The best portable gear money can buy!

[hazza3]

Hi All,
 
I have just joined the family after being a long time reader.
 
Basically the title shows what I'm looking for. Currently I own a Denon AH-D2000 OEM, 25 ohms, an entry level headphones, stock wiring and everything.
I believe that everyone has a unique taste in music and my taste is inclined toward modern music, from almost every genre. mostly I listen to House, Dance, Electric, old and new Rnb, and few Rap music. And that's why I opted for the closed back instead of open back headphones since the bass response is better as I read in the forum and the Internet.And to answer the older folks, yes I'm young, and I do appreciate the classics, yet it's not for me, at least not yet
 
The best source that managed to play the Denons in my experience was the iPad, strong bass response if not muddy sometimes, and harsh highs in high volume in some songs, my guess would be since it uses the iPod-classic's components. Other than that, all sources were underpowered ones.
 
My knowledge is limited when it comes to internal components like types of DACs and AMPs, balanced stuff vs. non-balanced, and all that. I have read that the HifiMAN HM-901 is the best sounding "portable" music player money can buy.
I have been eager to buy a portable DAC/AMP since I heard about the HM-801 but then I read there is a new one coming, so I decided to wait, and I have been waiting for more than a year :'(
 
The perfectionist in me is screaming for more sound quality, I have always appreciated good sound and my ears can tell minimal differences in different sound sources. Money is not an issue at all, I could have bought a desktop system but I like the idea of having good sound on the move, especially since I move around alot.
 
the Denon's could stay for a while, but I plan to invest into more hi-end, probably 50 ohms headphones in the near future to benefit from the capable source.
 
Your thoughts and suggestions are more than welcome, yet if you're steering me away for any reason, please explain why.
I wish to know the differences in the different cards for the HM-901 and which one would be more suitable for my taste of music.
Any thoughts on new OEM are also appreciated.
 
Sorry for the long thread, and best regards,
 
Hazza3

 

[garetjax1]

I really love the jh-3a + altmann tera player combo... Very portable yet sounds amazing... Not a big fan of full-size cans on the go, and this, to me, is my current end-game portable solution. $3000 -3600 if you opt for custom cabling..

The tera player is somewhat polarizing in terms of opinion, but I think it sounds amazing and there are others who will agree ... Headfonia has a good review of the unit.

Aside from a TBD release date State-side, the 901 still seems to have some kinks with build quality, etc. - i.e., it doesn't seem fully baked, and may take some time for that to happen, so not sure what your time frame is.

 

[hazza3]

appreciate your quick reply,,
 
I like the 901 because it combines what could be two separate devices in a single package. As for the current kinks, they are minimal and I can live with that, there is nothing a superglue cannot fix 

 
What do I benefit from custom wiring? are there different types of wirings?

 

[garetjax1]

Hehe, if you think it is acceptable to have to superglue a thousand dollar piece of equipment, then we have very different expectations for what our money buys us... Personally, I couldn't tolerate anything less than superlative build quality.
 
As for the all-in-one aspect of the 901, I don't think any of the amp cards that come with the 901 will be able to top the 3a system in terms of capability and sonic performance with the major caveat that the 3a ties you to a particular set of headphones, which is something that I can live with. You should definitely look into it, if the cost isn't an issue, and you are interested in IEMs.
 
I do plan on purchasing the 901 at some point, once all of the kinks are worked out, but it won't be end-game IMO, but more of a convenience thing as it will be slightly more pocketable than current setup, and assuming 256gb sdxc cards come down in price, a way to carry my entire collection.
 
As for cables, I guess it depends on whether you believe cables impact sonic quality. I do notice a difference with my moon audio cables, and Jerry Harvey himself has noted a 3db increase with the Moon Audio IEM cables. But I wouldn't suggest dropping 400 dollars on IEM cables right away, until you feel like you have maximized other components of your system. But yeah, cabling is a whole 'nother world. I would recommend finding the best pairing of headphone and DAP (+AMP) first, and leave the cable stuff to last.
 
HTH and good luck.

 

[hazza3]

Quote:

Hehe, if you think it is acceptable to have to superglue a thousand dollar piece of equipment, then we have very different expectations for what our money buys us... Personally, I couldn't tolerate anything less than superlative build quality.
 
As for the all-in-one aspect of the 901, I don't think any of the amp cards that come with the 901 will be able to top the 3a system in terms of capability and sonic performance with the major caveat that the 3a ties you to a particular set of headphones, which is something that I can live with. You should definitely look into it, if the cost isn't an issue, and you are interested in IEMs.
 
I do plan on purchasing the 901 at some point, once all of the kinks are worked out, but it won't be end-game IMO, but more of a convenience thing as it will be slightly more pocketable than current setup, and assuming 256gb sdxc cards come down in price, a way to carry my entire collection.
 
As for cables, I guess it depends on whether you believe cables impact sonic quality. I do notice a difference with my moon audio cables, and Jerry Harvey himself has noted a 3db increase with the Moon Audio IEM cables. But I wouldn't suggest dropping 400 dollars on IEM cables right away, until you feel like you have maximized other components of your system. But yeah, cabling is a whole 'nother world. I would recommend finding the best pairing of headphone and DAP (+AMP) first, and leave the cable stuff to last.
 
HTH and good luck.

 
thanks for the answer, to be honest the only reason I'm lookin into the 901 is because it is a player, dap and amp all at the same time. but if you're telling me that it won't be competent with separate, portable amp I might step back on this one.
 
I like Over Ears Monitors, beautiful bass response  in most of them, accurate, comfy ,, IEM hurt my ears and  to me, they are a bit harsh sounding. but that's not the case.
 
I have been researching for a while and I think I have settled for now on Sennhisers HD700, will the 901 be able to run those drivers??
 
if not what would be the perfect combination for the type of music I mentioned above?
 
I'm a mechanical engineer and I have a very limited knowledge about electronics and their nature, I hope I can find what I really want.