Review: Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared - FINAL update 12-20-10 added RSA SR-71B

[estreeter]

Quote:

The problem is, small and cheap seem to be a little tough to get in one package. I have taken to using the RSA P51 Mustang most of the portable amps I own, due to the small size. But it's not cheap.

Rob, I know you are hesitant to nominate a single amp, but if we ignore the genuinely 'portable' and look at the larger 'transportable' amps, is it fair to say that the Lisa III would be on your bedside table over everything you've reviewed in this thread. I know that more money doesnt necessarily buy you better sound, but this amp seems to have stood the test of time.
 

 

[Skylab]

Yep. I have been listening to the new L3, the updated version of the Lisa III, which I will review soon, and it is still top dog, if you ignore size and price.

 

[swbf2cheater]

After shopping around and getting reviews, thoughts and comments from some others, I came away with three likely picks.  The mini3, the minibox E and the Headsix
 
Im actually leaning toward the minibox due to the larger stage presentation over the other two.  I wish headdirect would drop 80$ off the list price on it lol ( comes with free REOs right now ) 

 

[estreeter]

Thanks Rob - I am prepared to ignore size and price when you consider that you simply can't put most fullsize amps in your backpack and set them up in a hotel room or on your desk at work. I'm sure someone out there has a monster tube amp on his (workplace) desk, but I would put that up there with those folk who seem compelled to have a fishtank and a fernery on their desks. The difference is that you dont get asked to feed someone's amp while they are on leave

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

After shopping around and getting reviews, thoughts and comments from some others, I came away with three likely picks.  The mini3, the minibox E and the Headsix
 
Im actually leaning toward the minibox due to the larger stage presentation over the other two.  I wish headdirect would drop 80$ off the list price on it lol ( comes with free REOs right now ) 

Of those you mentioned I have only heard the Headsix, and it's a very capable amp for the price.  I preferred it slightly over my RSA Tomahawk, although the Headsix was about 1/2" deeper in size.  But I do agree with Rob that the P-51 is a great portable amp, and it probably remains one of the best mini-amps out there.  It's a little more powerful than the smaller Shadow or Pico Slim which makes it more versatile, and it's even smaller than the Headsix.  I regret selling mine, but I only did so to help pay for the more powerful and larger balanced Protector.
 
I've read mrarroyo's impressions of the Minibox E+ and he loves that sucker with AD797 opamps, but I don't know how it differs from the E.  I'd like to hear one someday, but I'm not that interested in reviewing portables without a DAC anymore, unless they are as tiny as the iBasso T3 or Pico Slim.  Speaking of the T3, that one reminds me a little of the Headsix, but with slightly less power, transparency, detail and soundstage.  
 
On the other end of the spectrum, the P-51 improves on the Headsix in it's bass and treble extension, soundstage size and imaging, clarity and energy (although power is similar).  These are all nice warm full sounding amps.  Where the Pico Slim differs is in it's slightly increased refinement and deeper soundstage, while being slightly less aggressive sounding than the P-51.  Power level with full size phones is a bit less however.
 

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Thanks Rob - I am prepared to ignore size and price when you consider that you simply can't put most fullsize amps in your backpack and set them up in a hotel room or on your desk at work. I'm sure someone out there has a monster tube amp on his (workplace) desk, but I would put that up there with those folk who seem compelled to have a fishtank and a fernery on their desks. The difference is that you dont get asked to feed someone's amp while they are on leave

Hmmmm.  Size vs Price vs Sound Quality vs Power vs Battery Life - I think that you can only pick two or three in your favor.  
 
Some examples would be...
 
Tiny size + small price + decent power = decent sounding T3
Not as Tiny + good sound + decent power = mid-price Headsix
Tiny again + great sound + just enough power = high price Pico Slim
Not as Tiny + great sound + more power than Slim = just as high price P-51
Smallish size + great sound + even moar power = even higher priced Protector
Big size + Huge Price + bad battery life = fantastic sounding Lisa III
 
As the others all have good battery life, it seems like the only thing going for the Lisa III is sound quality.  
No, I'm not doing this for every amp I've heard, sorry.  

 

[Tinola]

You should...
 
Quote:

Quote:

Thanks Rob - I am prepared to ignore size and price when you consider that you simply can't put most fullsize amps in your backpack and set them up in a hotel room or on your desk at work. I'm sure someone out there has a monster tube amp on his (workplace) desk, but I would put that up there with those folk who seem compelled to have a fishtank and a fernery on their desks. The difference is that you dont get asked to feed someone's amp while they are on leave

Hmmmm.  Size vs Price vs Sound Quality vs Power vs Battery Life - I think that you can only pick two or three in your favor.  
 
