High-end audiophile portable amplification, what to do?

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trogdor Ugggh....Turtlebeach...c'mon that was very un-HeadFi-ish.... Now I''ve used an M-Audio Transit and I must say its an improvement over my notebook's DAC but not by a whole lot. I'm actually thinking that I could use a standalone DAC in my office (think Apogee/Benchmark type subsance) and just get a portable amp for on the road. I was using my Apogee in my office. The headphone out on the Apogee isn't that bad either. Too bad the thing doesn't run on batteries (though its a tad big, they need a mini-minDAC).

Point taken, but I've seen some Head-Fiers amazed by the sound. It's all relative I guess.

If you must have a DAC then go with the Micro DAC and a Hornet. That would probably be the smallest footprint. Except for the Xin of course, but I haven't heard the latest models. I did have one of the first prototypes of the SuperMacro but in comparison to the other amps mentioned it didn't hold up. I'm sure it's improved since then but I don't have experience with it.

 

[erikzen]

Maybe something from this thread...

 

[Trogdor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen Maybe something from this thread...

Oh no! I've been quoted the thread that I myself quote to newbees! Argghh...

Thanks for the reminder. Yeah, that thread is great and I bought my Apogee after talking to various folks from that exact thread. The Hornet and MicroDAC is not a bad idea. However, I'm beginning to think that perhaps I could just concentrate on proper amplification and use a stand a lone DAC for my office (maybe my Apogee maybe something else).

I have to admit the Hornet's size does make it very attractive compare to the other amps minus the Supermicro.

Is there anyone out there that owns the Rudistor amp? Jesssz....I have to admit the Rudistor amps are probably the least talked about amps on this board...

 

[kugino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee I agree the PRII has a neutral presentation, but it's hardly one of the smaller portable amps -- rather one of the larger portable amps, as is the HR MicroAmp (also nice, but not tiny).

you should have seen how big the PRI was

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kugino you should have seen how big the PRI was

Right ... but that was more of a schleppable than a portable.

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trogdor Oh no! I've been quoted the thread that I myself quote to newbees! Argghh... Thanks for the reminder. Yeah, that thread is great and I bought my Apogee after talking to various folks from that exact thread. The Hornet and MicroDAC is not a bad idea. However, I'm beginning to think that perhaps I could just concentrate on proper amplification and use a stand a lone DAC for my office (maybe my Apogee maybe something else). I have to admit the Hornet's size does make it very attractive compare to the other amps minus the Supermicro. Is there anyone out there that owns the Rudistor amp? Jesssz....I have to admit the Rudistor amps are probably the least talked about amps on this board...

The Hornet and MicroDAC are a great combination. Definitely worth a listen (and/or a buy!).

I haven't yet had a chance to hear Rudi's NKK.01 and would certainly like to.

 

[jpelg]

If your transport is to be your laptop, why not the new, updated 2006 Headroom Bithead? I haven't heard it myself, but reviews are overwhelmingly positive. And as DAC/amp combo units go, it's quite small.

Btw, you can run your Apogee Mini-DAC on batteries if you use a bit of creativity. It's power requirements are quite low & flexible. Look into portable DVD batteries.

 

[Trogdor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg If your transport is to be your laptop, why not the new, updated 2006 Headroom Bithead? I haven't heard it myself, but reviews are overwhelmingly positive. And as DAC/amp combo units go, it's quite small.

The Bithead is nice but I'm not sure I would consider it....flame suit on....high-end audiophile portable gear....can you pass the Grey Poupon?

Quote:

Btw, you can run your Apogee Mini-DAC on batteries if you use a bit of creativity. It's power requirements are quite low & flexible. Look into portable DVD batteries.

Yeah I know I know but the Apogee is actually kinda big to carry around and I really don't feel like lugging around a battery to power it.

 

[jcn3]

my thoughts --

* the prII is big relative to the others and the most expensive of your group. i haven't heard it, but folks that have one are fans.

