[aamefford]

They were ok, not stellar out of a Pico Slim, but it ran out of power - It was roughly 350 mW total, so roughly 175 mW per side.  I've switched to an iBasso PB2, single ended for now, balanced as soon as I sort out the cable work.  Anyway, the PB2 packs a pretty fair amount of power for an amp, desktop or portable, and the MD's do quite nicely with it.  For various reasons, my rigs are portable only for now, and the PB2 puts out respectable power - supposedly on the order of 2500 mW in balanced configuration.  I do look forward to the opportunity to try them out of a nice tube and solid state amp, hopefully at the next bay area meet.

 

[wolfetan44]

Or the C421 amp.

 

[Apo0th3karY]

Quote:

Or the C421 amp.

 
Thanks for the suggestions. The O2 isn't exactly portable. Only one concern the C421, how intense is the bass boost? It's +8db or flat, nothing in between? And does is that +8dB boost nice and tight on MDs? Seems like I'll be joining the MD ranks a little later than I expected. 
 
Sorry wallet.

 

[gorboman]

Quote:

 
Thanks for the suggestions. The O2 isn't exactly portable. Only one concern the C421, how intense is the bass boost? It's +8db or flat, nothing in between? And does is that +8dB boost nice and tight on MDs? Seems like I'll be joining the MD ranks a little later than I expected. 
 
Sorry wallet.

I did an impression article on several portable DAC/amp within your budget paired with MD w/ DP. Those with built in battery were iBasso D-Zero and Fiio E-17 (with +6 dB gain, +4 bass, and +8 treble in the settings). The D-Zero was fun and the E-17 had a fast PRaT.
 
Overall, they're not stellar as with desktop amp but I think they're more than just okay for on the go purpose.

 

[MattTCG]

The lyr plus the Green Hornets is just fantastic with the maddogs. Definitely supply lot's of juice for the MD's, although you can get by on lesser especially for a portable solution. 

 

[yomomma1]

I've not yet experienced any noticeable issues with the vmoda cable that I use 100% of the time with MD's. Of course it will depend on the user and just what kind of stress they put on the cable. I'm pretty dang careful with my headphones and rarely leave my desk, so I'm okay with the risk. 

Without wanting to sound like a stuck record. Has anyone tried the AIAIAI cables? They come with R'angles and look like they will fit perfectly. I was about to pull the trigger on a set of MD's but I have made the mistake of buying speakers without auditioning in the past and have now started to think more wisely (well my wallet has!). I have no doubts of their capabilities but still think it's all preference and so would love to "try before I buy". Problem is, I'm UK based so it ain't happening anytime soon! Unless someone has a loaner set I could try?

 

[MattTCG]

^^ Can you provide some linkage to said cable? 

 

[mrspeakers]

Hey folks looking for high power low cost amps, here's a hot off the press option....  
 
Schiit just announced a budget USB-only DAC and a new amp, the amp has 1.2Watts, they're each $99.  Sounds like another great entry-level option.  
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=13
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

 

[4nradio]

Thanks for the heads up, Dan! They look like some competition for the O2 + ODAC.
 
Quote:

Hey folks looking for high power low cost amps, here's a hot off the press option....  
 
Schiit just announced a budget USB-only DAC and a new amp, the amp has 1.2Watts, they're each $99.  Sounds like another great entry-level option.  
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=13
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

 

[paradoxper]

Quote:

Hey folks looking for high power low cost amps, here's a hot off the press option....  
 
Schiit just announced a budget USB-only DAC and a new amp, the amp has 1.2Watts, they're each $99.  Sounds like another great entry-level option.  
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=13
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

Just absurd.

 

[syryanyang]

Quote:

Hey folks looking for high power low cost amps, here's a hot off the press option....  
 
Schiit just announced a budget USB-only DAC and a new amp, the amp has 1.2Watts, they're each $99.  Sounds like another great entry-level option.  
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=13
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

Waiting for reviews.

 

[preproman]

WOW,
 
Schiit is killing them...

 

[MattTCG]

Quote:

Hey folks looking for high power low cost amps, here's a hot off the press option....  
 
Schiit just announced a budget USB-only DAC and a new amp, the amp has 1.2Watts, they're each $99.  Sounds like another great entry-level option.  
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=13
 
http://schiit.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=14

 
Holy crap schitt!! 

 

[simonpking]

Quote:

Without wanting to sound like a stuck record. Has anyone tried the AIAIAI cables? They come with R'angles and look like they will fit perfectly. I was about to pull the trigger on a set of MD's but I have made the mistake of buying speakers without auditioning in the past and have now started to think more wisely (well my wallet has!). I have no doubts of their capabilities but still think it's all preference and so would love to "try before I buy". Problem is, I'm UK based so it ain't happening anytime soon! Unless someone has a loaner set I could try?

 
the ones with the right angle are from the aiaiai tma-1 studio's. i havent seen these for sale individually.
 
the new schiit look interesting. i like the ortho and MD mention!... $99? absurd indeed. have you demoed one Dan?

 

[hans030390]

Wow, nice find, Dan! Really wonder how those compare to, say, the O2 + ODAC or the Leckerton UHA-6S Mk.II.

To everyone else, got my MDs back from Dan. Glad he checked them out for me! Once finals wrap up at the end of the week, I'm planning on working on getting that MD and Paradox comparison out. Trying to keep it objectively focused, and hoping others will find it interesting!