Best sounding portable amp under $200.

[New2TheScene]

Hi,

I'm considering buying a portable amp. I plan to mainly use it in the house, but want something that I can take room to room. I might also take in on the odd business trip. So it needs ot be battery powered.

My biggest goal is to improve the sound quality of the output of my Ipod. I plan to use it for traditional headphones (not IEMs) and I don't care about being about volume, as I value my hearing and use the lowest audible setting. In regards to sound quality, I'm looking for an improvement in the following areas (in order of decreasing importance).
1. Detail and Resolution
2. Low noise floor
3. No graininess (smooth mids and highs)

As mentioned, sound is the number one priority. But on the nice to have list is:
Ability to run on AC as well as battery.
Portability and small size.
Ability to drive cans up to 100Ohms.
Durability.

If price was no object, based on reviews, I'd probably get a Ray Samuel's Hornet. But price is an object, and my budget is $100-200. Also, I want to buy it new. Also, I don't want to go with a DIY amp.

So the amps I know of, that I'm considering are (in no particular order):
Meier Corda XXS/HEADSIX
Firestone Battery Cute II
C&C F1, Box+, XO
Little Dot MKI
Willing to consider others, just don't knwo of any.


I'd really appreciate your opinions. Portable amps to stay away from would be almost as helpful and that are recommended.

Thanks everyone!

 

[chewynuts]

Of all the options you listed, I believe the Meier Corda XXS/HEADSIX is the best.
It's just like the more expensive MOVE, without the crossfeed circuit. Why not get the headsix and support Head-fi along the way too? Cheers!

 

[robojack]

For your price range, I would also recommend a Ray Samuels Tomahawk amp, for it's portability, but also for its awesome sound. It can be had for just over $200 in some FS ads on this forum. Ray himself says these can power cans over 300ohm, and it's probably one of the smallest amps you'll find, with a battery life of up to 400 hours on two AAAs.

 

[Singapura]

A second hand, prudently burned in Tomahawk would be best indeed

 

[wired00]

ibasso d2 is a great one

but unless you get one 2nd hand you'll have to wait till the next "batch" is released

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/min...-lyrix-306883/

 

[qspeedss]

ive heard a lot about the tomahawk. Ive also seen a lot of pictures of it and they are tiny! IMO the way to go

 

[MetalGeek]

When I was in the market for a new amp a while ago, I basically had the same needs. I was looking for the best I could get for less than $200. After getting some advice from the friendly and knowledgeable folks here at Head-Fi, I decided to get the iBasso D2.

Since I haven't heard any amp other than this one, it is difficult for me to say that it is "better" than any other amp in its price range. I will tell you this though: it really does sound great! My Sennheiser HD595's have never sounded this good! I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The other great thing about it is that it's got the DAC, which is really great from my laptop.

If you can handle waiting until the second wave of the D2 is released, I would highly recommend getting one. The review that wired00 posted above really helped me make my decision.

Just my thoughts, good luck with your search! I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[Lil' Knight]

Why the Mini3 and MiniboxE+ are not on your list?

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Knight /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why the Mini3 and MiniboxE+ are not on your list?

Yar, I was thinking about that too...

 

[pinkfloyd4ever]

ya I was gonna say you could prob find someone to build you a Mini3f or less than $200, if not less. Newbies oft get scared at the idea of a regular joe building their amp...till they hear one. And TMK there haven't been any fires or serious injuries (you can slice your finger doing something stupid alot of ways) with any of the common (or uncommon ftm) diy amps around headfi.

 

[worldman]

I second the recommendation for Meier Audio amps. Rock solid craftmanship & its sound quality is just simply amazing. Deep but tight bass, great soundstage with clear mids, and really flying highs. Meier sound has a large following here at Head-fi and there is a reason for that. And, sorry for your wallet....

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewynuts /img/forum/go_quote.gif Of all the options you listed, I believe the Meier Corda XXS/HEADSIX is the best. It's just like the more expensive MOVE, without the crossfeed circuit. Why not get the headsix and support Head-fi along the way too? Cheers!

 

[New2TheScene]

Thanks for all the advice. One question came to mind as I read the replies... it may be a stupid one, and if so please ignore my ignorance.

With the exception of the Class-D amps, most portable headphone amps are some power line filtering via caps, and an audio grade op-amp for amplification (yes, I know I am oversimplifying here). Anyway, where I'm going with this is that it seems that Capacitive filtering is one of the major benefits of a portable amp. In this case, I also assume more is better. Would that be correct?

So the HEADSIX has 4000uF of cap, whereas some of the C&C and others have up to 10000-15000uF. Should I even be looking at that spec?

Also, I thought the Tomahawk was meant for IEM amplification?

Any feedback about the C&C amps. They look sweet, but have no idea how they sound?

 

[robojack]

Tomahawk was meant for IEM amping, but it also works great with cans. I use it with my HFI-780 with no qualms about its sound quality.

 

[oicdn]

Anybody that powers 300ohm cans with a tomahawk is just fooling themselves. That amp doesn't have the voltage swing to do so properly. Also, the TH is out of the question anyways if he wants to buy NEW as his OP says.

Lastly, he doesn't have a Mini3 or other DIY amps because in his OP, he said he wants a COMMERCIAL amp, not a DIY amp. IMO, that's cutting ALOT of your options out as that around-sub $200 market is where the DIY amp thrives and blows MANY of your commercial offerings out of the water both in price/performance ratio and sometimes just straight performance all together.

My recommendation? The GoVibe Petite is AWESOME at that price range, and you can get well under the $200 range if you don't get the USB DAC version. But the Headsix.....that's another GREAT option. I haven't heard the headsix, but apparently it's the same amp section as the move, so if that's the case, that's a winner. I haven't heard the D2, but apparently it's getting glowing reviews as well, but it's not currently available new until the next run...

 

[New2TheScene]

One amp that I am considering, but forgot to mention is the HeadRoom Total Airhead. Not the best looking amp, but the price is low and HeadRoom, from what I understand, has a good reputation. Anyone here have any opinions on the Total Airhead?

Thanks,

Steve