[officerdoofy]

So there are a lot of threads about portable amplifiers for the Jh-16/13, but I haven't seen a lot of talk about home amps for them. I'm perfectly content using my Iphone to drive the 16s while on the road, but it seems they really thrive when they have good gear behind them. 
 
Right now I'm listening through my headroom desktop amp/DAC and they sound incredible. That said, there is a slight hiss since they are so sensitive. Anyone have thoughts on a good match for the 16s that have a noise floor low enough to not hiss? I would think they would pair nicely with something fairly neutral, as they tend to color the bass a bit (which I enjoy a great deal). 

 

[officerdoofy]

Seems this isn't too popular of an idea. Maybe people are sticking to full size cans at home/office. I just like the isolation of the iems while I'm working.
 
As far as amping goes I think I'm going to need to get creative. Perhaps I could go with a Schiit Modi or Bifrost DAC and then feed some type of portable amp. Maybe the Pico Slim. Then I could use the Slim with my Iphone on the road and get the gains of that, while I could have the DAC fed by USB while I'm in the office. Any thoughts? I doubt I will use the Slim while I'm on the road, the convenience of one device (just Iphone) is too nice.

 

[justin w.]

Gilmore Lite (have to buy used, I don't build it anymore) and set it to unity gain.  very very low noise.

 

[officerdoofy]

Quote:

Gilmore Lite (have to buy used, I don't build it anymore) and set it to unity gain.  very very low noise.

 
Would there be reasonable volume attenuation at low levels?

 

[justin w.]

only if it's set to unity gain and you dont have a very high output source

 

[officerdoofy]

Quote:

only if it's set to unity gain and you dont have a very high output source

Thanks, I'll look around on the used market for one. Could you clarify what you mean by setting it to unity gain? I don't see any gain selection switches on the actual amplifier.

 

[jc9394]

It maybe a overkill but I love my jh13 with beta22. I only have a 2x gain on the beta22, no background noise if feed it with single end input.

 

[zerodeefex]

I've heard good things about pairings with the Benchmark DAC2. My JH16s are on the way and I have gotten rid of the Beta22 + gamma2 and will be picking up a Benchmark DAC2 if you're interested in waiting for a comparison.

 

[spkrs01]

I would highly recommend Violectric V100 or 200. I use it with all my IEMs and it does a wonderful job. The gain can be set on the back panel so it's very convenient and even with super sensitive FitEar 334, there's minimal hiss.
 
My V200 is fed by the accompanying Violextric V800 Dac.
 
Another option for you to consider......

 

[officerdoofy]

I'll definitely keep an eye out for your impressions on the DAC2 with your 16's zero. 
 
The Vioelectric gear looks quite nice and it looks like you're driving some HD800's with them. They're on my to buy list so it could be a good match for those and my IEMs.
 
Thanks for all of the suggestions.

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Thanks, I'll look around on the used market for one. Could you clarify what you mean by setting it to unity gain? I don't see any gain selection switches on the actual amplifier.

 
it doesnt have a gain switch, the gain by default was 6x.  it would have to be changed to 1x.