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Post by JohnnyBlue on Apr 12, 2010 9:45:34 GMT
I was that "nutter"!
Now also living in the country and loving it that everybody says "hello" and smiles (unless it's the bloody golfers when I'm walking the dogs, but that's another story, and would lead this thread even further off track!).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 11:12:34 GMT
This amp seriously kicks ass.
I attached mine to senn PX100 and they sound like a really expensive pair of headphones.
Fantastic bass slam and a slight more edge up top. They make the ipod sound absolutely fantastic. They also give a feeling of a larger space in the sound. Extremely quiet, no hiss and with a sensible amount of gain.
I also tried them with HD650. Drives them as though they're not there. A big, full blown weighty sound. Mine's upgraded with the 8610's and a bigger battery and it makes listening a REAL pleasure.
It's built like a brickhouse and is weighty for a portable, but I actually like that. It has a nice big volume control, so there is no fiddling around with a poxy little pimple that slips when you grip it. I like the silver 'retro' finish because it won't look bad with time. It'll stay silver, not black with silver scratches.
IMO this is a bargain, even at the higher price with the upgrades. It could easily stand in as a home amp.
Now I'm also wondering about the desktop amp because it has a seriously good sound.
Ian
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 11:22:41 GMT
How many valves does it have Ian ?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 13:27:15 GMT
How many valves does it have Ian ? I don't know but it gets my pistons going!!! Alex - you should try the Bravo modded!!! That is also seriously good. ;D I've been listening all afternoon and quite honestly, it grips the music by the gonads. I'm listening to 'Spock's Beard' by ...... Spock's Beard. It's a gorgeous album with some very thick textures in the mix. Using the Senn HD650, I can hear the effort that the guys are making so clearly and in the complex stuff where they use polytonality along with polyrhythms etc, it is an absolute piece of piss to follow each line individually with this amp because it really separates the sounds in the headstage. Along with a terrific slam and effortless reproduction and a tone to drool over, this amp puts a lot of others to shame. With many headphones (on this album) the mellotrone creeps in and you don't actually hear it very well until the other sounds make space for it to come through. This amp picks up the start of the mellotron stuff inside the mix, so that you're aware of it from it's first note (as you would hear in a live situation actually) so that it becomes a spine tingling listen when you can actually hear the players making space in the mix to let it through while it's already playing. I'm more for musical communication than hi fi and this amp delivers big time. I hope that Neco continues making them. As far as I'm concerned it's a best buy. Worth every penny. I don't care about its size, looks. It is a really sensible rock solid design that will take a good kicking in real life usage with a sound that is unbelieveable when you consider the 9v power supply. Whatever he's put in there, it the gonads.... BTW way, Neco is a good guy to deal with. I bought it a while back and asked Neco to hold on to it for me because I wasn't going to be around. I was worried that they may not stay on Ebay or he'd up the price or something. He kept it for me and emailed me before he sent it to make sure that someone would be at home. Then he sent it special delivery. Really nice guy. Support him. It's worth getting one - honest!! Ian
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 21:19:53 GMT
Ian Frans made it technically better, but not as much as he would have liked. You are now hearing the superiority of a superior solid state design with this portable. You expect it will be outperformed by it's big brother . It almost certainly will. A decent solid state design is so much better in all respects. If you want a "fun" amplifier, or an anplifier that makes the music sound more to your own personal tastes, buy valve amplifiers. Personally, I want the best possible sound quality at an affordable price, and valve amplifiers do not do that for me. Alex
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2010 22:03:57 GMT
Ian Frans made it technically better, but not as much as he would have liked. You are now hearing the superiority of a superior solid state design with this portable. You expect it will be outperformed by it's big brother . It almost certainly will. A decent solid state design is so much better in all respects. If you want a "fun" amplifier, or an anplifier that makes the music sound more to your own personal tastes, buy valve amplifiers. Personally, I want the best possible sound quality at an affordable price, and valve amplifiers do not do that for me. Alex I also want the best possible sound quality at an affordable price Alex, but what is best? One that measures well or one that sounds good, or are you presuming that it will sound good becasue it measures well. Now, we're back on that old topic eh? I don't mind valve or