Some examples would be...
 
Tiny size + small price + decent power = decent sounding T3
Not as Tiny + good sound + decent power = mid-price Headsix
Tiny again + great sound + just enough power = high price Pico Slim
Not as Tiny + great sound + more power than Slim = just as high price P-51
Smallish size + great sound + even moar power = even higher priced Protector
Big size + Huge Price + bad battery life = fantastic sounding Lisa III
 
As the others all have good battery life, it seems like the only thing going for the Lisa III is sound quality.  
No, I'm not doing this for every amp I've heard, sorry.  

 

[Armaegis]

If you don't care about battery, the Ortofon HD-Q7 is a very small desktop amp with plenty of juice behind it.

 

[Tinola]

Is it portable? nope
 
Quote:

If you don't care about battery, the Ortofon HD-Q7 is a very small desktop amp with plenty of juice behind it.

 

[Armaegis]

Hence why I said "if you don't care about battery". Consider it "transportable".

 

[swbf2cheater]

Quote:

Quote:

After shopping around and getting reviews, thoughts and comments from some others, I came away with three likely picks.  The mini3, the minibox E and the Headsix
 
Im actually leaning toward the minibox due to the larger stage presentation over the other two.  I wish headdirect would drop 80$ off the list price on it lol ( comes with free REOs right now ) 

Of those you mentioned I have only heard the Headsix, and it's a very capable amp for the price.  I preferred it slightly over my RSA Tomahawk, although the Headsix was about 1/2" deeper in size.  But I do agree with Rob that the P-51 is a great portable amp, and it probably remains one of the best mini-amps out there.  It's a little more powerful than the smaller Shadow or Pico Slim which makes it more versatile, and it's even smaller than the Headsix.  I regret selling mine, but I only did so to help pay for the more powerful and larger balanced Protector.
 
I've read mrarroyo's impressions of the Minibox E+ and he loves that sucker with AD797 opamps, but I don't know how it differs from the E.  I'd like to hear one someday, but I'm not that interested in reviewing portables without a DAC anymore, unless they are as tiny as the iBasso T3 or Pico Slim.  Speaking of the T3, that one reminds me a little of the Headsix, but with slightly less power, transparency, detail and soundstage.  
 
On the other end of the spectrum, the P-51 improves on the Headsix in it's bass and treble extension, soundstage size and imaging, clarity and energy (although power is similar).  These are all nice warm full sounding amps.  Where the Pico Slim differs is in it's slightly increased refinement and deeper soundstage, while being slightly less aggressive sounding than the P-51.  Power level with full size phones is a bit less however.
 

Thanks for the info!  My budget is exactly $165 now,  and I've decided to give the MiniBox E+ a go.  It seems like the safest bet for me and one that will cause the least stress later if I choose to resell my earbuds.  I chose the new Final Audio earbuds first, which are 16ohm and Im sure they will scale up just like the Sennheiser MX980s do at the same rating.  
The minibox seems to have a better stage size, and my plan of action was to try the new FAs and if I disliked them, try the 150 ohm Sunrise Charms, and if I disliked them as well then I would go back to what I know I loved in the Mx980, which has a huge stage.  Doesn't seem like the headsix is the best choice for me right now.
 
Im sure the minibox and the headsix are both more than sufficient in clarity to be used with the cheaper earbuds, but it seems the minibox is the better choice of the two due to its stage size.  Of course I want the RSA recommended by a few users here, but its too expensive for me right now and seems like audio overkill to be used with cheaper earbuds

 

[Guidostrunk]

I dunno, i think the headsix is a great amp and can be had on the forum for around 80 bucks

 which is very hard to beat at that price.I don't think the soundstage on the headsix is that bad either. Just my 2 cents.

 

[swbf2cheater]

I gathered as much but I found a few people willing to sell a minibox E+ to me, and not one was willing to sell the Headsix lol :{
 
the stage definitely isn't bad and clarity is likely just as good as the minibox e, but I know the minibox stage to be noticeably more wide than the Headsix, so that is a big factor when using headphones known for stage size.  I would love to have either or and if someone comes along willing to sell their XXS or headsix to me for 80-100, I'll definitely take that instead.  

 

[Guidostrunk]

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/509357/fs-meier-audio-corda-headsix-black  this may be available.

 

[swbf2cheater]

ohh! i appreciate that! I pmed him, hopefully that guy didnt sell it