Imod Newbie Needs Amp Advice

[03029174]

Hi everyone, im new to all this and after being very impressed with an ipod and a pair of SE210s ive decided to invest in a top notch portable system to take with me when im away with work on business, ive spent the last few weeks studying various equipment and was hoping for some expert advise from you guys. Id like to stay with Shure because theyve given me great customer service and get a pair of SE530's, and today i cancelled a new ipod 160gb classic in favor of an 80gb imod 5.5g, the one thing im struggling with is the amp, the most im willing to spend on it is about $600 and was wondering if anyone can spare a little time to offer some advice, im not bothered about having a dac in with the amp because i wont listen to music on my computer, i think the best value for money is probably the Pico but i saw a pic of Ken from ALO using a Diablo with his Imod and im guessing he knows what he's doing, il be really gratefully if someone can help, like i said im really new to this but have definatly got the bug and love the website

Pete (Uk)

 

[Assorted]

The Pico is an excellent choice, no audible amp noise using my SE420s.

 

[bobloblaw]

I'd say if you don't need a DAC, go with a non-DAC pico, or a RSA Hornet/Tomahawk. Those seem to get the most attention for portables in general, but don't know much about your specific headphones.

 

[03029174]

Thanks guys, any idea's on the Diablo, ive seen a few posts when it first came out, not too much tho, ive see the "Its alive" thread, i gather its pretty new out, hense its quite light on reviews?

 

[hamparts]

Runaway from the Diablo. It's not light on reviews, it's being boycotted by reviewers. Larocco Audio is notorious for bad customer service. The amp is a two and a half year old design that is finally getting to market.

Try a Pico or IQube. I'm not sure you'll get either quickly since the Pico has 128 of 250 or so on the pre-order list filled and the IQube is out of stock until something like February. Have you seen skylab's 26 amp review? Check it out.

 

[frozncore]

Tomahawks have good synergy with the SE530s.

 

[DNT]

I'd say the LisaIII would be a great investment. Great things heard about it.

 

[03029174]

Right im ditching the idea of getting a diablo, thanks for the info about the Tomahawk, im seriously looking at that amp now, ive also been told to look at the Predator, does anyone know if the synergy between the predator and the SE530's will be better than the Tomahawk?

 

[immtbiker]

My favorites are the iMod>Hornet or the Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed.
Can't go to sleep each nite without it (using the UE-10's).

 

[LDMES]

You can also check out:

33 Portable Amp Review

This one was helpful. I just bought a Minibox E+, and have a Portaphile V2^2maxxed. I'm very happy with the V2^2maxxed, just wish that I didn't have to swap rechargeable batteries so much, which is why I'm auditioning other amps (though I'm not getting rid of my main Portaphile, though I'll probably sell my backup one). I'm looking forward to hearing the Minibox E+ as its gotten some good reviews, and size wise it should mate well with my 5.5G iMod. The iBasso P2 also gets some good reviews. The Pico has peaked my interest and I'm probably going to get one to compare with the rest.

Good Luck. I started off just wanting a good pair of IEMs and now its $2000 and counting...

 

[Capunk]

I'm pairing my iMod with Xin SM III v6 / Headsix , the result is damn good for my ears, but my friend here mention that Xin will sound 2D compared to Headamp Pico.

Doh!
Get Pico?

 

[03029174]

Thanks for the reply CAPUNK, when your friend said that about the Pico was he talking about using it on a PC with the Pico DAC, or did he mean just as an amplifier which is what im after, cheers

 

[hamparts]

Now this is what's great about head fi; dueling reviews.

I really like skylab's: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/rev...mpared-214588/

Don't forget the IQube.

 

[hamparts]

BTW, you'd probably get a Diablo before you got a Xin. How do you find all this stuff you can't get?

 

[Luminette]

pico would be alright, but, doing imod, you don't really need the DAC

lisa III / iQube would probably be the top choices