[blessingx]

I'm putting this in the headphones forum since if you're not using an amp you may not be in the amp forum.

Today I received a pair of dual driver IEMs (module name still unknown as these have yet to really hit the market) and they're much more efficient than the ER4P/S which I also own. Hooking up the C&C, the impact/advantage of adding an amp drops significantly. I know there are other IEMs very efficient too. Have any of you stopped carrying an amp because of this?

 

[n_maher]

Yes, I've stopped using a portable amp w/ my IEMs. I'll freely admit that this is partially a function of how I use my IEMs which more and more is while I'm doing work of some kind. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that in an environment where I find isolation essential ultimate fidelity is not the goal. The other part of the equation is that I found myself not wanting to deal with the hassle of another set of batteries, keeping the Ipod charged is a battle in itself.

That's not to say that I didn't detect a noticable gain when using my ER4P's with an amp, I did, but I needed to be in a quiet environment to enjoy it. And when I'm in that type of situation I'd much rather put on my HF-1s or HD650s and fire up one of the big amps.

In my experience no portable amp can match the performance of a proper home amp.

 

[exX08]

Can we have pics of the IEM's?

 

[blessingx]

Maybe in the near future.

 

[DobsOnly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessingx /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm putting this in the headphones forum since if you're not using an amp you may not be in the amp forum. Today I received a pair of dual driver IEMs (module name still unknown as these have yet to really hit the market) and they're much more efficient than the ER4P/S which I also own. Hooking up the C&C, the impact/advantage of adding an amp drops significantly. I know there are other IEMs very efficient too. Have any of you stopped carrying an amp because of this?

Your question really made me think about how I use my amps. I carry a Cmoy in my laptop bag and have a Pimeta on my Computer desk at home. I rarely have the amp and DAP combination when I'm moving around regardless of the headphones I'm using. But I believe this is due to selecting DAPs that have decent to excellent output capabilities. I almost always use an amp when I'm stationary, at my desk at work etc. I use the amps for the real or could possibly be perceived

improvement in the sound characteristics. With some headphones that improvement is better than others but it's always an improvement. Like you said " the impact/advantage of adding an amp drops significantly". You didn't say the improvement was no longer there. I'll take that little bit extra everytime.

So I guess the answer is no, I haven't stopped carrying/using an amp because of the efficiency of my cans. However I have listened to DAPs that I felt like I had to have an amp in line all the time even for the most efficient headphones. Otherwise they were just totally lifeless.

Have a good one!

 

[Slaughter]

Not an IEM user, but a portable amp cant seem to touch the impact of my DAP with my KSC75's. Takes the life right out of them.

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, I've stopped using a portable amp w/ my IEMs. I'll freely admit that this is partially a function of how I use my IEMs which more and more is while I'm doing work of some kind. I guess what I'm trying to get at is that in an environment where I find isolation essential ultimate fidelity is not the goal. The other part of the equation is that I found myself not wanting to deal with the hassle of another set of batteries, keeping the Ipod charged is a battle in itself. That's not to say that I didn't detect a noticable gain when using my ER4P's with an amp, I did, but I needed to be in a quiet environment to enjoy it. And when I'm in that type of situation I'd much rather put on my HF-1s or HD650s and fire up one of the big amps. In my experience no portable amp can match the performance of a proper home amp.

-makes a lot of sense.

I've been using my ER4P with just an iPod that I bought 10 days ago. Today I got to use my Supermini IV with my new ALO LOD. While I did enjoy the iPod & ER4P alone, the amp makes a very noticable improvement.

The Xin & ety combo sounds so good that I've been known to sit next to my tube amp & HD 650 and resist them...I do agree, there is no match for full size goodness.

 

[poonpower]

I used to use a pa2v2 with my e3c. I said used to because I seriuosly cannot hear a difference between amped and unamped. I might as well carry one less thing. Maybe this is different with a more higher end amp, like the Hornet or something, but I don't have enough money for a portable amp; saving up for a K701

 

[ronmtorres]

what iems are these?

 

[marvelusjd]

I used to carry an amp with me on the bus, but found that my IEMs (Super.fi 5 Pros) are very efficient, and using a Rio Karma, you can't beat the sound right out of the headphone jack. At work, I have an amp on the desk, but it was a bit much to carry with me.

 

[GlorytheWiz825]

I've also stopped using my BitHead as a portable amp. I was using my E4C going through my ZVM->BitHead. But then I switched the E4C directly to the ZVM output jack and realized the improvement was very minor. The slight improvement from the BitHead did not warrant carrying around something so bulky. So I ended up with ZVM->E4C directly.

 

[schapman]

I tried my Westones with an amp and without, couldn't hear a difference so I didn't bother getting one for them.

 

[Coltrane]

Another Bithead and E4 owner, but i never use the bithead with IEMs. Any difference is minor enough that Im not exactly sure i even notice it. And that it with intense critical listening. On the go there is absolutely no chance of noticeable improvement, so I just connect it directly to the ipod.

 

[milkpowder]

Stopped using an amp since upgrading. The ACS T2 alone is far better than the E500 latched onto a Hornet "M" and a fancy ALO LOD. No amp will fully compensate for IEM deficiencies... IEMs first, source second, amp third, interconnect last. I do have some interest in venturing into portable amping again, but that is not high on my priorities.

 

[Seufari]

I used an amp with my e4g's and now that I have UM2's I have sold the amps... Upgrading and moving to Rockbox eliminated the need with the way I listen to music...