NECO SOUNDLABS PORTABLE V.2 AMP

[theritz]

I received the Neco Soundlabs amp a few days ago. Let the burn-in begin! I am currently using it only on a 1989 Sony D-250 discman using line-out. It is a significant improvement over using the phone out. I am quite new to the jargon to use but to me the spectrum of the sound is better. More bass for starters (using the KSC75) but there's less muffled sound in the middle. The contrast between lows, mids and highs is better. It all sounds more 'split'. Also it sounds more '3D'. I know from the KSC75 that the sound will change when using it for hours and hours. So I am already happy with the amp.

Now bring on my LOD mister postman, so I can check out the iPod on the amp as well!

 

[bcvanguy]

I tried to drive Beyerdynamic DT770 600ohm with Neco portable amp, It's a big surprise because  DT770 600ohm sounds so good;  everything is there and no sound quality decrease could be detected by my ears. It is powered by a 9v battery, but it is sound the same when it powered by the wall wart which was supplied by Neco.
 

 

[wuwhere]

The Neco portable is an excellent amp with opamp rolling feature. Price/performance, its unbeatable IMO. I plan get a Neco Mosfet once he starts making them again.

 

[vkvedam]

It's an outstanding piece of kit. I am still working on my full length review. Instrument separation and stereo imaging along with outstanding detail are this amp's some of the great feats. Bass is something to die for as well. In fact entire audio spectrum is a big jump from my D10.

 

[theritz]

I received my Fiio L3 LOD two days ago and connected it to my Neco amp. I had to first rip some cd's @320Kbps because I only had 160 and 192Kpbs mp3 files . I had no need for a better quality mp3 because my kit was crappy. But now, with this kit the source files became the obvious bottleneck.

The sound using this amp is great, especially considering the rather low price. The sound is most definately more 'split', I think this is what you people call soundstage. Mind you, I only use Koss KSC75's and those are no rocket scientists when it comes to soundstages.
With that being said, the bass received a nice punch. There's more of it too. Without the amp I found the KSC75's to be pretty damped. But now it's all more lively. There's a crispier sound in the highs as well.

You might say this is because of the better files I now use but the same is true when I connect the kit up to my Sony D-250 Discman.
 
I think the sound is amazing. Never used a portable amp before, never used line out, never used more than 192Kpbs mp3 files.... it's all upgraded ofcourse. And I have no comparison to other portable amps. So don't take my word for it, but I feel this amp is a great asset for those who want to start out on a budget. Great buy if you ask me!

 

[jdog]

Sulcata_geo,
 
I know this thread has been dormant for about 1 month, but I was hoping to ask you about your choice of opamp LT1028acn8 for the Neco Soundlab V2.  Is the change in sound of the amp obvious or is the change somewhat subtle?  How much does the LT opamp change the bass?  I've looked into purchasing some of these opamps; are there counterfeit opamps on the market, and if so, how do you know who to purchase from?  Additionally, are the original opamps soldered into the amp, or do you change these by pulling the originals out and plugging the replacements in?  Thanks for any info you can provide, as I am new to this process.

 

[sulcata_geo]

 
Quote:

Sulcata_geo,
 
I know this thread has been dormant for about 1 month, but I was hoping to ask you about your choice of opamp LT1028acn8 for the Neco Soundlab V2.  Is the change in sound of the amp obvious or is the change somewhat subtle?  How much does the LT opamp change the bass?  I've looked into purchasing some of these opamps; are there counterfeit opamps on the market, and if so, how do you know who to purchase from?  Additionally, are the original opamps soldered into the amp, or do you change these by pulling the originals out and plugging the replacements in?  Thanks for any info you can provide, as I am new to this process.

Hi,jdog
 
The change is obvious. Very high-resolutional sound is heard. Bass is more tight and deeper than AD8610,OPA627,OPA637,OPA211,OPA837 etc..
Swapping is only plugged in the socket and not soldered.
I bought these opamp from buyer in Japanese Yahoo auction. You can get from Digi-key too.
 
Cheers.
 

 

[jdog]

Sulcata_geo
 
Thanks so much for your response.  I will consider giving the LT1028 opamp a try, I would like a bit more bass.  Does this opamp maintain good midrange and treble also?  As best as I can tell (based on the data sheet), the LT1028 opamp appears to be about like the AD8610 in terms of energy consumption.  Is this correct, or will the LT1028 use alot more battery?  Thanks so much for your help.

