Hi, I'm bit of a private sort

[john61ct]

I choose not to reveal anything about myself at this time, other than:

I am very inexperienced in most aspects of this forum's topics.

Living off the grid for many decades, I do know a fair bit about alternative energy, namely renewable sources and battery storage.

Currently learning to apply that knowledge to EVs, ebikes, electric propulsion in general.

I am looking to build a high sound quality stereo that is

as portable as possible without compromising SQ

thus needs to be pretty robust, to be used at sea, bouncing in a truck or van, sometimes off road, etc

and is powered from DC. Obviously headphones help a lot with these goals.

I like classical jazz, acoustic / vocals, soul / blues, some rock but hate muddy boomy sound.

Looking to spend $600-1000 to get started, main source being a lossless FLAC collection and streaming Tidal / Qobuz via LG V30 series phones, so want to easily swap between both straight-analog and USB audio DAC paths.

Not interested in solutions requiring iFruit, nor Windoze.

I work from home & mobile lots of Zoom, Skype VoIP calls, don't like swapping HPs to hop on and off, so **microphone** integration is important.

I will (barely) tolerate BT via aptX HD or LDAC, LL would be nice for movies (not a gamer!)

I love single-purpose trinkets if they are tiny, but for SOTA top SQ all-in-one units, might be willing to go to bum bag (fanny pack) or even carrying a backpack.

I have a weakness for beauty in design, and big solid volume pots.

 

[tutetibiimperes]

You may want to check out the Audeze LCD-GX. It’s gotten good reviews for tonality, comes with a mic for the Skype stuff, and is sensitive and low impedance so can be driven from a phone.

 

[bland125]

Interesting challenge right there. The rugged, off roading and running off DC stereo is challenging my comprehension of what you want. I need more details.

Are you looking for a battery powered portable rig so DAC/Amp and some IEMs or headphones running of your phone or something else?

Also, what is going to be your source exactly? Your phone, a computer? Please not a turntable they don't make those for offroading!

 

[474194]

My DAP / source has the ability to use solar power panels (MTT), but don't recommend if you rule out Apple ecosystem.

LiFePO4 batteries:

 

[john61ct]

You may want to check out the Audeze LCD-GX.

Will do, thanks

My DAP / source has the ability to use solar power panels (MTT), but don't recommend if you rule out Apple ecosystem.

LiFePO4 batteries

The power side I need no help with thanks, from 300+ volts down to 86/72/54/48/24/19/12/5/3.3 I'm covered long as it's DC. Yes LFP is the way to go, except propulsion use cases where higher density is required.

I really avoid inverters as much as possible.

Gensets and shore power (mains AC, aka the grid) connections are only used to recharge the banks, but in most contexts solar and alternators take care of 90+% of Ah inputs per day.

Interesting challenge right there. The rugged, off roading and running off DC stereo is challenging my comprehension of what you want. I need more details.

Not really, I was just introducing myself and setting context for later reference.

I will ask for comparisons & suggestions for specific device types in separate threads later, as I do some more research and clarify my requirements better,

assuming I get cleared to do so (rigorous onboarding process here mods, way to keep out the riffraff!)

_______
> Are you looking for a battery powered

yes, or if just USB or DC5521 input that's good enough for devices with extraordinary capabilities, long as it's not AC

> portable rig

Yes but will also have a "transportable" waterproof road case setup,

for speakers I'm looking at LS50s for example, playing the waiting game on eBay

but right now I'm wanting to start as tiny as practical, hence front ends and headphone-related outputs for now. I like the idea of awe-inspiring music reproduction fitting in a pocket or little man bag, or maybe a tinkling collection of trinkets hanging like a necklace as I sit on a beach at sunset with my beloved(s). . .

Yes, at least one DAC, yes a HPamp, maybe those combined, but **mic integration** is key for when biz intrudes on paradise.

BT for convenience only, when SQ is not critical or wires just don't work.

> what is going to be your source exactly?

Hard to imagine anyone settling for just one?

Phone most often, PC sometimes, even then I prefer Linux and its offshoots ChromeOS & Android to Windoze, but work often requires that latter dinosaur.

FLAC files, master set kept on a RAID array NAS with offsite-rotated HDDs for backups.

Also online streaming of course no phonograph, nor 8-track for that matter, but I have got grandpa's 2000+ vinyl collection in climate controlled storage, he was in music production.

