[Head Creep]

I'm currently looking to buy an amp for bedside and rather inactive on-the-go usage. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be using these primarily to drive the DT770's I plan on buying soon, but I'd also like to use them with my E2c's and (less importantly) everything else I own. Battery life and size don't matter, as long as it's reasonable (read: no tube amps paired up with a car battery). Budget is, at the very most, $250; that's the very limit of how much I'm willing to spend, so don't try to sell me on a new SuperMacro. Plus, that's already 250% of the retail price of the most expensive phones I own atm, so I already feel more than a bit insane.

I've been eyeing the maxed-out Portaphile V2^2 and Xin SuperMini, and perhaps one of those Cute amps, but I'm open to any suggestions, new or used (if used, I'm buying sometime next week, so keep that in mind if you're suggesting specific items for sale at the moment). I'd prefer to negate as many future amp purchases as possible, so I'm aiming for the best that I can buy within this budget that'll fit my needs. Thanks for the help.

 

[drarthurwells]

Check out the VAL E10 - not sure how it is powered.

I am also looking into a new battery operated preamp and headphone amp combo but it may be ouside your money limit. Will get back when I find out more.

 

[RnB180]

micro stack and be done with it

 

[markkr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 micro stack and be done with it

I second this, you can find the amp used VERY close to your budget.

 

[Head Creep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells Check out the VAL E10 - not sure how it is powered.

I'd be nervous to use a tube amp outside of my house, especially with the way I treat my stuff (this should say everything: my SR-60's are held together by electrical tape). I think I'll stay with a solid-state amp this time around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 micro stack and be done with it

I'm so weak... I'm already looking at how I can pull together $300 plus shipping for a new Micro, in case there aren't any for sale used. If the stars align I'm aiming for a Micro. But seeing how I'd be relying purely on luck, I'd like to look into something that, when new, is within $250. Any suggestions there?

 

[markkr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head Creep I'd be nervous to use a tube amp outside of my house, especially with the way I treat my stuff (this should say everything: my SR-60's are held together by electrical tape). I think I'll stay with a solid-state amp this time around. I'm so weak... I'm already looking at how I can pull together $300 plus shipping for a new Micro, in case there aren't any for sale used. If the stars align I'm aiming for a Micro. But seeing how I'd be relying purely on luck, I'd like to look into something that, when new, is within $250. Any suggestions there?

1. There is a free shipping option from Headroom if you can wait a week
2. Look into the Xin amps for <$250 HERE

 

[Head Creep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markkr 2. Look into the Xin amps for <$250 HERE

That was part of my initial question, actually. How does the SuperMini/Micro stack up against the Portaphile?

 

[markkr]

Sorry, I have never heard the Portaphile. I once owned a SuperMini, and it was impressive.

 

[RnB180]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head Creep I'd be nervous to use a tube amp outside of my house, especially with the way I treat my stuff (this should say everything: my SR-60's are held together by electrical tape). I think I'll stay with a solid-state amp this time around. I'm so weak... I'm already looking at how I can pull together $300 plus shipping for a new Micro, in case there aren't any for sale used. If the stars align I'm aiming for a Micro. But seeing how I'd be relying purely on luck, I'd like to look into something that, when new, is within $250. Any suggestions there?

Make a contribution to head fi, and be eligible for 10% off headroom products for the next year.

If you were a contributor, the micro amp is actually $270 new shipped.
Thats how much I got mine for, make sure you get it with the desktop module. IMO totally worth it, since it stacks up pretty high in the top portable amps ever made. Others costing almost two times as much. Get a micro dac in the future, since they go so well together, and you have one kickin system worthy of home and portable use.

 

[fewtch]

Sheesh, pimpin' that motha like nothin'...

.

There are other options than the Micro, and it's even conceivable that someone may not like its sound.

 

[Head Creep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 Make a contribution to head fi, and be eligible for 10% off headroom products for the next year. If you were a contributor, the micro amp is actually $270 new shipped.

Are you on the Headroom payroll?

Let me ask this question and see what response I get: is the Micro amp worth the extra $60-100 I'd be spending on a Portaphile or SuperMini? I'm willing to spend the $300 for an amp if it's really as great as RnB is making it seem to be.

 

[Borat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head Creep Let me ask this question and see what response I get: is the Micro amp worth the extra $60-100 I'd be spending on a Portaphile or SuperMini? I'm willing to spend the $300 for an amp if it's really as great as RnB is making it seem to be.

You have to realize that RnB180 is using the Micro Amp with the matching Micro DAC and that makes a very synergistic combo in addition to being a fine source. If you pair the amp with an inferior source, I don't think you will have as great as results that he is experiencing.

 

[RnB180]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head Creep Are you on the Headroom payroll? Let me ask this question and see what response I get: is the Micro amp worth the extra $60-100 I'd be spending on a Portaphile or SuperMini? I'm willing to spend the $300 for an amp if it's really as great as RnB is making it seem to be.

The micro amp is good by itself, better then the super mini. Havent gotten much listening to the portaphile as the way the portaphile has its jack placements they dont fit my cables and the RA connectors kept switching off that power toggle switch off everytime I moved it.. I was never much of a fan of hammond enclosures and long toggle switches.

What makes the micro amp stand out is the crossfeed. Crossfeed isnt for everyone. And yes, please take into consideration component synergy and connections. The sound I am hearing is from this set up. I do not believe the other amps mentioned in this thread has a crossfeed function, but the headroom crossfeed really does a number on the music. Really blows my mind on some very very well mixed tracks. I get a very nice sound stage with positioning that no other portable amp has replicated. After this, no-crossfeed, sounds flat and boring in comparison.

The micro stack and proper synergy is good enough to use as a home amp also. Which is a plus IMO

Xin offers an amp with crossfeed and bass boost, but its about $100 more, so that might be really out of your budget.

and these cans while I am at home doing critical listening.

using uncompressed wav, optical out, micro dac and micro amp, modified senns and some serious recabling.

Though by itself, the micro amp is still a very nice amplifier, especially with sennheisers. Crossfeed is what makes that little brick a winner.

 

[Borat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 The micro amp is good by itself, better then the super mini.

I think HeadCreep refers to the Xin SuperMini, not the Shellbrook Super Mini Moy, which I know you have experience with. Have you heard the Xin SuperMini as well?

 

[RnB180]

I see, sorry for the confusion, I thought he was referring to the super mini moy. Nope never used the super mini.