[Hunted Charlie]

I'm looking to upgrade from my current setup of using an EMU 0202 USB at home as my DAC/amp (into Denon D5000s) and running my iPod into a PA2V2 into Grado SR-60s on the go.

I've decided my new portable headphones will be Audio-Technica ATH-ES7s. I've also decided I want to use the same DAC/amp for home and portable usage, it's got to cost under $200 and take USB input. The Zero is out because it's enormous and I'd need to buy a separate adapter to take USB input; it's too complicated and large for me.

What I'm left with as options are:

EMU 0404 USB 2.0 (and run portably straight from iPod--no big deal unless I end up changing my portable cans in the future)
HeadRoom Total BitHead
iBasso D2 Boa

I'm currently leaning towards iBasso D2 Boa, but I'd like opinions please.

Thanks!

 

[LeftyGorilla]

I have the Boa and use it mostly as DAC out of my laptop. It's certainly small enough to carry around with a DAP and I do use it with IEMs a lot.

I've used it out of my laptop and DAP (cowon D2) into SR80 and ESW9, and I can say that they don't improve that much with the amp. In a quiet environment the ESW9 did reveal a bit more.

The 0404 is pretty bulky for portable, yeah?

So...I would say there isn't anything wrong with your current amp setup and your biggest bang-for-buck will be better phones. E.g. what you would spend on ES7 + new amp would certainly get you the ESW9.


But if you're set on getting a new amp, I'll add my enthusiasm for the Boa.

 

[st4r0c3an]

emu if you plan on upgrading to a desktop amp later on, but the boa if you don't.

 

[uraflit]

emu0404usb? O.o that thiing is huge, it's not portable, haha. also, how are you gonna run an ipod straight from it? it only accepts USB/TOSlink/spidf inputs. plus it needs an AC outlet, lol. DEFINITELY not portable!

in your list, ibasso d2 boa sounds best.

 

[Lil' Knight]

funny idea on portable emu 0404 lol