[markito331]

hi again, i'm looking for a portable amp or dac/amp for my IEM's and over-ears.

source: sony xperia l1 (budget smartphone)

over-ear: Sennheisr HD 598 SR
IEM's: audio technica ATH COR150iS ; but i may get klipsch r6 ii or 1more triple driver soon(based on good reviews).

again, my problem, like i mentioned in my previous posts is: i listen mostly to classical music, wich is recorded very quietly (some say this is good), so i needed to buy an AMP/DAC (fiio e10k) to drive my 598's when listening on my desktop PC.

i did not notice any sound quality improvement over my MSI b150m PRO motherboard, but i needed the amplification, wich works pretty well, i only use high gain mode in a specific recording, kissin/ozawa rachmaninov piano concerto 3.

o i've been doing great with the fiio e10k.

i need to know if fiio a1 is capably of driving my sennheiser's and my IEM's (ATH COR150iS) and even further ones, or if i need to spend a bit more and get maybe fiio a3 (fiio beeing the only brand available in my country).

i don't think of upgrading the 598 in the next few years, considering i got them at $118, and the HD 650 are available at $526.

the fiio a1 is $55 here. the fiio a3 are at $102.

thx in advance.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I had the older version of the FiiO A1 (FiiO E6), daisy changed it off a Sandisk Clip Zip, really was not worth it.
So I suggest you pay the extra for the FiiO A3.

 

[Apatride]

Fiio rates the A1 as good enough up to 100 ohms and the A3 up to 150 ohms so both have plenty enough power for your 598s. I would probably get a Q1 DAC/AMP if I was in your position.

 

[Wannabenewton]

A3 for 102$ is insane, it might be cheaper to import from usa, check amazon amazon global store. Or buy used, fiio portables are like small tanks.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Fiio rates the A1 as good enough up to 100 ohms and the A3 up to 150 ohms so both have plenty enough power for your 598s. I would probably get a Q1 DAC/AMP if I was in your position.

I had the older version of the FiiO A3 (the E11) and near max volume it could decently drive my 600-Ohm Beyerdynamic headphones.

 

[Apatride]

I had the older version of the FiiO A3 (the E11) and near max volume it could decently drive my 600-Ohm Beyerdynamic headphones.

My E18 worked perfectly well with my DT880/600 as well. I'd say Fiio estimates are very conservative.

 

[markito331]

A3 for 102$ is insane, it might be cheaper to import from usa, check amazon amazon global store. Or buy used, fiio portables are like small tanks.

Yeah. I think it's crazy $102 for just an amp. my country has high importation taxes, i will take a look at amazon anyway.

Thx everyone for your replies, but, are you taking in in consideration the classical music volume problem?

To listen to rock i wouldn't even need the fiio e10k amp nor an amp for my smartphone.

 

[surfgeorge]

To be honest, for classical music I would look beyond just an amplifier.
You need separation, excellent signal to noise ratio and as good a sound stage as you can get.
My first recommendation would be a Chord Mojo, which uses a custom DAC methodology and is phenomenal with acoustic recordings.
Unfortunately the Mojo is already quite costly at around 500 USD

An alternative could be a Sabaj DA3 which combines a dual channel DAC and amplification circuit and delivers a balanced output.
At 100 USD this might hit the mark for you.

 

[markito331]

I'm thinking of upgrading my IEMs.

The available options in my country are:
Sennheiser momentum 2 €125
Shure se215 €100
Bose soundsport €80

Or i can wait 5 months my sister coming back from india, and get 1more triple driver at €80, or klipsch r6 ii €100.

5 months is a lot. Do you think the shure are a good deal?

 

[Wannabenewton]

I'm thinking of upgrading my IEMs.

The available options in my country are:
Sennheiser momentum 2 €125
Shure se215 €100
Bose soundsport €80

Or i can wait 5 months my sister coming back from india, and get 1more triple driver at €80, or klipsch r6 ii €100.

5 months is a lot. Do you think the shure are a good deal?

The shure deal is not bad but its the general price.i know the pain of duty brother, my countries duty is 35-40%. But fiio in India has better pricing than even usa ausa and china, if your sisters coming from here you can even get a brand new k3 in 100$. Check fiio.co.in

 

[markito331]

The shure deal is not bad but its the general price.i know the pain of duty brother, my countries duty is 35-40%. But fiio in India has better pricing than even usa ausa and china, if your sisters coming from here you can even get a brand new k3 in 100$. Check fiio.co.in

Yeah i saw nice fiio prices in india, ty