Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

iPod, walkman, headphones, earphones, boomboxes, etc...

Moderator: dogears

Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby rtsyrtsy » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:13 pm

I have not kept myself updated on the latest and the greatest portable headphone amp-DACs so I was hoping to save many hours reading through headphone forums by taking advantage of the collective wisdom on Wiredstate.

While my iPad would mostly be used with the Shure IEMs, it would be nice if the amp-DAC can also handle an ancient HD600.

Thanks in advance!
User avatar
rtsyrtsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3908
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 5:25 am

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby jma » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:38 pm

I use a RSA Hornet for my SE535. The key thing is the line out cable should be a bit longer than usual so you can still leave it on the table while you lift your iPad for reading or watching movies. Since my ALO cable is from my iPod days I find it an inconvenience.

However, the Shures are pretty good even without the headphone amp. I have been using it more often without the RSA Hornet.
jma
Citizen
Citizen
 
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:23 pm

Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby docsialu » Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:14 am

Try an ibasso d6 for the hd 600


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
User avatar
docsialu
Fanatic
Fanatic
 
Posts: 1086
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2005 12:37 am
Location: kutawato city

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby Gino » Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:17 am

There some serious stuff at head-direct.com.
User avatar
Gino
Fanatic
Fanatic
 
Posts: 1347
Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 9:47 pm

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby rtsyrtsy » Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:42 am

Goodness gracious. When I last checked out the portable headphone amp scene, there were just a handful of players: Headroom, Ray Samuels, and that's about it. I remember even iBasso was just on pre-order.

These days, the choices are staggering. I am not sure I have the patience to go through it all. I might just end up sticking to my iPad and Shure combo! This said, the same tracks & with all my headphones direct via the iPad vs. via my Naim DAC are generally far more engaging with the latter (cost is very well justified).

Might you recall or recommend any specific threads in any headphone forums or shootouts amongst AMP-DACs recently?

I am not looking for the ultimate in audiophile reproduction but I do want something engaging--something that would get my mind off a 2-3 hour cardio session on gym machines.
User avatar
rtsyrtsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3908
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 5:25 am

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby Gino » Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:05 pm

I hear some guys are using the iPad 2 camera connection kit and a usb cable to connect to a dac. That should take care of your signal. You may want to confirm this.
User avatar
Gino
Fanatic
Fanatic
 
Posts: 1347
Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 9:47 pm

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby rtsyrtsy » Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:03 pm

So far, here's the longlist of options:

iBasso D0 @ $109
Fiio E17 @ $140
Headroom Total Bithead @ $149
iBasso D7 @ $149
iBasso D2 @ $169
iBasso D4 Mamba @ $199
iBasso D3 @ $219
iBasso D12 @ $285
Centrance DAC Port @ $399
Ray Samuels Audio Predator @ $475

And this list is far from exhaustive. I need to understand the differences between iBasso's offerings.

And thanks, Gino, for the tip on connecting the iPad to a DAC via Camera Connection Kit. I found a list of compativle DACs here:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/507559/list-of-dacs-that-work-with-ipad

But it seems the New iPad (a.k.a. iPad 3) is not yet stable on these amps.
User avatar
rtsyrtsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 3908
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2003 5:25 am

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby dogears » Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:22 pm

camera connection kit + USB > DAC, that's cool. Will google further on this. Thanks!
User avatar
dogears
Master
Master
 
Posts: 3972
Joined: Mon Jan 27, 2003 1:58 pm
Location: Bago magSanPedroLaguna

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby iceman90a » Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:58 pm

Gino wrote:I hear some guys are using the iPad 2 camera connection kit and a usb cable to connect to a dac. That should take care of your signal. You may want to confirm this.


just tried this: Ipad > camera connector > USB cable > Fiio USB DAC/head amp > senn HD25

works well
User avatar
iceman90a
Fanatic
Fanatic
 
Posts: 1530
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 4:06 pm

Re: Which Portable Headphone Amp-DAC for iPad + Shure SE530?

Postby Gino » Sun Jun 17, 2012 2:16 pm

That is great. The next leap is to find an iOS player that does what an Amarra player does on a Mac.
User avatar
Gino
Fanatic
Fanatic
 
Posts: 1347
Joined: Fri May 30, 2003 9:47 pm


Return to Head-Fi

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests