Looking for some opinions on options for long airline flights

[Rlynn]

Hi all. My current setup for work is a 4G Ipod, Microamp desktop module, and ER-4s. I've never acquired rechargeable batteries for the Microamp. I figure I need about 12 hours for an upcoming trip. As I see it, my choices are a) leave the amp at home, b) buy a bunch of alkaline batteries, c) invest in rechargeables and charger c) buy a small portable with very good battery life. The Maha PowerEx recharge unit plus 6 batteries is nearly $100. If I add an international adapter, even more.

Is there a small amp with good battery life for about the price of the Maha setup that will sound good compared to the Microamp? It is not very portable and I don't use it that way. This business trip is a real shock to me and I don't expect it will be a common occurence. On the other hand, I might use an amp for walking if it was really portable. Scheduled to leave at the end of September, so not a lot of time for a special order.

Thanks for any comments.

 

[chopstxxx]

Tomahawk sounds perfect for you, it was designed for IEMs and has a battery life of around 500 hours. It's also a ton smaller that the MicroAmp.

 

[Henry Flower]

Well, you'd be very lucky to get a Tomahawk for 'about $100', but you could buy one (or any other portable amp in the same ballpark) and sell it on later without losing too much.

 

[jcx]

leave the amp home,

straight out of the iPod should be pretty good with er-4s, clipping level would be ~110 dB spl, adequate for any reasonable headphone listening short of trying for live levels - which would be dangerous at 12 hrs exposure

the really picky audiophile analysis could still be a little concerned by the low frequency roll off with the iPod's too small output coupling cap but the er-4s 100 Ohm impedance will put the corner frequency low enough that only a few Organ or Didgeridoo recordings would be deficient

you could even add a usb battery adapter to the docking cable to extend the iPod run time

 

[GreatDane]

I would:

a.) Leave the amp at home

b.) Buy a 4 pack of 9-volts ($7 ??)

 

[Logman]

I agree that the easiest solution would be to leave the amp at home. Another option would be the C&C Box amp. I have one and I get about 35-40 hours of use per charge. I typically charge it before going on a trip and don't bother taking the charger with me. Price was under $100.

 

[Rlynn]

Thanks for the comments. I know the ER-4s sound ok direct from the ipod, but at little thin, not as good as with the Microamp. The suggestion to use a USB battery pack is a good one - could use my normal lossless files.

The Microamp is terrible for battery life, 6-7 hours, so that would be 8-10 batteries just for this trip. I usually see them priced about $11 a four pack.

Hadn't even considered buying an amp just for the trip and then selling it. That would let me use a better one. Provided I could let it go once I had it.

Has anyone compared the CC Box to a Microamp? I listen to classical and jazz, lots of small groups and solo instruments.

Thank for helping this ditherer.

 

[Jigglybootch]

Long airline flights suck. (I'm just going by the thread title.)

But seriously, forget the amp. Just take the iPod and IEMs and you should be fine.