Buying my first amp! LDM+, Xenos OHA-REP or Go-vibe v5?

[norseman8485]

Finally!
I've decided to get a portable amp but can't make up my mind which is better. I've searched for all the threads out there but can't find a direct comparision between these 3 amps. I plan to use the plan for my current cans k81dj, um1, ksc75. Can someone please help me get a better idea what each amp is like compared to the others? I think I have a pretty good idea what the LDM+ will be like, what about the other two?

 

[undeRdEFonE]

Hi there. i've been using the Xenos XoHa ReP and im overall'y satisfied with its performance.

Plays for 26 hours on alkaline battery and 13 hours on ordinary batteries.

5 year warrenty stated on the spec's sheet and webbie

small & quite nice looking.

Drives my HD595's pretty well sonically.

Happy listening !

 

[mchang]

This probably isn't going to be what you want to hear, but there are two HUGE threads about the LDM+ and the Go-Vibe. I suspect there is one about the Xenos, but I didn't see it.

There is LOTS of good info in those two threads about the LDM+ and GV, more than you will probably want.

Consensus is that both are very good. It's 50-50 which to go with. Andrea, perhaps the most vocal amp poster here, seems to be a bigger fan of the Xenos.

Keep in mind that the GV requires either off-the-shelf batteries or a power pack. That will add to the total purchase cost. The LDM+ and Xenos (can) come with the necessary pieces and parts, I believe.

BTW... I went with the GV because the LDM+ seems to take awhile to get to the US from China (if you go to the For Sale Amps page quickly, there is a LDM+ for sale for cheaper and should be coming from a US Head-Fier). I didn't read about the Xenos, until after I sent Norm my purchase.

 

[928GTS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchang Consensus is that both are very good. It's 50-50 which to go with. Andrea, perhaps the most vocal amp poster here, seems to be a bigger fan of the Xenos.

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't he harping about the Go Vibe just a month or so ago? Now it seems that the Xenos is his new monthy favourite..

 

[Cosmid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchang BTW... I went with the GV because the LDM+ seems to take awhile to get to the US from China (if you go to the For Sale Amps page quickly, there is a LDM+ for sale for cheaper and should be coming from a US Head-Fier). I didn't read about the Xenos, until after I sent Norm my purchase.

Yes my LDM+ is for sale now, and I am in US. I am not sure about K81dj or UM1, but LDM+ works very well with my KSC-75s. I sold my PA2V2 after I got LDM+. I like neutral, clear, and detalied sound. All these make LDM+ fit me better. Please keep your musical favor in mind and read more about all three amps.

 

[awptickes]

You mentioned battery life.

My LDM+ has gotten at least 5 days of solid usage without needing to be charged.

The LDM+ is the only commercial amp I have owned, so I can't compare it to anything reproducable, all I can say is that you won't regret it. Be sure to get the correct gain model for your headphones.

About shipping, I live overseas in Germany, I also have a US address as per my ties with the US military. I waited 10 days (not buisness days) for my amp to arrive. That's fast for me. I wait that long for things coming from the midwestern USA.

 

[apnk]

I dont know how my GV v5 sounds yet because I forgot my mini to mini cable at home and I am at my college apartment!!! Arg, come on friday!

 

[hartphoto]

I'll soon have both

the Go-Vibe V5 (ordered last week) and the LDM+ (ordered today).....wanted to compare them side by side for myself to see which is the keeper for my portable setup.

I'll post something as I get them and burn them in.

 

[Andrea]

The Xenos is surely better sounding than the LDM+, IMO.

 

[mchang]

Hartphoto, I'd like to read your findings on the LDM+ vs. GV.

I was THIS close to buying the LDM+ in the FS forum. WILL POWER!

 

[hartphoto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mchang Hartphoto, I'd like to read your findings on the LDM+ vs. GV. I was THIS close to buying the LDM+ in the FS forum. WILL POWER!

Will do on the comparison. Looking forward to it.

I was trading PMs with Cosmid on his amp for sale. First buyer backed out, I was up next but decided (after seeing the pics while reading the long LDM+ threads) to go with a black one and bought new off of eBay. Sorry Cosmid!

Looking at the Xenos....I don't see any real explanation of the differences between the X0HA-RHP and the X0HA-REP models (they do have a 'user guide' chart but no specs). The RHP is listed as a 'high performance amp' while the REP is listed as an 'enhanced performance amp'. When you go to the buy page....all the description links of the RHP take the user back to the general spec listings of the REP model.....What am I missing (maybe explained somewhere here on head-fi)? Budget is tossed to try and add this one to the mix of comparisons for me.....

 

[Andrea]

There's been a review in another forum (sorry, the link is lost in some head-fi thread) where the 0HA-REP came out as better, clearer and more linear sounding than the RHP.

The differences AFAIR are described accurately on the site (although the site appears to have had a refresh lately). Search better

 

[norseman8485]

I've talked to a local shop about the xenos and the guy said that REP is definitely better than the RHP. Xenos is supposed to be very transparent, boosting your music without adding much coloration. LDM+ is leaner and more detailed. I'm torn between these two as I like the ldm's detail, casing and long battery life and the xenoss' belt clip and the transparency. I don't know if Go-vibe is significantly better than these two to warrent the little extra cost. And I can get the ldm at half the price of the xenos.

I'm also looking forward to hartphoto's comparison!

 

[kaushama]

Xenos is a very neutral and wonderful amp. I reviewed it

Xenos review

and I like it more than before now as its SQ just keep on improving with burn in.

 

[Andrea]

The LDM+ isn't (really) more detailed than the Xenos, nor is it leaner. They have a very similar (neutral) kind of overall balance; But the Xenos is not as cold sounding, and is more refined.