RCA is more secure than 3.5mm, i can't hear any difference between them so far

Oh okay.
I'm getting a Hippo Box+ soon. And probably later on some much more powerful portable amps(like Voyager or Corda XXS). I'd get myself an RCA to 3.5mm adapter to test it out.

Gears: X-brand (sounds better than Yuin PK2 IMO)
Source: Asus laptop, 256-320kbps MP3

First audition, the moment the DAC driver was installed, it sounded powerful but imbalanced.
After around 2hours, sounds much better. Love the dynamic - the full sound.

I had been using laptop onboard sc, Audotrak Optoplay, and PCM2704. The Wolfson just keep me listening with its incredible details without over-emphasizing anything. Well, in fact, the vocal becomes forward, which means it sounds more REAL. The songs become more like LIVE or a LIVE recording. Perhaps it enhances the 3D feeling or a little bit echo is added (personal illusion). For me, I love that! Everything becomes much real! It makes my headsets sound like Audio Technica that with good bass and mid-bass.

AND, the violin and guitar becomes emotional, I can somehow sense that someone is really playing the instrument! One thing you may NOT like, the bass also becomes more real, which means with the bass vibration or the bass echo (randomly named). In short, your bass out of your headset would sound like a woofer to your ear! Some will like it, some might not. For me, it's a little bit irritating but still acceptable. Different headsets might sound differently. It would be better for bass-shy headset IMO.

Well, longer burn-in might be needed but I love its sound now. It doesn't make me feel hectic. =)

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Added on February 2, 2011, 9:03 pmOh ya, I need recommendation for an amp. A super neutral amp will do! Actually I would like to have a volume control over it. ^^"

This post has been edited by :+:[J]erR[y]:+:: Feb 2 2011, 09:04 PM

What's your budget?
I was planning on pairing it with a Graham Slee Voyager. But alas, due to my clumsiness at work and losing a few tools, I had to pay for them so that left me short of cash.

From reviews, without the contour switch on(which puts the low and high freq a +9 dB boost) it sounds neutral but warm. Plus it has a powerful output.

Graham Slee Voyager... RM1k+- right?
Govibe PPK?

I am planning to get a very good one and never upgrade it again for at least a long long time!


This post has been edited by :+:[J]erR[y]:+:: Feb 2 2011, 09:40 PM

From Jaben the Voyager costs around RM850 IIANM.
Are you looking for a portable solution as well?

A lot others for those kind of price, from Ibasso, from Crossroad. Govibe even has a desktop amp under 1k.

This post has been edited by tunertoobe: Feb 2 2011, 09:48 PM

yeah! I love portability!

OIC.
All I can think of under 1k is Ibasso PB1, Ibasso P4, Graham Slee Voyager, Govibe PPK, Meier Audio Corda XXS,....

Hmm.. Have you tried any of them so far?

Nope, those were in my decisions list a while ago.
You can go to Jaben and try them all. A guy named ChoonBeng alreay tried out the Corda XXS for me and he said the amp sheds a bit of treble and adds warmth, so you may not like that(according to what you just wrote).

The Voyager so far wins my vote, although I haven't listened to it, but so far no negative comments on them all over the internet.

I just manage to try Govibe PPK. Hmm.. It's powerful, like pulling up all the bars in the equalizer, yet don't change much on the sound signature.

Yeah that's what a neutral amp does. It only gives that extra power to drive difficult/inefficient headphones/IEMs. Great if you already like the sound sig but wanting to power up you full sized headphone to its full potential.

I'd like to suggest the Stepdance if you can fork out the extra cash. The sound coming out from this 'portable' amp is AMAZING!.

Also, here's a link that might help you decide 56 portable amps reviewed

iBasso D4 Mamba has surprisingly good review!
The Meier Audio Stepdance is like a perfect amp under his description..
Meier Audio MOVE is just another very good amp with a cheaper price I guess!

I can vouch for the Stepdance. If you can live with the size and battery life, then this is the portable amp you won't regret buying also, you'll need a better interconnect than the one provided with the amp but that's a different ballgame.

Is it possible to get Meier Audio product in Malaysia?

meier audio? i think jaben have some models

Yes, Jaben has the Stepdance and xxs last I checked.

Tried this DAC again with other pc using cheapo Altec Lansing headset, for that pc onboard sound card really lose out to this DAC. Its running with Realtek ALC1200 so different pc setup different onboard performance

someone wanna sell audiotrak optoplay?