[ianmedium]

Hi Folks.
 
I am currently really enjoying my new ER4S's through Gary's PA2V2. Plenty of power for the Ety's. I also have a Nuforce icon mobile but have found it not powerful enough to drive them well.
 
I am considering an upgrade of amp and wanting suggestions as to what would be a good portable amp for these phones. My source is an ipod classic with silvercab LOD and lossless files.
 
I can go up to $200-$220
 
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[lazure]

I've just ordered a Stepdance from Meier Audio. Was fairly happy with my Headsix driving the ER-4 but wanted an upgrade. The Stepdance is over your budget, though. You could always consider Meier's Corda 3Move amp, very well reviewed. Jan's customer service is excellent as well.

 

[ClieOS]

Second that. 3MOVE drives ER4S really well. With Stepdance on the market, you should be able to find cheap 3MOVE in the for sale forum easily.
Quote:

I've just ordered a Stepdance from Meier Audio. Was fairly happy with my Headsix driving the ER-4 but wanted an upgrade. The Stepdance is over your budget, though. You could always consider Meier's Corda 3Move amp, very well reviewed. Jan's customer service is excellent as well.

 

[melomaniac]

or you can get an RSA tomahawk, very long battery life, very good for IEMs. great combo with ER4S

 

[wuwhere]

The Arrow is good with ER4S, it has bass boost, impedance and gain switches, and excellent form factor. The wait sucks though.

 

[violinvirtuoso]

If you can find one used, the Xin amps are good. FWIR, the Minibox E+ has awesome synergy with the ER-4S. It was made with the ER-4S in mind. However, it is a older design...

 

[ianmedium]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions folks, now the fun part, exploring all of them!
 
I have always been tempted by RSA Audio, seems like a good firm, it is above my budget but I could stretch!
 
The mini box sounds very interesting and i have no problem buying used, will do some more research on them.
Thanks again guys, what a great forum this is!

 

[ianmedium]

Actually just did a google on the minibox and see the ES version is now for sale, does this one have the same synergy and design base for the ETY's?

 

[violinvirtuoso]

Quote:

Actually just did a google on the minibox and see the ES version is now for sale, does this one have the same synergy and design base for the ETY's?

I haven't heard that much about the ES Version. If you look on Head-Direct's website you see information about the Minibox ES. But as far as I can see, all the information (and pictures) for the ES version are identical to the information (and pictures) for the old E+ Version.

 

[wuwhere]

Just a word of advise on the Minibox E+. The ER4S is a relatively high impedance IEM so it matches well with the E+. However if you get a lower impedance IEM in the future, you can only use the E+ volume control a little bit up and it gets very loud quickly. It doesn't have a gain switch. And you might also hear some channel imbalance.

 

[tnmike1]

Quote:

or you can get an RSA tomahawk, very long battery life, very good for IEMs. great combo with ER4S

totally agree: the Tomahawk is wonderful with the ER4 either P or S variety.  Had the Minibox E+ but found it to be a bit "quirky" and broke twice and had to send back to Fang.  Just prefer Samuels' amps for design and construction.

 

[mrarroyo]

The MiniBox-E+ (old version w/ the flip switches) is fantastic with the ER4P/S.

 

[IDK]

How does the minibox-d sound with the ER4s?

 

[wuwhere]

Comparing my Arrow against my Tommy on my ER4S, Arrow is warmer and has plenty of bass (bass boost at I, gain at II, impedance at 0).

 

[ianmedium]

I really appreciate all the advice. I am looking at all the options now, this is the fun bit!