[Sonicpath]

I've done my research now, I want to put up an Ideally best portable gear setup see If anybody agrees

COMBO 1 ---will cost around 900+ USD

Source component: iHP-140 rockboxed with 120HD MOD
Portable HeadAMP: iBasso D10
Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro.

COMBO 2----will cost around 1000+ USD

Source component: Ipod 5.5MOD rockboxed + VCAP
Portable HeadAMP: P51
Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro.

COMBO 3----will cost around 1100+ USD

Source component: iHP-140 rockboxed with 120HD MOD
Portable HeadAMP: Pre-AMP(iBasso D10) + any other AMPs
Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro.

See if anyone have any better setup for now

 

[dazzer1975]

good calls.

I have a few bits and bobs but when my d10 arrives my two so called reference portable rigs will be ihp 120 with the d10

or imod 5.5 with vcap dock and iqube

headphones in profile.

Can't go wrong with those and you'll have two killer rigs.

 

[paulybatz]

It depends if you use the optical input?
Also do you need a DAC which the P51 does not have....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonicpath /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've done my research now I want to put up an Ideally best portable gear setup see If any body agrees COMBO 1 Source component: iHP-140 rockboxed with 120HD MOD Portable HeadAMP: iBasso D10 Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro. COMBO 2 Source component: Ipod 5.5MOD rockboxed Portable HeadAMP: P51 Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro. See if anyone have any better setup for now

 

[dazzer1975]

he will be using optical with the iriver i presume

and the imod doesn't need a dac.

I dont understand the issue

 

[iriverdude]

Option 1 is what I have, sans Ibasso 10DAC. Normally I would totally dismiss Ipod, but since it's Rockboxed then on even turf. It then comes down to size, connectivity and actual features of the DAP (ie remote, FM tuner & Mic on iriver) But the iriver has optical out, cost no expense you could use it with high end DAC (full size) or portable (Ibasso)

With the ipod you will always be limited to the analogue section, it can't be equal to a quality DAC. Plus you will have a far lower noise floor.

 

[Sonicpath]

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulybatz /img/forum/go_quote.gif It depends if you use the optical input? Also do you need a DAC which the P51 does not have....

iHP-140 or 120 is the only one that I can think of to get Optical out/in plus it can be rockboxed to play any types of music formats. hardly to find one anymore

especially when the D10 came up. I will be very interested to see the comparing review with all other portable headAMPs.

 

[wuwhere]

Mine will be:

Source component: iHP-120 Rockboxed w/ 32GB SDHC (HD is too slow for me)
Portable HeadAMP: iBasso D10
Headphone: APS ER4P

 

[dazzer1975]

ahhhhh I see, sorry Paulybatz, I thought the op was getting both rigs, didn't realise it was a toss up between the two.

In that case, also add vcap dock to the imod as without it still isnt at its best.

if you wait till my d10 arrives I will post some impressions between the two rigs, but I am pretty sure others have them already and could post their impressions.

 

[inukage0029]

i have the IE8s and the P-51 amp. It sounds pretty amazing. I don't, however, have my ipod imodded. Any suggestions on if its worth the cost? the rest of my setup is high end, so it seems like my player is all that could be holding it back.

 

[DarKu]

technicaly the first COMBO will sound nicer, because you will use D10 internal DAC that is milles better than that found in iMod.
I will choose the first combo for sure.

 

[bidoux]

If you are going to use an Imod and want to throw the most money as possible buy a Vcap dock.

 

[qusp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonicpath /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've done my research now I want to put up an Ideally best portable gear setup see If any body agrees COMBO 1 ---will cost around 900+ USD Source component: iHP-140 rockboxed with 120HD MOD Portable HeadAMP: iBasso D10 Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro. COMBO 2----will cost around 750+ USD Source component: Ipod 5.5MOD rockboxed Portable HeadAMP: P51 Headphone(no custom): Westone 3, Shure SE530, IE8, UE 10pro. See if anyone have any better setup for now

for the 'best' portable rig you are looking at much more than those numbers. for instance, I have about $2400 in mine and I made a lot of it myself so we are talking just parts for the dock and cables in that total. that also includes the LLP for my lisa III too. thats for one working rig, not the total of my portable gear. Includes 1 DIYMOD (120gb) rockboxed, one uber VCAP dock with teflon VCAP bypass and cables to match, lisa III XP with LLP and westone 3 with UM56 custom tips.
the rigs you list; are really great though and either will sound fantastic, but chances are it will not end there

 

[Sonicpath]

the biggest advantage for the D10 is DAC+AMP+OPTICAL. in the current portable AMPs, that is the only one jumps out of the picture. I think D10 is just another starting point to switch the focusing point from AMP to the source. unfortunately for the mainstream mp3 players there is not alot of players have the OPTICAL OUT. so it might defeat the purpose to being PORTABLE. I can see the HP140/120 will be highly demanding down the road. hopefully Iriver can bring back the killer again for all HIFI Lovers.

 

[qusp]

absolutely; I read they released another batch of the HP120 last year, but only the HP120 instead of bring out something new; so I wouldnt count on them becoming that rare really, I cant see the current demand going unnoticed by them unless they are supremely stupid

plus the D10, while havoing from all reports a pretty fine amp section, is bettered by numbers of amps, so if you really want supreme sound then using it primarily as a portable dac is the way top go and adding a separate amp on top. the gamma1 portable dac by AMB is just that, a portable dac with USB, coax and optical in. just needs to be modded to accept battery power instead of just USB

 

[iriverdude]

Once you're looking at three things, I think it's not a "portable" system. In fact I'd say even two isn't.