blunt0idWell, something more compact and with an inbuilt battery. Also, and this is strictly personal opinion - something that costs considerably less if it's going to be used for music on the move. If "portable" just means moving it between home and work this would be fine. Don't get me wrong - I REALLY like this product as a compact desktop amp, but I would not use it on a commute to work.
Spork13I agree. In my case I would really like to have an DAC/AMP with my Alpha Primes for listening in bed. When I compare the balanced primes with unbalanced - I seriously think that I need an balanced AMP. I am really searching for an alternative here - maybe CEntrance HiFi-M8.
Any recommendations?
blunt0idSorry can't help you here. I am also looking for a good balanced portable amp. I also looked at the HIFI-M8 but found out it is not truly balanced. It might still sound great though, I never heard it.
FlyingDutchManThe Centrance DACPort HD and DACPort Slim (USB), and the just about to be released DACPortable (internal battery/USB - https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/dacportable-listen-to-music-everywhere-headphones#/) are not balanced, but all three have low/high gain designed for IEMs/headphones. I've got the Slim and will get the Portable shortly. My experience using the Slim with IEMs on low gain is that the channels are balanced. Centrance puts a lot of effort into R&D to make good products. The Slim is only $99. You might try it if you haven't already since it's not a huge investment.
blunt0idA friend of mine recently purchased the Chord Mojo and although I only had a brief listen, it as able to drive Shure SE535 earphones as well as Byer 600ohm 880's without any difficulty. I recall a wide soundstage, tight bass and perhaps a slight treble accentuation. It is a very compact unit with multiple digital input options and is worth considering if portability in a DAC/amp is a priority.
blunt0idI just sent my Alpha Dogs in to be updated to Alpha Primes. May I ask which headphone amp/DAC you use now? I have the feeling I'll need to replace my ADL GT 40.
KevinO2LHey Kev, first of all gratz for the decision. This will be a nice upgrade !!
I am using a Violectric 181 bal with 192bit Dac extension (http://www.lake-people.de/produktdetails/USB-x_24192_for_HPA.html).
I am very happy with this combination :D
First it was a bit too dark for me but I changed the layout of the tokens :) Its an awsome combination now for me.
As for yours ADL GT40 I believe it has enough power to drive the prime easy, However what I realized is that you have only 1 real alpha prime and that is in balanced mode. At first I didnt believe it either but the primes in balanced are wonderful. I suppose you have a 4-pin odr 2 x 3 Pin XLR ?
The combo 181 / AP is a p#nis enlargement kit... and Mr. Reim from Violectric is a genius... <3
PS: The HPA 181 is sold out but I know a guy who is selling his shit for approx 500 Euro...
blunt0idThanks for the great answer, Blunt. I'm really looking forward to getting the Primes. I LOVE the Alpha Dogs so if half of what is said about the Primes is true I'm in for a real treat. I just went to their web site and see that I can buy a balanced cable at some point. I didn't upgrade the present cable figuring that I'm likely to buy a new amp. If it weren't for your comments about balanced cables I would have no reason to upgrade the ADL so thanks for that! Now I need to upgrade, not just want to!
KevinO2LHey Kev, you can also buy the cables seperatly too - in my case I bought the prime with dum 4XLR (used). So I bought a 4XLR to 3.5mm adapter from china for 25 bucks (quite nice).
If your budget allows it, go for it. However maybe you could wait for your primes to return and save some mooooney. Find a store where you can get XLR-cables and try it balanced (ofc not with a 1000 usd amp :D)
let me know how it goes :D
blunt0idThe CEntrance Mini-M8 is balanced. I'm currently using it with a factory modified cable for my NightHawks. I enjoy it, but I really haven't compared the Single ended cable to the Grace M9XX and the balanced cables with Mini-M8.
blunt0idStill waiting on the Alpha Prime upgrade, Blunt. It's been a long time! I'm really itching for a new DAC/headphone amp which I assume will have a balanced output. I'll dive and n then. Thanks for the advice.
KevinO2LHey Kev, i reallyy hope they will be done soon :)) as for the Amp/Dac - personally I have a refurbished Violectric 181 with a Usb Dac extension. I love it but I suppose your free to choose since Violectric do not produce them anymore. But you can buy em used and its great quality so you should be fine.
However not sure if you want spend 500+ bucks - whats your budget ?
http://www.head-fi.org/t/548608/review-violectric-v181-balanced-headphone-amp
Thanks!