Go Vibe UK

[Hier]

I'm based in the UK and thinking of buying a Go Vibe V3 as an entry level amp.

I was just wandering if anyone in the UK has ordered the amp in the UK , and how long it took to ship.

I'm off to Portugal in a couple of weeks for business and was hoping to get a portable amp ASAP.

By the way, any advise on the choice of amp would be appreciated. I've just ordered my first iPod and I'm planning to use a PocketDock line-out through to the Senn 497's I already own.

I have thought of upgrading to Shure Ec2s but I'm not sure what sonic benefit to expect.

A bit of a jumbled thread I know.

 

[Borat]

In my opinion, your money would be better spent upgrading your headphones. The iPod headphone out can sound really good when paired with the right headphones.

The Vibe 3 is $89 plus shipping? You could buy Alessandro MS-1's with that money. They are fine right from the iPod. I've heard good things about the Future Sonics EM3 as well. These don't need to be amped.

The 497 and E2 are not particularly good amped or not.

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hier I'm based in the UK and thinking of buying a Go Vibe V3 as an entry level amp. I was just wandering if anyone in the UK has ordered the amp in the UK , and how long it took to ship. I'm off to Portugal in a couple of weeks for business and was hoping to get a portable amp ASAP. By the way, any advise on the choice of amp would be appreciated. I've just ordered my first iPod and I'm planning to use a PocketDock line-out through to the Senn 497's I already own. I have thought of upgrading to Shure Ec2s but I'm not sure what sonic benefit to expect. A bit of a jumbled thread I know.

Both my amps have come from Norm (Go-Vibe II and now New Classic) and you can expect a shipping time of up to 2 weeks (Dependant on the slow-ass gits in customs) Hope this helps a little

 

[Hier]

Quote:

In my opinion, your money would be better spent upgrading your headphones. The iPod headphone out can sound really good when paired with the right headphones.

I've never hear of those cans before...they look like Grado knockoffs.......

Do you really think the ipod in-built amp is up to the job?

The reason for mentioning the Shure cans is that if I'm going to upgrade, in-ears are the way to go........possibly?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oink1 Both my amps have come from Norm (Go-Vibe II and now New Classic) and you can expect a shipping time of up to 2 weeks (Dependant on the slow-ass gits in customs) Hope this helps a little

Two weeks frome where? Two weeks to the UK might just make the deadline...............just!

Of course I then have to get frisked as if I'm a suicide bomber......i'ts an head-amp goddamit!

Naked in public again...what can you do?

 

[andrew3199]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hier By the way, any advise on the choice of amp would be appreciated. I've just ordered my first iPod and I'm planning to use a PocketDock line-out through to the Senn 497's I already own. I have thought of upgrading to Shure Ec2s but I'm not sure what sonic benefit to expect. A bit of a jumbled thread I know.

I don't know much about the Senn 497's but I can tell you that by using an amp will also allow you to take advantage of the line out of your new IPod, I can also tell you that the Go Vibe is probably the best bang for buck in the Head-fi world and drives my Senn HD 600's beautifully, Norm (the designer of the GoVibe) also supplies two sets of op amps, so you can tweak the sound to your liking, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Hier]

I'd pretty much settled on the Go Vibe as an intro amp.

After all of the agro over the Super Mini Moy the Go Vibe seems to be the best option at the moment: especialy with the extra op-amp offer!

For better or worse I've already got a PocketDock, so the cable upgrades are already in my mind.

If the whole portable thing goes the way of my main hi-fi system, I'll be upgrading beyond reason before I know it.......but I have to start somewhere!

 

[overlunge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hier I've never hear of those cans before...they look like Grado knockoffs....... Do you really think the ipod in-built amp is up to the job? The reason for mentioning the Shure cans is that if I'm going to upgrade, in-ears are the way to go........possibly?

Hi Hier,

'Grado knockoffs'? You mean the Alessandros MS-1? Dude, they are made by Grado Lab, its been tuned by Alessandro and sold under different brand name target the musician market.

iPod's built-in amp is quite does a decent job driving my SR-60. Although an amp does improve the sound quality, but it's nothing dramatic.

