best K701 portable amp, new or used under $350
Oct 7, 2008 at 6:23 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 90

Gatto

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I was thinking of getting a pico but I haven't heard much about how well it performs with the k701s, any suggestions on what amp I should get? thanks!
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 6:37 PM Post #2 of 90
Get Pico if u can.

i wanted it but no stock in most places.

its DAC is very good

otherwise without DAC ..next best option is Hornet.

oh btw i got iBasso D2 Boa today... my first real amp
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 6:48 PM Post #3 of 90
Oh Boy..here we go...again. K701 with portable Amps.

Here I'll give you the cliff notes. From those who have posted before...

'Yes the Pico will drive them, but not as good as a Desktop (full size) amp'

'Portable...K701's are you serious? They are too big to carry around.'

And last but not least

'NO portable amp will drive the K701's the way they should be.'
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 6:59 PM Post #4 of 90
actually on second thoughts u r better of getting Yuin PK1 with something like iBasso D3 Python.

what say guys?


u dont run Ferrari with Toyota engine
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:01 PM Post #5 of 90
I have 701's and 3 amps:

DV337, dual mono tube beast which,IMO, is one of the best amps around and very powerful(can't possibly go to 12:00 on the dials w the 701.

Aso have Meier Cantate
and
Meir Move

The 701 shines w the DV701 and the Cantate
BUT!!!!!!!!

the 701 Sounds very good w the Move.
I use the Move when traveling w iem's and the 701 for in the hotel

I will be getting a D3 Python by Fri. and I intend to try it w the 701.

I don't think it's "wrong" to use a portable w the 701. It will get you pretty close to a great home amp.
Then , when budget allows, get a home amp.
The portable, after all will improve your IEM's anyway so it is not wasted money.

I recommend either the Move or D3 iBasso because of the DAC
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:06 PM Post #6 of 90
dumb noob question, what is a DAC?

and ndskyz I know they are not portable at all but I use them at work so portable is way easier for me to manage
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:07 PM Post #7 of 90
Digital to Analog Converter.

Converts the 1s & 0s to a waveform signal.

Too bad Xin is out. His supermacro IV drives them respectfully. It carries 8 AAA batteries and lasts for a good 20-25 hrs. If you can find one used, it is IMO worth it.
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:11 PM Post #8 of 90
Digital to Audio Converter.

If you ever listen to music on your computer you can plug the Move or D3 into the computer usb port and get the digital stream which will be converted by the DAC in the amp which is a much better DAC than is found in computers.

Read the D3 thread, some people seem to think it may be as good as the pico or predator.
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:12 PM Post #9 of 90
Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatto /img/forum/go_quote.gif
dumb noob question, what is a DAC?


A portable amp with DAC will plays as an USB soundcard for your PC/laptop. You'll get rid of the crappy sound onboard.
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM Post #10 of 90
so there isn't much reason to get one if I don't use my PC for music too often?
 
Oct 7, 2008 at 7:36 PM Post #11 of 90
Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatto /img/forum/go_quote.gif
dumb noob question, what is a DAC?

and ndskyz I know they are not portable at all but I use them at work so portable is way easier for me to manage



Thats not what I say..but what the other people on this site have said when this subject comes up (and it has...many many times)
 
Oct 8, 2008 at 12:02 AM Post #12 of 90
Quote:

Originally Posted by tomjtx /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I have 701's and 3 amps:

DV337, dual mono tube beast which,IMO, is one of the best amps around and very powerful(can't possibly go to 12:00 on the dials w the 701.

Aso have Meier Cantate
and
Meir Move

The 701 shines w the DV701 and the Cantate
BUT!!!!!!!!

the 701 Sounds very good w the Move.
I use the Move when traveling w iem's and the 701 for in the hotel

I will be getting a D3 Python by Fri. and I intend to try it w the 701.

I don't think it's "wrong" to use a portable w the 701. It will get you pretty close to a great home amp.
Then , when budget allows, get a home amp.
The portable, after all will improve your IEM's anyway so it is not wasted money.

I recommend either the Move or D3 iBasso because of the DAC



I'd very interested in your impressions of the D3 driving the 701s.
 
Oct 8, 2008 at 3:12 AM Post #13 of 90
Quote:

Originally Posted by gpkoo /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I'd very interested in your impressions of the D3 driving the 701s.



Me too. Oh wait.............That's me
icon10.gif


Seriously though I plan to compare the 2 , hopefully this weekend if I have the time.
 
Oct 8, 2008 at 3:18 AM Post #14 of 90
Pico is an amazing little amp and it's a bargain with that great DAC. However, I still haven't seen portable amps that can drive K701s adequately. If you're playing mp3/flac/aac files off your computer, I may suggest: standalone DAC-> Gilmore lite -> K701s. I prefer tubes, but Glimore lite is a great bargain.
wink.gif


and say no to portable amps for K701s!
 
Oct 8, 2008 at 3:26 AM Post #15 of 90
Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatto /img/forum/go_quote.gif
so there isn't much reason to get one if I don't use my PC for music too often?


Correct.

if u dont use PC for music then no need to spend on it.



just get one awesome amp.

i carry my laptop around so i needed a good DAC as well.
 

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