* the micro is also on the large size for this group. it has a great reputation and a good price. battery power with the desktop module is not that long.

* i'd add the sr-71 to the mix. it's smaller than the previous two and sounds really good. battery life is excellent.

* the ae-1 is just smaller than the sr-71. i heard a prototype of the new ae-1 at the meet and the sr-71 definitely sounded better on all dimensions.

* the hornet is quite small -- smaller than i expected. as with rsa products, it's built well and only need one battery. gain switch is nice, too. just doesn't sound as good as the sr-71.

i don't know the others. you've got to like the micro for price, build quality, and company reputation. rsa is small but professionally run -- i'm definitely an sr-71 fan.

good luck.

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcn3 my thoughts -- * the hornet is quite small -- smaller than i expected. as with rsa products, it's built well and only need one battery. gain switch is nice, too. just doesn't sound as good as the sr-71.

That may be the case in a very quiet environment, but most folks keep forgetting that when portable amps are really used as "PORTABLE amps" -- they're in environments that are far from quiet. I've compared various amps and phones in many portable environments,including Midtown Manhattan's incredibly loud streets/buses/subways/cabs, various office situations at different times of day (usually advertising agency studios that range from a moderate buzz to very energetic and loud chatter), various jet flights ranging from average jet whine to frighteningly loud engines straining to get out of severe weather, breeze parks with just a few families and lunch break workers, to quiet late-night bedroom with an air purifier on low, etc. [...get the point?]

The Hornet is designed as a true portable, and as such cuts through a wide range of of low-to-loud ambient noise to enable to most important frequency ranges to cut through and enable optimum listening the music in these venues -- assuming you've got at least enough isolation to reduce the noise clutter enough and still

The ever-soothing and nuanced SR-71 is just too delicate for the beauty of the music to be heard in most of these venues, and the subtleties are lost in nearly all of those.

The Hornet performs marvelously in all portable venues, and still sounds really musical playing on my night table late at night, or a quieter day at work through my PXC300 noise-reducing portable phones.

At this moment I'm at work with 3 loud co-workers embroiled in a discussion 2 feet behind me and though I hear their voices, the Hornet playing Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" - "Oh Happy We" and presents the orchestra with thrilling sweep and weight, the joyful duet of Candide & Cunegonde clear, sweet and solidly placed, triangle notes shimmering above the delicate flute runs -- ending with slamming finale of brass, massed strings and tympani.

I'm sure the SR-71 would be lovely here, but it's superlative timbre, ultrafine detail and grand air would be lost in all but the most quiet moments -- and the Hornet has a tiny footprint, A/C charging, switchable gain and great bass/punch/impact with the richly textured mids that are necessary for a great musical experience while away from home (or your favorite listening spot). While its volume is tiny and a bit tougher to manage, it is perfect for pocket or bag porting since it is the most resistant to accidental volume adjustment while in stowage.

Don't underestimate the Hornet for true portable application.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee Don't underestimate the Hornet for true portable application.

Romanee knows of what he speaks!

 

[Romanee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen Romanee knows of what he speaks!

Chuckle! And I thought I was a hot air balloon with too much music gushing out (translate as: sinking fast).

 

[educator]

Would the PINT with the headroom micro DAC be a good combination?

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by educator Would the PINT with the headroom micro DAC be a good combination?

It could be. As far as I know, the PINT is a DIY design. If you could find a reputable builder it could be a nice little amp. It is however, not necessarily a commercially available amp - just like a MET42, Pimeta, or M^3. It's highly dependent upon build quality.

 

[fierce_freak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcn3 * the ae-1 is just smaller than the sr-71. i heard a prototype of the new ae-1 at the meet and the sr-71 definitely sounded better on all dimensions.

Have you heard the older version of the ae-1 to compare? What are the differences soincally (old ae-1 vs. new ae-1)?