Looking to buy a portable amp

[t0dy]

Hi everybody!

I'm new to all of what head-fi stands for so I have LOADS of questions, but I'll try to keep it short.
I'd like to buy a nice portable headphone amp and a LOD cable for my iPod 5.5G 80GB. As of now I will use it with Shure SE530 (mainly), Alessandro MS-1 and Koss PRO4AA-T, but with it, I will explore the world of headphones which doesn't sound good from the iPod HP out.

Can you help me list different headphone amps with the following attributes:

* It has to be portable, doesn't have to be extremely small, just portable.
* I want it to operate using batteries. (duh)
- Want to charge it via USB or mains, but please, show me options too! (not important anymore)
* A built-in USB DAC (either that or a good one without and I buy the DAC seperately)
* Battery runtime should be quite good.
* Size should be suitable to sticking in on the back of my iPod, although this is not a requirement.
* PRICE should be under $200, but if its worth it I might stretch my budget.
* Isn't going to be used with the iMod as of now. In my eyes, that whole project would suddenly become very expensive! (and not really for starters like me)

I will use the list of amps with these attributes to do my own research firstly.

I am open to other suggestions and I would really like to hear about "classic affordable setups" as well as what you are using if it is not truly high-end.

Thank you very much!

EDIT: Added some info on the list. I was a big noob "back then"

 

[swayne]

Hi,

Have you seen this or this?

Steven.

 

[t0dy]

Yes I have, but it's so much information that my newbie brain almost starts to boil!
From what I've read the iBasso D3 is a good option, although it uses 5x AAA. Can I charge the D3?
Meier-Audio Corda 3MOVE looks like a quite good option too.

What I would like to know is which amps is the most popular for the purpose.

Please bear with me!

 

[swayne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes I have, but it's so much information that my newbie brain almost starts to boil! From what I've read the iBasso D3 is a good option, although it uses 5x AAA. Can I charge the D3? Meier-Audio Corda 3MOVE looks like a quite good option too. What I would like to know is which amps is the most popular for the purpose. Please bear with me!

No, you can't charge the D3 or the 3Move.

The iBasso D3 is a good option, I've just sold mine and ordered a 3Move. I would have liked a P-51 Mustang or iQube but they're both too expensive ( and I don't think they're making the iQube V1 any more ).

Steven.

 

[t0dy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by swayne /img/forum/go_quote.gif No, you can't charge the D3 or the 3Move. The iBasso D3 is a good option, I've just sold mine and ordered a 3Move. I would have liked a P-51 Mustang or iQube but they're both too expensive ( and I don't think they're making the iQube V1 any more ). Steven.

Why did you sell the D3 if you don't mind me asking? I read something about RFI problems, is that why?

 

[swayne]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Why did you sell the D3 if you don't mind me asking? I read something about RFI problems, is that why?

Nope. Never had any problems and my wireless router was about 2 feet away and my mobile 'phone was next to it.

I'm afraid it was upgraditus.

Started with an iPod
Then bought UE Triple.Fi's
Then bought a D3
Then bought a Meier Arietta
Then bought K701's
Then copied all my CD's to flac files and used the D3 DAC to feed my Arietta.

Happiness.

Then I caught upgraditus.

Want a separate DAC ( MF V-DAC ) so don't need a DAC in a portable amp.
A better portable would be a Ray Samuels P-51 Mustang.

Then my wallet started to talk to me. Even after selling the D3 and the Triple.Fi's the P-51 would be out of the question. So I looked at Skylab's review and bought the highest rated portable I could afford.

Having already dealt with Dr. Meier and liking the Arietta the 3Move was a no brainer.

Still gonna get the V-DAC when I get the cash out of Paypal though.

If I catch upgraditus again my wallet is going to have to hide.

Steven.

 

[Rpg2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi everybody! I'm new to all of what head-fi stands for so I have LOADS of questions, but I'll try to keep it short. I'd like to buy a nice portable headphone amp and a LOD cable for my iPod 5.5G 80GB. As of now I will use it with Shure SE530 (mainly), Alessandro MS-1 and Koss PRO4AA-T, but with it, I will explore the world of headphones which doesn't sound good from the iPod HP out. Can you help me list different headphone amps with the following attributes: * It has to be portable, doesn't have to be extremely small, just portable. * I want it to operate using batteries. - Want to charge it via USB or mains, but please, show me options too! * A built-in USB DAC (doesn't have to be über good, just better than built-in computer soundcards). * Battery runtime should be quite good. * Size should be suitable to sticking in on the back of my iPod, although this is not a requirement. * PRICE should be under $200, but if its worth it I might stretch my budget. * Isn't going to be used with the iMod as of now. In my eyes, that whole project would suddenly become very expensive! I will use the list of amps with these attributes to do my own research firstly. I am open to other suggestions and I would really like to hear about "classic affordable setups" as well as what you are using if it is not truly high-end. Thank you very much!

You can always just get rechargeable batteries and a charger instead of having to pick from amps with built in chargers.

Look at the 2Move/3Move as well as the XM5. Both have the same DAC, but one is more feature packed (bass/treble boost, auto turn off, etc). Both are great DAC/amps though.

If you can live without the DAC, the Mini^3 is a great amp. You might be able to get one off the for sale forum here for about 130 or less. Its a DIY amp so if you can find a builder/assembler, you can buy the kit online for 90$ and ask someone to put it together for you.

