[damex]

hello,
    right now i am using NW-ZX2 (korean ver). it is nice and have enough power for everything but my dt770 250ohm (barely loud enough at 100%) and 600ohm version is just not loud enough.
    so i need an amp. portable amp. i found locally fiio walkman line out adapter for something like 12$~.
 
    i plan to buy locally. hanoi. vietnam. budget is 300$.
    so i need an amp. my picks is:
    - Cayin C5 (165$~)
    - Xduoo XD-05 (223$~)
    - Aune B1 (201$~)
   
 
    what is not passed my filters:
    - ifi micro ican, size. impossibru to efficiently stack with nw-zx2.
    - fiio e18 (+dac), seems to be overpriced due to dac (which i don't need and can't use properly without ****load of cables. i need only amp). even if i can get it for 133$, not sure if it is worth it.
    - oppo ha2, same as e18.
 
    - sony pha-03, price. (900$? oh real...)
    - chord mojo, price might be fine for that kind of device but it is quite hard to stack with due to the same issue as with fiio e18.
    
    so... i checked http://www.headfonia.com/aune-b1-vincent/ ... Aune B1?
    maybe there is something else to consider?
 
    please recommend something / comment

 

[Mython]

I think you are wise to go with an amp for the ZX2, and not a DAC-Amp, because the Sony ZX DAPs have very poor battery life when used with DACs / DAC-Amps.

 

[Mython]

Vorzüge and iBasso are 2 other portable amplifier manufacturers you can consider.

 

[damex]

Vorzüge is not available here and iBasso produce only dac+amp combos nowaday.

 

[Mython]

Fair enough.
 
I admit, I didn't know iBasso stopped producing pure amplifiers.
 
I would have also suggested Portaphile, but they are a bit more expensive.

 

[damex]

actually there is only Ibasso P5 that can be used portably. not sure if that worth it. price is 550$~ here

 

[Mr Head P Hones]

Check out the fiio E12 got plenty of power and no dac

 

[damex]

i am not sure what fiio done to e12 but output through it is worse then through nw-zx2 itself. e12. not e12-DIY version.
and it is unnable to power dt770 600ohm properly. 250 ohm work fine but 600 ohm start clipping i tried with objective2 and no clipping.

 

[damex]

i tried xduoo xd-05 - amp is really weak compared to aune b1.
cayin c5 is powerful enough but trying other headphones - i can easily hear background noise. it is much lower with aune b1.
and aune b1 is actually more powerful so despite ****ty controls and self-destruct button on aune b1, i decided to stick to it.