[kukrisna]

Hey All,

Got my Go-Vibe v4 today (w/AD8620 op-amp installed). Obviously it's not burned in yet but I'm doing initial listening tests now anyway (first headphone amp..heh) with ALAC files on a 5g ipod > sik ram din > go-vibe v4 > shure e4 system.

The first major changes I noticed is that the sound is a bit more "alive" (forward i guess?), the bass is a lot more present, the sound is generally fuller, the highs still have their detail but are a bit smoother, and there's a bit more space and resolution to the sound.

But yeah - I'm loving it!

 

[grandenigma1]

sounds about right. glad you are enjoy it! enjoy!

 

[xarreo]

Any Photo to share?? I can't find any new photo on the web regarding v4 version.

 

[technobarbie]

I received mine yesterday. I have the 8620 too, but I'm getting used to the stock op-amp (OP285GS) first.

 

[kukrisna]

all right - here are some pics

 

[zozo]

kukrisna, out of curiousity, is that the stock volume knob or the upgraded soft-touch one? Thanks.

 

[anearfull]

That's the stock knob.

I received my v4 a few days ago. It has the soft touch knob (pictured below).



The soft touch knob has two O-rings on it that give a nice feel ... a worthy option IMHO

My V4 has the AD8397 op-amp. It's power hungry but sounds amazingly good with both the HD600 and the HF-1.

FYI: the source you see in the photo is a Red Wine Audio modded iPod Photo 60 GB and I've placed my new Xin SuperMicro-3 in the photo to give scale.

My wallet hurts but this sounds really good!

Peter

 

[Borat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anearfull My V4 has the AD8397 op-amp. It's power hungry but sounds amazingly good with both the HD600 and the HF-1.

Congrats Peter! It's a nice looking amp. I liked Norm's Go-Vibe MKII when I owned one. I am also interested in maybe purchasing one of these new V4's with the AD8397. How long of battery life are you getting with this chip and your HD600's?

 

[anearfull]

It's too early to know about battery life (I just got it two days ago and have had it plugged into 120v power supply the whole time). Before purchasing it I agonized over getting the AD8397 but in the end I'm glad I did.

FYI: Norm informs me that it should give 15~20 hours on a Duracell (versus 50 hrs for all the other opamps he sells).

I'll be using my SuperMicro-3 for portable use with my nano so this go-vibe amp is really more of a desktop unit for use with full-sized headphones. My main rig is a modded Sony555ES / SinglePower PPX3-6sn7 but this little Red Wine/go-vibe micro-rig gives it real competition.

 

[familyman]

norm just got the money for mine yesterday at 5:30am.. how long did it take to get yours after you paid him??? is that the silver soft touch knob? i got the black one..

 

[anearfull]

I got mine the next day after PayPalling him. He's in Toronto and I'm in Ottawa so that probably helped.

EDIT: Yup: that's the silver soft touch knob in the photo above

 

[familyman]

well i'm in victoria BC so hopfully i'll get it today cause its my birthday

 

[Raymate]

Congrats to everyone that has got one, interested in your views of the sound after 100 hours or so of use. I too want to get it with 8620 plus the stock chip.

Pleased we now have a picture of the "knob"

Like the blue LED too

Happy vibing

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by anearfull That's the stock knob. I received my v4 a few days ago. It has the soft touch knob (pictured below).

Except for the positions of the knob and jacks, it looks exactly like my Portaphile v2^2. Anyone know if they are using the same off the shelf casing?

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kukrisna Hey All, Got my Go-Vibe v4 today (w/AD8620 op-amp installed). Obviously it's not burned in yet but I'm doing initial listening tests now anyway (first headphone amp..heh) with ALAC files on a 5g ipod > sik ram din > go-vibe v4 > shure e4 system. The first major changes I noticed is that the sound is a bit more "alive" (forward i guess?), the bass is a lot more present, the sound is generally fuller, the highs still have their detail but are a bit smoother, and there's a bit more space and resolution to the sound. But yeah - I'm loving it!

The changs you mentioned.. are you comparing the v4 to the v3 Go-Vibe?