Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed

[milkpowder]

OMG. Is this not the most understated amp of all time? Just look at the specifications!

Portaphile V2^2 Maxxed
Black Hammond Aluminum Case
Three Channel Topology
User Selectable Variable Gain Settings
3 X AD8610's
Class A Biasing
3 X BUF634's (1/Channel)
Buffered Power Supply
2 X Black Gate NX 1000uF Caps
0.1% Thin Film Vishay Dale SMD Resistors
2 Buffers per channel (BUF634's)
Integrated DC Jack

$234.95 (+ shipping $4.05 CONUS, $12 international)

This is quite cheap. Has anyone compared this particular upgraded model to the Hornet, AE-1, SR71, Supermacro, LaRocco PR II, etc?

It seems like a deal to me and with all those switches, Class A biasing, Black Gate caps it is very attractive.

What do you guys think?

EDIT: BTW, I am not affiliated to Portaphile at all.

 

[Jahn]

it went head to head against a hornet and AE-1 here and did really well!

 

[socrates63]

The Portaphile v2^2 is a very sweet amp. It holds its own against more expensive portable amps. When you consider the price/performance value ratio, IMHO it's the best.

Portaphile.com has several links to Head-Fi reviews of Portaphile amps. Check it out if you haven't already.

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn it went head to head against a hornet and AE-1 here and did really well!

Thanks! That was a pretty good review you did. I quite like the compact size of the Hornet. The AE-1 seems to have insane battery life as well as RCA inputs, which I find very desirable and professional (similar to LaRocco PRII). The Portaphile boasts some pretty impressive specs and at its price range, it is very difficult to beat!

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrates63 The Portaphile v2^2 is a very sweet amp. It holds its own against more expensive portable amps. When you consider the price/performance value ratio, IMHO it's the best. Portaphile.com has several links to Head-Fi reviews of Portaphile amps. Check it out if you haven't already.

Thanks a lot. I will check it out.


I am not in the market for one, but I just went on to the website for a quick look and was very amazed at its specs and price. If only they made a version with a premium case like the Hornet, AE-1 or PRII. Even if they charged more, it would still sell well! Add in RCA inputs and it will be the "king-of-the-hill".

 

[Lsportline43]

I'm in the market for my first amp and I'm on a budget. The Portaphile V2^2 attracted me, for it's atleast $100 cheaper than most other high quality amps. (Ex. The Hornet, SR-71, SuperMacro, LaRocco Pocket Reference II)

I don't know what all that stuff is...

Anyone want to explain or point me in the right direction of finding out what it means?

 

[Ko Nectic Jazz]

I'm longing for some money to buy one...

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsportline43 I don't know what all that stuff is... Anyone want to explain or point me in the right direction of finding out what it means?

Portaphile.com's switches page provides an explanation of all the switches and features.

The Portaphile v2^2 maxed is an excellent amp. I think it sounds similar to the SR-71 and it sounds about as good. If your budget is around $200, I'd highly recommend getting it.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder I am not in the market for one, but I just went on to the website for a quick look and was very amazed at its specs and price. If only they made a version with a premium case like the Hornet, AE-1 or PRII. Even if they charged more, it would still sell well! Add in RCA inputs and it will be the "king-of-the-hill".

Well, if a custom case was used, I think the price would jump an additional $100-150. That would place it at the same price as the competition and that would be a great marketing challenge.

If RCA inputs were offered, it would lose its tiny size, and that's what I really love about it. There's no wasted space in the current design.

It seems like you have an AE-1 in your future... custom case, RCA inputs.

 

[Lsportline43]

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrates63 Portaphile.com's switches page provides an explanation of all the switches and features. The Portaphile v2^2 maxed is an excellent amp. I think it sounds similar to the SR-71 and it sounds about as good. If your budget is around $200, I'd highly recommend getting it.

Thanks for the link.

I think the Portaphile V2^2 is just the amp for me.

Now all I need is the money...

 

[Lsportline43]

socrates63 you have the Portaphile V2^2 and SR-71, which do you prefer with your HD 600 and HD 650? Why do you have both? Why not only keep one? Do they both have their own merits? Is that why you have both?

 

[socrates63]

I don't use my portable amps with the HD600 or HD650 anymore but when I did in the past, I didn't have a preference.

