[AudioSmurf93]

Looking to purchase a portable amp for my grado sr225s. Im down to choose between these two...

 

[The Legend]

Both are great amps, while the minibox-e offers a wider soundstage and the mini^3 offering a warmer sound it depends on music type and price.

 

[AudioSmurf93]

I listen to rock and has grado sr225s

Price is 105 for used minibox

115 or so for new mini3 from mr X

 

[Philimon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Legend /img/forum/go_quote.gif Both are great amps, while the minibox-e offers a wider soundstage and the mini^3 offering a warmer sound it depends on music type and price.

You have heard them both? Did you have them at the same time for a good comparison?

 

[The Legend]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philimon /img/forum/go_quote.gif You have heard them both? Did you have them at the same time for a good comparison?

I have not heard them both personally, but in my search to find a reasonably priced amp this was the resounding conclusion based upon people who have done reviews with both or have owned both at one time or another.

I did not mean to imply that I have owned both as I have not. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[boomana]

I currently have both, and disagree about the soundstage being wider on the MiniBox E+ comment . Unfortunately, I don't have 225s or any Grados at present, so I can't tell you how they might sound with either amp.

 

[spookygonk]

I have a Mini^3 and was going for a MiniBox E+ but ordered a Little Dot Mk1 instead (but that got stolen somewhere in the postal system and I've yet to get a replacement

). May request a refund on the LD and get a MiniBox instead.

Either should do you well enough.

 

[AudioSmurf93]

Bump! gots to make my decision ^_^

 

[AudioSmurf93]

http://www.hifi-inear.com/index2.php...do_pdf=1&id=28

Indepth review that didnt help me too much...compared them both...But you can use it to help structure ur opinion on which one you think I should get! haha =)

thx
db

 

[shomie911]

I have not heard the Mini^3 but I was in the same position you are a little bit ago, I came to the conclusion that both amps were in the same class and both have their particular strengths, but the differences are supposedly small enough that I went with the Minibox-E for the smaller size.

The Minibox-E is great, it's cheap, solidly built, and it sounds great.

It has no trouble powering my 250 ohm DT880's and drives them at comfortable sound levels at the 3 or 4 volume settings.

The PtoS switch (which enables a 75 ohm resistor) works wonders for IEM's. It makes a huge difference when listening to my E4c's.

Based on everything I've read and everything I've experienced while listening to my Minibox-E, I strongly suggest you go with it over the Mini^3.

However, as good as the Minibox-E is, I'm currently looking for a dedicated home/transportable amp.

I'm considering buying an RSA Emmeline XP-7 (with the AD797 op-amp) for use with my DT880's.

EDIT:
The newer Minibox-E+ version is supposed to be even better than the older model I have, so expect wonders if you get the new model. The old one is still great to my ears though.

 

[Elluzion]

i have read a lot of good things about the Mini^3. I decided to go with it. Haven't been able to test it out yet. Both are so similar that it truly doesn't matter which one you get.

 

[AudioSmurf93]

So you mean to say me thinking the Minibox-E is ugly, would be grounds to get the mini3 over it?

 

[shomie911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioSmurf93 /img/forum/go_quote.gif So you mean to say me thinking the Minibox-E is ugly, would be grounds to get the mini3 over it?

I meant that they are so alike that I chose the Minibox-E because it had a smaller profile.

But from everything I've been told and all the reviews I've read neither the Minibox-E or the Mini^3 really has an edge over one another.

But since I haven't heard the Mini^3 and the Minibox-E sounds so good (and with the Minibox-E+ supposedly being even better) I recommended it over the Mini^3.

 

[Drag0n]

Theyre both good. Id go for whichever has the most easily replacable battery in case it craps out on you.
I heard the Mini Box E+, but it was at a meet, and i havent heard the Mini 3.
It was very small and looked nice. The sound was good, but its so hard to tell how good at a noisy meet.

The battery issue is important. Although i like my Xtra Pro-1 and my C&C Box+, i do worry about the day when the battery craps out and wont take a charge anymore, then i have to do the ipod thing and send it out to be replaced (if the makers still exist by then)...or do it myself, if the battery isnt custom. If i cant find a battery,ill have to redo the inside and make-shift my own, or use an external battery pack plugged into the charging port.

 

[mrarroyo]

I have heard side by side the MiniBox-E and the Mini^3, I have also compared the MiniBox-E+ with the Mini^3, and the MiniBox-E with the MiniBox-E+. All three are great amps and at the prices they sell you would be very happy.

However I prefer the MiniBox-E+ amp. The only Grado I currently own is an RS-1 and it sounds fantastic driven by the MiniBox-E+. I have rolled op-amps in the MiniBox-E+ and find that the AD797 is a better match for the Grado RS-1 since it made the MiniBox-E+ sound a bit darker.

Best of luck in your choice.