SS design. Whatever sounds ok is fine by me. I'm completely open to whatever sounds good to me and what helps the music sound good whether it measures like a flat amp or it's a couple of camel humps type response. I really don't care and don't need the figures to enjoy my music. I rely on portable stuff quite a bit though because I move around a lot and the more expensive stuff is a temptation for thieves. Therefore when you find an amp at a good price that has a good sound, it's a real bonus. There are only a few amps that i really seem to have got attached to and it's not always just been to do with sound. One of my better portables was the old Porta Corda. Loved it. It was also ugly so no-one tried to nick it. I didn't mind the Move but hated the battery arrangement and the stupid shiny/tiny volume control. The Corda's control was at least easier to grip. I also liked one of the Go Vibe units very much, although I found them all a little lean but basically good sound with Senns. Also, people didn't try to nick them. The little valve ones (Bravo types) are great on a bus or in a hotel. (Small and beefy sounding) More nickable though, so I have 3. This Neco is the best of the bunch for me though. I'd love one of the Ray Samuels amps to try or the really expensive thing (Italian I think?) - but the distributors can be unreliable I hear. Actually, there's a guy who worked for that company who has now left and is making a new amp which I saw advertised here today!! The Samuels one is just too expensive to be playing around with if I don't particularly like it, but maybe one day, I'll give one a go. At home, I feel comfortable with the X-Cans for headphones and my speaker system. Something stops me going too high with headphone amps ...... The highest I went was an Earmax but I'm happy with 'lower life'. Ian
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Post by clausdk on Apr 22, 2010 22:21:06 GMT
Ian: If you use your portable setup a lot, you should look into getting a Cowon player, I got the D2 and it is a great little device, it walks all over an Ipod.
It is even so powerfull that the portable amps are a thing of the past, to me at least..
you can also expand the memory with SDcards, so having lots of music in a small pouch is possible..
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2010 16:48:26 GMT
Ian: If you use your portable setup a lot, you should look into getting a Cowon player, I got the D2 and it is a great little device, it walks all over an Ipod. It is even so powerfull that the portable amps are a thing of the past, to me at least.. you can also expand the memory with SDcards, so having lots of music in a small pouch is possible.. Hi Claus, Yes, I've heard a Cowon player. Very nice. Trouble is Ipods are so good for other things as well like podcasts, films, radio (On the Nano) audiobooks etc. When you're away and missing home (like I was) there's something really nice about hearing an English podcast instead of all that German language that I can't speak. I can manage French and Spanish but you are so cut off when you can't speak to anyone except the people you're working with. The Ipod's a good all rounder. That battleship amp makes it sound terrific as well. It's not a volume thing for me. Ian
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Post by clausdk on Apr 23, 2010 20:20:45 GMT
Ian: If you use your portable setup a lot, you should look into getting a Cowon player, I got the D2 and it is a great little device, it walks all over an Ipod. It is even so powerfull that the portable amps are a thing of the past, to me at least.. you can also expand the memory with SDcards, so having lots of music in a small pouch is possible.. Hi Claus, Yes, I've heard a Cowon player. Very nice. Trouble is Ipods are so good for other things as well like podcasts, films, radio (On the Nano) audiobooks etc. When you're away and missing home (like I was) there's something really nice about hearing an English podcast instead of all that German language that I can't speak. I can manage French and Spanish but you are so cut off when you can't speak to anyone except the people you're working with. The Ipod's a good all rounder. That battleship amp makes it sound terrific as well. It's not a volume thing for me. Ian The cowon can do all that as well..you can even get one with DAB. I am not about the volumen either, but it is great to have a player than can drive my DT880.. The power also makes it better with easier phones. I know the feeling of isolation, I once worked in Estonia for some weeks and, it is so wonderfull hearing ones own language again..
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Post by clausdk on Apr 23, 2010 20:23:17 GMT
If you are in the northern Germany and wants company, you are very welcome to come by for a cup of latte..
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Post by PinkFloyd on Apr 23, 2010 21:03:57 GMT
Ian.....
I agree with you, the NECO portable is one helluva amp... for CERTAIN it's the best sounding "portable" I have ever heard and up there with the best of the "non portable" amps.
Claus, Ian (like me) is quite happy with his ipod.... he doesn't "need" another player.... can we please keep this thread "amp specific"?
