Discussion on portable amp for MicroDAC ...

[epaludo]

I'll be probably getting (hopefully) my MicroDAC tomorrow.
Would like to know which portable amps match the best with it? I don't wanna get the MicroAMP, once the new model might be comming out soon.
The models i'm currently thinking of are:

-RSA models (tomahawk, hornet and SR71);
-TTVJ Millet Portable Tube Amp;
-LaRocco PRII.

My cans for using with the setup are the SR-60, RS-1 and K701.
I'm open to new suggestions as i just start searching today ...
Oh, btw how will my PAV2V2 pair with the MicroDAC when i decide to go portable? It'll sound too bad with RS-1 and K701?

 

[cooperpwc]

I haven't heard it (few have) but I would think that the Xin Reference has to at least be on your list. If you are following that thread, individuals of considerable credibility are being blown away. It's certainly high on my list for combining with the Micro DAC and Darth Beyers (and using portably with the Darths and the H140 line out). It should match the RS1s nicely.

On the other hand, K701s seem to be a lot like the DT880s and would probably love the tubiness of the TTVJ Portable Millett Hybrid. (My DT880s love the Millett Hybrid.)

Disclaimer: This portable stuff is all second hand reflections - I'm in the same investigative process as you.

 

[epaludo]

Thanks cooper. Any thoughts are welcome for me right now.
I was reading Skylab Portable Amp thread and realized that the LaRocco have a really bad service, so it's in second plan.
Thinking a lot on the Hornet.
Anyone tried it with the MicroDAC?

 

[Redo]

One quick mention. The new Micro series will remain the same, except you will be able to choose a "MAX" version. These are supposed to retail for $1000 when they come out.

 

[epaludo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redo /img/forum/go_quote.gif One quick mention. The new Micro series will remain the same, except you will be able to choose a "MAX" version. These are supposed to retail for $1000 when they come out.

I must have missed something.
I saw this Headfest 2007 Movie and right in the beggining George talks about the "old" models (MicroAMP and MicroDAC) and the new model which seems to be a amp with built in DAC.
Can you explain that for me please? And what did i miss here?

 

[Redo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I must have missed something. I saw this Headfest 2007 Movie and right in the beggining George talks about the "old" models (MicroAMP and MicroDAC) and the new model which seems to be a amp with built in DAC. Can you explain that for me please? And what did i miss here?

Yes, I didn't know about this. I thought you were referring to the new upcoming Ultra models.

 

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redo /img/forum/go_quote.gif One quick mention. The new Micro series will remain the same, except you will be able to choose a "MAX" version. These are supposed to retail for $1000 when they come out.

Not so clear. The new standard Micro series (separate amp and DAC units) will be $400 each and mains power only. They are meant to be a step up from current offerings. The Max will be somewhere between $700 and $1000 (they revised downwards recently) and that much better again.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...5&postcount=32

Jamey then clarified: "Sorry, my simple comparison may get me into trouble in the future. The new Micro DAC is actually more comparable to a Desktop DAC... there will no longer be a portable stand alone DAC once the current version is sold out."

So the new ones will be somewhat better, $100 more and not useable portably.

Headroom aren't saying where the new combined Micro Portable will fit into all of this SQ wise (and I think that they may be having a hard time matching battery life with Xin and RSA on their higher end offerings so the Micro Portable may not be super high end but still attractive for its amp/DAC functionality.)

EDIT Here is the link to the entire thread.

 

[epaludo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, I didn't know about this. I thought you were referring to the new upcoming Ultra models.

No worries. It was just a misunderstanding.
What about my PAV2V2 for the moment? Do you guys have any idea how it'll drive my cans?

 

[bmclaurin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by epaludo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thinking a lot on the Hornet. Anyone tried it with the MicroDAC?

The Micro DAC and the Hornet are a great combination. I especially like it with my HD650's.

I also have the Micro Amp, which is also great with the Micro DAC. I especially like like the Stack with my RS-1's.

If size and portability are a big issue for you, there is a pretty big difference between the size of the Hornet and the size of the Micro Amp as can be seen in this photo. Battery life is also considerably better with the Hornet.

More photos here.

Good luck with your decision.

Barry

 

[cooperpwc]

bmclaurin:
One word: WOW.

Okay... and a question: how do you describe the differences between the Micro Amp and Hornet (since not many on here are in a position to make the comparison).
Thanks!

 

[elnero]

HeadAmp AE-2

 

[epaludo]

My MicroDAC arrived. YEYYYYYYYYYY.
Will start testing it ...

bmclaurin, thank you very much for the awesome pics. Very good to see how small the hornet is. I'm going toward to the Hornet for now. But not gonna buy it now, so i still can change my mind ...

 

[bmclaurin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperpwc /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay... and a question: how do you describe the differences between the Micro Amp and Hornet (since not many on here are in a position to make the comparison). Thanks!

I posted on that very question a while back:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...4&postcount=10

At the time of that post, my Hornet was still burning in. After reading through that post, and now that my Hornet is fully burned in, I would say that my initial impressions in that post have been confirmed through experience.

Hope that helps.

Barry

P.S. cooperpwc, I'm assuming from your username that you're a PWC guy. I'm a fellow "Big 4" guy myself (Deloitte in my case--I'm a partner on the audit side of the practice).

 

[cooperpwc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmclaurin /img/forum/go_quote.gif I posted on that very question a while back: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...4&postcount=10 P.S. cooperpwc, I'm assuming from your username that you're a PWC guy. I'm a fellow "Big 4" guy myself (Deloitte in my case--I'm a partner on the audit side of the practice).

Actually not. I'm a lawyer by training, spent most of my life in investment banking/corporate finance and am now in wind power. (But I work with accountants a lot.) pwc are my initials - that following my last name is a unique user name that is never taken. I can use it everywhere without adding a bunch of numbers.

Thanks for the enlighteneing thoughts on the amps in that link. I grow more and more interested in the Micro portable with it's optical in/DAC...

 

[mrarroyo]

epaludo glad you have received your Micro Dac, it is a great unit. As far as amps well lets say that at the end of the day your ears must make the call. I have listened to quite a few amps and IMO the top 5 are:

1. Supermicro IV (post 4/11/07 mods)
2. LaRocco PRII MkII
3. SR-71
4. TTVJ Millet Portable Amp
5. Porta Corda MkIII

I am burning in Dr. Xin's Reference Amp, it still needs about 7 days to reach the 400 hour mark (large cap). At the rate it is going it may be on top of the heap.

Good luck on your search!