[kurtd]

I really need to get out of the dark ages as I'm looking for a portable amp with USB DAC to pair for primary use with my Shures and maybe to use with the Grado's (if necessary). My primary source is an iPod 5G 30GB.

My budget is to pair the necessary portable amp with the Shures.

Any advice, comments, and interest in assisting my quest is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[lutwey]

if i were you ill save the money and get a desktop amp/dac for your grados. i think ipods are powerful enough to power any iem. from reseraching ill give you a couple of names.
check out rsa for their amp i believe ray has an amp especially made for iem(hornet.....correct me is am wrong),i think they go for 300 usd pico is also nice from what iam reading they are at around 350(the ones w/o the dac option).

hope this helps

 

[paulybatz]

Ibasso d3 would work nicely.
Or if you are not on a budget a pico or predator.

 

[EFN]

The most affordable of the bunch is iBasso D3.

But if you have more budget, Pico, RSA Predator, iBasso D10 will work as well. It's impossible not to be happy with any of them because they are built meticulously good to sound good.

 

[nsx_23]

How about my D2 boa?

But I think Headsix is a damn good start if you'd consider dropping the DAC. I love my Corda XXS (essentially same thing), and its a great intro to portable amps.

If DAC is 100% necessary, then yes, any of the iBassos would be fine.

 

[kurtd]

All,

It really sounds like the Predator is my cup of tea!!!!

What kind of feedback could you give about the Predator?

Does anyone have one for sale?

Thanks for the help.

 

[kurtd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtd /img/forum/go_quote.gif All, It really sounds like the Predator is my cup of tea!!!! What kind of feedback could you give about the Predator? Does anyone have one for sale? Thanks for the help.

Now, I'm a little confused between the Pico and Predator? Help me out here as once again my first priority is to use it with a portable rig with the Shures that I have and then the Grado's at home.

Should I just make this simple and wait to get Justin's new offering on the Pico upsampling one?

 

[nc8000]

If your source is an iPod you don't need an amp with dac as there is no portable way to get a digital signal out of the iPod.

 

[zeroibis]

He might want one if he plans on using it for his desktop setup that may have digital, or he plans on getting digital source in the future...

 

[berthoud]

Look at the Ibasso D10, its got all you want at $300

 

[kurtd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc8000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If your source is an iPod you don't need an amp with dac as there is no portable way to get a digital signal out of the iPod.

About the iPod i'm planning on using a Line-out dock, so if I understand this correctly that this plugs into the input of the amp.

Also my other use is on the computer with the USB portion of the input.

The Predator has input of both the USB and a 1/8", please confirm?

Thanks.

 

[kurtd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeroibis /img/forum/go_quote.gif He might want one if he plans on using it for his desktop setup that may have digital, or he plans on getting digital source in the future...

Please see my reply to nc8000 above and help me out if I'm making the correct interpretation on how to use a Predator.

 

[HD_Dude]

You might also look at the Meier Audio 3Move...it has all the features you're looking for...portability plus DAC...and it gets great reviews.

 

[kurtd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by berthoud /img/forum/go_quote.gif Look at the Ibasso D10, its got all you want at $300

Hi, I know what you are saying; however, I'm not sure where the Ibasso is made? I like to support USA made products as it's a shame that almost everything is made in China or the Far East. Plus, Ray Samuels is just a stone throws away from me.

 

[kurtd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD_Dude /img/forum/go_quote.gif You might also look at the Meier Audio 3Move...it has all the features you're looking for...portability plus DAC...and it gets great reviews.

Thank you. I'm considering this one as well with TTVJ. I see that you have one and could you tell me more about it and what you've used it with?