[Corbet]

I'm looking to finally put down some money for an amp. I'm only looking to spend around $80 and I know that all 3 are very popular. I'll probably be using the amp for portable iPod use and with my laptop when listening to music on my desk. The CMOY wins hands down in the portable department, is the extra size and price with the pocket amp 2 and Go-Vibe worth it for improved performance? Any other recommendations?

 

[holland]

Most people stick CMoys in tins, which are about the same size as a Go-Vibe. I haven't heard the Pocket Amp 2, but the design seems to be about the same as a CMoy. The Go-Vibe is a step above, unless you custom build your CMoy and lean towards the Go-Vibe 3-channel type of design.

I would go for the Go-Vibe. Keep in mind, though, that you don't get an AC adapter, and battery. The base price is $60. Shipped is $71. +$25 for AC adapter from Jameco, and I forget how much more for the battery. You're going to go over $80.

 

[Corbet]

^^I may just wait for Go-Vibe v7, which may (or may not?) have AAs instead of a 9-volt or something.

After the total price of the Go-Vibe + AC Adapter, is there any other amps I might wanna look at?

 

[holland]

For that price? There's not much. There's the Xenos 0HA-RHP, maybe an iBasso, and some other stuff that's more or less not going to be a significant differentiating factor IMO. If you're going to wait for the Go-Vibe v7, then the new Little Dot MKI will be in that price range too, and the stepped up Xenos 0HA-REP with the buffer. I'd lean more towards the Little Dot MKI, because that's where I would go. Partly for interest, and partly because it sounds like a better bargain.

 

[Corbet]

I must say, after looking up the Little Dot MKI it looks very nicely made. $120 isn't THAT bad, but I'll have to wait and see what they do with the Go-Vibe come v7.

I really like how the Little Dot has a built in rechargeable battery and AC adapter included. The only disadvantage I see is the fact that it costs $25 to ship it.

 

[tbonner1]

The CMOY is an old design that has been improved upon with the new generation of portables.

The Govibe V6 sounds great and is very inexpensive right now. The Ibasso or the Xtra X-1 are very small and portable.