Four Superb Portable Headphone Amplifiers (and Amp/DACs)

June 28th, 2011 -- by Chris Martens
Source: Playback

Let’s start with the V1 amp. The V1 is a class D amplifier that embodies all of the expected benefits of class D technology (tautness, control, definition, good extension at the frequency extremes), plus something more: namely, what I described in my Playback review as “a robust, hearty, and full-bodied quality” that class D amps often are not able to provide. It’s that quality of providing everything you expect plus that elusive “something more” that makes this amp so special.

The V2, which is slightly larger than the V1 amp, basically combines the V1’s amplifier circuit with a USB DAC that can support up to 48kHz/16-bit audio data files (sorry, no support for higher res files). On the one hand, the V2 DAC, which is voiced fairly similarly to the V1 amplifier, adds an extra performance dimension to the product, and manages to sound better than some competing higher-res DACs we’ve heard in this price class. But, a small potential drawback is that the V2 DAC tends to impart a faint trace of treble “dryness” that isn’t particularly objectionable, but that undercuts realism to a degree. In truth, the V1 amp also shows very faint traces of this same quality of dryness, though the DAC makes them more apparent than the amp, alone, does.

Why you might look further: Both Units are relatively expensive, which may prove a deal-breaker for some buyers. On the whole, the V1 is a very fine amp and perhaps the more uncompromised of the two products, while the V2 amp/DAC is quite good in its own right, but arguably less of a slam-dunk choice than the V1 is.

Comments

mariuscmorar@ya... -- Thu, 06/30/2011 - 12:32

First let me thank you for the great reviews Chris!

On your recommendation, I got the Monster Turbine Pro Copper and it is the best sound I've heard from a universal IEM. Thank you!

I'm looking for an amp to go with the monsters. Is there any other option to bypass the iphone dac, besides the ALO Audio package. The ALO package is huge. While you might be able to carry in your pocked the iphone with the Nuforce icon mobile, there's no way you can carry the iphone with the ALOs in your pocket. What's the point of having the greatest portable gear if you can't carry it around?

I have a limitation in that I don't understand the difficulty in bypassing the iPhone dac. Is it so difficult that it can be done only by two separates? Can't it be done in one enclosure? Is it something we should expect in the future (an amp/dac that can bypass the iPhone dac, in one enclosure) or it's so difficult that we should give up. If I can't use the portable dac with the iphone then it's useless, since at home I listen to the bigger desktop dac.

I'm waiting to the JH16pro with the DSP crossover to come out before I upgrade to the custom IEM but it seems that it too won't be able to bypass the iphone DAC.

Thank you again for all the great work!
Marius

rbaird1 -- Thu, 06/30/2011 - 14:32

I have been very pleased with Ray Samuel's P-51 Mustang, which bypasses the IPod's internal amp with an optional cable, battery life good, sound quality outstanding. Not cheap but small and a significant improvement to the IPod, 'cos it will readily drive a full size headphone.

mariuscmorar@ya... -- Thu, 06/30/2011 - 20:59

if you use an LOD cable any amp bypasses the iPod's internal amp, but what I'm looking for is to bypass the iPod's DAC. The iPod/iPhone does not have a high quality DAC and even if you have a good amp and a good IEM, if the DAC is not of high quality, you won't get the most out of your good amp and IEMs. That's the dilemma. The DAC in the iPhone is the weak link in the chain and, as Robert Harley says, a system can only be as good as the weakest link in the chain.

mutyangparol -- Fri, 07/01/2011 - 11:27

the only product i know that can bypass apple iPod's internal DAC is the Wadia 171i and its not portable.

Chris Martens -- Tue, 07/19/2011 - 15:11

Hi mutyangparol,

Actually, there are now several products that, like the Wadia 171 iTransport (which was the first of its kind), do bypass the iPod's internal DACs. Here's a partial list (there may be others):

1) Peachtree iDecco amp/DAC/dock
2) Peachtree iNova amp/DAC/dock
3) HRT (High Resolution Technologies) iStreamer DAC
4) ...and (on the basis of uncomfirmed hearsay) certain select Marantz components said to have a special front-panel digital dock feature.

The good news, I feel, is that Wadia's brilliant idea is slowly but surely gaining traction in the marketplace.

Best, Chris Martens

Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision

mariuscmorar@ya... -- Sun, 07/03/2011 - 11:27

http://aloaudio.com/algorhythm-solo-rx-mk2-amp-alo-audio-interconnects-c...

This does it also, but it doesn't fit into your pocket.

mutyangparol -- Sun, 07/03/2011 - 11:59

Also? What are you referring to?

mariuscmorar@ya... -- Sun, 07/03/2011 - 13:47

I'm referring to the fact the the ALO DAC/Amp bypasses the iPhone's internal DAC not only the internal Amp.

mutyangparol -- Sun, 07/03/2011 - 22:41

You mean the AlgoRythm Solo and Rx Mk2 combo at $998+ $235 for the cables. Doesn't really fit the pocket metaphorically and literally for a portable. IMHO if you want true mobility live with iPod's decent fidelity on good earphones (eg Shure, Klipsch, Etymotic, etc.) and when you want to do some serious listening dock your iPod on the Wadia, hook it up to your serious hi-fi gear, take your seat and enjoy your AIFF/WAV files.

don.mcintosh@tr... -- Sun, 12/16/2012 - 19:55

I am looking for a truly portable (battery operated) DAC that bypasses the DAC in an iPod and is also a headphone amp.

I cannot find a product that HRT, Pico, or FiiO offers that will do this.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Steven Stone -- Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:35

I don't know of any portable products that bypass the iPod's internal DAC.

I would humbly suggest that you try a Fiio E17, mate it with a Etymotic 4-P and sit back and enjoy...

The new iPhone 5 has a digital out that is used by their $30 adapter. The adapter has the DAC built in. Eventually with the new mini-adapter other external DACs are possible.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

johnccp -- Sun, 12/30/2012 - 14:48

The Fostex HP-P1 ($632.32) is portable, bypasses the DAC in iPods and is a headphone amp.

don.mcintosh@tr... -- Sun, 12/30/2012 - 20:48

Aha! There is one after all. Thank you Johnccp. Perhaps there are more to come.