My first headphone amp (for mobile use) please some advice!

[Rick Hunter]

First of all let me introduce myself, since it's my first post: I'm 28, I live in Italy and I've been reading these forums for the last few weeks, and from what I got to know here I got rid of all the crappy cheap earbuds I had and got a pair of PX100 and a pair of HD485... Now I am pleased with the HD485, but it looks like my 2nd gen Ipod nano has not enough juice to drive 'em properly (EUROPEAN ipods are volume-capped because of EU regulamentations... even at 100% they're not so loud, even with a 32 ohm headphone like the HD485...)

I'm looking to buy a portable amp to mate with my Ipod, and I would like a very neutral amp...
Could the Little Dot Micro+ be a good choice? I'm a complete newbie on amps so please please please forgive me for the next question... Will it sound alright connected to the headphone jack of the ipod or should I buy the Ipod dock and connect the amp to the line-out the dock provides?

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to feed me some help!

BTW: These forum totally rock!

 

[Andrea]

Hi,


with the HD485 the LDM+ actually pairs pretty well. But... the Xenos 0HA-REP pairs even better!

 

[Rick Hunter]

Thanks Andrea (you italian too?) for your prompt reply.

Since you own the HD485 and have tried both amps with those, how would you describe the overall sound signature / tonal balance of the Xenos + HD485 and of the LDM+ + HD485?

Thanks in advance, I have read some of your post and I do believe you are a good analitycal person, so I would appreciate to hear your impressions.

 

[GlendaleViper]

If you're looking for neutrality, then scratch the (amazing at its price) PA2v2 from any consideration - I assume this amp will inevitably be brought up. Great value, but not neutral by any stretch of the imagination.

Another tip: Consider checking the for sale forums. You may be able to find a better option within your budget this way.

 

[Rick Hunter]

I have ordered a LDM+ off ebay a few minutes ago. Now I'm seeking a line-out addon accessory for the ipod... I found more than one... but I must admit that I thought these things would be MUCH CHEAPER than what they actually are...

 

[laxx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter I have ordered a LDM+ off ebay a few minutes ago. Now I'm seeking a line-out addon accessory for the ipod... I found more than one... but I must admit that I thought these things would be MUCH CHEAPER than what they actually are...

QFT!

I also just started on my collection of "audiophile" equipment. I never thought about interconnects and power cords before and after finding this site, I have to bump my original expected costs quite alot. =T

 

[hYdrociTy]

A line out from the ipod is a must. Even if you have to use something like the turbo dock and a cheap mini to mini, It would still make the biggest difference vs headphone out. Do buy a line out dock, even if you have to make comprimises on the amp purchase. A good line out from the ipod dock and a decent amp is way better improvement than the very best portable amp being fed from the headphone out even with best mini to mini cables..

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter Thanks Andrea (you italian too?) for your prompt reply. Since you own the HD485 and have tried both amps with those, how would you describe the overall sound signature / tonal balance of the Xenos + HD485 and of the LDM+ + HD485? Thanks in advance, I have read some of your post and I do believe you are a good analitycal person, so I would appreciate to hear your impressions.

Hello! I Italian too

Sorry, this time I wasn't so prompt in answering...

There's little difference in balance between the two amps -- both have the "wire with gain" (non-) sound signature. The Xenos has more power for both low and high impedances, but this won't matter with the HD485. The Xenos has a somewhat richer midrange, and overall is a good bit clearer. Thus, I recommend the Xenos -- it's slightly costlier, but it's worth it.

 

[Rick Hunter]

My LDM+ amp will be shipped today from France, I'm now getting a line-out portable dock from Sendstation and a decent mini to mini cable to connect amp & ipod.

Certainly this will be a big improvement over the standard Nano built-in amp

I'll post my impressions right here in this thread as soon as get the rig set up and burned-in

 

[Andrea]

Enjoy. One big advantage of the LDM+ lies in its otherwordly battery life

It'll work fine from scratch, but burn in will make it even better.

 

[mrarroyo]

My Go-Vibe 5 pairs very nicely with my HD600 and K701. Good luck.

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea both have the "wire with gain" (non-) sound signature.

Quote:

The Xenos has a somewhat richer midrange, and overall is a good bit clearer

These two statements are mutually exclusive. Two "wire with gain" amps must sound the same as neither alter the sound of the source (by definition) .

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hciman77 These two statements are mutually exclusive. Two "wire with gain" amps must sound the same as neither alter the sound of the source (by definition) .

Yes, by definition... but you know, abstraction is not reality.


If you ask me, the more true to the source amp is the Xenos. The LDM+ is cold sounding, if only slightly, and (thus) has a ever-so-slightly hollow sounding midrange.

 

[hciman77]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea Yes, by definition... but you know, abstraction is not reality.

Um, what has this got to do with anything?.

You described two amps as "wire with gain" which I took to mean that neither imposed any alterations on the sound according to the late Stewart Hegeman's credo back in the 50s. Then you describe the differences between them in sound terms.

What do you mean by "wire with gain" ? I am just trying to understand what you mean here .

 

[Andrea]

'Course the reply had to do with your objection...

Has it ever been had, in real life, any amplifier embodying the "wire with gain" abstract ideal-definition-utopia ? To put it differently, does perfection belong in this world? I doubt it, perhaps I'm just being naive