New Amp/Source to improve W3

[CooLy_oNE]

Hai..I'm using my westone 3 with my ipod touch 1G without any amp..If I want to improve mainly the SQ,soundstage of W3,and reduce hiss, should I get an amp or new source?

I'm thinking to buy either cowon S9(source) or iBasso D2(amp)..Which one will give me better improvement? I see that cowon has very good EQ setting which include improving soundstage,bass, and modify SQ...and I have no Idea what an amp will improve, any information will be much welcomed..

Any sugestion beside cowons9 and ibasso D2 is also welcome,as my budget is less than $200...

-Felix

 

[K_19]

Personally, I would find anything that is bigger than the size of T4 an overkill for true portable purposes with solely IEM use... unless you plan on getting one for a DAC or you need to amp other fullsize cans as well.

I believe T4 and D2 are pretty close in terms of SQ. But as for the hiss, I'm not sure if W3 is as much of a hiss monster as my SE530's, but they hiss quite a bit with them. It improves them significantly in soundstage and overall SQ otherwise.

 

[Ubijza]

Second hand Corda Move should fit the bill... My Move is terrific with W3. Anything below this level of amps is likely to cause you the want to upgrade again.

 

[MacedonianHero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CooLy_oNE /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hai..I'm using my westone 3 with my ipod touch 1G without any amp..If I want to improve mainly the SQ,soundstage of W3,and reduce hiss, should I get an amp or new source? I'm thinking to buy either cowon S9(source) or iBasso D2(amp)..Which one will give me better improvement? I see that cowon has very good EQ setting which include improving soundstage,bass, and modify SQ...and I have no Idea what an amp will improve, any information will be much welcomed.. Any sugestion beside cowons9 and ibasso D2 is also welcome,as my budget is less than $200... -Felix

To be honest, I really don't use anything with my Westone 3 and my 160Gb iPod Classic. They sound just fantastic as is. I do have a LOD cable and a Grado RA1 amp and PA2V2 portable amp that I have used and as these (and most IEMs) are really sensitive to hiss, I then have to use the volume controller that came with the earphones.

This then introduces something that could (and to my ears) does affect the sound quality. So to go back to my first recommendation is to not use anything.

 

[CooLy_oNE]

Yeah..I think I will just get T4 if the amp quality is almost the same as I wont be using the DAC often...Is there any suggestion about cowon s9?

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CooLy_oNE /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah..I think I will just get T4 if the amp quality is almost the same as I wont be using the DAC often...Is there any suggestion about cowon s9?

No. T4 will degrade sound quality.

If Cowon s9 is at least as good as previous Cowon players, it should be a great investment for sound quality (from what I read it is even better, so you just benefit all around). Other great options are iAudio 7 (if you want a small player), or iPod Touch (2nd gen), which measures and performs nicely.

You won't benefit all that much from an amplifier, focusing all funds on getting a good clean sounding mp3 player is much wiser.

 

[robojack]

I dunno, I would still say a Cowon S9, coupled with an iBasso or RSA amp (a used Tomahawk, perhaps?)

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robojack /img/forum/go_quote.gif I dunno, I would still say a Cowon S9, coupled with an iBasso or RSA amp (a used Tomahawk, perhaps?)

Why bother with an amp though?

 

[tstarn06]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif No. T4 will degrade sound quality. If Cowon s9 is at least as good as previous Cowon players, it should be a great investment for sound quality (from what I read it is even better, so you just benefit all around). Other great options are iAudio 7 (if you want a small player), or iPod Touch (2nd gen), which measures and performs nicely. You won't benefit all that much from an amplifier, focusing all funds on getting a good clean sounding mp3 player is much wiser.

I agree that spending on the DAP is important. But I also really like the W3s paired with the MinboxE+ and the Touch 2G LOD. To me, it does add something positive. On the other hand, would I be sad not to have the amp? No, the W3s sound excellent sans amp too.

 

[CooLy_oNE]

Now, I'm using ipod touch 1g..I think upgrading to 2g is silly..Now, I use the headphone out..will it much better if the sound is from ipod LOD? Do I need an amp if I use the LOD??

 

[CooLy_oNE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif No. T4 will degrade sound quality. If Cowon s9 is at least as good as previous Cowon players, it should be a great investment for sound quality (from what I read it is even better, so you just benefit all around). Other great options are iAudio 7 (if you want a small player), or iPod Touch (2nd gen), which measures and performs nicely. You won't benefit all that much from an amplifier, focusing all funds on getting a good clean sounding mp3 player is much wiser.

You mean T4 degrade from D2 or if I use T4, the SQ will degrade as from unamped?

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CooLy_oNE /img/forum/go_quote.gif You mean T4 degrade from D2 or if I use T4, the SQ will degrade as from unamped?

From unamped.

 

[gilency]

I tried W3's with the Headsix/LOD/6thgen iPod Classsic or straight from the LOD. not much different with or without amplifier. The added bulk and lack of meaningful improvement was not worth it to me. I agree, the W3 are great phones.

 

[CooLy_oNE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif From unamped.

So, It's better unamped from ipod LOD? If I use it straight from the LOD of ipod touch, what I need is simply use the volume controller as I read that LOD disable the volume function...

 

[tstarn06]

No, I would not plug phones directly into LOD. You need an amp inbetween.