[erikzen]

Although I had owned a previous version of the Super Mini, which I recently sold, and I have a portable META 42, which I greatly enjoy, I could not resist trying out the newest (for now

) version of this amp.

As stated in the title, this refers to the version 6.2C and has the following features: digital volume control, built in crossfeed, cascoded current source class A bias, super blue power light and booster connector.

First a word of warning: when I first got the amp I blew it out within minutes of using it by attaching a Plainview 9V battery to it. This was a dumb mistake as the amp with the digital volume control can only handle 7.2 volts and a Plainview 9V actaully has 9.6 volts. I had the booster connector added so that I could use external power, but foolishly tried to use it for the Plainview. If you want to run the amp with more than 7.2 volts you need to get the analog pot for an additional $4.99.

Cost: The total cost for this amp with the chosen options is $124.94. However, being a previous Super Mini owner and a graduate student, Fixup generously offered $30 in discounts for a total of $94.94. This represents an excellent value in portable headphone amps.

Build: As a previous owner of a Super Mini I was prepared for the tiny size of the amp. However, when I received my first Super Mini amp I was really shocked at how small it actually was even though I had seen the pictures on the website. Needless to say, this is probably the smallest piece of audio equipment that I will ever own (until I purchase the Xin SuperMicro amp, of course

)

The amp is housed in a small plastic enclosure the size of 4 AAA batteries. The front of the amp contains the input for your source. On the top above the input is the on/off switch, two button volume control, crossfeed switch and blue LED. The first thing I noticed is that the LED is very recessed and tiny. So much so, that when I first looked at it I thought that Fixup forgot to include it. It was only once I put batterines in and turned it on that I could actually see the light. It is surpisingly bright for such a small LED and apparently does not affect power consumption. The cross feed switch is also recessed and can only be moved with some type of stylus or pointer. It is impossible to move it with just your finger. The digital volume control buttons are small but manageable.

The back of the amp contains the headphone jack and the booster connector. The booster connector is capped and must be in place to complete the circuit if it is not being used to connect to a battery or an external power supply.

The batteries are inserted from the bottom of the amp. One small phillips screw holds the battery cover in place. Removing it reveals not only the battery compartment but the actual circuit board,which itself is no larger than a single AAA battery, and two fairly large 300 microfarad capacitors. The cover fits snugly and the screw is not really necessary to secure it. However, since the circuit board is exposed when removing it, it is a nice bit of added protection for the amp.

Overall, the amp seems very well made. It is amazing how the tiny circuit board it put together. I have only one small complaint about the build. I would prefer if the headphone jack and the input jack were reveresed. When I put the amp in my portable case I need to flip the amp around to access the volume controls. However, this is a matter of personal preference and use and may not be an issue for anyone else.

Source: For my first impressions I used a Sony MZ-R50 MiniDisc player utilizing the almost universally respected line out and a pair of not so universally respected Shure E2 headphones. The music was Steely Dan "Aja" and Basia "The Best Remixes" both recorded optically from my home DVD player to the MZ-R50. As the R50 is an older model, the source material has its limitations since it utilizes an older ATRAC compression scheme. I listened both with and without crossfeed.

Sound: The first thing I noticed with the amp was that the highs were not quite right. There was almost a distortion to the highest frequencies causing the headphones to "sizzle" a bit. This distortion did not seem to be present in any of the other frequencies. The midrange was smooth and the mid and lower bass was deep and impactful. Over the course of several hours this distortion seemed to tame down a bit. Perhaps with a cycle or two of replacing the batteries this distortion will disappear completely.

My favorite track on the Aja album is the title track. While listening with the crossfeed on, the sound is smooth, musical and somewhat laid back. All of the percussion, and especially Steve Gadd's outstanding drum tracks, are well presented. The sounds all seem to blend together and is completely non-fatiguing. However, it is somewhat compressed sounding with little soundstage and stereo imaging. Turn the crossfeed off however and everything opens up much more. Mr. Gadd's drums (as you may have guessed I really like his work on this track) really open up and surround you.

The remix of "Cruising for Bruising" on the Basia remix EP is a lot of fun with this amp. Turn off the crossfeed and let that thunderous techno beat take you over. Here's a track that can really damage your hearing. As it progresses you beg for more and more sound and turning up the volume, the Super Mini delivers. I could not turn the amp loud enough without splitting my eardrums to see if the amp started clipping. Also, as I added power to this track, the highs opened up and the sizzle I heard earlier seemed to disappear, all the while the bass was driving ahead. Perhaps, it was because I was overcome by Basia's shining vocals or maybe the amp was just burning in. Although this is basically a jazz remix, the sound on this track leads me to believe that this amp will perform well with techno, rap and other electronic based music as all manner of drum machines and synthesisers seemed to be utilized.

Overall impression: This version of the Super Mini continues to be a tiny miracle of electronics created by Dr. Xin Feng. The workmanship of the amp is impressive. The portabiltiy is unbeatable. The sound is clean and is probably only limited by the headphones and the source you use. The crossfeed smooths out the sound for those times when you want to blend in with your music. Switch it off when you want the music to be more impactful and have more "slam". If I have to find fault with this amp it is that it does not provide a lot of space around the instruments. To be fair, the Shure E2s are not what I consider headphones that would provde that kind of airiness. As I live with this amp more and more I hope to be able to test it out with other headphones that are known more for their soundstage and share my experiences with the community.

