[thelonious58]

As I am considering buying one of these three well-reviewed amps to use with my ipod classic 160 Gb via LOD L9 to my AKG K612 headphones, I would appreciate fellow head-fiers' opinions, however biased!
I only listen at low to moderate volume, to all sorts of classical and jazz. I like clarity, detail, separation, all of which I can hear even via my little Topping NX-1 on high gain, of course.
So come on, what do you think? would i notice a big improvement by replacing the Topping with one of these three, and especially, which one?

 

[thelonious58]

As I am considering buying one of these three well-reviewed amps to use with my ipod classic 160 Gb via LOD L9 to my AKG K612 headphones, I would appreciate fellow head-fiers' opinions, however biased!
I only listen at low to moderate volume, to all sorts of classical and jazz. I like clarity, detail, separation, all of which I can hear even via my little Topping NX-1 on high gain, of course.
So come on, what do you think? would i notice a big improvement by replacing the Topping with one of these three, and especially, which one?

Bump!

 

[Shure or bust]

Its down to fiio A5 vs Aune B1. Im probaly going B1.

 

[zazex]

I happen to have the Cayin C5 and the Fiio A5, plus
a number of other portable amps.
 
But I've never heard the B1. I always have had my eye
on it, but I was always concerned about its limited battery
life.
 
It seems, though, that Aune has improved the B1 in many ways
for 2017.  Though I like both the A5 and C5, I'm probably going
to get a B1 myself in the near future, and hear if it outdoes the
other two - especially in Class A.

 

[thelonious58]

That will be a very interesting comparison

 

[kissmevn]

I heard Cayin C5, Fiio E12/A and Aune B1.
 
Imo,B1 is the best of them.
It has more controlled bass, more crystal clear mid , better instrument separation and a nice cross feed that make sound stage bigger than normal.
The Cayin is more of the fun type (mean you get more bass, more treble). (Cayin may has a slightly better bass image)
 
I think if you got a really good headphone then you should definitely get the B1. It has a more "high-end" feeling to the sound, everything sound more effortless and relaxing. 
You can look at my signature for gear used.

 

[Eicrux]

  I happen to have the Cayin C5 and the Fiio A5, plus
a number of other portable amps.
 
But I've never heard the B1. I always have had my eye
on it, but I was always concerned about its limited battery
life.
 
It seems, though, that Aune has improved the B1 in many ways
for 2017.  Though I like both the A5 and C5, I'm probably going
to get a B1 myself in the near future, and hear if it outdoes the
other two - especially in Class A.

If you have to pick one, would you choose the A5 or C5?
 
 

  I heard Cayin C5, Fiio E12/A and Aune B1.
 
Imo,B1 is the best of them.
It has more controlled bass, more crystal clear mid , better instrument separation and a nice cross feed that make sound stage bigger than normal.
The Cayin is more of the fun type (mean you get more bass, more treble). (Cayin may has a slightly better bass image)
 
I think if you got a really good headphone then you should definitely get the B1. It has a more "high-end" feeling to the sound, everything sound more effortless and relaxing. 
You can look at my signature for gear used.

Which version of B1 that you had heard?

 

[zazex]

  If you have to pick one, would you choose the A5 or C5?
 

 
I'd probably go with the A5
because
the C5 has a piece of ABS type plastic on one end.
Although I'm not sure why the designer decided on that,
there it is
and it's just waiting to get scratched (easily - it's not Lexan
or anything similar)
and to eventually crack or break altogether.
 
And since, to my ears, the A5 and C5 are both reasonably
good amps for about the same price (tho' I haven't checked
recently),
and the A5 seems to be more nicely made of better materials
it also operates well, with very smooth gain, etc.
 
I would, therefore, choose the A5,

 

[Eicrux]

   
I'd probably go with the A5
because
the C5 has a piece of ABS type plastic on one end.
Although I'm not sure why the designer decided on that,
there it is
and it's just waiting to get scratched (easily - it's not Lexan
or anything similar)
and to eventually crack or break altogether.
 
And since, to my ears, the A5 and C5 are both reasonably
good amps for about the same price (tho' I haven't checked
recently),
and the A5 seems to be more nicely made of better materials
it also operates well, with very smooth gain, etc.
 
I would, therefore, choose the A5,

How about the difference in sound? 

 

[kissmevn]

I used the 2017 version of B1.
It can handle both iem and full size quite well.
Btw, I think the B1 can reduce the distort or sib if your source isn't so good.

 

[PsiCore]

  How about the difference in sound? 

+1
 
For me the C5 smooths the sound of Fiio X5iii a bit too much. Though I like how it affects the bass - it's deeper and more powerful (not more in quantity).
Wondering how A5 is in that regards.

  I used the 2017 version of B1.
It can handle both iem and full size quite well.
Btw, I think the B1 can reduce the distort or sib if your source isn't so good.

 
Do you know what are the differences to the 2016 version?