Everyone, please say hi and welcome in the introduction thread to avoid clutter
I only used it with that DAP while I was travelling and found the Dx220 to be pretty good. I normally used the IHA-6 for this type of headphone. High power, high current option as well. If you have something like a 789, that would also be great. The HA2se isn’t the most powerful, but it would probably be fine for portable use.
I can weigh in on this too. I am definitely not @Resolve but had the same question for him in regards to using portably with the Dragonfly Red. I believe the dragonfly outputs up to 1.2v which I can confirm is not truly enough power to really make these headphones sound their very best. They sound decent, but not great. Once you plug them into a more powerful source, for example my THX SMSL SP200 all I can say is wow! So I would check the Dx220 SE power output to see what it is capable of. If it is similar to say a Dragonfly Red, ifi XDSD or other portable solutions it will be decent sounding but not nearly how good they can sound once receiving proper power. Where I especially notice it when listening via the Dragonfly Red is in the low end, bass sounds muddy when played at higher volumes. But for a really portable option this was the compromise I was willing to make. Then adding in the power of the ifi Micro IDSD Black Label for more on the go power via work desktop, hotel, travel etc. I haven’t tested the two together yet as I am waiting on the ifi unit, UPS dropped the but I will give you my thoughts once I get it. I think Resolve may have tested them with that unit as well.
Good testing! This mirrors my experience as well. There are distinct advantages to using a full-sized desktop amp with lots of power, but something like the XDSD is a great option for portability. I find my iDSD Micro BL to be a bit too bulky to carry around conveniently, but maybe the use cases for others aren’t as stringent for the size of source gear. From what I found the HA2se is only 300 mW, but again, when it comes to portable sources, some concessions have to be made.
Yup, I think your spot on. The ifi XDSD is probably the perfect balance for power and portability. Here is it’s power specs: Output power: > 2.82V/500 mW @ 16 Ohm
3.7V/270mW @ 50 Ohm
3.8V/48 mW @ 300 Ohm
3.8V/24 mW @ 600 Ohm
I miss spoke about the Dragonfly Red here are its power ratings:
2.1 volts
Direct-coupled, high output: Enough power to easily drive the widest range of headphones. When used as a line-level device (volume set to 100%), DF Red’s 2.1 volts provide enough power to drive all preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or receiver inputs.
So to @Resolves point if you want some extra power the ifi XDSD is the way to go with a phone.
Since you asked about the Dx220 I pulled the max output on that guy, here are the specs:
Maximum Output: 6.2VRMS
Frequency Response: 15Hz-45kHz (+/-0.1dB)
So it looks like it has more output then all of them. @Talonstryk
I shall as I am guilty of doing just this I shall only now do welcomes in the welcome thread. Sorry…
if you guys don´t want to spend the amount for the xDSD and use a DAP, you like…
connect it to a ifi xCAN - analog amp with single ended and balanced in and out - with more power you could want and the same form factor, as the xDSD
you also get a Bluetooth connection(not Burr Brown implementation like on xDSD, though ESS sabre) and can use the updated analog Bass+ sound option(added Bass, midrange presence or both)
I saw some rumors and pictures(formfactor like a Fiio Q1 II) about a new portable DAC/AMP from ifi, with 4.4 out and burr browns, though a touch weaker than the xDSD (300 intstead of 500mW)
Man just got my iFi IDSD Micro Black Label today and started listening to it with the Aeon2C so far already sounding really good and according to iFi it should get better after the burn in period is complete.
" (Both devices) - Burn-in period, how long do iFi suggest?
At least 1 week running 24/7 and as per any normal amplifier it certainly requires an audio signal to be run through it to break-in.
We use components from AMR machines which are high-end amplifiers and thus require burning in to sound better."
The more I listen to these Aeon2C the more I like them, maybe my ears are starting to burn into their sound signature.
how is the top end with the AOC2 out of the ifi? Love the switches and the volume knob- you happy Burr Brown club member
Do you use the white inserts first? Or even without inserts?
From the latest “Max Settings” review… this could be a real nice combination
Do you have to unplug the cable for the transport case?
I had the same iFi XDSD you have before and loved it but switched for this Micro IDSD Black Label for the increased power. I am running the Aeon2C with the amp/dac right now first day/hours. Already impressive. I haven’t actually changed the inserts yet on the headphones as I read Dan recommends listening without them for awhile to get a feel for the sound. You do have to unplug the cable for transport but honestly it’s not a big deal at all. For the size of the case and how small it packs down with the cable it is game changing for transportation of a full size headphone IMO. I definitely like the iFi Burr Brown Sound!
Nice! The Connectors are the coolest of all out there!
Last question for now- do you use the GTO filter?
Ask as many questions as you want here to help! As of right I haven’t used any filter with it just running it high gain and standard settings for the AEON2C.
I meant the driver- oh I suppose you are on a mac and don’t use firmware and so no software DAC filter
Edit: “GIBBS TRANSIENT OPTIMISED DIGITAL FILTER”
Yes, I am on MAC
Thank your @MRHifiReviews and @Resolve Very interesting, thank you. I don’t even have to go high gain on my OPPO portable amp. One thing I forgot to note is that I’m using an Aeon 1 Closed, but I think they are about the same to drive. I’m considering upgrading, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
One thing I would be interested in the AMP9 single ended works decently. A little tube sound to smooth things out.
@Resolve - I’ve definitely got some more powerful desktop amps that I use at home and work, but I’m not always somewhere where I can use one. At work, I’ve got a topping D10 (which is about to get the boot due to harsh treble, going to try a Modi 3) and a JDS atom.
@Talonstryk got my ifi IDSD Micro Black Label today and have been using it with the AEON2C for a few hours and it sounds great at normal to high gain depending on the genre and recording. A huge step up from my DragonFly Red. I use a SMSL THX SMP200 for my desktop and that little guy is pretty damn powerful. I believe I read that the Aeon2C were even a little more current hungry than the original but @Resolve would know much better than I would. I am loving this AEON2C so far, from my understanding they are a definite step up from the AEON C.
Yeah, they fact that they have more low end is definitely enticing – I’ve been looking at lower cost AMP/dac combinations to warm the A1C’s as well (recess/smooth the treble a bit, increase the low end a bit). The only thing that concerns me is the bigger soundstage. I really like the “intimate” sound of the A1C.
I wouldn’t say this soundstage of AEON 2C is all that big honestly. It is still pretty small compared to an open back headphone. The soundstage is not as intimate as say the 6XX but still pretty nicely done and a bit larger, if you aren’t looking for a huge soundstage you might be very happy with these. I also love the intimacy of a smaller soundstage but also have some headphones with larger sound stages as well for a different experience.
Yeah I worry that my criticism of the soundstage would be taken to mean more than I did in my review. It’s really not bad at all for a closed-back, and an improvement again on the original. Stage depth especially is great on it. So while you don’t sit a few rows back like with the HD800 or Auteur, you still get excellent separation and sense of lateral space as well.
It is accurate though for most tracks I do hear a movement from left to right with the center image sounding softer in comparison to the left and right at times. I did a lot of listening last night and noticed it more from orchestral, classical tracks then say pop or r & b. I could be imagining that too lol. It wasn’t by any means enough for me to say this isn’t a wonderful listen for me. It also brings a unique sound signature to my stable which is fun to pair certain headphones with certain types of music.