[jloew05]

just purchased the brainwavz hm5 headphones.  Looking at getting a portable amp to use with my ipod and whatever else i will use to listen to music.  What would everyone recommend.  I would like to stay under a 100 and cheaper is better as long as i dont sacrifice quality.  I would also be into looking at a new player that has a built in amp if that is possible i would extend what im willing to spend.  The amp i was thinking about is the fiio e6 but i was not sure how well it would work.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

E6 is a cheap fix.
The first venturecraft godap goes for the same price now is better (amazon).
Or fiioE11 or cmoyBB(i havent hear the bb but have another type cmoy).

And you would need a LOD like the fiioL9.

(The above is true if you dont own the latest nano or ipod touch 5g).

 

[zazex]

The JDS Labs cMoybb 2.03 is a bargain at 65.00 or so.
If you want a different form factor, the FiiO E12 can be had
for a bit over $100.  Look to the many reviews for advice on
SQ; I happen to have both for different purposes i.e. the E12
"travels" better.  To me, they sound different and I like both.

 

[jloew05]

I have an older i believe 2nd or 3rd gen ipod classic if that matters.  And will i see a difference on the hm5s with one of these?  I want the smallest footprint i can get that is why i was looking at the e6 bit if its not that good i would go with something else like the e11 if its that much of a difference.

 

[jloew05]

I was also looking at that venturecraft go dap and it has a built in spot for the iphone can that be removed because if its better i might get something like that.  And with any of these will i notice the difference as i am no audiophile at least not yet.

 

[ExpatinJapan]

The original godap now for about usa $20 was made for the iphone 3. You could probably squeeze a touch in there with a bit of cardboard for fit.
Maybe check /post in the old godap thread first and check.it would be better than fiio e6.

 

[jloew05]

Well i have a classic so it wouldnt work unless you can remove it.  Also would the e11 be a better option?

 

[zazex]

I'm not familiar with that generation of iPod classic.
 
What I can say is that IMO the cMoy is a nicer sounding
amp than the E11.  Depending on where you listen,
the kinds of files you listen to, and other variables,
the cMoy's better SQ might not be worth as much
as the E11's smaller footprint.

 

[jloew05]

its one of the original ipods.  Also lets go with this what would be the best portable amp i could get under 100?  The smaller the better.

 

[jloew05]

Or would i get better results with a dac if they make a portable one or a different source unit? I am thinking about waiting for the fiio x3 if its worth it and getting rid of the ipod.

 

[zazex]

Quote:

its one of the original ipods.  Also lets go with this what would be the best portable amp i could get under 100?  The smaller the better.

 
There's a useful thread, I can't seem to locate it at the moment (4:37AM lol) - 
10 best portable amps under $100.  
 
It''s pretty recent and I think has the kind of info you're looking for.
There's another thread for portable amps under $200.
 
IIRC the JDS Labs Objective 2 was the reference amp
It's $144.00 and a stellar value, though not truly "portable".
 
For just a bit over $100.00 I like the Fiio E12.
 
Otherwise I'd go with the cMoy2.03BB I mentioned above.

 

[jaycee1]

Quote:

just purchased the brainwavz hm5 headphones.  Looking at getting a portable amp to use with my ipod and whatever else i will use to listen to music.  What would everyone recommend.  I would like to stay under a 100 and cheaper is better as long as i dont sacrifice quality.  I would also be into looking at a new player that has a built in amp if that is possible i would extend what im willing to spend.  The amp i was thinking about is the fiio e6 but i was not sure how well it would work.

 
Dude, the fiio E6 is a GREAT pick! I was very skeptical about whether an amp could make a noticeable, much less significant difference. I wasn't willing to invest more than $30 to start, so an E6 it was. 
 
I was literally shocked by how much of a difference the E6 makes. I used them with my jvc harx 700's to start. After a few seconds of listening, I literally took my headphones off, to look at them, as in 'are these the same headphones?.' I was taken aback by how much the sound had improved. I noticed immediately that the high frequencies were clearer. I then noticed that there was more and clearer bass. The midrange sounded far better and more realistic as well.
 
I pulled out a sound meter and also checked the volume on the player. I was listening at the same volume as before. Every part of audio spectrum sounds better. The sound signature is far more realistic. 
 
What's nice is that just about every pair of headphones I try is transformed in this way. It's amazing how much performance I've been able to extract from some VERY low cost audio equipment. 
 
Here's a tip: do some extended listening WITHOUT the fiio amp first. Familiarize yourself with the sound without an amp first. Only then try the amp. 

 

[jloew05]

Thanks for the info i will be listening a lot before i make the purchase im not in any big hurry to get anything.  I would like to know if something like the fiio x3 when it comes out would be better money spent since it will have everything built in.
I also like the idea of the cmoy amp but im not a fan of the case it comes in.

 

[TrollDragon]

I'd wait for the X3, it will be a lot more functional than your current iPod, more formats, better sound, uSD card... Better choice.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jaycee1]

I've got the E6, but now strongly tempted to pick up an E11. One can serve as a portable, the other as a home/desktop amp.