right. I expected it to be just as good as some DAC/amp options more expensive, not sure why...
if the Mini^3 is your comparison, I can understand why then! I do not actually care much for that one.

soo... HP-P1 vs UHA-6s MKII (vs CLAS+whatever amp you heard it with)? anyone who has either and don't mind describing?
I kind of like the CLAS when I heard it, was together with my AMB M^3 so maybe not the best combination as it was with HD800's and all that... still thought it sounded good compared to straight out of an iPod Touch.
but it is a bit expensive for the Computer Audio USB version.

I have seen the HP-P1 go for affordable prices used. it works with the Lightning Connector right?
and it should be better than the X3 even though it uses that dumb apple decryption mahadada?

I prefer my mids to be neutral and maybe forward if one can even have that? but them being scooped out sounds pretty bad.

Okay, I'll have to listen to the Fostex again later and I'll compare it to the Leckerton which is more of a reference around here than the mini^3. 

I use the rather mid-forward HiFiMAN RE-600, if that makes any difference... they're already quite nice and 'warm' in the midrange to me, using the latest iPad. not overly so. I feel they could be a little bit clearer perhaps, and IME a nice DAC + decent amp would help with that... I don't know how much these IEM's alter with that, so if anyone has a clue plz hepls!

HP-P1 looks nice and sleek and does work with a computer, right?

thanks!

How does the UHA-4 compare to the UHA-6S.MKII?

Less transparent and dynamic than the 6.  4 is in the ballpark of the Arrow and similar quality amps though, many prefer it.  It's no 6 though if you want the best amp out there.  Trust me, I had both and wasn't planning on keeping either, let alone the more expensive one.  If the 4 was as audibly capable as the 6 I would have kept it and sent back the 6.  But if you are predisposed to believe they should sound the same, then get the 4 or maybe nothing.

Headroom Micro is pretty bad - talking about detail extraction on TWFK based on a short listen. As in some cheaper FiiO are better. (E7/E7k and E10. E17 not really, it's a broken design.)
I had E7 and E10 on hand for that test.

Not to mention it's not pocketable and more luggable than portable.
Only thing it has going for it is output power, which is good for a portable amp.