"The Lab"

[nmatheis]

Why are you looking to amp the X7 already, Tamal?

I hear H3 as more neutral than C5. Maybe I'm crazy, but I've always felt the C5 had more warmth down low and sparkle up top. It's certainly fun, and if Cayin made one with less powerful Low Gain I'd buy one again. I just don't think C5 is as technical as the H3.

ALO Rx is killer if you're looking for something to drive lower-impedance, higher-sensitivity headphones or IEM. Never got so much use out of the volume pot with IEM as with Rx and Soundaware Esther.

 

[Brooko]

Was looking for suggestions a powerful, clean sounding and neutral portable amp. Something with good dynamics as well. A slim footprint would be bonus

 
Arrow - best portable amp I've ever tried.

 

[x RELIC x]

Labsters wanted to ask the council for some advice.

Was looking for suggestions a powerful, clean sounding and neutral portable amp. Something with good dynamics as well. A slim footprint would be bonus

I would be using it with my phone, ipod classic and X7.

Any advice in this regard would be greatly appreciated! Looking forward to your collective wisdom on this dear tribal council

Wait for a week and a half (depending on shipping) when you'll have the Mojo. Then ask the question again. I suspect the question would be worded differently.

 

[RedJohn456]

   
I really like the C&C BH amp, although I'm not sure they are making it any more. Powerful enough, slim footprint, and definitely dynamic. 

 
Thanks Wayne, will look into that. What the tonal balance like, is it pretty balanced or neutral?
 

  @RedJohn456
 
Tamal, try this with your MA900. Let me know what you think!
 

 
PS: You're welcome...

 
Will check it out later today
 

  Cayin C5 
 
BOOM

 
I did actually consider the C5, but from my readings on it, many found it to be warm and a bit lacking in details. otherwise this would have been on my short list already
 

  Shanling H3 FTW!!!

 
Nice! Was hoping to get an amp only actually as I find separate portable amps tend to maximize their potential compared to amp/dac units. But the H3 is a sold suggestion, will keep an eye on it.
 

Why are you looking to amp the X7 already, Tamal?

I hear H3 as more neutral than C5. Maybe I'm crazy, but I've always felt the C5 had more warmth down low and sparkle up top. It's certainly fun, and if Cayin made one with less powerful Low Gain I'd buy one again. I just don't think C5 is as technical as the H3.

ALO Rx is killer if you're looking for something to drive lower-impedance, higher-sensitivity headphones or IEM. Never got so much use out of the volume pot with IEM as with Rx and Soundaware Esther.

 
Well, I do most of my listening indoors, so a transportable setup is what I am after. I find the X7 to sound best with line out, and this may help increase the X7 battery life some as well
 
Given I already have the E17 and RA, am looking for something that performs better, is more transparent, neutral and more dynamic I guess. Was hoping to get a portable amp only, rather than an amp/dac, individual units tend to give better bang for the buck as well
 
 

   
Arrow - best portable amp I've ever tried.

 
I was under the impression the 5TX was bass boosted, but I havent looked into it lately, will check it out thanks Paul.
 

Wait for a week and a half (depending on shipping) when you'll have the Mojo. Then ask the question again. I suspect the question would be worded differently.

 
Haha nice one Craig  The Mojo can't do analog audio in however right?  However I will be testing the heck out of it and my question may very well be worded differently after haha

 

[peter123]

In my opinion the Cayin C5 sound very very similar to the RA, just more powerful and certainly not worse in any way. Question if you'd like two amps that sound so similar, might better to go for another flavor.

 

[RedJohn456]

In my opinion the Cayin C5 sound very very similar to the RA, just more powerful and certainly not worse in any way. Question if you'd like two amps that sound so similar, might better to go for another flavor.

Honestly yea, I am looking something more neutral and detailed than the RA. But will keep looking at options

 

[Baycode]

RedJohn456, you can check the old designs which have slim form factor and internal battery, also which has the option for upgrading the opamps. I love the sound of my ShellbrookAudio Mini Head Signature which uses 2 Burr Brown 634P opamps. I have yet to find a better sounding portable amp. But there is a really big con with it: it uses 9V battery (

 

[twister6]

C5 amp is great, but one big issue with it - battery.  I have it fully charged, and even when it's off and I don't use it for a few weeks or a month, turn it back on and the battery is dead.  My assumption is that it has some kind of a current leakage/drain even when it's off.

