[Rocco]

Hi everybody, I'm relatively new here. Have been lurking about 3 months and learning alot. Thanks.
My question. Looking for a portable to use with Pioneer Inno and E4c's. On the Inno I listen to both XM content and MP3. I've been reading comments that amps make little difference on iem's. Could someone expand on the reasons involved.
I have done a test on listening to the Inno with just the Shures attached and running them through one of my 2 Marantz 2240 HP jacks. At the same volume I can't really tell much difference other than an increased soundstage.
I've been looking at a lot of the amps discussed here and have been leaning towards an SR-71 when they become available. Would that be overkill with the Shure's?
Thanks again for the education on head amps and gear.

 

[Rocco]

Any thoughts?

 

[GreatDane]

When I owned the E4 I found that amping them gave slightly tighter bass, expanded the soundstage and provided a more dynamic sound. This was comparing them unamped from a Sony minidisc player which was my first DAP, later a Zen Vision:M. Amps used were PA2v2, Porta Corda & Micro Amp.

These results will vary depending on how good the E4 sounds unamped and which amps are used. The idea is not to supply more power which they don't need but rather to provide higher quality power. Not a huge difference but you would probably discern the improvement.

I found that my E4 sounded very good with the Porta Corda which has a super-clean, uncolored sound. The E4 sounded its best when amped with my PreSonus Central Station which is a rack mount pro gear preamp, headphone amp, DAC.

The SR-71 would be kind of overkill for the E4 but it'd be an excellent amp for any full size headphone also.

 

[papomaster]

GreatDane, how did you hook your zen to the porta corda? With one of the Qables docks? because I haven't seen any other option for it

.

 

[Pangaea]

Tomahawk would be the best thing for shures or any IEMs.