UPDATED 2/22 REVIEW 13 USB DAC amp - Predator, Pico, 2/3MOVE, D10 D3 D2 Viper/Boa D1, Lyrix, MicroAmp, Vivid V1, Nuforce, XM5

[ExpatinJapan]

Nice update thanks headphone addict.
 
Portable amps are a slippery slope, most people don`t want to spend a lot of money on their first one, which leads to an eventual upgrade(usually a mid level amp, then later they buy the highest level they can get for the price of the entry/mid level amps).
Synergy of total parts seems to play a role too in the end.
 
To portable amp or not too amp? As you well know there are varying camps debating the whys, yes`s and No`s.
 
I myself have a home system but spend a lot of time commuting, so trying to find the perfect combination of isolation, quality and balance is difficult.(I need a two one combination, something that sounds good whilst on a train, and also balances out while walking or sitting).
 
But as always the search continues, and as it does I often return to original page of this thread.

 

[Armaegis]

I keep coming back to the XM6 wondering if I really want it... but I've already got a D10 with a ton of opamps... and I know that it's not going to be a huge difference. I just want new toys

 

[ExpatinJapan]

Quote:

I keep coming back to the XM6 wondering if I really want it... but I've already got a D10 with a ton of opamps... and I know that it's not going to be a huge difference. I just want new toys

Me too, I want new toys also.
Where is my army of head-fi enablers to say `yes, buy, buy!`?
 
 

 

[Armaegis]

You should totally buy the XM6. In fact, you *deserve* the XM6. Buy it. Buy it now. C'mon, all the cool kids already have one. What are you wating for?
 

 

[ExpatinJapan]

@Armaegis-you should buy the XM6, you`ve been good lately. c`mon If you keep it for 3 years, 5 years that doesnt add up to much per week does it?
 
I deserve the Fostex hp-p1

 

[Armaegis]

You should totally buy both of them and write a comparison for us.

 

[LeonardS]

Wow, what a great thread!  Lots of good info.  I'm looking for a "portable" DAC/AMP to pair up with my MB-Air and this thread has gobs of choices, informed discussion, options, etc.
 
XM6 (not reviewed here) vs. iBasso D10 vs. RSA Predator (pricey) vs. Leckerton UH4 or UH6 vs. used 2Move....
 
Leaning towards the XM6.  But the wallet watcher part of me is eyeing the used 2Move, as it ranked well.  

 

[qusp]

hey HA, did you get to rmaf? did you get to try out the wyred4sound portable dac and dac/amp offerings? any info its pretty thin on the ground as yet

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

hey HA, did you get to rmaf? did you get to try out the wyred4sound portable dac and dac/amp offerings? any info its pretty thin on the ground as yet

That's this coming weekend.  I've been pretty sick but haven't canceled plans to go yet.
 

 

[qusp]

ahh doh ok, do report if you get  chance. i think it could be a nice little unit for the money its likely to cost.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I was not able to visit Wyrd4sound at RMAF, sorry.  I did come home with an Audioengine D1 24/96 DAC/amp which I will review in the near future.

 

[Armaegis]

I think Practical Devices was there. Did you get a chance to try the XM6?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

I think Practical Devices was there. Did you get a chance to try the XM6?

No, I must have missed them.  

 

[Armaegis]

That's a shame. The v-moda rep was there and the XM6 was the one that really impressed him, so I was hoping to see if you heard it.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

That's a shame. The v-moda rep was there and the XM6 was the one that really impressed him, so I was hoping to see if you heard it.

Well, I may have heard it with v-moda's model 80, but didn't notice.  I was distracted.  Basically I've been told the XM6 will sound like the XM5 amp, but with a more detailed DAC.  I've tried the Pico DAC feeding the XM5 and it was one of the few single ended portable amps I own that sounded good with the LCD-2 rev1.  I have the AD8065 opamps, with BUF634.  I preferred that over the AD8397 double cat (I may have that number wrong, it's been so long).