I do enjoy exploring local non-commercial FM stations if I'm in an interesting location, then sometimes keep listening over the intertubes when on the other side of the planet - shout out to my buds at WPKN, check them out! http://archives.wpkn.org/show

Also https://radiooooo.com and

https://whyisthisinteresting.substack.com/p/why-is-this-interesting-the-international

Not ruling out a DAP, but an audiophile level one is not in the budget for now,

maybe if a good little 2-way BT enabler happens to include a cheap version for only a little extra. . .

 

[john61ct]

My first questions on a specific topic, using a gorgeous if old model headset as an example

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/bowers-wilkins-p5-wireless-headphone-black.20830/reviews

 

[gimmeheadroom]

The good news is many DACs can run off DC power. You can easily use power banks or your vehicle battery. As long as you have wifi or some other access to the music you can have a superb portable setup even without too much innovation or effort.

But, finding a suitable audiophile-grade or even hifi headset that is also comfortable, will not be easy.

 

[bland125]

Hard to imagine anyone settling for just one?

Huh no, why would it have to be 1? Don't you think it would be useful if we knew what are the inputs and outputs you need?

So how do you want to interact with your soon to be LS50s? I mean physically or from your phone or else? How do you expect to power them?

Don't rule out a DAP and some headphones or IEMs. I did so for too long and I am now enjoying it too much. Something like an ibasso DX160 and Thieaudio L3 (just an example) would be a good start leaving much room in your budget for everything else.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

Huh no, why would it have to be 1? Don't you think it would be useful if we knew what are the inputs and outputs you need?

So how do you want to interact with your soon to be LS50s? I mean physically or from your phone or else? How do you expect to power them?

Don't rule out a DAP and some headphones or IEMs. I did so for too long and I am now enjoying it too much. Something like an ibasso DX160 and Thieaudio L3 (just an example) would be a good start leaving much room in your budget for everything else.

Well, he said he is new. So it would probably help for him to get an overview. Right now maybe he doesn't know what to ask.

 

[bland125]

Well, he said he is new. So it would probably help for him to get an overview. Right now maybe he doesn't know what to ask.

I suspect he knows about at least some of this stuff, he's trying to get LS50 which aren't newbie stuff and has a flac collection on a nas with Grandpa that was in audio production. Hehe.

But you are right, I'm just trying to get to more specific requirements and use cases so I can think of recommendations that makes a least a bit of sense.

 

[gimmeheadroom]

I suspect he knows about at least some of this stuff, he's trying to get LS50 which aren't newbie stuff and has a flac collection on a nas with Grandpa that was in audio production. Hehe.

But you are right, I'm just trying to get to more specific requirements and use cases so I can think of recommendations that makes a least a bit of sense.

I agree that what you said is important, I didn't mean to say it wasn't. Just maybe would help to point out what the issues are to help him consider the right things.

I've been on a lot of these threads lately and they seem to go haywire often with bewildering new guys with too many choices. I guess we should have a sticky thread on setup basics for portable, desktop, big rig etc.

 

[john61ct]

I am not asking for any recommendations on specific devices in this thread.

In order to participate at all, this forum required me to introduce myself, and I gave perhaps more background context than I should have.

Also please understand that I am sure I will end up with different combinations of devices as I move from tent-backpacking, to driving a boat, to living in a van or shack.

Obviously I want maximum flexibility, but the scenarios involving speakers really are not why I am here. Ultra portability remains a top priority.

I am grateful for the enthusiasm and curiosity, and believe me I will be posting questions full of what I then see as my requirements

but yes to this specific world of modern hi-fi, I am a noob, and I am sure my desired system architecture will evolve over time.

So, feel free to just hold off for now, I'll get back to you once I have better clarity in what questions to ask. Thanks

 

[john61ct]

Huh no, why would it have to be 1?

I was responding to your use of the singular

> what is going to be your source exactly?

Forgive me for taking your phrasing too literally, one of my many faults, perhaps a bit on the spectrum. . .

 

[bland125]

It makes more sense to me now and sorry, I have mistaken your post for one of the many recommendation or decision making ones. Good to see you not loosing hope yet

With this info, I really think you need to look into a DAP with IEM or headphones. Many DAP can also be USB DAC/Amp as well, can stream, have access to Internet radios and all. Just add a small USB power pack and your good for days without a charge. For conference/video calls, I use a USB standalone microphone so I don't have to care which IEMs or headphones I use. Here is what my portable setup looks like:

I ended up even using it often at home due to confinement with wife and kids.

 

[john61ct]

No worries and thanks I will keep them in mind, in fact never did rule it out.

_____
If anyone could help clear up my BT mic confusion in the B&W P5 Wireless thread I'd appreciate it, that aspect seems a bit of an entry point into narrowing things down.