Mike.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2010 21:28:34 GMT
Ian..... I agree with you, the NECO portable is one helluva amp... for CERTAIN it's the best sounding "portable" I have ever heard and up there with the best of the "non portable" amps. Claus, Ian (like me) is quite happy with his ipod.... he doesn't "need" another player.... can we please keep this thread "amp specific"? Mike. Mike, I've got 5 Ipods!!! Terrible isn't it? I've been using this little beastie amp non-stop. It drives full sized headphones with absolute ease and the bass .......... You just wouldn't think that box could make noises like that. Also, something that I find difficult to hear - the space in the sound so that you become aware of the rooms that sounds are recorded in. I gave a couple of work mates a listen today and one said straight away, you can hear the room. These were NOT hi-fi people and they heard it straight away. I love the build. It's indestructible with a re-chargeable battery that goes for ages before the next charge. Good sized volume knob so subtle tweaking can be done and the gain is really sensible. The lack of noise is amazing. (and boy, am I fussy about that!!) The bigger battery is worth the trouble and also the 8610's. I was listening to Touch today and those deep bass notes really go deeeeep on that amp. It's easy to forget that it's a portable because it has such a huge sound. The desktop version is really tempting now since I've heard this one. I'm waiting for Mick to write something - I know he's impressed. I think Neco's really done this one well. Good sound. (Most important thing) Bomb proof case. (I get sick of namby pamby little amps that fly off tables) Rechargeable battery that lasts. (Great for travellers like me) Sensible gain with low noise so you could even use it with earbuds. (I tried it with OK buds and it's fine as far as hiss goes- there is none) It equally drives big headphones with ease in the hotel!! It's staying!!! It's going to get feet though. Ian
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Post by goinglite on May 2, 2010 4:45:53 GMT
Running the NECO-Soundlab V.2 portable with my Grado's 325i. This amp is truly World Class. I still can't believe my ears! This amp "blows away" my Bravo V2, Indeed G2, Headroom Bithead, Headroom Cosmic ($600.00), and all of my tin can amps! I'm completely hooked! I also just ordered the Neco-High spec Mosfet headphone amplifier - V.2.
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Post by noobiiee on May 8, 2010 19:55:26 GMT
one potential problem I reckon this amp will cause: Imagine if you bring it to the airport. The security ppl would probably thought it's some bomb activating device or something similar due to the solid case + the on/off switch
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 8, 2010 20:39:39 GMT
Running the NECO-Soundlab V.2 portable with my Grado's 325i. This amp is truly World Class. I still can't believe my ears! This amp "blows away" my Bravo V2, Indeed G2, Headroom Bithead, Headroom Cosmic ($600.00), and all of my tin can amps! I'm completely hooked! I also just ordered the Neco-High spec Mosfet headphone amplifier - V.2. Totally agree with you, as portable amps go this is a killer.... it's built like a brick shithouse, sounds superb and is rechargeable.... it's fantastic in every respect IMO.... It is minimalistic and only does what it needs to do... "make music" and, that, it does VERY well
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Post by PinkFloyd on May 8, 2010 20:43:06 GMT
one potential problem I reckon this amp will cause: Imagine if you bring it to the airport. The security ppl would probably thought it's some bomb activating device or something similar due to the solid case + the on/off switch Yet on a train, a boat or a bus it's perfectly cool to travel with metal objects that sport "switches"
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Post by goinglite on May 9, 2010 0:00:00 GMT
Just got got the Neco-High spec Mosfet headphone amplifier - V.2. in today. Testing it against the NECO-Soundlab V.2 portable right now.
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Post by goinglite on May 9, 2010 3:48:18 GMT
Just finished testing the 2 Neco amps through my Grado 325i headphones.
Well as much as I like the NECO-Soundlab V.2 portable, the Neco-High spec Mosfet headphone amplifier - V.2. CLEARLY outclasses it.
The Neco-High spec Mosfet headphone amplifier - V.2. has a very smooth, highly detailed sound with an amazing separation of instruments and voices. The sound stage is huge. There's absolute "blackness" between the notes. The sound is "energetic" and "full bodied". All of this is done in a way that's far beyond the capabilities of the NECO-Soundlab V.2 portable.
