vranswer
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- May 19, 2004
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I took a few minutes yesterday to do some comparisons for anyone interested between a couple of value-priced amps I own, and contrast them with the new DAP darling - the Sansa Clip. My curiosity is how much improvement is available from an ultimate minimalist player of proven SQ to these entry-level ($70-$180) amps.
Secondly I venture to make a judgment, albeit strictly opinion, as to whether or not any quality increase is in fact ‘worth it’. My purpose is to analyze and describe sound of each rig, compare and contrast differences, and rate each for both sound and value. My hope is to offer some small insight to someone trying to figure out if the extra bucks are worth the price of admission into some of this stuff.
The Gear
Shure E500s (for all listening)
IPod nano 2nd Gen (source for both amps - all ALAC files)
Amps -GoVibe V & Headsix
Sansa Clip (using LAME V0 or higher MP3s)
Music
The Rebel Wheel - diagramma (chosen for its varied instruments, an awesome track)
Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element I - Morning on Earth
Dead Soul Tribe - the january tree’s ‘Why’
nano/GoVibe combo:
Treble/cymbals - great detail, clear separation. GV5 definitely clarifies the upper-midrange so sorely missed from nano’s headphone out (one of the true annoyances of nano). “Morning on Earth” starts with what sounds like one of those toy-box keyboards you got as a child being played. Sounds right in your face, with timbre which can elicit some real emotion once you know the song - GV5 delivers beautifully. There is a particular sequence on ‘diagramma’ during which drummer Alain Bergeron’s snare drum sounds especially sweet, with that sharp and echoing attack/decay somewhat reminiscent of one of my old favorites, Bill Bruford. The GoVibe presents it very cleanly, but somewhat more analytically in contrast to Headsix.
Mids - Voices super clear, very forward..almost ‘high’ in my head, hard to describe. Again definitely takes mushiness out of nano’s headphone presentation and cleans everything up. With the nano, you’re fine if just hearing your collection in the background while doing something else, like cutting the grass or some such. But if you decide to really listen to your music this midrange deficiency becomes too apparent IMO.
Bass - lots of punch, probably 10-20% more oomph than headphone out. But also a little cold to me for lack of a better word, especially when compared to Headsix still to come. The ‘Why” track on the january tree album opens with an incredibly powerful thumping baseline which GV5 delivers with real authority, very forward and driving. Gives good feeling and musical enjoyment.
Staging - good separation side-to-side, couldn’t get as much a handle on front-to-back. As I say, almost felt somehow high in my head. Instrument easily more distinguishable than nano alone.
nano/Headsix combo:
Treble/cymbals - when you focus in on the upper end here you discover some fascinating details, that is if you can focus in. The Headsix is a wonderfully warm and engaging device. This warm sound without analysis might seem to color the entire presentation. But when you do get to serious listening, you discover crystal clear detail, splashy cymbal crashes, etc. It’s just offered up to you with this incredibly warm and engaging delivery which is downright addicting. Of the three rigs I cover here, this one clearly was the one most likely to make me stop analyzing and just start enjoying the music…“oops, supposed to be doing a review here” type-thinking.
Mids - Daniel Gildenlow’s voice in ‘Morning on Earth’ packs a lot of emotion, which the Headsix draws up with warmth and clarity. Vocals slightly warmer than GV5, but not especially noticeable. Headsix just seemed more accurate somehow.
Bass - here the Headsix breaks away with considerably more punch. Bass depth might actually be fairly close, but H6 is just a bass slam monster. Those with anemic-bass iPod malaise can find their cure right here, because this amp is just so much fun in bringing lively and bass-rich sound to your head. The opening bass line on the ‘Why’ Dead Soul Tribe track just thumps and grooves, giving that toe-tapping response that helps you drop the analysis and just start enjoying.
Staging - very three-dimensional sound from the H6, augmented by the beautiful warmth of presentation. There’s just something fuller and more rich-sounding when your music is delivered in this fashion. Side-to-side separation pretty much equal GV5, but more separated front-to-back. Head position dead-center in contrast to GoVibe.
Sansa Clip:
Treble/cymbals - very clear and present, much, much better than nano headphone out. Zero mushiness. diagramma snare drum passage had as sharp an attack as on either amped rigs above. Basically as clear as both of those.
Mids - vocal very clear, probably closer to GoVibe sound than H6, i.e,.somewhat colder or more neutral.
Bass - here’s where it gets most interesting. The tiny ‘clip’ that can roar - this thing is lightning in a box. Not the deepest, but goes down plenty low, and with strength and slam. Got the similar foot-tapping response as H6 during the ‘Why’ track, just a punchy, driving low-end that’s very satisfying. Doesn’t overwhelm the entire spectrum but does have an impact. An equal to either of the above with one important caveat (next).
Staging - the distinction is in the depth or liveliness of not just the bass but entire delivery. Where the Clip shows its size apparently is in sound staging. Now, it could be lossy compression exacerbating here, but that’s a debate for another thread (too many other threads). The Clip is noticeably flatter front-to-back, and even up-and-down. While H6 leads this small pack in that area, the Sansa is the trailer. It doesn’t ruin the listening experience all that much IMO, but in contrast can easily be heard.
Bottom Lines:
As of this writing, a 2GB Sansa Clip can go in US for about $50, maybe less. Pretty much the size forces use of lossy MP3s, so some of that liveliness may be a necessary compromise. You’d be set back $200-$300 for the other two rigs, so question is, is it worth it? For myself, it has been quite worth it. I would not be satisfied with just my Clip/E500 rig because I occasionally have a need for more reference-quality listening. At the same time, physically active usage though the little Clip is mighty fine, convenient and very unobtrusive.
