Brand Spanking New A&K AK120II and AK100II
Jan 22, 2016 at 1:49 PM Post #5,596 of 6,668
So I'm looking for an amp or amp/dac, though i would get that out of the way first so you can decide whether or not to read on.
I have an AK100II. For the most part I listen to jazz vocals, some singer/songwriter, rock on the lines of Steely Dan. My main cans are Grados SR80e (at least they started out that way) with wooden cups and symphone v6 drivers and recabled using wire made from angel tears.. I have others but these are my go to headphones. I had the fiio e12 but sold it and got the chord mojo. For various reasons I sold the mojo. I thought the sound was improved but I had issues with playing some files, the cable seemed to require me to stand at a 15 degrees tilt with one eye open to work. The hand warming feature was helpful here in Wisconsin but indoors it was less than ideal. The little balls made it feel like a toy. This is just my experience, I'm sure the mojo is outstanding, just didn't work for me. The mojo did work great with my iPhone but I like a seperate dap. What I did like about the mojo was the larger soundstage (I love a wide soundstage). So I'm looking for an amp or amp/dac to pair with my AK100II. I love the AK and would prefer to keep it and look for the amp. I would also like to work with the Grados that I have already. So what do I want the amp/dac to do? Ideally widen the soundstage, even out the low end so there is detail and clarity similar the Grado high end (maybe not that far but similar). The mojo seemed to add more presence ( I hope that makes sense) to the music. If the Oppo ha-2 would work then that would be ideal because I love the look but esthetics is just a bonus. Battery life is not a big concern, portability is important. Price wise I would like to stick to $600 or below.


Sounds like you are looking for a Mojo...
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 2:15 PM Post #5,598 of 6,668
Maybe my Mojo lost its Mojo before it arrived.


For portable use with IEMs, I find the AK100ii to be fine.
I am not a fan of stacks.
It's a shame the Mojo didn't work for you as it seems to fit all your requirements.
Another option might be to audition a 120ii or 320 and if you like what you hear upgrade your DAP for a one unit solution.
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 2:37 PM Post #5,599 of 6,668
I know I've asked this before. Before I plug my AK120ii in, I have to make extra sure:

Is it safe to charge this DAP with a standard micro-USB cable from a 2amp wall adapter. Like the one that comes with a Samsung Galaxy phone?
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 3:27 PM Post #5,602 of 6,668
Ah, thanks, thanks. I'll trust it won't blow up, then. :)
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 5:03 PM Post #5,603 of 6,668
Ah, thanks, thanks. I'll trust it won't blow up, then.
smily_headphones1.gif

 
We never said that. 
very_evil_smiley.gif

 
Jan 22, 2016 at 5:20 PM Post #5,604 of 6,668
The upgrade to the 320 if my AK100II used would sell for a decent price. I see them selling for around $500.00. That a pretty big hit. The $1300.00 I would need to come up with after selling the 100II makes the 320 out of reach.
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 5:38 PM Post #5,605 of 6,668
The upgrade to the 320 if my AK100II used would sell for a decent price. I see them selling for around $500.00. That a pretty big hit. The $1300.00 I would need to come up with after selling the 100II makes the 320 out of reach.

If you decide to sell, hit me up!
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 5:41 PM Post #5,606 of 6,668
The upgrade to the 320 if my AK100II used would sell for a decent price. I see them selling for around $500.00. That a pretty big hit. The $1300.00 I would need to come up with after selling the 100II makes the 320 out of reach.

 
That is the semi depressing thing about AK players, the huge jump in prices of every model I have tried, never included huge jumps in SQ. I haven't heard anything over the 240 though. They sounded better, bit it was minimal.
 
Jan 22, 2016 at 7:04 PM Post #5,607 of 6,668
As for charging I use a powered Kingwin USB 9 outlet (7 ports + 2 charging ports) strip which I got from Fry's, but here's the Amazon link  http://www.amazon.com/Kingwin-7-Port-Smart-Charging-KW-HUB-9U3/dp/B00MNGIL32 that claims to detect the power output needed for the device you are charging and, well, put out that power, and a micro cable that seems to charge a bit faster than the stock cable, which I only use for data transfer, also from Amazon (you get three cables in the package for the price  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VU7PLZG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00
 
Note also that if you got a 380 you would need to buy the amp that goes with it for another umpteen-hundred bucks ($700?).  Not sure if the 320 can drive high-impedance cans (I only use iems and the 120ll is plenty strong for them).  If you like the sound of the 100ll, get an amp that costs a reasonable amount.  There should be plenty in the $200-300 range. 
 
Jan 23, 2016 at 8:27 PM Post #5,610 of 6,668
This is one great dac/amp with tons of adjustments. I'm addicted to it. If you go to Headstage Arrow forum you will know what l'm talking about. This little thing is unbelievable. My OPPO PM-3 never sounded that good, it took my K-10u to another level. I love it.
 

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