[seanwee]

Hmm, if I want both SE and balanced outputs on 1 amp module I'm stuck with the stock module?

If so, would it be worth it to mod?

 

[CobraMan]

Hmm, if I want both SE and balanced outputs on 1 amp module I'm stuck with the stock module?

If so, would it be worth it to mod?

Do you find that there is something wrong with the stock AMP1 MKII? It packs enough power in either the single ended or balanced output to reach dangerous, ear damaging levels, and so far for me the single ended output just sounds fantastic...

If you haven't listened yet try not to convince yourself there is something wrong.

But then again, what the hell do I know !

Cheers,
Tim

 

[seanwee]

Do you find that there is something wrong with the stock AMP1 MKII? It packs enough power in either the single ended or balanced output to reach dangerous, ear damaging levels, and so far for me the single ended output just sounds fantastic...

If you haven't listened yet try not to convince yourself there is something wrong.

But then again, what the hell do I know !

Cheers,
Tim

No, there's not problem at all.

I'm just wondering if a similar mod to the AMP 8 could be done on the AMP1 MKII to further improve its sound. Or, if its even worth it in the first place.

 

[rutter]

Power is not just about volume. Single-ended in high gain amp1 mk2 cannot drive an HD650 adequately. I've been through this and have heard the differences. Even the Sony ZX300 had volume to spare with the HD650, but it made the HD650 sound the worst I've ever heard from it. Connecting a cheap Fiio A5 transformed it, utilizing the DAC of the ZX300 with power.

 

[singleended5863]

On the bright side once you cast scruples and money out of your mind and focus on music the DX220 w/ amp8 at the very least has enough to let you enjoy the music.

I am fine with DX220/amp1ii and don’t really need the amp8 and am waiting to listen amp9 which will be soon released.

 

[rutter]

What is the expected sound of the amp9 that has people looking forward to it? Warmth? Gotta hand it to iBasso, these amp modules were a good idea. My iem doesn't need more warmth so I doubt it will benefit overall from a tube amp module.

 

[Mathieulh]

The fact that you need to physically switch amp to go from SE to 4.4mm is one of the main reasons I didn't go for an iBasso device. A shame considering the DX220 looked somewhat interesting. My money was spent on the Hiby R6 Pro instead.

 

[CobraMan]

Power is not just about volume. Single-ended in high gain amp1 mk2 cannot drive an HD650 adequately. I've been through this and have heard the differences. Even the Sony ZX300 had volume to spare with the HD650, but it made the HD650 sound the worst I've ever heard from it. Connecting a cheap Fiio A5 transformed it, utilizing the DAC of the ZX300 with power.

Okay - fair enough. The single ended output of 3.1 Vrms into 32 ohms = 300 mW which is way up there. However, with the HD650's being 300 ohm headphones you only have 32 mW and definitely a heavy load for the SE output. Can you get a balanced cable for the HD650 and then you will have 6.2 Vrms which gets you up to 128 mW which isn't too bad - albeit that is at maximum output.

Just a thought...

Cheers,
Tim

 

[rutter]

Case in point, despite the high impedance as far as volume is concerned the HD650 has been as easy to drive as the Audeze LCD-X and Hifiman Edition X v2 in my experience. 300mW into 32 ohms is not way up there. The Fiio A5 is 800mW into 32 ohms single-ended. For some reason I've found the HD650 to sound fine out of a laptop, a for instance iFi Nano Black Label being completely unnecessary.

The fact that you need to physically switch amp to go from SE to 4.4mm is one of the main reasons I didn't go for an iBasso device. A shame considering the DX220 looked somewhat interesting. My money was spent on the Hiby R6 Pro instead.

Yea, multiple ways of looking at it. As long as the modular design actually pays off in sound quality rather than being a squeeze then it's fine. For me the DX220 is essentially $1100. I decided to disregard amp1, trying it out of curiosity.

 

[CobraMan]

Okay - fair enough. The single ended output of 3.1 Vrms into 32 ohms = 300 mW which is way up there. However, with the HD650's being 300 ohm headphones you only have 32 mW and definitely a heavy load for the SE output. Can you get a balanced cable for the HD650 and then you will have 6.2 Vrms which gets you up to 128 mW which isn't too bad - albeit that is at maximum output.

Just a thought...

Cheers,
Tim

P.S. Looking at the ZX300 specs it only puts out 50 mW into 16 ohms for SE on high gain and 200 mW into 16 ohms for balanced on high gain - that is most likely why it sounded terrible - not enough power to drive those HD650's. So power for 300 ohms would be 2.7 mW for SE and only 10.7 mW for balanced.

Power is a good indicator of capability of an amp as long as it has the voltage and current capability to drive a given load without clipping or excessive distortion (gross oversimplification here - so please don't shish kabob me).

300 mW into my Sony MDR-EX650 T will blow my eardrums - no SH## on that either!

Off to bed for now.

Cheers,
Tim

 

[rutter]

Given I thought power affected the IER-Z1R as well and the WM1A/WM1Z do not output significantly more power than the ZX300 I crossed out the WM1A from consideration. I'm not sure power varies with impedance that predictably. Desktop amps show variety in how power output changes across impedance.

 

[alan_g]

I have a fully burnt in amp7 but for now I'm loving amp1 mkii

 

[seanwee]

I have a fully burnt in amp7 but for now I'm loving amp1 mkii

Can you compare the two?

Thanks

 

[BiggieBig]

Got email from advancedMp3 order has been shipped. Looks like there could be a whole heap us with questions and/or impressions.

 

[jmills8]

Got email from advancedMp3 order has been shipped. Looks like there could be a whole heap us with questions and/or impressions.

wonderful.