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Quote:
Basically, in the review there are the $500 ones, and the $200 ones.
The Predator is $475, the Pico is $499 - the D2 is $199 but all of the Viper (socketed opamp) versions are gone. The Lyrix Total Pro USB is $189 + $14 for AC charger (but you supply the NiMH battery). The D1 is $250 as is the 2MOVE, putting them in the "$200" camp.
The Lyrix and 2MOVE are about (guessing) 1/2" wider and 1/4" taller than the D2 but look much larger than the D2 despite the measurements, so when not used with a laptop the Lyrix and 2MOVE pair well with a full size ipod video or Touch. The D1 seems to add about those same dimensions over the Lyrix, as the Lyrix adds to the D2, so it is a little too big for portable (bigger footprint than iPod). Going smaller, the D2 longer size pairs well with a 2G nano, and the Predator/Pico pair with the shorter 3nd gen nano (size is much like a Tomahawk or HeadSix). However, the new version of the D2 (without opamp sockets) will be over 1/2" shorter than the current one, making it about the size of a Predator or Headsix (Pico is more like a Tomahawk in size, and the only thing smaller is the Xin SuperMicro).
Making up for the bigger size of the Lyrix is the bass boost and crossfeed, and ability to use a 9v alkaline that you can buy anywhere, and the ability to roll opamps, which the D2 will no longer offer. The Lyrix amp section is fantastic, so I never rolled opamps - but the DAC is holding it back, even though the DAC is about 25% better than headphone out of my Macbook.
With an iMod or a better DAC as source, the Lyrix is probably just as good as and similar to the stock D2 or Pico (skipping the built-in DAC in all of them). Without using the built-in DAC, I still have to rank the Predator, modded D2 and 2MOVE above the Pico, or stock D2 and Lyrix, but again this is only by a small margin of personal preference, not quality.
Someone else may like these amps in a different order, depending on the music they listen to, and the headphones they use. If I didn't have RS-1 and HFI-780 or Livewires IEM as my main cans, but instead had stock Denon D2000 or stock HD600 or SE530 IEM as my main cans, then then Pico might have been my #1 amp instead of Predator.
| Originally Posted by chaplndave /img/forum/go_quote.gif Addict: In your March 13 review of four amps you made this statement: So, I give the Predator a 10/10. I'll give the Pico a 9.7/10 for opening the soundstage a bit and crisp detail, but with a cooler more analytical sound. The D2 has moved up from a 9.0 to a 9.4/10 for the D2 now, while still missing some of the warmth of the Predator and the final bit of transparency of the Pico. I have to give the Lyrix a 8.8/10 now. To me anything above an 8/10 is great but might not be a keeper if I have more than one amp sitting above 9/10. Is there a huge difference in price in these four amps? How about portability. I did look at the pics you posted, but am really unable to tell size differences. I know we have spoken about the Lyrix...and that the Lyrix is on sale now at Penguin...how do the others stack up in price. Sounds like any of them would be worthy amps as long as one was willing to patiently "burn" them in. Like I told you before, I am looking for something that I can take on an airplane (even though I don't travel as much as I did when I was in the military)...as all of our kids are on the other side of the country. But I am also interested in something that I can plug into my Dell laptop (Sound Blaster Audigy software upgrade to the built in sound chip)...as well as my ipod while at home. I will be interested in hearing your take for me personally on these four amps. Also interested in hearing your take on interconnects. Blessings. |
Basically, in the review there are the $500 ones, and the $200 ones.
The Predator is $475, the Pico is $499 - the D2 is $199 but all of the Viper (socketed opamp) versions are gone. The Lyrix Total Pro USB is $189 + $14 for AC charger (but you supply the NiMH battery). The D1 is $250 as is the 2MOVE, putting them in the "$200" camp.
The Lyrix and 2MOVE are about (guessing) 1/2" wider and 1/4" taller than the D2 but look much larger than the D2 despite the measurements, so when not used with a laptop the Lyrix and 2MOVE pair well with a full size ipod video or Touch. The D1 seems to add about those same dimensions over the Lyrix, as the Lyrix adds to the D2, so it is a little too big for portable (bigger footprint than iPod). Going smaller, the D2 longer size pairs well with a 2G nano, and the Predator/Pico pair with the shorter 3nd gen nano (size is much like a Tomahawk or HeadSix). However, the new version of the D2 (without opamp sockets) will be over 1/2" shorter than the current one, making it about the size of a Predator or Headsix (Pico is more like a Tomahawk in size, and the only thing smaller is the Xin SuperMicro).
Making up for the bigger size of the Lyrix is the bass boost and crossfeed, and ability to use a 9v alkaline that you can buy anywhere, and the ability to roll opamps, which the D2 will no longer offer. The Lyrix amp section is fantastic, so I never rolled opamps - but the DAC is holding it back, even though the DAC is about 25% better than headphone out of my Macbook.
With an iMod or a better DAC as source, the Lyrix is probably just as good as and similar to the stock D2 or Pico (skipping the built-in DAC in all of them). Without using the built-in DAC, I still have to rank the Predator, modded D2 and 2MOVE above the Pico, or stock D2 and Lyrix, but again this is only by a small margin of personal preference, not quality.
Someone else may like these amps in a different order, depending on the music they listen to, and the headphones they use. If I didn't have RS-1 and HFI-780 or Livewires IEM as my main cans, but instead had stock Denon D2000 or stock HD600 or SE530 IEM as my main cans, then then Pico might have been my #1 amp instead of Predator.
