Source Worthy of High End Portable Amp?

[erikzen]

I raised this question in the amp forum but maybe this is a more appropriate place.

I'm very excited about the high end portable amps that are available these days. I was first intrigued by the XP-7, then the Larocco Pocket Reference and now the SR-71.

I'm sure all of these amps sound great but the question is whether or not this is overkill for a portable system. What portable source is worthy of such a high end portable amp?

 

[bangraman]

If I was being 'Geek'-like, I'd say none, because when you come down to it the best PCDP's (and PHDP's) don't really go above a good entry-level CD player at the very most.


But, I've noticed the XP-7 (I don't / have no plan to own the SR-71) does give a distinctive flavour to the source regardless of it's quality, and if the SR-71 does the same what you end up liking may not be the absolute quality, but the flavour of the sound. It's still not worth it to me, but it may be worth it to you.


The iPod comes to mind as being practically as good as the NJB3 (which has one of the strongest and cleanest signals for amping) but is a lot smaller and is a more accomplished product as a straight player. And although the feature's just been released, but it supports Lossless now. In my view it combines ease of use, the advantages of a HDD DAP and ease of loading extremely well. The only bugbear is the battery life (although third-party/DIY power solutions are possible).

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman It's still not worth it to me, but it may be worth it to you.

Perhaps...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangraman The iPod comes to mind as being practically as good as the NJB3 (which has one of the strongest and cleanest signals for amping) but is a lot smaller and is a more accomplished product as a straight player...The only bugbear is the battery life (although third-party/DIY power solutions are possible).

I have been sort of anti-iPod. I just never thought it was worth the money but if it does support lossless formats then from an audio point of view it might make the most sense. I've been getting along really well with an old Archos Studio 10. It has a nice line out for amping and if you make high bit rate rips of well recorded source material it sounds pretty damn good. But now it's starting to show it's age and I've been having some hard disc errors.

As much as I'd like to buy a really nice portable amp, I'm not sure it's worth it. Maybe I'll just save my money for when I have the time and the place for a nice home amp. Or not!

 

[jmb]

Xin makes some nice mobile amps that work great with portable devices and they are a lot cheaper (starting at $120) than the amps you named. I have the Supermini myself and really love it. If you are looking for a very portable, reasonably priced amp that will power a good pair of cans. Give 'em a try. You might be able to borrow one from Xin or someone here at Head-Fi.

 

[cmascatello]

My 3G iPod and mini have been performing quite well with my SuperDual and XP-7 now that Apple has a lossless CODEC. The only thing I need now is a 60-80 GB model that can hold a greater portion of my library in Lossless.

 

[bangraman]

If you must amp a true portable, I think the Xin amps are the ones to have.

http://www5.head-fi.org/forums/showp...7&postcount=48

 

[erikzen]

Thanks for the suggestion but I already have a super mini, although I could consider upgrading to the Super Dual. Anyone know how these two compare; is it worth the upgrade?

I was just considering an upgrade to the next level of portable amp, hence my question. It seems like I'm not going to see that great of an increase in sound quality by upgrading my amp to the $400 to $600 range because of the limitations of the source. That's not to say people don't do it and that I would have an awesome rig if I do.

 

[Jester]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen Thanks for the suggestion but I already have a super mini, although I could consider upgrading to the Super Dual. Anyone know how these two compare; is it worth the upgrade? I was just considering an upgrade to the next level of portable amp, hence my question. It seems like I'm not going to see that great of an increase in sound quality by upgrading my amp to the $400 to $600 range because of the limitations of the source. That's not to say people don't do it and that I would have an awesome rig if I do.

Well I have the SuperDual and my SR-71 just came in today. Initial impression is that the SR-71 has a crisp clean sound and delivers a wonderful sound stage. Not that the SuperDual lacks any attention to detail, but in my opinion the SR-71 delivers the goods. I like the SuperDual for overall price performer and would say that the SR-71 is the Cadillac of portables.

Also, the size and weight of the SR-71 is quite a bit more than the SuperDual, if this is important to you. See picture:

 

[erikzen]

I had the pleasure of listening to the SR-71 prototype at they NYC Head-Fi meet. I've been lusting after that amp ever since. Just wondering what type of source is going to really make the SR-71 shine, if anything. Right now it looks like some kind of HD player with lossless support seems like the top candidate.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

iPod or some other type of HD player with lossless support
SR-71
Ety ER-4S (closed)
ATH-EW9 (open)

 

[wolfen68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen Perhaps... I've been getting along really well with an old Archos Studio 10. It has a nice line out for amping and if you make high bit rate rips of well recorded source material it sounds pretty damn good. But now it's starting to show it's age and I've been having some hard disc errors.

Start new again by slapping a new hard drive in your Archos. Heck, put in a bigger drive if you can afford it. That was/is one of the great advantages of the older models.

There's an 80 gig drive out there somewhere just waiting to sit in my recorder 20.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfen68 Start new again by slapping a new hard drive in your Archos. Heck, put in a bigger drive if you can afford it. That was/is one of the great advantages of the older models.

Sounds like a good idea although I wouldn't really know where to begin. Is there somewhere with information on changing out HD in these things? And where do I buy the replacement and how much do they cost?

The only reason I would consider buying a new (or different) player is that I would like to get lossless file support.

I'm also wondering if it's really only a battery problem. It seems like if I run it with the AC adapter plugged in I don't get any HD errors. The batteries don't seem to be holding a charge either.

 

[wolfen68]

In that case it's definitely the batteries. I thought you had been through troubleshooting already....

HD errors are common problems with Archos units when the AA's begin to fail. Unlike other DAPS, getting a new set of battteries to troubleshoot the power problem is relatively cheap with an Archos. I recommend Energizer 1850 mah or any of the Maha Powerex line @1700 mah or higher.

 

[erikzen]

Actually, I believe my model, the Archos Studio 10, does not take standard AA batteries. I found this site http://www.newmp3technology.com/accessories.html#nimh
that seems to carry the proper replacements for only $19.

I didn't start to really troubleshoot the unit because I'm still testing it to see if I can replicate the HD errors to make sure it's the batteries. But your post helps shed some light. It also got me thinking about buying a new source, especially if I'm thinking about a new amp.

 

[wolfen68]

To my knowledge, all "studio" models take AA batteries. Open the little flap doors on the front left and right and you'll see them. Use a plastic pen cap so you don't damage them.

Newmp3Technology is very reputable...but the studio batteries they show are just standard NiMH batteries. The proprietary square battery they sell is for the newer Archos units....which is not what you have. Run to Walmart and get energizers and save yourself a few bucks (should be $9-12 for four).

Make sure you get NiMH's and don't use alkalines or NiCd's....they won't work. NiMH is pretty much the rechargeable standard nowadays for portable electronics, so you won't have any trouble finding them.

 

[Lisa]

Those look like standard AA rechargebles. The price also indicades that. Others would be more expensive. And that external charger is a charger for normal AA rechargeables. Look inside your archos. See what batteries they are.
I'd go for the Maha powerex if I were you. They're suposed to be one of the best and cheaper.

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/m...2300mAh-aa.htm

-edit- Or do what wolfen68 said. The shipping makes it $20.