[parrot5]

My desktop config is in my signature. I just wanted to compare the Original Masters Amp to another one, and maybe only keep one that I like most. I'm mostly interested in desktop amps, because of the lack of battery to worry about, and I think the mains provide more steady power, but I'm eager to try the Xin sound also.

I have a budget of less than $300USD. So I'm mainly look at the Corda Arietta for $240 shipped, and the Xin Reference for $250 + shipping, and a Little Dot III+ for $245 shipped. Feel free to suggest another desktop amp of similar SQ.

Concerns about the Corda Arietta:
- I'm afraid it will be too warm and airy for my taste. I have the Porta Corda before.
- It's "older technology", now that Jan has released the Move and Cantate.

Concerns about the Xin Reference:
- I don't have any idea about Xin's sound signature.
- What's the gain factor?
- Can it drive my K701 (that's coming my way)?
- Will it be too loud for my ER4S then?

Concerns about the Little Dot III+:
- I don't have any idea about Little Dot's tube sound.
- Some people have stated groundloop problem.

Concerns about MicroAmp:
- Nowadays I don't see much discussion about this amp anymore. The newer designs have shadowed it?


Must haves:
Transparency, extended highs, uncolored midrange.


Thanks for your input.

 

[tnmike1]

I can tell you up front, be prepared to wait three or four months for a Xin amp with absolutely NO communication from him, unless you're really lucky. Wonderful amp--I've got the supermacro IV LE--but the wait and lack of communciation can be maddening Xin amps will drive the 701s, Beyers, or virtually anything else out there.

Wanna add the Hornet to your list??? Many folks here use this too as portable and desktop; Ray Samuels the maker is wonderful and responds to questions very rapidly. Find them used on the FS forum for about $300

 

[parrot5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnmike1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can tell you up front, be prepared to wait three or four months for a Xin amp with absolutely NO communication from him, unless you're really lucky. Wonderful amp--I've got the supermacro IV LE--but the wait and lack of communciation can be maddening Xin amps will drive the 701s, Beyers, or virtually anything else out there. Wanna add the Hornet to your list??? Many folks here use this too as portable and desktop; Ray Samuels the maker is wonderful and responds to questions very rapidly. Find them used on the FS forum for about $300

Since I have a desktop amp already, I guess I can withstand his "customer service", so that part is OK.

About the Hornet:
I see the word "punchy" pops up all the time. It might not be what I like, as I put emphasis on highs and midrange more.

 

[EFN]

Concerns about the Xin Reference:
- I don't have any idea about Xin's sound signature.
* XIN loves what he called pure 4 channel sound - and tubey too, but I believe XIN Reference sways towards SS more

- What's the gain factor?
* XIN uses preset gain usually efficient enough to drive anything between 32-300 oHm

- Can it drive my K701 (that's coming my way)?
Yes, K701 is not a problem.

Must haves:
Transparency, extended highs, uncolored midrange
* All of XIN Amps have those

By now you'd probably heard how insanely frustating it is to be on XIN's wait list. Best that you spend $$ on an immediate affordable amp now like a 24V Elpac Powered Go-Vibe V6 (high gain). I am confident the GV6 will serve to entertain very well in the next 4-5 months waiting for your reference.

And oh BTW, XIN is a big ER-4S fanboy/user - so you could expect all of his amps to synergize well with Etys or any cans similar to it

 

[BushGuy]

