Sony PHA3/ Balanced Headphone recommendations ?

[AceCobra1]

I have a Sony Z7 headphones but it seems the volume is too low so i suspect that my devices are not powerful enough to drive it. I use the Sony A25 player. Looking to buy a balanced headphone amp ideally portable and ideally no more than £600. Looking to pair it with the PHA3 which seems to work well from the reviews. I also heard some good things about the Astell & Kern AK70 that supports balanced headphones too but that would be a solo purchase because that is £600 on its own so wouldn't be getting the amp should I buy that. Any suggestions?

 

[willywill]

You already have a decent player full size headphone need power, the PHA3 is good but way over price. A decent portable amp will power the Z7 fine and get you the volume and depth your missing. You need a DAC/AMP or just a just a AMP for better battery life but stay away from a DAP there not a single DAP that can power the Z7
 
This a just a protable amp
http://penonaudio.com/FiiO-A5
http://www.head-fi.org/t/819831/the-fiio-a5-thread-an-upgrade-of-e12a-muses02-lme49600-800mw-19vp-p-12-hours

 

[AceCobra1]

Thanks for the reply - does the Fiio allow a balanced connection ?

Do you know how it compares against the PHA3 ?

 

[willywill]

  Thanks for the reply - does the Fiio allow a balanced connection ?

Do you know how it compares against the PHA3 ?

No the Fiio is not balanced, it doesn't need to be blanced. Anything out of the 3.5mm dual balanced cable that came free with the Z7 you will need to buy your own cable. The PHA3 is a good DAC/AMP but not perfect, i hate the battery life and how long it take to charge and run real hot. The main problem is the price not worth the price, there are memeber that get good performance from the Chord Mojo for half the price but you have a good source you just need more power, a portable amp is your solution. 

 

[AceCobra1]

What are your thoughts if I just bought a player on its own like the Astell & kern ak70 ?

Would that be good enough to pair with the Z7 ?