Listening to the Neco-High spec Mosfet headphone amplifier - V.2. has helped me understand the limitations of the NECO-Soundlab V.2 portable.
(Special note: Both amps have the two opamps AD8610 upgrades)
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Post by rainman on May 13, 2010 14:48:15 GMT
Hi all! I'm fairly new to all this and, even newer to Rockgrotto.
I have two Neco portable amps- 1 is a V1 single opamp (AD8066), with a custom bass boost (apparently similar to the JDS Labs CMoy Bass Boost), and I recently purchased a V2 (2 x 8610), but standard (i.e. no bass increase).
I must say right now- THE V2 PORTABLE AMP IS UNBELIEVABLE! THE SOUND BLEW ME AWAY, AND IT'S NOT SEEN MANY HOURS YET! Btw, did you guys notice a big difference after 50+ hours? I noticed a lot with the V1, but my phones were also fairly new at the time...
I love the sound of them both, but the V2 is clearly better, with a more 3D soundstage.
Now for my question, which is not 100% amp specific....
I have Senn HD555 phones, which I really like. Unfortunately, I have a weak immune system which is unable to fight off the Upgraditis virus. No prizes for guessing which phones I auditioned... HD650.
I found them really nice (they were apparently a demo pair, not sure hour many hours they'd seen), though I must admit, I was expecting to be lifted out of my seat and taken on a magic carpet ride.
That didn't happen.
But I did love the sound. I was using my iPod Touch with 320k AAC VBR files, so I understand that something will be lost already. But I noticed that I had to increase the volume a LOT with the portable V2 to drive those thirsty 300ohm phones. I was able to max out the pot without breaking a sweat, but I probably wouldn't ever listen any louder, at least not by much at all, and probably very seldom at that.
I spoke to Neco, who told me that maxing out the pot won't cause any loss in sound quality. But the more powerful Mosfet will drive them better.
I oooed and aaaahhed about the two amps before getting the V2 portable, but decided that since I often move about from place to place, albeit indoors, I would probably get more use out of the portable, so without regret went for it.
What I want to know, is if any of your guys have used both the portable and the Mosfet with HD650s, or even just the portable?
I think the Neco V2 is absolutely awesome- Amazing sound, great looks (IMHO), fantastic build!
But are the HD650s a little too much for this amp to drive, or would I need the Mosfet to justify the phones?
I'm perhaps being a little unfair on the 650s- the biggest difference I noticed was when I donned my 555s right after- they felt thin. I lost the sense of involvement the 650s gave. It's weir how I notice the difference going back to 555s, rather than trying 650s....
Thanks in advance for any help guys! Any help is MUCH appreciated.
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Post by elysion on May 15, 2010 22:17:55 GMT
Does anyone know where I can get iPod-Dock-Connector-to-Mini-Jack cables for a reasonable price?
I'll need one of these because I've plans to get a Neco portable amp.
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Post by rainman on May 15, 2010 23:22:51 GMT
Hi elysion I got from eBay what appears to be an iBasso CB05 but without the name on it; same dock, same silver plated flat OFC cable, same Pailics plug. It was about £22.50 I think. The seller has something slightly different looking now but slightly different appearance; same dock, Pailics plug and silver plated cable (I think flat, but apparently wrapped in fabric or some material). Mine is very good and reasonable price. Found it reviewed on what hi fi forum. The iBasso CB05 is supposed to be very good though I can't really compare. But I'm pretty sure this has come out of iBasso's factory; at least it's exactly the same spec. He also has a dock with 3.4mm socket for £10 if you want to use your own cable. The only complaint I have is that you cant put your iPod in your pocket due to the nature of the flat cable, or I suspect it'll get kinks; but that's why I got the separate dock with socket (for use with my Fiio E5 {which I can't find right now}?. But the Neco masterpiece is not something you're likely to be walking around in your (shirt ) pocket. Anyway the item number for the cable adapter is: 280507011040 Give it a look mate Regards, Omar
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Post by elysion on May 16, 2010 0:47:48 GMT
Thanks Meier Audio also sell this type of cables, but 45 Euro plus shipping is more than I'd like to pay. I'll look around in the next few days, maybe there're also a couple of other offers. Perhaps I should visit the "House of Sound" here in Basel too. I was very happy with their prices and their service.
