Supermacro v3 a worthy upgrade from Portaphile v2?

[Jmmmmm]

I currently have a portaphile v2 and like it a lot. I've heard much praise for the sm v3, though, and have been thinking about upgrading. I really don't have much reason to upgrade, but I have to say the switches are alluring. I just ordered some er4p's, mainly out of curiosity, so I think the bass boost on the sm3 might match well with them. I might resell the er4p's if I don't like them more than my e4c's, though, which is fairly likely. Even the e4's need a boost in the low end when in a noisy environment, though. I'd prefer not to use the ipod's bass boost since it's quite muddy. Also, the crossfeed would be useful for some of my beatles etc. So, is the sm3 worth the money if the main reason is for the switches? Obviously if it sounds better, I will appreciate that too. If someone has been able to compare both, I'd like to hear the differences. I'd prefer it with the stock opamp in the sm3, whatever that is (is that the 5534, even on older models?)
The headphones used with it will be, in order of time: e4, er4p maybe, 325i.

Also, I'm wondering about the physical differences between the two. If anyone has had them next to each other, how much larger and heavier is the smv3 (with the batteries, obviously)? On xin's site, he says the amp is 6.5oz, but I'm not really sure how much the portaphile weighs. Do you have to have all 8 aaa's in the sm3? Also, how is the battery life on the sm3?

Sorry if these are answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find a comparison.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

The SM V3 is a better amp and there is a noticeable difference, but you'd receive a much higher return on your money if you purchased a DAC like the Headroom Micro DAC. Now you just need to find a portable player with optical out...

That's just my experience,

Matt

 

[Pappucho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 The SM V3 is a better amp and there is a noticeable difference, but you'd receive a much higher return on your money if you purchased a DAC like the Headroom Micro DAC. Now you just need to find a portable player with optical out... That's just my experience, Matt

Could you elaborate on under what conditions you auditioned the Portaphile? What headphones were used, etc....

 

[labrat]

 
Deleted.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

I auditioned them today (well, technically yesterday) in meet conditions (noisy, so far from perfect) for about fifteen minutes each (I own the Supermacro) out of Ipod lineout and Bel Canto DAC2 w/MS-2i. The Supermacro seems to have less ground noise than the Portaphile with a better sense of balance.

For me, the Portaphile seems tipped to the bottom end, which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. However, I felt like the Supermacro was more faithful to the recording.

Right now I'd rank the portable amps as follows:

(1) SR-71/SM V3 (they sound very similar to me out of Bel Canto DAC2 and ABx switchbox; the SR-71 might be a little smoother, refined, and less punchy, but that's about it; pick the one you think looks cooler/handier, seriously; they're the same darn thing performance-wise; I have no idea what the hysteria is about with these two amps).

(2) Hornet (The midrange sounds off, to me, the same way the SM V3 sounds "off" with the LT1122/LT1028; if I could bet money, I'd bet that Ray solders LT1122 SOIC for each channel; I really don't like this op amp or sound; the form factor is definitely cool and professional looking, though).

(3) Headroom Micro portable/Portaphile (Portaphile seems a little tubby at the bottom end, the Micro amp seems a little slow with not enough instrument separation; I'd take Micro over Portaphile for faithfully producing signal).

-Matt

 

[digitalcat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 (1) SR-71/SM V3 (they sound very similar to me out of Bel Canto DAC2 and ABx switchbox; the SR-71 might be a little smoother, refined, and less punchy, but that's about it; pick the one you think looks cooler/handier, seriously; they're the same darn thing performance-wise; I have no idea what the hysteria is about with these two amps). -Matt

perhaps because one is $100 cheaper and sounds as good as the other. To some folks it just can't be right....

