Cheap amp using non-9v batteries...

[cerbie]

Preface:

I've held off on an amp, and managed to rationalize my way through some frugality. However, I read too much of this stuff about the E3c and KSC75 amping so damned well. I could handle that. I live at home w/ my parents, am still going to college, doing that whole thing. I recalled, just a few days ago, that my father's old reciever (Denon AVR-2000) had a headphone jack. I listened a bit, after scrounging a 1/4"->1/8" adapter. Sounded nice.

Just last night, I uncovered a 1/8" extension, so I could actually rest on the couch and listen enjoyably. After NIN's The Becoming (this was the OMG!!! moment that got me scrambling to find other stuff to listen to

) and JLH's House Rent Blues, I am now, unfortunately for my meeger wallet, absolutely, 100%, sold on getting amp.

So, without further rambling, Curse you, Head-Fi! (especially Kramer5150)

Main questions:

1. Aside from the PA2, are there any good $100 or less amps that use non-9v batteries? I really like the idea of AA/AAA batteries, already having plenty of them around, and a charger. There's the Twinstarr Red, but unless it matches very well with the cans I'll get, it otherwise looks like it would be inferior to the PA2. Also, the PA2 does not seem, based on comments here, match as well as some others w/ the KSC75, which will definitely remain my portable of choice if I don't need isolation. But--batteries.

2. 9v NIMH batteries wouldn't offer any miraculous life spans when used in amps, would they? If I can get 6 hours or so from one, I could handle getting a 9v charger and using them. This would certainly increase my choices. AFAIAC, disposables are not an option.

3. With Kramer5150's recent ravings on the AKG 240s (and that most of his non-equipment comments, including musical tastes, match up pretty well to me), I have a feeling I know my next phone, and probably a fatal step in this hobby

.

It'd be nice to have a portable amp that should match pretty well the 240s. I'm going to see about taking a listen within the next few weeks (basically, call around to try to find a nice place in Atlanta that sells them and will let me have a listen). For now, though let's just assume they are going to be the ones.

I just don't like the whole 9v thing, unless NIMHs will really last long enough, and I have not been able to find any info on it. If they can, then the Govibe III begins to look like a great one to go with, even if it does top out my target cost.

Also, I'm not too concerned w/ the E3c, since I use them much more out of need than for regular listening.

 

[Jazper]

The problem is, the lower the voltage, the lower the voltage swing for headphones - which means it needs to be stepped up which introduces noise.

You can run ANY 9v or 18v amp on AA or AAA batteries.. you just need a step up converter - as said.. added noise

 

[cerbie]

I'm not disputing the technical merits of it, or claiming 9v batteries being used as being bad for what they do; just that, AFAIK, 9v rechargables have pitiful capacities, but I'm simply not going to use disposables.

However, there's a lot of stuff I cannot find anything on, like how long a ~200mAh 9v should last in most of these amps, if there are any good non-9v compromises within my price range (3x or 4x AA?), and possibly info on things I haven't thought of.

 

[Jazper]

200mA..

the average portamp has a current draw of 30ma, that'll give you about 6 and a half hours at full tilt class A and about 10 in class AB. Do you need more?

 

[cerbie]

Shouldn't, no. I figure it's very rare that I'll listen for more than 6 hours w/o enough of a break to open it up and swap batteries (however, there are definitely times where I'll go for around 4 hours or so straight listening).

So, now it looks like th GoVibe and possibly CMoys w/ bells and whistles (well, really, a wall-wart power in would be neat, but that's pretty much it) are in the running

.

Thanks so far.

 

[robzy]

I personally wouldnt touch a pa2v2 with a 10 foot clown pole. It has to be the largest POS I have ever seen.

Rob.

 

[cerbie]

Well, this is the first I've read quite that bad about it, but I mainly was looking at it due to figuring that a 9v non-alkaline battery wouldn't work well. With that pretty much out of the way, the GoVibe mkIII is the simplest choice; but not the only one.

 

[cpw]

What about a headroom amp like an airhead? AAAs anyway.
CPW

 

[stringj]

cerbie,

I'll admit I'm no audiophile, but I haven't heard anything wrong with the PA2V2 that I own. I've used it with my Etymotic 4S, Sennheiser PX100, and my Grado SR60 and I've heard an improvement in all of them. Just stating a new person's experience.

Jerry

 

[cerbie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpw What about a headroom amp like an airhead? AAAs anyway. CPW

About a year ago, I was pretty much set on shortcutting it with the Bithead (I'm also up for a USB soundcard that will work in Linux, and there are actually a few cheap-but-good options, now). $ is too much of an issue, ATM, though (I lost financial aid--my parents are covering it, but that also means no extra $ at the end of the semester). I'll jump for an extra $50 (I can find a basic CMoy for $40-$60) or so for a quality piece of equipment, but would like to be able to spend the rest on a nice step up in actual headphones, at this point.

 

[cerbie]

Well, in looking at a potential deal for another amp, I came across this. Likely $149 starting out, but when that means I won't have to buy supporting parts, it looks just about perfect, with the LED being my only concern (once I get done reading all about it, I may ask over there--I dislike bright LEDs with a vengeance

). I have an intelligent AA/AAA charger, 7 unused AAA NIMH batteries (my I5 acts funny w/ Energizer 850s), and regulated 5v and 10v wall-warts around here somewhere, and I'm good enough w/ a soldering iron to handle new connectors for the power source.

For the Go-vibe, It'd be $89 (dunno if that's shipped or if shipping is added), along with $35-$60, and possibly insane shipping charges, for a non-timer-based 9v charger and a couple nice batteries. Then, the thing would still need a carrying case to keep from being turned on when moved around...or I'd have to use another one for my phones and I5.

I wondered why there hadn't been anything there, since I was sure I saw one at his site couple years ago, just as I was starting to lurk here. While I still hate that I'm going to spend this much, I'm quite excited, now

.

Edit: I was listening this morning w/ the extension cords draped all the way to couch, listening to some Queensryche at what I figured was a fairly loud volume--it surely had enough of a great feel to it, and I generally leave Empire on low (generally)--and I started not quite signing along. Just whispering, yet, I could hear my raspy little whisper over the music coming into my ears. If including an amp in the chain means more enjoyable music at significantly lower sound levels (and I'd bet what's in that reciever can't hold a candle to a decent CMoy), even at home, I can really justify a $150 piece of equipment to handle, for now, $15 headphones for 90% of my listening.

So, now that I'm $50 over my budget, which I wanted to be higher than what I'd find, I think it's a good time to reiterate, with a big grin, "curse you, Head-Fi!"