[anth]

Hey guys quick question!

Do you think driving the empyrean through the balanced output of the ifi go bar (475 mw) would be enough to satisfy in a portable setup?

Thanks for all the advice!

I was listening to mine on a fiio ka3 via balanced for the extra power. To be fair I was pleasantly surprised, maybe a 7 or 8 / 10 compared to a 10/10 desktop setup. They do loose some depth, I agree with betula to do them justice you need to give them the right power.

 

[Ichos]

Hey guys quick question!

Do you think driving the empyrean through the balanced output of the ifi go bar (475 mw) would be enough to satisfy in a portable setup?

Thanks for all the advice!

Yes but don't expect miracles.
As long as you know what are the sq limits then it is good.

 

[nick97]

In my humble opinion no portable gear can do justice to high-end headphones, regardless low sensitivity.

Dang, not even something like mojo 2, Hugo 2, ifi diablo, etc??

 

[nick97]

I was listening to mine on a fiio ka3 via balanced for the extra power. To be fair I was pleasantly surprised, maybe a 7 or 8 / 10 compared to a 10/10 desktop setup. They do loose some depth, I agree with betula to do them justice you need to give them the right power.

Okay cool that’s good to know and makes total sense, what do you think they really need to shine power wise?

 

[nick97]

Yes but don't expect miracles.
As long as you know what are the sq limits then it is good.

Any recommendations for a portable to drive them appropriately price no object?

 

[betula]

Dang, not even something like mojo 2, Hugo 2, ifi diablo, etc??

They sound good, until you hook them up to a similarly priced full sized desktop system. Then you realise what was missing. Of course a lot depends on the actual headphone we are talking about.

 

[Ichos]

Any recommendations for a portable to drive them appropriately price no object?

Maybe something from Centrance but I don't have personal experience.
I think that you should try something with a battery like the Gryphon.

 

[Dalmonegrig]

Dang, not even something like mojo 2, Hugo 2, ifi diablo, etc??

For Meze Empyrean on 32 ohm, you will be enough DAPS with output capacity of 2 - 4 watts. The rest is already a matter of musical preferences.

 

[Newsee]

Any recommendations for a portable to drive them appropriately price no object?

I think the Empyrean has great synergy with the A&K Kann Cube and the Kann Alpha.
I like it as well on Hiby R8. 80% of my listening happening on that due to mobility and ease of use, despite that I prefer the Empyrean with my desktop tube amp.

I would like to hear how it sounds on Cayin N8ii. That one was driving the Elites like crazy, when I have heard it on an audio exhibition.

 

[ops V]

Any recommendations for a portable to drive them appropriately price no object?

I listen with CEntrance HiFi-M8 V2 (1.6 W/75 Ohm). I like this combination.

 

[phillevy]

Any recommendations for a portable to drive them appropriately price no object?

I use a Hugo 2 exclusively and it sounds great with power to spare. I think it combines well with the Empys in that it counters some of the darkness. I certainly didn't feel the desktop setups at CanJam at the weekend made it feel inadequate.

 

[WDitters]

I think the Empyrean has great synergy with the A&K Kann Cube and the Kann Alpha.
I like it as well on Hiby R8. 80% of my listening happening on that due to mobility and ease of use, despite that I prefer the Empyrean with my desktop tube amp.

I would like to hear how it sounds on Cayin N8ii. That one was driving the Elites like crazy, when I have heard it on an audio exhibition.

The Empyrean are equally well driven from the N8ii and come alive just like the Elite

 

[betula]

I use a Hugo 2 exclusively and it sounds great with power to spare. I think it combines well with the Empys in that it counters some of the darkness. I certainly didn't feel the desktop setups at CanJam at the weekend made it feel inadequate.

We are obviously stretching limits with the Hugo 2 when we talk about portable gear. Sure, the Hugo 2 sounds fabulous regardless portability and beats many desktop solutions for the price. Yet, I would argue that the Qutest with a good secondhand amp for 2 grand altogether might sound better.

 

[ops V]

On the desktop solution, my favorite is the Meze Empyrean paired with the SPL Phonitor xe + DAC768.

 

[Newsee]

The Empyrean are equally well driven from the N8ii and come alive just like the Elite

Thanks for that.
If I remember correctly you had the R8. Did it worth the change to n8ii?