 

[Podster]

@RedJohn456, you can check the old designs which have slim form factor and internal battery, also which has the option for upgrading the opamps. I love the sound of my ShellbrookAudio Mini Head Signature which uses 2 Burr Brown 634P opamps. I have yet to find a better sounding portable amp. But there is a really big con with it: it uses 9V battery

(

Oh gee Bay, I've never heard the word slim form factor and 9V in the same sentence before

It's like a power sub station

Could be worse I have 2 9V's in this baby

 
It's slim I guess, compared to a shoebox

LOL

 

[Mr Trev]

So guys, now that its "dear god, what have I done!" Tuesday, who wins the weekend shopping sweepstakes? (my money is on Craig)
 
I'll open with a sweater and a long overdue pair of glasses

 (actually, the nice thing bout the sweater is the pockets seem tailor made for my stack)
 
@RedJohn456  Topping NX1!!!!!!

. Why not just wait for Fiio to release some new amp modules?

 

[Mr Trev]

@Podster Are there any real cases for that bad boy? I've always been tempted to get a cmoy, but I loathe the Altoids tin.

 

[Podster]

  @Podster Are there any real cases for that bad boy? I've always been tempted to get a cmoy, but I loathe the Altoids tin.

In regards to your previous post to Tamal I personally love the Topping NX1 and think it's far better than it's price suggest

 
I too disliked the Altoids can Mr. T and googled Mint Tins to get my Newman's, had to buy a half dozen boxes and clean them out but I love my Newman's and the Happy Dragon

 

I have 3 or 4 of those left if you want to pm me an address I'd be more than happy to send you one. John (JDS) had no problem building mine in the case I sent them

 

[RedJohn456]

@RedJohn456, you can check the old designs which have slim form factor and internal battery, also which has the option for upgrading the opamps. I love the sound of my ShellbrookAudio Mini Head Signature which uses 2 Burr Brown 634P opamps. I have yet to find a better sounding portable amp. But there is a really big con with it: it uses 9V battery

(

 
I don't mind using 9v battery but I am not familiar with this amp, will have to read up on it.
 

  C5 amp is great, but one big issue with it - battery.  I have it fully charged, and even when it's off and I don't use it for a few weeks or a month, turn it back on and the battery is dead.  My assumption is that it has some kind of a current leakage/drain even when it's off.

 
Yup another strike against the C5, its off my list for shizzle.
 

 
Oh gee Bay, I've never heard the word slim form factor and 9V in the same sentence before

It's like a power sub station

Could be worse I have 2 9V's in this baby

 
It's slim I guess, compared to a shoebox

LOL

 
Looks pretty cool though
 

  So guys, now that its "dear god, what have I done!" Tuesday, who wins the weekend shopping sweepstakes? (my money is on Craig)
 
I'll open with a sweater and a long overdue pair of glasses

 (actually, the nice thing bout the sweater is the pockets seem tailor made for my stack)
 
@RedJohn456  Topping NX1!!!!!!

. Why not just wait for Fiio to release some new amp modules?

Well, I need a decent potable amp to begin with, and I find that the X7 sounds better through line out. No timeline on when FiiO might release modules. And I want to be able to use the new amp with line out from my Geek Out as well.

 

[Podster]

  So guys, now that its "dear god, what have I done!" Tuesday, who wins the weekend shopping sweepstakes? (my money is on Craig)

If we are just talking Head-Fi related here goes:
 
Trinity BF:
1 X Delta's
2 X Techne's
 
FiiO:
3 X M3
1 X Q1
1 X EX1
 
AliEx iem's: Because 7 new iem's during the 11/11 sale was not enough

KZ HDS2
KZ ED3 "ACME"
Fidue A31s
Huawei Honor's (Original)
Puro IM500
 
I did relatively well as I put a $500 cap on myself before the gate opened

 
 
Amazon:
Carot One TITTA's (That damn Twin AC strikes again)

 

[TwinACStacks]

Podster after 200 Hours of burn in followed by an 8 Hour listening session I only have this to say:
 
You are going to really like those TITTAS. Personally, to my ears they are better EQ'd than the Puros.
 
After all who doesn't like a great pair?
 
 
(I should be punished)
 
 

TWIN