[popcorn]

 
 
Newbie here looked at budjet portable amp, narrowing it down now to:
 
 
HeadRoom AirHead,
SoundMAGIC A10
or FiiO E7
 
this is to go with AKG K240-MKII headphones
 
Thanks for your help everyone.....
 
(alternative amps welcome)

 

[jleewach]

Earlier today, I would have recommended the Fiio, but now, after discovering another problem on another E7 I just purchased, Fiio is making it harder & harder to recommend. My first E7 had a problem w/ one of the headphone jacks not sending audio to both channels. And now, I'm noticing a problem w/ the screen of my current one. I've purchased a total of 4 different Fiio products (2 E7's & 2E5's) and 3 out of the 4 have malfunctioned. SQ is very good for the price, but I'm beginning to see why they're so cheap. 

 

[AndreyS]

I can suport jleewach's point against the E7. Mine essentially went bad in a couple days. I returned it and now back on the amp/DAC market.

 

[popcorn]

Thanks Jleewach & AndreyS
 
I got to say this forum has saved me sooooo much effort in tracking suitable gear....
 
Truly wonderful community /resource
 
So its:
 
HeadRoom AirHead ?
 
or
 
SoundMAGIC A10 ? I hear good things about this lil gem:
 
http://www.inearmatters.net/2011/01/impression-soundmagic-a10-oriental.html
 
 

 

[Ridleyguy]

What device is your music stored on?  The HeadRoom Total BitHead might give you more flexibility, as you could use its DAC to connect via USB to a computer and bypass the computer's sound card. 

 

[popcorn]

Thanks for the reply Ridleyguy,
 
I am using my headphones to hear my £3,000 Roland HPi_7f Digital Piano. Sample here:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL-6i6qCUVs&playnext=1&list=PL70265CFAFEFE047D
 
(I also use Korg Digital recording desk) (up to now I have relied on a pair of Bey' DT100)

 

[Ridleyguy]

Very interesting.  Personally I would recommend doing a little more research before buying, as a lot of portable amps have come out since the introduction of the AirHead.  A well regarded Head-Fi member has done reviews and rankings of 56 portable amps., and that would be at least a good place to start if you haven't read that thread.
 

Review: Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared - FINAL update 12-20-10 added..