Well, I figured an amp at this
price, it was worth a shot and seeing if there is any volume increase using the 3.5mm LO output instead of the middle jack. I've had good experiences with Aiyima products before and the fact that it's size, cost, and replaceable 800Mah battery was worth the money as I can return it or keep it for other purposes. Pretty new but seems well worth it at the price of it with what you get. That and it comes with tools to easily remove and replace the battery, which appears to be a double A size so more options that way by carrying an extra battery or 2.
Seems redundant, I know but still would like louder volume from the AMP13 for my Monarchs although I understand why the amp output is limited, even on the middle PO 3.5mm jack and why iBasso chose a dual 3.5mm unbalanced ports vs balanced and unbalanced.
Obviously there are higher power ones like the Topping X7 and the KAEI TAP-1s is way higher at a much higher price point (especially the KAEI TAP-1s, even with no LPS). With the AMP13 the balanced inputs seem like a waste and the 4.4mm port on PO on stock AMP11 card is more than enough as far as power. The topping might work, give highest amplification, but costs almost 5 times as much but the KAEI TAP-1s, especially with a LPS. Isn't portable by any means and almost double the price of the NX7 and I highly doubt I would use the tube function of the KAEI TAP-1s, it would more then likely be just an AMP as you can bypass the Tube amplification if you want and I keep digging the NuTube sound the more I listen but maybe both may produce magic :
Really, really loving the sound of the AMP13, probably at 75 hours so more time and roughly the same time on my Monarch MKII's so neither are fully broken in. Monarch and DX320 gave some of my favorite gutter punk folk songs all new meaning. Who knew a washboard could be layered and not muddled in with everything else.
I'm amazed at how warm and analogue it sounds while minimal detail is lost similar to digital "accurate" DAPs. At least with the right IEM's. The FiiO M11 Plus and FH9's paired together sounded great yet somehow managed to suck all the fun and emotion out of the music and those are my number 2 requirements regardless of specs. If they don't want to make me listen to more music then they aren't worth it to ME, regardless of price. The ADVAR's sound magical on the AMP13, especially guitar (electric or acoustic). I highly recommend trying them out if you have the chance. Also the most comfortable IEM's ever. Obviously sound is the most important but I can sleep with these, roll over asleep and not even notice. They just fit perfectly in my ear canal but maybe I'm lucky.