 

[SimH]

Hi - I was considering a Neco portable V2, but I've just ordered his latest portable amp instead... if anyone's interested I'll post my thoughts when it arrives (which should be tomorrow, unless it snows again...)
 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140489637304&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_483wt_1026
 

 

[chrisjackson]

Quote:

Hi - I was considering a Neco portable V2, but I've just ordered his latest portable amp instead... if anyone's interested I'll post my thoughts when it arrives (which should be tomorrow, unless it snows again...)

I'd certainly be interested

Wonder why you chose the newest model; I understand you've been in some dialogue with vendor. Do you intend getting some high impedance phones in the near future? I think I recall someone on the Rockgrotto forums saying he preferred the V2 with Sennheiser HD6X0 and the mosfet model with AKG K701. Not sure how to interpret that; the V2 has a slightly bright presentation perhaps?

 

[wuwhere]

The AD8610 is a little bright compared to OPA637.
 
Quote:

Quote:

Hi - I was considering a Neco portable V2, but I've just ordered his latest portable amp instead... if anyone's interested I'll post my thoughts when it arrives (which should be tomorrow, unless it snows again...)

I'd certainly be interested

Wonder why you chose the newest model; I understand you've been in some dialogue with vendor. Do you intend getting some high impedance phones in the near future? I think I recall someone on the Rockgrotto forums saying he preferred the V2 with Sennheiser HD6X0 and the mosfet model with AKG K701. Not sure how to interpret that; the V2 has a slightly bright presentation perhaps?

 

[SimH]

Quote:

Quote:

Hi - I was considering a Neco portable V2, but I've just ordered his latest portable amp instead... if anyone's interested I'll post my thoughts when it arrives (which should be tomorrow, unless it snows again...)

I'd certainly be interested

Wonder why you chose the newest model; I understand you've been in some dialogue with vendor. Do you intend getting some high impedance phones in the near future? I think I recall someone on the Rockgrotto forums saying he preferred the V2 with Sennheiser HD6X0 and the mosfet model with AKG K701. Not sure how to interpret that; the V2 has a slightly bright presentation perhaps?

Blimey, do you work for MI5? How did you know that? I'm impressed. Yes, I sent Neco a couple of emails telling him what phones I use and the kind of sound I like (mostly loud and deep; louder and deeper than a cMoy can deliver without distorting, anyway)... he recommended his new amp (not sure why!... probably because it's a step up from the V2?). I've been thinking about all kinds of amps... RSA, Meier, iBasso etc... but Neco seemed like a good chap who responded positively to my emails and had brilliant feedback, so I figured I'd spend my money with him and go with his recommendation.

 

[sulcata_geo]

Quote:

Sulcata_geo
 
Thanks so much for your response.  I will consider giving the LT1028 opamp a try, I would like a bit more bass.  Does this opamp maintain good midrange and treble also?  As best as I can tell (based on the data sheet), the LT1028 opamp appears to be about like the AD8610 in terms of energy consumption.  Is this correct, or will the LT1028 use alot more battery?  Thanks so much for your help.

LT1028ACR is superior to other opamp in NECO portable V2 at all range.
I've not tested battery life , but I guess no much difference because NECO has no buffer.
 
Cheers.
 

 

[chrisjackson]

 
Quote:

Blimey, do you work for MI5?

 
Hee, hee, got me thinking there : I didn't hesitate to check your profile for info (wanted to know what headphones you use) while my own is completely blank

To this uneducated eye the new model does seem to be more versatile than the V2 model; and also not really much more lolly. But I'm guessing it has more sultanas on tap so Neco thought it might be a good match for you, helping to produce lots of controlled bass.  

wuwhere thanks for the reply. So maybe the AD8610 mightn't be such a bad choice for those who find the HD 650 a bit "dark" for them. I'm not sure though that the portable V2 and mosfet (whichever version) weren't both using the same opamps in the comparison I recall. Expect there will soon be more owners of different versions of Neco's amps able to make those comparisons.

 

[wuwhere]

In the mosfet, the ad8610 is just used in the input stage, in the output stage it uses two mosfet transistors in class A per channel.
 
Quote:

 
Quote:

Blimey, do you work for MI5?

 
Hee, hee, got me thinking there : I didn't hesitate to check your profile for info (wanted to know what headphones you use) while my own is completely blank

To this uneducated eye the new model does seem to be more versatile than the V2 model; and also not really much more lolly. But I'm guessing it has more sultanas on tap so Neco thought it might be a good match for you, helping to produce lots of controlled bass.  

wuwhere thanks for the reply. So maybe the AD8610 mightn't be such a bad choice for those who find the HD 650 a bit "dark" for them. I'm not sure though that the portable V2 and mosfet (whichever version) weren't both using the same opamps in the comparison I recall. Expect there will soon be more owners of different versions of Neco's amps able to make those comparisons.