Actually, your Ety's and upcoming k701's are a very wide spread. A few generalizations: a) some diverse suggestions in the realm of desktop/transportable would include a SR-71, Corda Opera Analog (yes I know, well over your stated budget but overall the "cherry" in Jans' current lineup IMO), ASL MGHead OTL MKIII(can be found new $400), or a Woo. These are more indicative of the kinds of things that should interest you rather than 2 or 3 of those you mentioned in your o.p.. Do not hesitate to keep an eye on the Head-fi F.S. pages for your amp.
I'm another Xin-ite, but despite his new innovations - to my mind it is asking a lot of the Reference to make the k701 shine. First of all, k701 tends to do better with a tube amp (if you inclined overlook warmup, replacement of tubes etc.). On the otherhand I found my Xin Supermacro LE was able to handle dt880/600 with surprising aplomb (many did not believe when I posted this fact, but it is a fact). I should also mention that dt880 is always better with tube amps (bear in mind I'm not suggesting any Little Dots). .........also, as mentioned above - your current expectation for receiving a Reference from Dr. Xin would be in the realm of 4-6 months. Yes these Xin's can be surprisingly good. During the last generation he was the first (I believe) to introduce tubey opamps/fet's which I muchly prefer. I got a pair of them from him to substitute in my Supermini III at the time - and never looked back. The current IV series are my hands-down favorites for portable use.

 

[silverrain]

Lots of peeps have the HeadRoom Micro Amp -- they are busy listening to it, instead of writing about it -- not FOTM, you know?
It has Godzilla-power for its size -- can be used as a desktop amp easily,
Sure as heck not out-dated! Newer doesn't have to mean "better" -- new amps come out, HOPING to equal the Micro's sales.
I haven't heard an Arietta, but based on my other Meier amps, that would be my second choice, for even less money.

 

[parrot5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BushGuy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Actually, your Ety's and upcoming k701's are a very wide spread.

Would it be almost nessessary to have two amps, one dedicated for each?

Quote:

A few generalizations: a) some diverse suggestions in the realm of desktop/transportable would include a SR-71, Corda Opera Analog (yes I know, well over your stated budget but overall the "cherry" in Jans' current lineup IMO), ASL MGHead OTL MKIII(can be found new $400), or a Woo. These are more indicative of the kinds of things that should interest you rather than 2 or 3 of those you mentioned in your o.p.. Do not hesitate to keep an eye on the Head-fi F.S. pages for your amp.

Most of the amps you mentioned are above my budget. I'll keep an eye on the closest one - ASL MGHead OL MKIII - though. Thanks.

And thanks for the reassurance of my interest in the Xin amp

 

[parrot5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverrain /img/forum/go_quote.gif Lots of peeps have the HeadRoom Micro Amp -- they are busy listening to it, instead of writing about it -- not FOTM, you know? It has Godzilla-power for its size -- can be used as a desktop amp easily, Sure as heck not out-dated! Newer doesn't have to mean "better" -- new amps come out, HOPING to equal the Micro's sales. I haven't heard an Arietta, but based on my other Meier amps, that would be my second choice, for even less money.

Not FOTM, I understand. And also I don't see people comparing it to newer generations of amps, so I have no idea what to expect. Anyone care to do a comparison?

 

[jamato8]

The Xin Reference is one of the best amps I have heard. I wish he would get done with it and get them out here for everyone to hear. To me the Reference is quite neutral, transparent and one of the few amps to keep everything out in front of me.

 

[tnmike1]

to add to what Bushguy sez: my Supermacro IV LE powers my Beyer 990 250 ohm headphones quite well with astonishing clarity. Obviously also works on my Ety 4p IEMs as well. Alsohad the Hornet for the above-stated headphones and found no "boominess" or other similar traits. In fact, almost compared them equally with the SM IV LE

 

[BushGuy]

Today, Goto2003 posted this message he got from Dr. Xin.

"I'm okay and about to release the Reference. I've been listening the
different configurations, but so far the 22000Nich sounds the most "reference" to me. Other versions have their own virtues but not so relaxed and so laid-back after long period of listening."

Seems Xin's ready to release the RE.
*he means 22000Uf Nichicon cap.

 

[parrot5]

Hm.... maybe I'll get a taste of the Xin sound after all....

 

[dissembled]

Heaven will shine down on earth once the Reference is released.

 

[parrot5]

Just an update to my original post: I ordered a Xin Reference on August 9

We'll see how it stacks up against my budget desktop amp and my other portable amps in the past

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrot5 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just an update to my original post: I ordered a Xin Reference on August 9 We'll see how it stacks up against my budget desktop amp and my other portable amps in the past

I believe you will be very happy!