Portable amp for iphone?

[kippyy]

My first post,so be gentle:
Got my new iphone and Shure SE 530's,ripped all my cd's to lossless, and just dont get the WOW factor when listening to music outside,even at maximum volume settings. Just purchased AT-ESW9 as well(have not received yet). Would a portable amp enrich the listening experience? If so, which ones would be best for listening outside?
I've checked out skylab's excellent review as well, but..
Do any/all fit the recessed headphone port of the iphone?
Money is no object,just good sound(basshead),compatibility with my gear, ease of use, and portability.

 

[fl00r]

As far as I know the iPohone is not the best source on the market. Amping will only underline it's flaws.
Aside from the extra bulk that the amp adds: what if someone calls you up

 

[HardHeadCase]

Headamp Pico

Ray Samuels Predator

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl00r /img/forum/go_quote.gif As far as I know the iPohone is not the best source on the market. Amping will only underline it's flaws. Aside from the extra bulk that the amp adds: what if someone calls you up

Well there's only one best source on the market. Everything else isn't.

If the iPhone is like the Touch it's fine and amping does improve it's output. I don't know your phones so I can't recommend an amp (I'm using a Pico with a variety of phones), but wanted to say I disagree with fl00rs post and suspect the 'flaws' comment isn't from experience.

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kippyy /img/forum/go_quote.gif My first post,so be gentle: Got my new iphone and Shure SE 530's,ripped all my cd's to lossless, and just dont get the WOW factor when listening to music outside,even at maximum volume settings. Just purchased AT-ESW9 as well(have not received yet). Would a portable amp enrich the listening experience? If so, which ones would be best for listening outside? I've checked out skylab's excellent review as well, but.. Do any/all fit the recessed headphone port of the iphone? Money is no object,just good sound(basshead),compatibility with my gear, ease of use, and portability.

You might have to grind the 1/8" connector of the mini IC to the shoulder to fit the iPhone recess jack if you don't want to use adapter.

If you are a basshead, I'd suggest you to audition the HeadSix.

 

[musicmaker]

I have an iPhone and headphone out is ok. I personally wouldn't amp from the headphone out.

Have you researched the lineout option for the iPhone ? I know that the iPhone's lineout is wired a bit differently (different pinouts) but its documented and i'm pretty sure it can be made. If you can get your hands on a lineout option, an amp would definitely be a worthwhile investment.

 

[ab_ba]

Amping the headphone jack on the iphone *does* improve the sound quality. (I am using an RSA Hornet "M" amp and listening to Shure SE530's.) First, it kills that harsh analog hiss that's always there in the headphone jack. Second, it fills out the bass, and makes the highs feel less compressed.

Of course, what you really want is to connect your amp to the line-out dock. Ken Ball at ALO Audio makes a line-out cable for the iphone. But, not only the pinouts are different on the iphone: also the way it interacts with externals. It goes through a handshaking procedure. Ken's cable works like this: plug it into the iphone when it is off. The phone detects the cable and powers on automatically. An extra step, but probably worth it. But then you'll might face that awful interference from the cell phone signal. (I never hear it on the headphone jack of the iphone, kudos to apple on that one, but I sure hear it when using my Hornet and ipod when my iphone's nearby.) Check with Ken if his cable can deal with that, or else you'll need to put your iphone into airplane mode to use it for serious listening.

What we *really* need is to be able to get digital output from our iphones/ipods, and put it thru the DAC of the future. But first Apple has got to give up the secrets to its authentication chip!

 

[mchang]

Someone mentioned that the SendStation (SendStation - Products - PocketDock Line Out USB) works with the iPhone. I'm guessing you plug it in and plug in mini-to-mini cable.

I haven't tried it, and would be (pleasantly) surprised if it worked. I had also read that the SendStation's audio out wasn't the best, but that may have just been people championing their custom-made lineout cables.

I seriously doubt it offers any shielding or filtering of the phone interference.

I may eventually try it, but I think I'll keep using my 5G video iPod for now.