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Post by rainman on May 27, 2010 3:12:36 GMT
I posted this in the Neco V2 Mosfet thread as it was the topic of conversation there, but feel that it belongs here too, so here it is... On the subject of gain, I must first mention that I have the portable amp. Well I have the V1 and V2 (V1 with custom Neco Bass Boost; V2 totally standard, no adjustments, but with 8610 opamps and 300 mAh battery). Gotta say again here- the V2 portable sounds SO good, and is still burning in. HATS OFF TO NECO! I'm not a leave plugged in for a week guy; I like to listen as they burn in... With my HD555s, I find that the gain is high enough that the entire pot is not usable. I can use at least half of it (at VERY loud volume- not for long listening!) With my recently acquired HD650s (birthday present ), I find that the whole pot is usable. There is a caveat. I demo'd the HD650s before in a shop, which appeared to be (at least to some extent) burnt in and I was able to use the entire pot with my ipod touch. It was not uncomfortable at full volume, and I was hoping to have had a touch more available just in case. However, it must be borne in mind that the ipod has a lower output voltage than a CDP/HiFi, etc... Listening to my Teac ALL IN ONE, (haven't hooked it up to my Marantz CDP yet), I find that the volume available is definitely more with the 300 ohm Senns, courtesy of the increased output. BUT, I haven't maxed it out as my 650s are still new and not burnt in. Don't wan't to do any damage. Anyhow, I find that driving the 300 ohm 650s, I have full usage of the pot. With the 50 ohm 555s, I unsurprisingly do not. I think that anyone who is using low impedance phones could request Neco to lower the gain, and I'm sure he would accommodate- he's been wonderful in my experience, which I'm sure everyone on this thread already knows. Seriously though, Neco is the best seller I've come across, ever. Not just on eBay. The downside of specifying a lower gain (at least with the portable, as I cannot comment on the Mosfet) is that high impedance phones may then become more difficult to drive loud. Personally, I'm happy having the gain at 5, and just using less of the pot with lower impedance phones (in my case, the 555s), as then I have more volume access with the 650s. I fear I may be waffling now, so to sum up, I think that a gain of 5 (on the portable) is fine as this allows use with high impedance phones. Any less, and I think it would struggle driving such phones. Though please correct me if I'm wrong. I was actually concerned when I tried the 650s using my 9v V2 because I was able to use all the pot, but Neco very kindly explained that there is no loss in SQ by maxing out the pot. I assume that the Mosfet has more drive behind it, so gain may be more of an issue with lower impedance phones. Hope my impressions are of some benefit Best regards, Omar
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Post by rainman on May 27, 2010 4:26:59 GMT
Here's something interesting..
I plugged my V2 into my Teac all in one unit for the DAB radio. I noticed a spark come from the back of the amp. On further inspection it was apparent that when the outer ring of the charger socket made contact with the metal case of the Teac, causing it to short and spark. You can hear the sound cut for a split second, as the contact was made..
I was a bit concerned about this.. Can anyone shed light? It didn't do it when I disconnected the 3.5mm-RCA from the Teac, so I assume it's something to do with the ground connection. The amp is working fine. Don't want to let it make contact again lest I cause any damage!
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Post by elysion on May 27, 2010 10:10:25 GMT
Thanks for your comments about the pot of the portable, rainman. I'm sure Neco is interested in your thoughts.
I should get the moddified Mosfet and portable amps from him soon.
Probably there's no everyone-is-happy solution for the pot because there're so much different sources and headphones out there.
Suprisingly I don't hear much difference in loudness between the HD650 (300 Ohms, fully burned-in) and the K702 (62 Ohms, also with hundreds of hours on them). The Mosfet is somewhat more powerful than the portable, but probably it's also about the loudness levels we like to have for extended listening sessions. I'm listening to very moderate volume levels most of the time (and like to hear the surrounding enivironment somewhat – as long as the environment is calm).
The HD25-1/II (70 Ohms) and HD414 (50th anniversary edition with 52 Ohms) are a lot more sensitive than the HD650/K702 and the pot of the standard Mosfet isn't really usable with them.
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