iBasso T1 or T2 or nothing?

[Navyblue]

DAP: Sony Walkman NWZ-A816
IEM: Etymotic Research ER-4P

I was kinda impressed with the size of iBasso T1 and T2. I didn't intend to amp my portable so that it remains ultra portable. But it looks like with the amp velcroed to the back of the DAP it can still easily slip into any pocket.

I was told that the T2 isn't any more powerful than the T1 and the difference between T1 and T2 are as follows:

- T2 has a gain switch (T1 is fixed at high gain)
- T2 has magnetic shielding
- Different sound signature

I heard the T1 once hooked up to my Sony Ericsson K810i and Sony MDR-EX70. I find it gave me a tad better dynamic and tighter bass. But being better sounding than a cell phone isn't really anything to shout about.

The less than drastic difference might be due to the fact that EX70 doesn't benefit much from amping. But the volume can't get ridiculously loud either with such low impedance phone, thus I have the impression that it was rather weak in power.

From the portable amp shootout thread it says that the T1 is more neutral sounding than the T2, so I am leaning towards the T1. But the warmer sounding T2 might be a good match with the cold sounding ER-4P.

Now I wonder with my current set up, are these worth getting?

 

[ace8888]

T1 is definitely worth the money if you ask me. I had it once.
Just love the size of this thing!!!
the neutral sound also a plus.

 

[filipelli]

I have had both and the A816. You are better off going straight from headphone out. The quality of the sony dap is great on its own.

The T1 I had to return because of unbearable hissing. The T2 I sold because it didn't really improve SQ or sound signature to my tastes.

 

[Navyblue]

Ace8888,

Would you describe the difference between T1 and unamped as significant? What phones are you using it with? And what sort of volume are you getting?

If my memory serves T1 doesn't get louder than my Sony DAP. Of course volume and power are not the same thing, but weak volumed almost always means weak powered.

 

[Navyblue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by filipelli /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have had both and the A816. You are better off going straight from headphone out. The quality of the sony dap is great on its own. The T1 I had to return because of unbearable hissing. The T2 I sold because it didn't really improve SQ or sound signature to my tastes.

Ouch, that seems to kill it for me.

If the T1 hisses, may be it is true that it is fixed at high gain. Would an Etymotic P/S converter work here? Is the T1 powerful enough for 100 ohms?

 

[monolith]

I've heard many complaints about hiss issues in the T1, along with lots of interference from cell phones and things. I believe the general concensus is that The T2 is an all-round improvement on the T1.

The T2 is a nice little amp. I haven't used it in a while, but it worked well in my 5.5G video iPod > T2 > Westone UM1 setup that I used for a while.

 

[hellopanda]

T2 still works as one of my most portable amp when I need to travel. The xtra gain control works better for me than the T1 as my Um-2 does pick up some unwanted sound.... could be due to the sensitivity for my earphones. And whenever a cellphone rings beside me, I'll definitely know. It's kind of irritating.

 

[Navyblue]

You remind me of my Discman days which would beep like crazy when my cell phone is receiving calls or messages.

 

[Navyblue]

Plugging the ER-4P in my preamp does make it sounds fuller than from my DAP, it definitely sounds like it would benefit from more power. The question is if T1/T2 can deliver significantly more power than the DAP.

 

[stoned22]

i have the T1 and the lack of magnetic shielding is a really big flaw, it gets really annoying when im using it in crowded places with many people using their cellphones. So i think its worth it to pay more for the T2.

 

[Snah]

I have a chance to try using both T1 and T2 and I agree that both makes the sound fuller and give me a wider soundstage. But, I do not know if it just my ear, I do not feel a significant difference between T2 and T1. And I use a 4th Gen Ipod for my listening to both of the amps. Regards.

 

[Navyblue]

Thanks guys for all your inputs.

I looked at the Go Vibe Petite thread and was surprised at how small it is too.

But it is twice as thick as my DAP and I'm not sure if it can be pocketed comfortably.

 

[hellopanda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navyblue /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks guys for all your inputs. I looked at the Go Vibe Petite thread and was surprised at how small it is too. But it is twice as thick as my DAP and I'm not sure if it can be pocketed comfortably.

But the T1 / T2 is a alot slimmer and better bass dynamics.

 

[Navyblue]

I just tried the T1, T2 and D2. As Snah mentioned, I didn't hear much difference between T1 and T2. May be T1 is a tad wider in sound stage and T2 is a tad better in the high, but I'm not very positive. D2 is smoother and more powerful than the T1 and T2.

All of these made the ER-4P sounds fuller and bassier, in comparison make the DAP sounds hollow. But they are also less airy, more congested sounding, have worse decay and stage imaging takes quite a hit. Percusion sounds more impactful but somewhat less realistic. May be I'm not used to the sound signature, but with ER-4P I'm not sure if those three amps improves the sound quality at all (T1 and T2 seems to be less detailed). May be Sony DAP are really good. I considered the D2 for use on my PC but I remembered that my Creative Sound Blaster Digital Music SX in some way sounds better than my DAP, I don't have hungry cans either to take advantage of its power.

I actually have a new need for portable amp, that is to use it as my personal monitor on stage. If the Petite doesn't impress me I'd just get the cheapest amp I can get and hook it to a clip on mic and my ER-4P.

 

[Navyblue]

I just tried the Petite as well. It seems to sound better than the 3 iBasso. But there seems to be some problem with the match. When I turn the volume on my DAP up I seem to be hearing distortion, but when I turn it down it didn't get very loud and it hisses a bit.

I think I gave up adding an amp to my setup. It's either that the Sony DAP sounded real good, or the ER-4P benefit very little from amping.

People here seems to not think much of Sound Blaster stuff but I think my Digital Music SX gave my ER-4P more bass, low mid and better instrument separation than the Sony. I guess I got lucky and should learn to be contented.