 

[Imyourzero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I auditioned them today (well, technically yesterday) in meet conditions (noisy, so far from perfect) for about fifteen minutes each (I own the Supermacro) out of Ipod lineout and Bel Canto DAC2 w/MS-2i. The Supermacro seems to have less ground noise than the Portaphile with a better sense of balance. For me, the Portaphile seems tipped to the bottom end, which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. However, I felt like the Supermacro was more faithful to the recording. Right now I'd rank the portable amps as follows: (1) SR-71/SM V3 (they sound very similar to me out of Bel Canto DAC2 and ABx switchbox; the SR-71 might be a little smoother, refined, and less punchy, but that's about it; pick the one you think looks cooler/handier, seriously; they're the same darn thing performance-wise; I have no idea what the hysteria is about with these two amps). (2) Hornet (The midrange sounds off, to me, the same way the SM V3 sounds "off" with the LT1122/LT1028; if I could bet money, I'd bet that Ray solders LT1122 SOIC for each channel; I really don't like this op amp or sound; the form factor is definitely cool and professional looking, though). (3) Headroom Micro portable/Portaphile (Portaphile seems a little tubby at the bottom end, the Micro amp seems a little slow with not enough instrument separation; I'd take Micro over Portaphile for faithfully producing signal). -Matt

Now you just need to audition the AE-1! Any chance of that happening any time soon?

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I auditioned them today (well, technically yesterday) in meet conditions (noisy, so far from perfect) for about fifteen minutes each (I own the Supermacro) out of Ipod lineout and Bel Canto DAC2 w/MS-2i. The Supermacro seems to have less ground noise than the Portaphile with a better sense of balance. For me, the Portaphile seems tipped to the bottom end, which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. However, I felt like the Supermacro was more faithful to the recording. Right now I'd rank the portable amps as follows: (1) SR-71/SM V3 (they sound very similar to me out of Bel Canto DAC2 and ABx switchbox; the SR-71 might be a little smoother, refined, and less punchy, but that's about it; pick the one you think looks cooler/handier, seriously; they're the same darn thing performance-wise; I have no idea what the hysteria is about with these two amps). (2) Hornet (The midrange sounds off, to me, the same way the SM V3 sounds "off" with the LT1122/LT1028; if I could bet money, I'd bet that Ray solders LT1122 SOIC for each channel; I really don't like this op amp or sound; the form factor is definitely cool and professional looking, though). (3) Headroom Micro portable/Portaphile (Portaphile seems a little tubby at the bottom end, the Micro amp seems a little slow with not enough instrument separation; I'd take Micro over Portaphile for faithfully producing signal). -Matt

Matt, nice to finally meet you. What opamp config do you have in your SM3? I didn't even get to compare my SM3 with AD744 OB with other portables; I did find out that my SM3 can kick the living Cr%$ out of HD650/Zu. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about my modded K340 (400 Ohms), so I might be thinking about selling my modded K340 and buy a HD650/Zu if I keep my SM3. Or, I might sell the SM3 and buy a BIG amp for my K340 and K1000. Actually, what am I talking about; I already paid for Chillysalsa's Dynahi. In true Head-Fi spirit, I will keep EVERYTHING and buy MORE!

 

[Pappucho]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I auditioned them today (well, technically yesterday) in meet conditions (noisy, so far from perfect) for about fifteen minutes each (I own the Supermacro) out of Ipod lineout and Bel Canto DAC2 w/MS-2i. The Supermacro seems to have less ground noise than the Portaphile with a better sense of balance. For me, the Portaphile seems tipped to the bottom end, which might be a good or bad thing, depending on your preferences. However, I felt like the Supermacro was more faithful to the recording. Right now I'd rank the portable amps as follows: (1) SR-71/SM V3 (they sound very similar to me out of Bel Canto DAC2 and ABx switchbox; the SR-71 might be a little smoother, refined, and less punchy, but that's about it; pick the one you think looks cooler/handier, seriously; they're the same darn thing performance-wise; I have no idea what the hysteria is about with these two amps). (2) Hornet (The midrange sounds off, to me, the same way the SM V3 sounds "off" with the LT1122/LT1028; if I could bet money, I'd bet that Ray solders LT1122 SOIC for each channel; I really don't like this op amp or sound; the form factor is definitely cool and professional looking, though). (3) Headroom Micro portable/Portaphile (Portaphile seems a little tubby at the bottom end, the Micro amp seems a little slow with not enough instrument separation; I'd take Micro over Portaphile for faithfully producing signal). -Matt

Matt, thanks for elaborating on your impressions. Were both Portaphile's compared at the meet? I had sent an entry level amplifier, the X3 which was in a silver case and I also sent one of top amplifiers, the maxed out V2^2 which was in the black case. Which was compared with these other amplifiers?