[vkalia]

I travel a lot and my LCD 2/ HE 500s are a bit too bulky to take with me on the road.
 
I have a pair of Senn Momentums and SE 535s, and am looking to build a high-end transportable solution (around them if possible - am ok buying another headphone if need be).    My main music on this rig would be symphonies and large orchestral works, with dollops of jazz, heavy metal and classic rock thrown in.
 
I dont need it to work while I am on the go, but I do need it to work when I am sitting down (airports, coffee shops, etc), and am ok carrying it in a backpack.  
 
Source:  FiiO X3 and iBasso DC50 (if MPNation ever ships it)
Current amps:  FiiO E12, Alo National (en route - ebay purchase)
 
I am looking for a rich, velvety, full-bodied mids and good dynamics foremost.   Impactful bass second.   I am very sensitive to bright/screetchy treble, so warm/dark is a-ok by me.    My reference for what music should sound like is a 2A3 SET and horn speakers.   
 
I know I will not get that same magic in a portable rig, but I am looking for something better than the very uninspiring performace of the portable solid state rigs.   The Momentums get a lot of love here as well, and they are nice but a little on the polite side, so I am ok with an upgrade there as well, if need be
 
I am leaning towards an Alo Continental V3 and possibly a Fidelio X1 as a transportable rig.   The Momentums or SE535s can be used when i need isolation.   
 
Would the Continental provide me the single-ended-tubey sound I need?    Any other options - Pan Am?  Or is it a lost cause?
 
TIA!

 

[maricius]

I travel a lot and my LCD 2/ HE 500s are a bit too bulky to take with me on the road.


 


I have a pair of Senn Momentums and SE 535s, and am looking to build a high-end transportable solution (around them if possible - am ok buying another headphone if need be).    My main music on this rig would be symphonies and large orchestral works, with dollops of jazz, heavy metal and classic rock thrown in.


 


I dont need it to work while I am on the go, but I do need it to work when I am sitting down (airports, coffee shops, etc), and am ok carrying it in a backpack.  


 


Source:  FiiO X3 and iBasso DC50 (if MPNation ever ships it)


Current amps:  FiiO E12, Alo National (en route - ebay purchase)


 


I am looking for a rich, velvety, full-bodied mids and good dynamics foremost.   Impactful bass second.   I am very sensitive to bright/screetchy treble, so warm/dark is a-ok by me.    My reference for what music should sound like is a 2A3 SET and horn speakers.   


 


I know I will not get that same magic in a portable rig, but I am looking for something better than the very uninspiring performace of the portable solid state rigs.   The Momentums get a lot of love here as well, and they are nice but a little on the polite side, so I am ok with an upgrade there as well, if need be


 


I am leaning towards an Alo Continental V3 and possibly a Fidelio X1 as a transportable rig.   The Momentums or SE535s can be used when i need isolation.   


 


Would the Continental provide me the single-ended-tubey sound I need?    Any other options - Pan Am?  Or is it a lost cause?


 


TIA!

 


I wish I could hear the X1 with both the Continental and The PanAm… but I'm stuck to reading… The Continental V3 is said to be a terrible pairing with the SE535 but works wonders with the Momentum. I haven't seen anybody talk about the X1 with the Continental but they're said to pair best with the PanAm.

 

[vkalia]

I am going to be in Bangkok next weekend and am going to audition these while there.    Let's see how it goes.

 

[maricius]

I am going to be in Bangkok next weekend and am going to audition these while there.    Let's see how it goes.

Do post your impressions!!! Good luck!!

 

[vkalia]

^^ Will do.

 

[maricius]

I just realized that I'm still subscribed to this thread. How's the Continental doing for you?

 

[vkalia]

I auditioned the Conti V3 next to a Pan Am, and actually thought the two were quite close.   Close enough that I bought the V3.  I have it set up with an iPod Classic 160GB feeding all ALACs via a CLAS -R.  
 
I have to say, I really love that sound.   The first adjective that comes to mind is "punchy" and "dynamic" (I dont run my orthos off it, but I do run my X1 and W1000s).    The treble is not as warm as I'd prefer ideally, but it isnt bright either.    The mids seem a little more fleshed out than they do with solid states, but it isnt that rich, creamy single-ended sound either.   That's ok - I've realized this is as close as i am going to get to it without a couple of big honking transformers.
 
This combo beats the pants off my DX50/National combo.   If only that 3-stacker was a little easier to travel with  

 

[maricius]

  I auditioned the Conti V3 next to a Pan Am, and actually thought the two were quite close.   Close enough that I bought the V3.  I have it set up with an iPod Classic 160GB feeding all ALACs via a CLAS -R.  
 
I have to say, I really love that sound.   The first adjective that comes to mind is "punchy" and "dynamic" (I dont run my orthos off it, but I do run my X1 and W1000s).    The treble is not as warm as I'd prefer ideally, but it isnt bright either.    The mids seem a little more fleshed out than they do with solid states, but it isnt that rich, creamy single-ended sound either.   That's ok - I've realized this is as close as i am going to get to it without a couple of big honking transformers.
 
This combo beats the pants off my DX50/National combo.   If only that 3-stacker was a little easier to travel with  

I'm still looking for a good portable AMP(/DAC) for my L2… I was thinking either the International or the Conti V3 and now the C5D… so much good contenders recently. Thanks for the input. Your opinion means a lot!!!

 

[vkalia]

 
I'm still looking for a good portable AMP(/DAC) for my L2… I was thinking either the International or the Conti V3 and now the C5D… so much good contenders recently. Thanks for the input. Your opinion means a lot!!!

 
You're very welcome - good luck with your purchase.