D4 / XM5 / HUD-MX1 ?

[ddr]

Upon my search for comfortable headphones, I've decided on the following headphone amps:
 
iBasso Audio D4 Mamba
[size=small]Practical Devices XM5[/size]
Audinst HUD-MX1
 
I just purchased the Denon D2000.
 
My main source will be my computer, which has coax/tos-l and the usual 3.5mm/usb.  I do go on the occasional trip every year so I would like to take the amp along with me.  I usually listen to chinese music, r&b, hip-hop, and sometimes classical music since I play the piano.
 
Any opinions to these amps in comparison is great appreciated.  Even the headphones.
 
TIA!

 

[ddr]

~edited some options

 

[SoulSyde]

Here are my thoughts:
 
 
NuForce uDac2: Not powerful enough for anything other than IEMs.

Meier Audio XXS: No DAC, so this won't work for your application.

iBasso Audio D4 Mamba: A very good amp and would probably be the best.

Fiio E7/E9 combo: Some have found a slight hiss with this device and the DAC can be a little grainy compared to the D4.

 

I think you would be best suited with the D4 of that list.  You may also want to consider a Practical Devices XM5 or the soon to be announced XM6 (which may be out of your price range given the options you mentioned above).

 

[ddr]

thnx for your suggestions!
 
what did you think of the XM5?  I'll look up a comparison between the D4 and the XM5 in the meantime ...

 

[SoulSyde]

Quote:

thnx for your suggestions!
 
what did you think of the XM5?  I'll look up a comparison between the D4 and the XM5 in the meantime ...

You may want to talk to HK_Sends or mark2410 on this forum.  I know that both of them have experience with the XM5, I do not.  Both are nice guys with years of membership here at Head-Fi.

 

[ddr]

I'll try to contact them after i read a couple more impressions
 
I'm waiting for the XM6 to come out and to see what price it will be.  The early impressions seem to say that it improved on the dac, which makes it very tempting.

 

[ddr]

grabbed the denon d2000's.  still looking for opinions between the 3 amps.  thanks.

 

[SoulSyde]

After an exhaustive amount of research (and having owned the following amps: LD MKI+, FiiO E5, iBasso T4, and iBasso P3+) I have decided to purchase the Arrow 12HE 2G.  I doubt that any of the devices you listed above will be able to compete with this device - if you can do without the DAC feature.  Not to mention it appears to be in your price range (since you were considering the XM5).  Nothing against Practical Devices, but the Arrow has been getting such rave reviews from other Head-Fi members that there has to be something special about this amp.
 
Here are the reviews:

1. http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/475499/headstage-arrow-he-reviews-impressions-perceptions-sensations
2. http://anythingbutipod.com/2010/04/headstage-arrow-12he-headphone-amplifier-review/

 
The only down side is that you need to have a little patience if you want this amp.  I just placed my order and I'm probably about 4-6 weeks away from receiving mine.
 
If you need a DAC for non-portable use I would suggest buying a Nuforce uDAC.  They're cheap and sound very good.
 
Just my $0.02.  Good luck with your decision and enjoy your Denons!

 

[ddr]

 

the arrow looks great, but it seems to be more than 6 weeks since people that ordered in august haven't received their's yet, not to mention even when selecting their usb-dac cable, it would cost more than either ...
 
i would gladly pony up the cash if Rob actually had it in stock.  Are these handmade or something?
​

 

[SoulSyde]

Quote:

 

Are these handmade or something?
​

Yes, and with meticulous detail if I may add.