Is the AMP3 really all that?

[jelt2359]

Recently I've noticed a myraid posters who seem to be from overseas (and I mention this because I have my suspicions about MOT tactics in China) who have been answering 'get the AMP3' to just about every question- be it best earbuds, best amp, best DAP- no matter your needs, get the AMP3, they echo, since it has all 3.

From feedback here it's clear that it's a fine player, but I'm getting annoyed at posts like 'AMP3 is a great quality amp!' when posters are looking at Lisa vs Mustang for instance.

I might be in line for an AMP3 purchase (especially once they sort out the firmware issues- it's what's keeping me with my iPod for now, I can't stomach freezing and all that when I'm doing my gymwork). But as I said, concern about MOT tactics on my part is threatening my interest in tracking how the product continues to develop.

Look at post #13 below for an example of what I mean:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/t...hat-do-441195/

Um, 'the smallest amp on the market'?? Also notice how he seems to be giving marketing speak..

 

[Mr C]

I must say I'm quite sceptical about the amp 3 too, if people are asking for an amp I dont see why people tell them to get a new pmp.

 

[HiFlight]

The AMP3 is not the "smallest" amp available, nor is it the smallest DAP currently produced. It does, however, perform at a level that surpasses that of many player/amp combinations.

Yes, there are firmware issues that need to be resolved, as well as size limitations on the external memory capacity.

There is little question, however, that regardless of ones choice of player, the most important consideration is that of SQ, and in this respect, the AMP3 excels.

I do not believe that there are shills from the manufacturer posting comments regarding the performance of the AMP3, rather these posts are from individual owners whose native language is not English.

As is the case with all audio equipment, the subjective opinions of others can only provide so much useful information, and considering the modest cost of this device, perhaps the best way do answer your questions regarding the quality/performance of the AMP3 is to evaluate it personally.

 

[RASeymour]

If you want to read some suspicious posts, go to Amazon. I can't say that I've read many of that ilk here.

 

[average_joe]

I personally have been looking for an amp for many months, but have not pulled the trigger due to cost vs. SQ improvement for me personally. I was also looking for a new DAP, but again, was indecisive. tstarn06 pointed me in the direction of the AMP3, I read the posts, and decided for $150 I could try it.

Well, to make a long story short, I have been using my AMP3 as an amp with my Fuze for numerous reasons and the SQ improvement is nothing short of amazing to me, especially considering the price! How does it compare with higher end amps, I don't know as I have only auditioned other amps at Can Jam (E+, Hornet, etc.) and not had them at home to do A/Bing with, but from memory (and a comparison with my lowly E5), I am very happy with my $150 purchase. I have had the Icon Mobile, which to me wasn't an improvement. The AMP3 does outperform my sound card with OPA627 opamps (which were $40 just for the opamps).

Hearing is believing, and I am a believer!

 

[Punnisher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr C /img/forum/go_quote.gif I must say I'm quite sceptical about the amp 3 too, if people are asking for an amp I dont see why people tell them to get a new pmp.

Well in his/her defense, it works as a standalone amplifier too.

It's probably a function of being a bit of a fotm. Not that it doesn't deserve recognition, but lots of people are very excited about it and recommend it often. Again, not bashing the amp3 as I have not heard it (I actually plan on getting a v2). It's just very popular at the moment.

 

[tstarn06]

No argument here, yes the Amp3 is all that. Just get one, give it 250+ hours to settle in (more than 400 is even better), find the right pair of phones for it (for example, my 9-year-old tape modded Grados SR-80s have better synergy than my Westone UM3X with the Amp3), sit back, and enjoy.

No Far East conspiracy here, just an amp/player that given a fair time to break in sounds to me, and some other English-speaking non-China dwellers, to be an amazing piece of hi-end audio gear. And an amazing value to boot.

I agree with Joe on another front. I owned the Minibox E+, not just a listen at Canjam 09, but owned it, and it was a very good amp. But to me, from memory of course, the Amp3 with the Fuze/LOD and a high-quality mini to mini cable is just sublime, adn preferable over the MBE+ with my Touch/LOD (which I sold recently). I now prefer using the Amp3 as amp over the direct HP. Not by much, though. Both are excellent in the SQ dept.

No need to create bogeymen where none exist. There have been 1-2 Amp3 owners, I think, who were not crazy about it, but I believe it's because they didn't give it enough burn-in time. Now that mine is hitting the 500-hour mark, it's much improved over the early days of listening.

Using the Icon Mobile or T4 as examples, they both cost around $100, one has a DAC (IM) and one has arguably performs better (T4), I owned them both. Neither can hold a candle to the Amp3 as a pure portable HP amp based on my listening experience with the Fuze/LOD. I think the Amp3 deserves consideration as a very good portable HP amp in its own right, but that's just my view. There are so many portable HP amps these days (almost more than DAPs, it seems), who knows?

As they said in the old Alka Seltzer commercial, "Try it, you'll like it!"

 

[DeusEx]

It's ugly. IMO. But apparently sounds very good.

 

[tstarn06]

Ugly it is, but solid as a rock. You could drop it out the window and no breakage.