Portaphile Thread

[xnuthecaveman]

Quote:

Just got these. Does anyone else have to turn the knob twice to turn on the unit?

 
Yes, you need to turn knob twice to turn on - to jump start the voltage booster circuit. 
 
Surprisingly, my 627 (not 627x) does not need to be turned twice, Lucky me? 

 

 

[jelt2359]

Maybe u have a defective one then lol. How about the charger? Mine also takes a while to light that red light..

 

[xnuthecaveman]

Quote:

Maybe u have a defective one then lol. How about the charger? Mine also takes a while to light that red light..

 
maybe ) I do have phasing noise when I use any beyerdynamic hp for the first 30 secs at 10 o'clock at low gain.
 
mine lights up quickly. The battery in my portaphile is screwed on unlike the standard soldered in. 
 
still sounds great paired with my DX100

 

[zachchen1996]

Hopefully I can get a a 627x to compare to my incoming wagnus bialbero epsilon s. Many who own the wagnus also state that it has the best bass of any portable so will look forward to see which one is really the best 

 

[jelt2359]

That would be awesome!

 

[avid2010]

Quote:

I've tried the 627X for a while now with my "iPod Classic + CLAS -dB + 627X + FitEar ToGo 334/AKG K3003"-rig and it sounds better than my two other AMPs (TTVJ Slim, ALO Rx-MK3-B). The soundstage is wider and deeper, the bass has a bit more authority but is still very well controlled, the separation and individual characteristics of instruments is more defined, and most importantly it is virtually (99.5 %) black with the extremely sensitive (and I repeat), extremely sensitive FitEar ToGo 334. In comparison the ALO Rx-MK3-B is a "hissing hell".
 

 
Hi guys, is there anyone who have the portaphile 627/x and the RX-Mk3B or SR-71B and compared the performance with the balanced function of the latter 2 amps?
 
To Aero Dynamik: was your above comparison using the single-ended or balanced mode of the Mk3b? 
 
The reason I am asking is I have the Clas -db/SR-71B fully balanced in/out and am seeking to try out a different amp. I have been reading rave reviews of amps like this portaphile, the Bialbero Epsilon S, etc. But I can't seem to find any comparison to the balanced operation of the Mk3b or the Sr71B.
 
Just a light hearted comment here, does anyone notice that with each new amp debut, it seems the feedback from users usually are: better separation, wider soundstage, etc in comparison to the previous generation amps. By now it would seem the latest amps have a soundstage the size of a basketball court or stadium compared to amps from 7-10 years ago    These are just my thoughts when reading the reviews in general, not only in this thread, nothing personal.

 

[jelt2359]

Quote:

 
Hi guys, is there anyone who have the portaphile 627/x and the RX-Mk3B or SR-71B and compared the performance with the balanced function of the latter 2 amps?
 
To Aero Dynamik: was your above comparison using the single-ended or balanced mode of the Mk3b? 
 
The reason I am asking is I have the Clas -db/SR-71B fully balanced in/out and am seeking to try out a different amp. I have been reading rave reviews of amps like this portaphile, the Bialbero Epsilon S, etc. But I can't seem to find any comparison to the balanced operation of the Mk3b or the Sr71B.
 
Just a light hearted comment here, does anyone notice that with each new amp debut, it seems the feedback from users usually are: better separation, wider soundstage, etc in comparison to the previous generation amps. By now it would seem the latest amps have a soundstage the size of a basketball court or stadium compared to amps from 7-10 years ago    These are just my thoughts when reading the reviews in general, not only in this thread, nothing personal.

 
I can't see why they would compare only to single-ended, because that's not the reason people buy these amps.
 
Better separation and wider soundstage is not always better in my mind, and I also look for other things (lush mids, energetic treble, impactful bass, extension, clarity).

 

[avid2010]

1. I meant to reach out to those who bought the Mk3b or SR-71B and have been using it fully balanced in/out, and have recently bought a 'latest and greatest' single-ended portable amp.
 
2. I do understand that some who bought these amps (Mk3B, SR71B) might only want to use it single-ended, though I have to wonder why they would buy them in the first place if "that is not the reason why people buy these amps" (Of course some of these users might be planning to go balanced with the amps in the future)
 
3. Of course separation and wider soundstage are not the only considerations. I was just using this as an example of an observation of the ever 'increasing soundstage' in a new amp review over an older amp Please don't take this as a rant, it is just an observation of what I am reading in a lot of reviews.
 
I will be glad if amps like the Portaphile 627/x perform better than a fully balanced Mk3B or SR-71B. Thats the whole point of my post, I'm looking to buy an amp that does that, but so far the reviews are only with single-ended conditions.

 

[jelt2359]

I prefer my portaphile, single-ended, to my protector and hm801/901 (I have both), balanced.

That being said, synergy is critical. The portaphile does best with mid-centric phones with good bass, further highlighting everything in that combination. This is the opa627 sound I know and love.

 

[audionewbi]

To my ears 627x sounds best with brighter gears. It sort of balances things out. For example Ex-1000 and 627x is quiet a joyful experience, just thinking about it makes me want to go upstairs and grab those two gears and listen to it. 
 
Having said that I do not think 627x is an amp that will rule all the IEM/CIEM out there. No it does not lack power, it has alot of it, once again it comes down to synergy. 

 

[jelt2359]

To my ears 627x sounds best with brighter gears. It sort of balances things out. For example Ex-1000 and 627x is quiet a joyful experience, just thinking about it makes me want to go upstairs and grab those two gears and listen to it. 

Having said that I do not think 627x is an amp that will rule all the IEM/CIEM out there. No it does not lack power, it has alot of it, once again it comes down to synergy. 

That it definitely does because of its mid centric sound with strong impactful bass. Now imagine you had an iem with a similar signature (as I do with my shure se846).

It's a match made in heaven

 

[audionewbi]

That it definitely does because of its mid centric sound with strong impactful bass. Now imagine you had an iem with a similar signature (as I do with my shure se846).

It's a match made in heaven

SE846 is on my list for sure, I am waiting for earsonic to update their product line. Having you saying how good it pairs wih 627x makes is a very good thing

 

[Haidar]

Has anyone compared the Decware Zen Head with the 627x?

 

[rudi0504]

Can anyone tell me about the SQ different between Portaphile 627 vs 627 x?

Thx

 

[jelt2359]

Can anyone tell me about the SQ different between Portaphile 627 vs 627 x?

Thx

Cesar himself says they sound different. According to mike from headfonia the 627 has a more Tubey lush midrange and the 627x has a harder hitting bass.

He prefers the former.