 

[inukage0029]

The 3move is probably the most cost efficient Amp/DAC combo that ive used. There are better alternatives by far (headamp pico comes to mind) but for the price, its a great little amp with a decent DAC

 

[t0dy]

Thank you SO much for mentioning the 3MOVE and the XM5, I think I might actually get the XM5 if you can tell me quickly - does it use 9V batteries? and is it smooth switching the battery?

 

[Rpg2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thank you SO much for mentioning the 3MOVE and the XM5, I think I might actually get the XM5 if you can tell me quickly - does it use 9V batteries? and is it smooth switching the battery?

Not sure, site says it uses a Lithium battery. Looks like a 9V. You should email them and ask.

 

[t0dy]

Yeah I know, but it says the fastcharge system is optional so I thought standard was alkaline 9V's. Ill send them a message as you said and post it here after.

EDIT: Found this http://www.practicaldevices.com/xm5/xm5_specs.htm
Looks like you can use either 9V alkaline, 9.6V lithium OR the fastcharge lithium-ion.

EDIT2: Hmm, buying the xm5 from their website would cost me $289 (10 bucks extra for black color and 25 extra for the lithium charger). It costs even more to upgrade the buffer; would you help me understand this? http://www.practicaldevices.com/bufferhelp.htm

Thank you!

 

[Rpg2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah I know, but it says the fastcharge system is optional so I thought standard was alkaline 9V's. Ill send them a message as you said and post it here after. EDIT: Found this XM5 Headphone Amplifier Specifications Looks like you can use either 9V alkaline, 9.6V lithium OR the fastcharge lithium-ion. EDIT2: Hmm, buying the xm5 from their website would cost me $289 (10 bucks extra for black color and 25 extra for the lithium charger). It costs even more to upgrade the buffer; would you help me understand this? Practical Devices Corporation Thank you!

It's black or bust!

The buffer, to my knowledge, would probably be like extra power for those power hungry full sized headphones. They do have a little read me/help link when you go to the purchase page of the XM5 (one with all the customizable options) discussing the differences between the three options.

--Edit--
Sorry, didn't see the links. Must of overlooked them. I think the AD8397 would be good if you needed more power than the stock option. The buffering would help full sized headphones more than IEMs/buds.

Then again, I could have this whole buffering concept upside down and I wouldn't know it. Hopefully someone else with more knowledge on this will pass by and will help you out.

 

[qusp]

if I were you I ould buy a gamma1 portable dac and a mini^3 portable amp. you can buy both of them from misterX hes a member here. hes a professional builder of the AMB kits. the gamma1 has USB, coax and optical inputs and analogue output on mini jack. I havent heard the XM5, but I would think the gamma1 is a better sounding dac. the mini^3 is a great little amp too. both of these are offered as kits too ifd you can use a soldering iron. but yeah you can get them built for you too. if you dont need the dac portable then this might be the ticket for you. also if you can stretch a bit the ibasso D10 also has USB and optical inputs and a really nice amp section (although not hugely powerful) you can roll op-amps in that too

 

[t0dy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qusp /img/forum/go_quote.gif if I were you I ould buy a gamma1 portable dac and a mini^3 portable amp. you can buy both of them from misterX hes a member here. hes a professional builder of the AMB kits. the gamma1 has USB, coax and optical inputs and analogue output on mini jack. I havent heard the XM5, but I would think the gamma1 is a better sounding dac. the mini^3 is a great little amp too. both of these are offered as kits too ifd you can use a soldering iron. but yeah you can get them built for you too. if you dont need the dac portable then this might be the ticket for you. also if you can stretch a bit the ibasso D10 also has USB and optical inputs and a really nice amp section (although not hugely powerful) you can roll op-amps in that too

Wow, this is hardcore stuff. It's like I'm getting thrown right into the inner circle of Head-Fi. I will certainly have a look at that combination. I'll send misterX a PM!

About the D10 and rolling op-amps: what are op-amps and how do you roll them? You need a soldering iron for that? I really don't know much so explanations are very much appreciated! Do you guys think the D10 might have the same RFI problem as D3? I wouldn't want to risk getting that.

 

[qusp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow, this is hardcore stuff. It's like I'm getting thrown right into the inner circle of Head-Fi. I will certainly have a look at that combination. I'll send misterX a PM!

yeah pretty sure its misterX, but if thats not right, try mister X

Quote:

About the D10 and rolling op-amps: what are op-amps and how do you roll them? You need a soldering iron for that? I really don't know much so explanations are very much appreciated! Do you guys think the D10 might have the same RFI problem as D3? I wouldn't want to risk getting that.

well op-amps are the operational amplifier component of an amplifier; it is them that largely determines the performance and sound quality/signature of an amp (obviously there are other factors too). There are amps that do require you to solder them in, but some amps (such as the D10) have op-amp sockets; so they would be called a socketed op-amp. so you can just press them in or pull them out to change them. op-amps are freely available in many electronics stores and are prevelant on ebay too if you know what you are looking for. The AD8397 is an op-amp by Analogue Devices thus the naming convention. in amps such as the D10 you can change them yourself, so it makes them rather flexible, because you can tailor the sound to a degree. not all op-amps will work in any given amp, it depends on the pin configuration and power handling of the amp. i'll let someone else answer the RF question as I dont own a D10; you are right though; the D3 was known to have some RFI problems with some units; actually seemed to be reasonably common.

hope that helps; but yeah mate, you've definitely picked the right place for information overload

good luck with that; we all go through it. Oh and op-amp rolling is the act of trying different ones; I think its as in 'roll your own'; think I read thats where it comes from. people refer to tube rolling as well for tube amplifiers, which is quite akin to the same thing but with tube amps; not the same thing obviously, but similar