorlon1 and we had the opportunity to test a bunch of portable amps. Probably about 18 different examples. Of consequence to this thread was vorlon1's P51.
It was interesting to me that we had a few amps to compare w/ which many here have and which IMO would be a good point of reference. Specifically we had two SR71, one SR71A, a Portaphile V2^2, a MiniBox-E+ and a bunch of Xin Reference Boards.
Anyways, I was very impressed w/ the P51 it clearly blows the doors of the SR71A. It in my opinion has as good a bass as the Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed, and it has better extension and clearer more open presentation which makes it easier to place the instruments.
Then I compared it w/ the SR71. I can see how someone could have both and be in heaven. I found the bass on the P51 to be a bit punchier and deeper, but it never was out of control nor boomy. However to me the SR71 has a bit more extension a bit more open/clearer. Mind you they are very close and if you did not have them side by side you would not be able to tell the difference. The P51 for someone who carries it in their pocket is a big advantage over the SR71. I use it as a transportable and in my case the size makes no difference, I actually prefer the bigger footprint of the SR71 which allows me to rest my iPod on it and hold them w/ a rubber band.
I then compared them w/ the MiniBox-E+ w/ the stock op-amps and I still feel it was the better amp of all the ones mentioned. So to recap:
1. MiniBox-E+
2. P51 tied w/ the SR71
3. Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed
4. SR71A
BTW, the difference between 1 and 2 is very minor and 3 is not to far behind either. The SR71A IMO is a distant 4th place.
Of all the Xin Reference Boards both vorlon1 and I agreed that the B2 and C2 boards were the best sounding. These have about 240 hours so back to burning the go, I hope to get together w/ vorlon1 when they have closer to 750 hours which should be in three weeks.
Note: Although we had the T4, D10 by iBasso and various boards by Xin these were not fully burnt in and it would not be appropriate to post impressions at this time. Leave you with the following picture.
Today I got together w/ vorlon1 and we had the opportunity to test a bunch of portable amps. Probably about 18 different examples. Of consequence to this thread was vorlon1's P51.
It was interesting to me that we had a few amps to compare w/ which many here have and which IMO would be a good point of reference. Specifically we had two SR71, one SR71A, a Portaphile V2^2, a MiniBox-E+ and a bunch of Xin Reference Boards.
Anyways, I was very impressed w/ the P51 it clearly blows the doors of the SR71A. It in my opinion has as good a bass as the Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed, and it has better extension and clearer more open presentation which makes it easier to place the instruments.
Then I compared it w/ the SR71. I can see how someone could have both and be in heaven. I found the bass on the P51 to be a bit punchier and deeper, but it never was out of control nor boomy. However to me the SR71 has a bit more extension a bit more open/clearer. Mind you they are very close and if you did not have them side by side you would not be able to tell the difference. The P51 for someone who carries it in their pocket is a big advantage over the SR71. I use it as a transportable and in my case the size makes no difference, I actually prefer the bigger footprint of the SR71 which allows me to rest my iPod on it and hold them w/ a rubber band.
I then compared them w/ the MiniBox-E+ w/ the stock op-amps and I still feel it was the better amp of all the ones mentioned. So to recap:
1. MiniBox-E+
2. P51 tied w/ the SR71
3. Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed
4. SR71A
BTW, the difference between 1 and 2 is very minor and 3 is not to far behind either. The SR71A IMO is a distant 4th place.
Of all the Xin Reference Boards both vorlon1 and I agreed that the B2 and C2 boards were the best sounding. These have about 240 hours so back to burning the go, I hope to get together w/ vorlon1 when they have closer to 750 hours which should be in three weeks.
Note: Although we had the T4, D10 by iBasso and various boards by Xin these were not fully burnt in and it would not be appropriate to post impressions at this time. Leave you with the following picture.
