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Showing 1 of 575 conversations about:
Paopaw
73
Jun 1, 2017
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What is a good protable amp/dac for iphone for Spotify listening? First IEM here not really an audiophile. Just a casual listener when traveling/ camping or hiking. Thanks
Spaceman24
27
Jun 1, 2017
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PaopawIEM from an iPhone streaming Spotify while on-the-go for a non-audiophile.....
That is literally the antithesis of needing a dac or amp. Save yourself the cash, or invest in a better pair of IEMs, although these should work great for your situation.
That is literally the antithesis of needing a dac or amp. Save yourself the cash, or invest in a better pair of IEMs, although these should work great for your situation.
Paopaw
73
Jun 1, 2017
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Spaceman24So better of not having a dac/amp for this IEM? Even for 320kbps stream on a spotify wouldn't have any difference? Educate me pls ty
Spaceman24
27
Jun 1, 2017
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PaopawLet's start with the dac (digital to analog converter). Your phone already has a dac (or it couldn't output music to headphones/iems etc) and the one in most modern smartphones is actually pretty good. So this aspect is not necessary for hardly anyone, including audiophiles.
Amps are primarily used for hard-to-drive full sized headphones that cannot be driven to satisfyingly loud levels from a portable device. Yes, they *can* benefit certain iems, as in slightly extending the perceived frequency response, potentially giving better/louder bass and airiness and soundstage. However, this does not happen with just any iem or headphone. Iems by nature are portable and meant to be driven from relatively low-powered devices (like phones) and therefore rarely benefit from additional power unless they are fairly high-end (which these are not). Since you'll be out and about and not in a quiet listening environment any improved nuances will be even less noticeable.
Amps are primarily used for hard-to-drive full sized headphones that cannot be driven to satisfyingly loud levels from a portable device. Yes, they *can* benefit certain iems, as in slightly extending the perceived frequency response, potentially giving better/louder bass and airiness and soundstage. However, this does not happen with just any iem or headphone. Iems by nature are portable and meant to be driven from relatively low-powered devices (like phones) and therefore rarely benefit from additional power unless they are fairly high-end (which these are not). Since you'll be out and about and not in a quiet listening environment any improved nuances will be even less noticeable.
Paopaw
73
Jun 1, 2017
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Spaceman24Makes sense ty!
Edit: kinda thinking to get this if ever to pair with the nufore IEM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716JRTT6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A34JWT04R7KMFW
Anent
167
Jun 2, 2017
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PaopawI have a Nuforce udac5 that I pair with my iPhone and 320kb-Spotify along with some on-ear B&W P5s. The catch is the udac requires a USB power source, which is typically via a USB battery pack. The udac5 is not an in-pocket dac (there are others out there with integrated batteries or low-power dacs), but it provides a night & day performance compared to the iPhone's dac. Here is a link to udac5 discussion and a sample photo. https://www.massdrop.com/buy/nuforce-udac-5-dac-amp-combo/talk/603715?utm_source=linkshare&referer=NTP5KN
Paopaw
73
Jun 2, 2017
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AnentThanks for the reply. That is too big for me for EDC. I was thinking to get this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0716JRTT6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A34JWT04R7KMFW
But if that won't make any difference I would just save the money. Btw I bought a Klipsch x6i In-Ear Headphones. Is that any good while waiting for these?
But if that won't make any difference I would just save the money. Btw I bought a Klipsch x6i In-Ear Headphones. Is that any good while waiting for these?
agentmayhem
74
Jun 3, 2017
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PaopawFor your purposes the amp is 100% unnecessary. Also the Klipsch might have a different sound signature than these but will be comparable in terms of sound quality and somewhat redundant.
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