Quote from: zerodeefex on March 26, 2014, 03:42:51 AM

Caylx M?

I actually am fine with a full desktop amp. I might get a balanced cable for the UERM and use them with a Mjolnir or something.

What about the Centrace M8? It comes in a "RSA" config for mini-balanced plugs.

To put it mildly, CEntrance makes mediocre amps.  There DACs are pretty decent, but amp sections are pretty lacking in low level resolution, inner dynamics, sustained power delivery (HD800).  I had the DACPort for over a year and tried to run my HD800 off of it while my Super7 was getting built.  Horrible, couldn't listen to it with the HD800 for more than 30 seconds.  I think I listened a total of 5 minutes over 4 sessions over a 4 month period before my amp was completed.  It was that bad.  The M8 and desktop DAC/amp they have sound basically similar (actually the last M8 I heard sounded worse than both of those tbh).  Mike's philosophy of amp building is to just add more power and volume and keep distortion low.  Pretty much basic novice amp building philosophy and you can hear it.  My UHA6S and the O2 both sound miles better with the HD800 than the DACPort or M8 and all of those measure flat/neutral.  Claims that CEntrance stuff is wire w/ gain is typical overanalytical colored BS sound.

I do recommend the DACPort LX as a source though as long as you get a good deal on it.  I'd avoid anything of theirs that has a pot and a bunch of switches.

I've been considering moving to a UERM-only setup for the past month or so. I've just been enjoying the sound from my UERMs more than the hd800s lately.

Is this the LISA we're talking about? How much of an improvement is it really over the uha-6s? I think an amp-only device from Leckerton may be worth waiting for.

http://triadaudio.net/the-l3-portable-headphone-amplifier/


Edit: while we're here, anax have you had the chance to do a comparison between the ada4627-1A and the 1B?

Yes, surprisingly the B actually sounded better than the A.  I think CeeTee came to this conclusion independently as well.

I heard that LISA L3 two years ago versus my mk1 w/ OPA209s, it may have also been using a separate power supply.  At the time, the difference was clear.  The mk2 w/ 209s was a slight improvement over the mk1 w/ 209s and the 4627 another improvement still and then going to the 'B' version yet again so I have no idea how the comparison would shake out.  I also have not heard their new blue edition of Li-ion version which have 'improved circuits'. 

All I can say is the current L3 lineup has a better opportunity to sound better if implemented correctly based on past experiences.  Also that there may be some new devices to watch out for at similar or better pricepoints that can compete.

I haven't run into that issue much since dumping the 209 but I would get feedback from CeeTee and others as well as asking Nick how the 4627 handles GSM versus the 8610.  Be wary in deciphering his 8610 speak as he leans a bit objectivist when it comes to opamps and their sound signatures despite offering alternatives.  Just focus on his GSM remarks, the 8610 is really inferior sonically to both the 209 and 4627 unfortunately.

Thanks Anax! I'll take the question over to the Portable Amps thread and try to solicit some more feedback later today. I'll also ship Nick a message.

Tyll seems to think highly of the Centrance M8 though.

And the Reveel.  I'm sure Tyll can chime in if he feels the need to on the M8, no need to bait me.  There's a lot of reasons to like something based on how it's used versus just sonic fidelity.

It has a feature set that includes hardware EQ, no doubt needed because it's just soooo wire w/ gain sounding.  No resolution, no ballz, no dynamics, but I guess it gets loud on a dB meter playing a tone.