I’m thinking of divesting all extraneous equipment and keeping both the Clip and nano/H6 combo and stay happy as a lark. Hope this helps any interested HeadFi ers.
Secondly I venture to make a judgment, albeit strictly opinion, as to whether or not any quality increase is in fact ‘worth it’. My purpose is to analyze and describe sound of each rig, compare and contrast differences, and rate each for both sound and value. My hope is to offer some small insight to someone trying to figure out if the extra bucks are worth the price of admission into some of this stuff.
The Gear
Shure E500s (for all listening)
IPod nano 2nd Gen (source for both amps - all ALAC files)
Amps -GoVibe V & Headsix
Sansa Clip (using LAME V0 or higher MP3s)
Music
The Rebel Wheel - diagramma (chosen for its varied instruments, an awesome track)
Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element I - Morning on Earth
Dead Soul Tribe - the january tree’s ‘Why’
nano/GoVibe combo:
Treble/cymbals - great detail, clear separation. GV5 definitely clarifies the upper-midrange so sorely missed from nano’s headphone out (one of the true annoyances of nano). “Morning on Earth” starts with what sounds like one of those toy-box keyboards you got as a child being played. Sounds right in your face, with timbre which can elicit some real emotion once you know the song - GV5 delivers beautifully. There is a particular sequence on ‘diagramma’ during which drummer Alain Bergeron’s snare drum sounds especially sweet, with that sharp and echoing attack/decay somewhat reminiscent of one of my old favorites, Bill Bruford. The GoVibe presents it very cleanly, but somewhat more analytically in contrast to Headsix.
Mids - Voices super clear, very forward..almost ‘high’ in my head, hard to describe. Again definitely takes mushiness out of nano’s headphone presentation and cleans everything up. With the nano, you’re fine if just hearing your collection in the background while doing something else, like cutting the grass or some such. But if you decide to really listen to your music this midrange deficiency becomes too apparent IMO.
Bass - lots of punch, probably 10-20% more oomph than headphone out. But also a little cold to me for lack of a better word, especially when compared to Headsix still to come. The ‘Why” track on the january tree album opens with an incredibly powerful thumping baseline which GV5 delivers with real authority, very forward and driving. Gives good feeling and musical enjoyment.
Staging - good separation side-to-side, couldn’t get as much a handle on front-to-back. As I say, almost felt somehow high in my head. Instrument easily more distinguishable than nano alone.
nano/Headsix combo:
Treble/cymbals - when you focus in on the upper end here you discover some fascinating details, that is if you can focus in. The Headsix is a wonderfully warm and engaging device. This warm sound without analysis might seem to color the entire presentation. But when you do get to serious listening, you discover crystal clear detail, splashy cymbal crashes, etc. It’s just offered up to you with this incredibly warm and engaging delivery which is downright addicting. Of the three rigs I cover here, this one clearly was the one most likely to make me stop analyzing and just start enjoying the music…“oops, supposed to be doing a review here” type-thinking.
Mids - Daniel Gildenlow’s voice in ‘Morning on Earth’ packs a lot of emotion, which the Headsix draws up with warmth and clarity. Vocals slightly warmer than GV5, but not especially noticeable. Headsix just seemed more accurate somehow.
Bass - here the Headsix breaks away with considerably more punch. Bass depth might actually be fairly close, but H6 is just a bass slam monster. Those with anemic-bass iPod malaise can find their cure right here, because this amp is just so much fun in bringing lively and bass-rich sound to your head. The opening bass line on the ‘Why’ Dead Soul Tribe track just thumps and grooves, giving that toe-tapping response that helps you drop the analysis and just start enjoying.
Staging - very three-dimensional sound from the H6, augmented by the beautiful warmth of presentation. There’s just something fuller and more rich-sounding when your music is delivered in this fashion. Side-to-side separation pretty much equal GV5, but more separated front-to-back. Head position dead-center in contrast to GoVibe.
Sansa Clip:
Treble/cymbals - very clear and present, much, much better than nano headphone out. Zero mushiness. diagramma snare drum passage had as sharp an attack as on either amped rigs above. Basically as clear as both of those.
Mids - vocal very clear, probably closer to GoVibe sound than H6, i.e,.somewhat colder or more neutral.
Bass - here’s where it gets most interesting. The tiny ‘clip’ that can roar - this thing is lightning in a box. Not the deepest, but goes down plenty low, and with strength and slam. Got the similar foot-tapping response as H6 during the ‘Why’ track, just a punchy, driving low-end that’s very satisfying. Doesn’t overwhelm the entire spectrum but does have an impact. An equal to either of the above with one important caveat (next).
Staging - the distinction is in the depth or liveliness of not just the bass but entire delivery. Where the Clip shows its size apparently is in sound staging. Now, it could be lossy compression exacerbating here, but that’s a debate for another thread (too many other threads). The Clip is noticeably flatter front-to-back, and even up-and-down. While H6 leads this small pack in that area, the Sansa is the trailer. It doesn’t ruin the listening experience all that much IMO, but in contrast can easily be heard.
Bottom Lines:
As of this writing, a 2GB Sansa Clip can go in US for about $50, maybe less. Pretty much the size forces use of lossy MP3s, so some of that liveliness may be a necessary compromise. You’d be set back $200-$300 for the other two rigs, so question is, is it worth it? For myself, it has been quite worth it. I would not be satisfied with just my Clip/E500 rig because I occasionally have a need for more reference-quality listening. At the same time, physically active usage though the little Clip is mighty fine, convenient and very unobtrusive.
I’m thinking of divesting all extraneous equipment and keeping both the Clip and nano/H6 combo and stay happy as a lark. Hope this helps any interested HeadFi ers.