Happy listening.

 

[Sugano-san]

Quote:

My favorite track on the Aja album is the title track. [...] Rick Marotta's outstanding drum tracks, are well presented.

The drummer on "Aja" is Steve Gadd.

http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/sgadd/gr_aja.php

Otherwise I completely agree with your review. A great/tiny piece of audio gear; the "sizzle" vanishes completely after a short while.



[Suit is all dirty, boy
Shoes is all wore]

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sugano-san The drummer on "Aja" is Steve Gadd. http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/sgadd/gr_aja.php

Well, I'll be damned. I guess it's been a long while since I've looked at the liner notes. Everyone always talks about the Rick Marotta drum track on Peg, although I think the drumming on Aja kicks major league ass. My apologies for being so confused.

 

[iamdone]

How's the supermini v6.2C compare to the Meta42.

I had s/m v6 and now have the a fully upgraded Headsave Transit. I felt the main improvements the Transit had over the s/m is it opened up the space (I can hear sounds all around me and where the instruments are coming from), the high end sounds much better, and it sound more natural. I was hearing rave reviews of the new and improved s/m but it still sounds like a Meta42 is better. I also didn't care for the crossfeed too much because it even made the soundstage smaller. Plus you have the problem is the s/m being outdated ever few weeks (inline amp coming out end of the month).

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by iamdone How's the supermini v6.2C compare to the Meta42.

I haven't done a head to head comparison of the two but my initial reaction is just what you stated. The space definitely opens more with the META. However, the Super Mini seems to be cleaner and louder. The Super Mini only has about 4 hours of burn in on it so I would wait until its fully burned in before making any in depth comparisons. I plan on doing some critical A/B listening next week and will let you know my findings. However, all Metas are not created equally so your mileage may vary.

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally posted by iamdone How's the supermini v6.2C compare to the Meta42.

I did a quick comparison last night using the DT 931. The Meta42 was definitely fuller and airier, almost as if it added some reverb, especially in the low end. The Super Mini was more punchy especially with the crossfeed turned off. I noticed I could hear some "dirt" with the Meta, intermittant crackling and such when the amp was moved around, which I didn't notice with lower end headphones. This was probably due to some of the solder joints not being completely up to snuff and the Beyers being more sensitive than most headphones. To be fair, I've used the Meta extensively and although I try to be careful it is possible that jostling it around in my briefcase and such as loosened some connections.

Overall, the Meta is probably a better amp but it is larger and more expensive.

The sizzle I heard in the Super Mini when I first got it seems to have disappeared now.

 

[iamdone]

Thanks for the review. I decided that sound was more important than size, so I'm glad I made the right choice. I always carry my stuff in a bag, so I need something small enough but not something smaller than it needs to be. I found the supermini to be a little too bright. Was this fixed with the additional upgrades.

 

[bobjew]

You need to burn in for about 3-4 weeks and then the brightness goes away and the sounstage opens up—really it does

 

[iamdone]

Quote:

Originally posted by bobjew You need to burn in for about 3-4 weeks and then the brightness goes away and the sounstage opens up—really it does

I had my supermini for about 2 months and the Headsave Transit sounded better right out of the box. When I first got the s/m I couldn't really hear the difference between the headphone out and the amp. After 75 hours, it sounded really good but when you compare it directly with the Transit, it just didn't compare soundwise. I am still amazed how great the Transit sounds. The music swirles around you. The s/m definately made the music more dynamic but it never gave me "that look over shoulder to see where the music is coming from" effect. The issues someone could have with the Tranist, is the size and maybe the lack of a crossfeed, neither of which are a problem to me. So I'm not knocking the s/m, I'm just looking for an honest comparison soundwize.

 

[erikzen]

iamdone: I think you're asking if the upgrades to the Super Mini over previous versions has eliminated some of the brightness. In my opinion this amp is less bright than the previous version I owned. Even if there are differences between this and a Meta, they are now more subjective differences and a matter of taste. The Super Mini is now in the same league as a portable Meta. I did mention that the amp was new and not burned in so take it for what it's worth. As bobjew points out the amp needs to break in to reach its full potential. I will be happy to provide another comparison between the two in a few weeks. However, since you already have the Transit, I would stick with that if you're happy. I think you can feel pretty confident you have just about the best amp you can get for the money. The Super Mini just provides another choice, another flavor, if you will

bobjew: When you say 3-4 weeks, how many hours are you talking about?

Quick tip: Meier Audio sells a 120 ohm adapter for $15. It is designed to improve the sound of higher impedence Beyer cans but I found it mellowed out the E2s with the Super Mini as well.

 

[bobjew]

erikzen, iamdone:

I meant a burn-in with the amp going constantly, plugged into a source and phones. The volume turned up about 40 clicks on the digital volume control with the same interconnect you will be using so that burns in as well. The sound coming from the source (I use a radio) should be on the Bassy side. Most posts I have read on this matter say 1-200 hours, but I have heard the difference at around 3 weeks and finally stabilizing at around 4 weeks. This has been the case with these amps since v1; although I have not heard this version and it may be different.
The sound signature from the SM's is different from a META. I had a META for about 9 months and found the SM to push more of my buttons in terms of what I wanted my portable system to sound like. This is a subjective thing. In terms of frequency extension, detail retrieval and soundstaging. I don't think (according to my ears) there is much difference.