[LTUCCI1924]

HI: I am ordering the
METAPORT SPECS
-META 42 PCB
-Nichicon 470uF 35V PS caps
-1% metal film resitors
-OPA 2132PA or AD 8620 OP AMP(socketed)
-WIMA 6.8uF reservoir caps
-Elantec 2001 buffers (3) or (5)(socketed) -Biased to class “A”
-Panasonic EVJ 50K potentiometer
-Machined aluminium knob
-Switchcraft mini jacks
-High quality mini toggle switch
-Red LED
-9V battery power
-Black serpac H67 9V case (4.94X2.75X1.28”)

In my opinion the only upgrade would be to add the Alps Blue Velvet volume control. This would bring the total price with the AD 8620, stacked buffers, 2 9v battery power and Alps Blue Velvet volume control
This amp will be for portable use with my grado sr-80.
Any comments on this amp?

 

[puppyslugg]

Hi Lou,

It sounds like a fine Meta, but I think the PPA would be a much better amp, if you can wait. But if this amp going to power only the Grado 80, the Meta would be more than adequate.

I would suggest using the ad8620 and the Alps Blue Velvet pot and if possible, 2x9v batteries. On the buffers, I believe PPL likes using them in pairs ie: 2, 4, 6, etc.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: I ordered the upgrade to ad8620 and the Alps Blue Velvet pot and 2-9 volt batt. This amp will replace my super mini V6 if I like it better. I will be using my grado Sr-80 and shure E2c for portable sound. I just ordered the amp and it will be shipped to me on MONDAY. If all goes well my super mini V6 will be for sale next week.

 

[puppyslugg]

I like to hear your findings when you compare the Meta vs Mini.

 

[MagusG]

Quote:

Originally posted by puppyslugg I like to hear your findings when you compare the Meta vs Mini.

Though I have never heard a Meta42 before, I have a stinking suspicion that a Meta with those specs will SMOKE the mini.
-Mag

 

[TMC]

I was really looking for a comparison like that a week or so ago, the supermini v6 vs a good meta42 for about the same price. Now I've already pulled the t(r)igger on the Meta42, so you guys better not tell me the v6 is better!

 

[LTUCCI1924]

using Grado SR80s. This makes me think that we should wire the two 9v batteries in parallel. this will give more current, which is what the Grados need, and will also double the battery life. If we go this route, I can use 1000uF 10v power supply caps and improve the bass response a little.

 

[dragonlong]

Quote:

Originally posted by TMC I was really looking for a comparison like that a week or so ago, the supermini v6 vs a good meta42 for about the same price. Now I've already pulled the t(r)igger on the Meta42, so you guys better not tell me the v6 is better!

Nice way of hinting who you're getting the META42 from.

I'm considering getting a portable amp too, and I read though a bunch of threads concerning the META42 and the supermini. Most opinions are pointing to the META42 as being better, but the supermini seems smaller and less complicated. I'm a 99% noob concerning amps (1% non-noob for owning the Total Airhead) so I don't understand all the tech jargon to be able to decide what I want in a META42. Also, the main reason why I don't currently use amps these days is that my Total Airhead (3AAA version) is too bulky for me. It's small, but for me, it's still not small enough. My portable source is the MPIO FL100 Flash MP3 player, which is roughly 1/3 the size of the TAH and it fits in my pants pocket. I'd like to get a portable amp that can also fit in the same pocket simultaneously with my FL100.

The META42 looks like the better choice, but if it's still not small enough for me, it'll be useless since I won't be bringing it with me and it'll become a shelf dust companion with my TAH.

Also, are there AAA versions of the META42? The reason why I'm asking is that I'm using 6 AAA NiMH batteries that I rotate with my FL100 (which only needs 1 at a time, but I have many extras for the TAH), and I don't have any rechargeable 9V (I haven't seen any major stores selling them... not even Radio Shack!).

If I get the supermini instead, should I get the digital or analog version? I've heard that the analog is better since you can boost it with a 9V, but then again the analog also has the protruding dial, which I'm afraid that it'll break in my pant pocket and it also adds to to the size. I don't see any problem with the digital one since I'll only be boosting it using AC adapter if I ever boost AT ALL! I doubt I'd ever be carrying a battery pack with me to do a portable boost since my pant pocket can only take so much.

 

[TMC]

I've also done plenty of research about the Meta42 vs supermini V6 and if I was really going to use it portably (which I won't, I just want an amp that's small enough to transport to and from the location of use in my bag without taking too much space), I would have gotten the V6. The only person I've heard of that have really needed the booster to in his case not get clipping with it had a unit that was broken a short period later, which makes me suspect it was defect from the beginning. Other comments I've read seems to point to the V6 doing fine without boosting and with the booster it doesn't really make that big a difference. So for a small and really portable amp I'd probably go for a supermini V6 with digital volume control. For mostly desktop use with an AC adaptor swayed me towards the Meta42.

 

[dragonlong]

Thanks for the info, bud. Seems like I'll probably be getting the V6 then. I'm also wondering if I should ask for the built-in ER4P-to-4S adapter. Does the extra ohm-age make all portable headphones sound better, or is it only effective for the ER-4P and KSC-35? Depending on my mood, I could be using the above or the E888, D66, and potentially the EM7 or E2C if I get those in the near future. If the built-in ER4P-to-4S adapter is only good for some cans and not others, then I won't get it since I already have the official 4P-4S adapter by Etymotic.

 

[puppyslugg]

TMC & dragonlong:

If size is a factor, the Mint Meta may be another option. But if you can deal with a slightly larger box(Serpac), the 'standard' Meta would/could be better, IMO.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

puppyslugg
HI: The standred meta42 is 5x5x2" I think. The portameta is smaller at (4.94X2.75X1.28”) but still with 2 9volt batt.

 

[dragonlong]

Hm... so the V6 is still so much smaller than the portable META. I'm just wondering if it's all that easy to tell that the META is superior to the V6.

Also, should I buy the V6 or wait for a V7?

 

[dragonlong]

Hi, Lou,

BTW, which options did you get for your V6? If it has all the ones I want and you end up selling it for a good price, I want first dibs on it.

 

[puppyslugg]

Hi Lou,

With the Mint, tangent was still able to fit 2x9v batteries inside an Altoid box. It may not be the case for the opa2132, but I believe the ad8620 sounds better with higher voltage. So there may be a trade off for wiring in the batts in parallel for the ad8620.