If you are thinking about getting a E2c, then an amp is probably not as important for them.


Just my two cents,
Overlunge

 

[Hier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlunge Hi Hier, 'Grado knockoffs'? You mean the Alessandros MS-1? Dude, they are made by Grado Lab, its been tuned by Alessandro and sold under different brand name target the musician market. iPod's built-in amp is quite does a decent job driving my SR-60. Although an amp does improve the sound quality, but it's nothing dramatic. If you are thinking about getting a E2c, then an amp is probably not as important for them. Just my two cents, Overlunge

Ignorant git that I am, I hadn't heard of the Alessandros............DoH!

The iPod will be my first DAP, and I'd only opted on the Apple kit so that I could take advantage of of Apple Lossless and the line-out. Otherwise I'd been considering the X5.

From everything I'd heard I figured that the iPod/amp route was the best course of action. I hadn't figured that a simple headphone upgrade would negate the use of an amp.....?

 

[overlunge]

I guess everyone's approach is different when it comes to portable setup. I have tried the 'carry-an-amp-around' and passed it. You have to gauge the trade off between practicality/portablilty and sound quality.

For the entry level Shure, (E3c from my personal experience) IMO, an amp would not be worth while.


Overlunge

 

[andrew3199]

Take a look at THIS, it may help you decide..

 

[Borat]

Grado Labs makes the Music Series headphones for Alessandro. The owners are friends. The reason that I recommended the MS-1 over say the SR60 is because Grado charges more for the SR-60 overseas. The MS-1 costs the same shipped worldwide as far as I know. They are also technically better than the SR60/80, for a lower price (outside the US). I could say more, but you can do a search and read tons about them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hier Do you really think the ipod in-built amp is up to the job?

If you look at a couple of people's signatures, there are people who actually drive the Grado PS-1 and Sony Qualia direct from the iPod headphone out. Those are both over $1000 USD.

Quote:

The reason for mentioning the Shure cans is that if I'm going to upgrade, in-ears are the way to go........possibly?

The Future Sonics EM3 are in-ears like the Shure products. In the US they are $99, I'm not sure about the UK. The Etymotic ER6i are also in-ears and are under $100.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from purchasing the go-vibe by the way. I used to own the MkII and it is fantastic, especially for the price. But with some headphones, amping is just not worth it. It's all about synergy. Amping doesn't improve every headphone. I used the iPod line out with a go-vibe to the Shure E4 and it did nothing except make it louder, which was totally unnecessary for such an efficient headphone. With the UE Super.fi 5Pro and Grado SR-60 on the other hand, there were improvements with blackness, dynamics, and extension, but even those improvements were slight. The iPod itself can drive these headphones fine.

A headphone upgrade won't "negate" the need for an amp, but better headphones will yield a more noticeable improvement before the amp.

I would say source is the most important, then headphones, followed by amp, and far behind those are power related accessories, cables, etc.

Good luck.

 

[Oink1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hier Two weeks frome where? Two weeks to the UK might just make the deadline...............just!

Norm (Headsave) is in Canada - Delivery times may be shorter if they're built and ready to ship... Shoot him an e-mail and enquire, He's a top bloke to do business with

 

[Hier]

Interesting thread so far.

From what I'd read on Head-fi I had figured that amping the iPod was the best way to go.

Perhaps I ought to audition a few headphones before progressing.

Thanks to everyone for the info.

 

[iancraig10]

Don't forget that you will have to pick it up and pay £12 customs tax.

Mine first one took a week. They sound brilliant - even on the Sennheiser you mentioned. I'm waiting for Mk 3. because they are so good.

Ian

 

[Hier]

Quote:

Originally Posted by iancraig10 Don't forget that you will have to pick it up and pay £12 customs tax.

I could always get Norm to declare the package 'a work of art'. No tax to pay then LOL.