ad300 -> hippo amp, go-vibe single.. i can say rm300+ range of amps.
ad500 -> needs amp at a level above it, can say rm500+ desktop amps, or rm700+ portable amps.

i dont see why ad700 does not need amping when i found ad500 needs lots of juice, unless all you are looking for is volume, just direct plug in to your computer output is enough.

also one more particular info that a lot of people dont know, is that low impedance headphone needs high current output amp, instead of high voltage swing. (gain/volume)

that's why tube amps always does well with at's, grados, etc, since usually tube amps have more current output plus lower gain vs solid state amp (high gain low current). probably 300mW or more is needed, but u only find that in those very powerful portable amps or desktop amps.

go-vibe ppk gave my 650 quite a big improvement probably up to 85%, but only about 50% of my old vtg. through yamamoto ha-02, i can say i got double (100%) improvement on vtg vs ppk, but only about 15% more on 650.

my previous ATH W10VTG power rating is 2000mW, 48ohm (most woodies have similar specs), most portable players output 20-30mW.. some more than 40mW, and most players can make any headphone go very loud and destroy the drivers, but that's not even a quarter of current needed for driving woodies.

in other words, ur amping it wrong. >_<

suda tua, makin gemok. plus im occupied a bit recently, i also still hutang one amp for a friend here in lyn.
that amp has been tweaked specifically for vtg, the balance of the overall sound on vtg is very similar to 650 + lavry. Im still sorting out some noise humming issue. >_<

All audio technicas are low impedance, their highest one is probably my favourite choice air dynamic ad500, 60ohm.
u can take my conclusion that most desktop amps are better than portable amps for at's.
if i had to recommend, i would say get a dac/amp, improvement there would be better. as for going tubes or not, i would still choose to pair woodies with high powered solid state amp.
It needs the speed and extension of solid state amps.

the only thing that i can recommend you without any doubt now is the centrance dacport.
expensive, yes. but do consider that you will be buying a good amp (class A topology, very neutral and powerful), and also a good dac (very very hard to find), both in one compact form.
u can probably split the 1.5k pricing as rm800 amp + rm700 dac.
since all woodies are colored in their own way, u either find an amp that is neutral and retain their coloration, or find an amp that adjust the coloration to be closer to neutral (needs lots of testing and matching).
I cant imagine using full size woodies on the go with portables (possible scratch, and weak source).
I would save up for that and be done. a very simple transportable setup (laptop -> centrance -> headphone), no hassle or bulk to setup (no big box, weight, not enough bag space).

just one thing about the centrance, test it after its hot, may take about 15~20mins running time. I think it may sound very sharp on ur ad700 prior to warm up.
something about centrance choice of circuit topology, it takes the usb power and re-generate it using its own power supply unit, that needs sometime to warm up and stabilize as well.

eh abang stepdance sila kasi pendapat.

congrats.. ur already one step ahead of me. hence ur opinion counts!
i cant figure it out at all..

i c u have a fiio e5 in ur siggy.
should be quite good since u kept it side by side along with ur stepdance right?

quote from headphonia..
taken from here..
Headfonia $100 amp shootout

after so many amps by fiio, they cant even defeat a basic cmoy amp?

interesting.. didnt know dt770 being bright.

woflson dont appear in serious dacs at the level of pcm1704, sabre chip, akm, etc.
Iphone4 are using cirrus logic, but has better sound quality than my ipod mini using wolfson.

get this if u dont want lavry. very good, more expensive tho, but less hassle.
http://www.stereoaudio.com.au/index.php/au...sb-music-player

because 0s and 1s only exist in computer algorithm, not electronics.

transparent powerbanks or quantum qx2.. qx4 if ur rich.. muahaha..

nope not using it.. just suggestion.
not sure if it does comes with qbase or not..

nothing atm.
i have furutech wall socket.

got a gt2?
i actually considering to sell mine, 0.6m. gonna need longer since my monitor takes too much space i dont have any room to put my desktop.

i cant say its huge... em.. that more or less depends on what huge is on your perception tho.
slight improvement in scale (overall size of the sound-space) and attack.