I have both because I found a good deal for the Portaphile on Audiogon, and being a portable amp junkie, I couldn't pass it up. Yes, the Portaphile and SR-71 have their merits. I like the Portaphile for its size (pocket friendly) and DC input, both features which the SR-71 lacks.

I have to admit that since I now have the Hornet (again, I'm a portable amp junkie and I couldn't pass up the sale price) which I'm busy burning in, the Portaphile is not getting used as much. I've thought about selling either the Portaphile or SR-71 but again, being a portable amp junkie, it's difficult for me to sell either one. Also, I generally don't like selling things I buy (pack rat?). Maybe a day will come when I decide to sell some of my amps to finance the purchase of an ATH-L3000.

 

[Lsportline43]

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrates63 I don't use my portable amps with the HD600 or HD650 anymore but when I did in the past, I didn't have a preference. I have both because I found a good deal for the Portaphile on Audiogon, and being a portable amp junkie, I couldn't pass it up. Yes, the Portaphile and SR-71 have their merits. I like the Portaphile for its size (pocket friendly) and DC input, both features which the SR-71 lacks. I have to admit that since I now have the Hornet (again, I'm a portable amp junkie and I couldn't pass up the sale price) which I'm busy burning in, the Portaphile is not getting used as much. I've thought about selling either the Portaphile or SR-71 but again, being a portable amp junkie, it's difficult for me to sell either one. Also, I generally don't like selling things I buy (pack rat?). Maybe a day will come when I decide to sell some of my amps to finance the purchase of an ATH-L3000.

Thanks for the explanation!

Another question: Which portable amp, that you own, sounds bests with your Audio Technica ATH-W1000? Which sounds best with your HD 600/650? Any other portable amp to consider that you've tried and liked?

 

[milkpowder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrates63 Well, if a custom case was used, I think the price would jump an additional $100-150. That would place it at the same price as the competition and that would be a great marketing challenge. If RCA inputs were offered, it would lose its tiny size, and that's what I really love about it. There's no wasted space in the current design.

Points taken. Nevertheless, the Portaphile should offer an additional, more expensive solution w/ custom case for those who are willing to pay the money. I'm not worried that there will be a lack of customers. The AE-1 and Hornet sell extremely well and both of them use custom cases.

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrates63 It seems like you have an AE-1 in your future... custom case, RCA inputs.

Hell yeah! Extreme battery life, custom case, RCA inputs, proprietary op-amp, etc... Very attractive for a wisker under $400. The LaRocco PRII is also in my radar for very similar reasons.

I would recommend the Portaphile to anyone looking for their "first amp" or even their 50 millionth amp. Portable, audiophile quality amp it is!

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsportline43 Thanks for the explanation! Another question: Which portable amp, that you own, sounds bests with your Audio Technica ATH-W1000? With sounds best with your HD 600/650? Any other portable amp to consider that you've tried and liked?

In terms of absolute sound quality, I actually like both the Hornet and SR-71 with both the W1000 and 650/600. It's whatever suits my fancy at the time. I switch back and forth.

If those are too pricey, then I have no hesitation recommending the Portaphile or the Porta Corda. Try to get them used and they both become an extreme bargain. I picked up mine used for $150 and $110 (or close to it), respectively.

Other than my current portable amps and the Micro Amp (too warm for my ears), I haven't tried any others. But if I was shopping for portable amps right now, I'd be interested in Zemo's amps (Z-Audio). From what I've read, like the Portaphile, Zemo's amps seem to offer a high degree of value. Larocco PR II is a little too pricey. For that kind of money, I'd rather go with a standard desktop amp.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkpowder Hell yeah! Extreme battery life, custom case, RCA inputs, proprietary op-amp, etc... Very attractive for a wisker under $400. The LaRocco PRII is also in my radar for very similar reasons. I would recommend the Portaphile to anyone looking for their "first amp" or even their 50 millionth amp. Portable, audiophile quality amp it is!

When I bought my SR-71, the AE-1 not on the market. If it was, I would have had a very difficult choice to make.

The Portaphile v2^2 maxed offers an extremely compelling balance of value and performance. Anyone looking for a $200 amp would be wise to take a serious look at it.