[DGriff0400]

 Hey Head-fi community,
                                    I thinking about investing in a portable amp and possibly amp/dac combo but i have the opinion that my source is good enough atm (SGs3 with siyah). im thinking about getting a portable amp, my headphones are pretty efficient (AKG k550) so i wanted to get an amp for that little increase in sound quality. and to save on some battery power as well. the S3 doesnt have line out unless im using usb audio in that case ill require an amp/dac combo but i intended to just get a decent starter amp and use the headphone jack. How is this done btw? do keep the volume low and raise the amp vol?
 
starter amp considerations:
JDS labs cMoy BB
fiio e11
ALO,Headroom<=200$(taking other suggestions)
 
Any help is much appreciated.

 

[yepimonfire]

Quote:

 Hey Head-fi community,
                                    I thinking about investing in a portable amp and possibly amp/dac combo but i have the opinion that my source is good enough atm (SGs3 with siyah). im thinking about getting a portable amp, my headphones are pretty efficient (AKG k550) so i wanted to get an amp for that little increase in sound quality. and to save on some battery power as well. the S3 doesnt have line out unless im using usb audio in that case ill require an amp/dac combo but i intended to just get a decent starter amp and use the headphone jack. How is this done btw? do keep the volume low and raise the amp vol?
 
starter amp considerations:
JDS labs cMoy BB
fiio e11
ALO,Headroom<=200$(taking other suggestions)
 
Any help is much appreciated.

If your S3 does a good job driving the K550's, i don't think an amp will improve the SQ that much. IIRC, the S3 has a low output impedance, which is the most important factor in SQ after having enough juice to handle the load. The impedance of them is also fairly consistent, meaning they are relatively easy to drive.

 

[DGriff0400]

thanks man.maybe in the future ill invest in getting an apex glacier for the s3 and for my pc.

 

[micrors4]

You could get the Fiio e17 and use it as an amp when on the go but it will also have the advantage of being able to use it as a DAC with your computer so you can get some better sound quality.

 

[NZtechfreak]

Quote:

You could get the Fiio e17 and use it as an amp when on the go but it will also have the advantage of being able to use it as a DAC with your computer so you can get some better sound quality.

 
The E17 DAC doesn't work with the S3 though, better to get a solution that works with both like the Apex he mentioned.

 

[DGriff0400]

yeah im hoping someone at head fi will confirm that the glacier works with the international by the end of the year

 

[zachchen1996]

Get a leckerton uha-6s mkii. It is a dac/amp and it works with the gs3 with usb otg.

 

[DGriff0400]

what dac is it and does it work with the international version?

 

[DGriff0400]

its a 16/48 dac? i know it doesnt really matter if its 16 or 24 bit as long as the dac is good

 

[zachchen1996]

I believe it should work with the international version but you should ask the knowledgeable people in this thread to make sure. http://www.head-fi.org/t/595071/android-phones-and-usb-dacs Regarding the DAC, I don't own other dacs such as an odac or dacport to compare it sorry. I pair the Leckerton with my pc using it's dac and amp with my gr07's and it sounds incredible. I can assure you that this thing is awesome. Sorry I couldn't be of much help as this is my first dac/amp and I also plan to use with a note 2 soon. I'll direct you to this thread, much more help and info in here. http://www.head-fi.org/t/602493/new-leckerton-uha-6s-mkii-portable-headphone-amplifier-announced-update-user-impressions-added-july-20th-2012/600#post_8805853

 

[DGriff0400]

ok thnx man ill ask around if any of the owners have an s3.its a tricky issue since usb audio doesnt work with all s3's