Besides the NJB3, which DAP has loudest output?

Aug 15, 2004 at 3:14 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 18

EyeAmEye

Aka: ulogin.
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Being a previous owner of an Archos Recorder 20, converted to a minidisc disc, now going back to DAP, I'm looking for a DAP with a loud enough output to adequately drive Beyerdynamic DT440. Aside from the NJB3, which DAP has the strongest headphone out? I'm looking to go ampless, so a somewhat powerful output is a must. 10mW or higher is desired. Thanks in advance!
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 4:18 AM Post #4 of 18
I listen to :-

Grado SR-60 at around 17
Koss PortaPro2 at around 15
Senn HD-650 at around 35...which is not an option and therefore I dont listen to the Senn HD-650
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Aug 15, 2004 at 4:36 AM Post #5 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by gsferrari
The Rio Karma can flex its muscles. Whats the ohmage on the DT-440? 80ohms??


32 ohms. It is very easy to drive. My 5mW Sharp minidisc player drives it reasonably well. I'm a "3L" (Loud Level Listener
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), so it just isn't enough for me. The Karma at 30mW should do the trick. Just trying to cut out the middle man, an amp, as best as I can. The Karma sounds like it's the way to go, besides the good rep it has sound quality wize.
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 4:44 AM Post #6 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by remilard
The Karma is 30mW per channel into 32 ohms. The volume goes from 0 to 30. I listen to ety ER-4S at about 19.


Just to clarify, the actual specs are 30mW, right? The way you followed the first statement with the second confused me a bit. Made me think you thought it was 30mW because the volume goes from 0 to 30.
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Many thanks to you and gsferrari for the quick replies. I was looking around a bit the last few hours for the NJB3, perhaps 50mW is overkill. 30 will do, so would both of you recommend the Karma over the NJB3. Portability really isn't much of a concern, I owned the bulky Archos and never had a problem with that one, so I don't suppose any DAP will seem too bulky to me.
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 5:40 AM Post #7 of 18
Well, the njb3 has more flexibility, with a lineout that does not require a dock to use, user replacable batteries, and the hard drive can also be replaced with a larger one.
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 5:47 AM Post #8 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by skitlets
Well, the njb3 has more flexibility, with a lineout that does not require a dock to use, user replacable batteries, and the hard drive can also be replaced with a larger one.


I'm not planning on using an amp, so a lineout isn't necessary. User replaceable batteries, like the Archos Recorder, is a very nice feature, but again, not necessary. Lastly, if I go with a Rio Karma 40GB, I doubt I'll ever need more. I don't have a large Cd collection to begin with, and most of it I don't plan on encoding anyway.

The only other question then comes down to interface. I liked the Archos' file/folder browsing, does either the Karma or NJB3 use it also?
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 6:38 AM Post #9 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeAmEye
Just to clarify, the actual specs are 30mW, right? The way you followed the first statement with the second confused me a bit. Made me think you thought it was 30mW because the volume goes from 0 to 30.
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Yes that is the actual spec, the second part was an example of how it easily provides good volume on a headphone that is thought to be difficult to drive for portables, in general. Interestingly, there was an attempt at riovolution.com to find out from rio employees if the output increased linearly with the volume setting, which would make it obviously quite easy to calculate the output at any given time (well assuming a 32 ohm load). I didn't see if that went anywhere.
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 7:06 AM Post #10 of 18
there is no karma 40gig, sadly.
 
Aug 15, 2004 at 7:35 AM Post #11 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by skitlets
there is no karma 40gig, sadly.


Yeah, I just figured that out searching in vain for the past hour for the elusive 40GB Karma. That stinks, but I don't think I'll even need it. When I owned the Archos, I only actually had a little over 10GB, and that was filled with alot of albums I wouldn't put on another DAP, so 20 will probably be more than I'll ever need.

remilard, I asked the question mostly in jest, but thanks for clarifying, anyhow.
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Aug 16, 2004 at 2:44 AM Post #14 of 18
Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman
The iPod has a headphone output stronger than the NJB3 (measured at 100hms)


Geez, confuse me some more, why don't you!
Alright, Ipod will have to be considered. I guess most DAPs do not suffer from the same anemic amps that PCDP's and MD's suffer from?

BTW, the iPod is what mW into 100ohms? Is it the loudest DAP on the market?
 
Aug 16, 2004 at 7:37 AM Post #15 of 18
I don't get that. My mini and 2nd Gen Ipod don't get close to my Zen as far as volume output in all the headphones I've tried using. Two defective ipods? Strong Zen? Can only speak for my own testing, so what previous thread can I look up to see how you got to those conclusions?
 

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