[Hetfield72]

Hi All,
 
My current listening setup is a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50 and a CMOY homemade headphone amplifier in an Altoid tin hooked up to an iPod classic. This has worked well for me for a couple of years, but I have recently upgraded my headphones to the Denon AH-D7000 and I am thinking that I will probably need to upgrade my amp as well.
 
Background:
I use my headphones for music listening (not gaming, movies, etc.) with my iPod classic. I typically listen to them at my office or when I am out at lunch during the work day. Because of this, something that is somewhat portable is nice. It doesn't have to be "fit in your pocket" portable, but I should be able to set it up on a desk and move it when I want. I typically listen to rock, heavy metal, and acoustic music. My budget is open, but honestly I am having a hard time rationalizing spending over $250 on an amp. Maybe it's because I haven't ever listened to one of these $500+ amps, but I just wonder how much better it could be.
 
So I am hoping that someone will have some suggestions (specifically for use with my Denon d7000 headphones - 25 ohm impedence).
 
Criteria are:

1. Would like it to power itself with batteries to make it more portable
2. Should work with an iPod classic
3. Something that is a good match for the Denon D7000

 
Any help is appreciated!

 

[aamefford]

I found both the Pico Dac / Amp and the TTVJ Slim to be great partners with the D7000.  Pico was my favorite of the two.

 

[Hetfield72]

Quote:

I found both the Pico Dac / Amp and the TTVJ Slim to be great partners with the D7000.  Pico was my favorite of the two.

Thanks for the info. It looks like the Pico dac/amp is little above my price range ($500). The Pico amp alone is a little closer in price (I think around $350) and from what I understand (and my understanding could be limited) I probably wouldn't use an external DAC with my iPOD so maybe I wouldn't really need it. I know there is a way to bypass the iPod DAC, but from what I've read only a few proprietary distributors have DACs capable of this (i.e. not all DACs will allow the iPOD to bypass its internal DAC). Is this correct information based on other people's experiences?