Portable amp for a pair of AKG K 601

P

Paperstar

n00b
Joined
Feb 6, 2007
Messages
51
So I've purchased a pair of AKG K 601, which haven't arrived yet. But I've heard what difference an amp can make on a pair of headphones connected to an ipod.

I think I should make that investment; however, the amp I experience, was built into a small eclipse mints container. What? I didn't ask many questions at the time as I didn't fully understand and still don't, but can a good amp be built into such a little case to support the headphones with perhaps a small nano (do different ipods make a difference? nano, classic, touch).

Should I invest in something more professional or is it just that simple to go down to a common electronics store and buy a list of certain transistors and piece one together yourself.

- An aspiring audiophile on-the-go.

P.S - On an extra side note, are their benefits behind recabling headphones? Can you increase sound quality by changing the cable with something better. I've seen it before, but I didn't know if it was because of sound control or just a faulty lead.
 
Mini^3 is a great DIY portable amp.

Best advice I can give to listen to the headphones before you buy an amp. Get a feel for how they sound and then that will give you more information on what you need in a portable amp.

As far as cables, listen to the different types if you have the oppurtunity. Every headphone is different and sometimes upgraded cables make a huge difference, sometimes they make no difference.

Good luck!

P.S. The PA2V2 is also a really good, cheap portable amp that would work well with the K601's.
 
you should have someone do it for you, it cost about the same as buying all the parts. you will get more help and some offers over at head-fi.
 
Aren't the high-end AKG's power hungry? They probably need more than a basic cmoy/equivalent.
 
Recabling the K601 doesn't help that much. It's cable is pretty solid.

As for a portable amp, you're talking about a really expensive one to really run the K601 to its max. We're talking like... RSA Mustang/Hornet or Singlepower Mini or Larocco Audio Pocket Reference II or Xenos 1HA.

Here's the best thread to look at so far... http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/...up-37-portable-amps-reviewed-compared-214588/

Keep in mind, the K601 is a VERY demanding headphone so you need to get the best that he reviews. Any of the ones that he mentioned can "drive every/any headphone" or "is on par with home/desktop amps" are the ones you want.

On the other hand, if you DO want the Mini3, I can sell you one. :D
 
Different cables do influence the sound, either cheap or expensive. I was skeptical, until I heard my SA5000 with stock 650 cables..It retarded the strength of my SA5000. I wasn't expecting a change, since a cable is just a cable.
 
Just a note to any and everybody who actually thinks RSA (Ray Samuels Audio) products are worth the money.... DON't WASTE YOUR MONEY ON RSA!!!!!

The technology is lukewarm and the business practices of RSA is as close to criminal as you will ever find. Just stay away from RSA. Now singlepower on the other hand, they are a seriously awesome company.

Cheers!
 
Except when Mikhail of Singlepower disappeared with everyone's money and products for 18 months?

Just avoid these people's business practices by buying secondhand...
 
runnin17 said:
Just a note to any and everybody who actually thinks RSA (Ray Samuels Audio) products are worth the money.... DON't WASTE YOUR MONEY ON RSA!!!!!

The technology is lukewarm and the business practices of RSA is as close to criminal as you will ever find. Just stay away from RSA. Now singlepower on the other hand, they are a seriously awesome company.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
This has me worried as I was looking closely at the P-51 Mustang for my choice; whether or not it could power my 601's is a question to be asked though.

Thanks for all the answers though guys, I'm paying very close attention to this thread.
 
You should get the Mustang. Skylab says it's the best for it's, and against bigger, and more expensive amps, he ranked them 4th out of 21 portable amps. Not sure what beef that poster has with RSA, RSA is loved and respected at head fi, and known to have sellar customer service. Believe me, If RSA was shady/criminal you would have heard about it on head fi. His rep is spotless.. He stopped using USPS for international shipping abroad, due to some complaints that their amp never reached their destination. Maybe thats why he is angry??
 
I'd certainly build a Mini^3 for $100 as opposed to spending $375 on the Mustang.
 
I am sorry to disagree with you Alai, but the Mustang is a POS. There is no reason to spend that kind of money on any RSA product.

If you can get a Mustang for around $200 then it might be worth it. The Mini^3 is a great little amp and is more than enough for a 601 in my opinion. RSA products may look nice and they are decent sounding, but they are not worth half of what they sell for. If want some honest help, without any sponsor or retailer bias, head over to head-case.org and ask them what they would suggest. BUT, stay away from RSA if you absolutely can.
 
kool bubba ice said:
You should get the Mustang. Skylab says it's the best for it's, and against bigger, and more expensive amps, he ranked them 4th out of 21 portable amps. Not sure what beef that poster has with RSA, RSA is loved and respected at head fi, and known to have sellar customer service. Believe me, If RSA was shady/criminal you would have heard about it on head fi. His rep is spotless.. He stopped using USPS for international shipping abroad, due to some complaints that their amp never reached their destination. Maybe thats why he is angry??
Click to expand...

RSA is known and respected at head-fi because RSA gets head-fi a lot of money through sponsorship. While most of head-fi is very good about giving honest information, you have to sift through a lot of sponsor biased claims and people that just like to have others spend money on over-priced crap.

RSA's rep is not spotless and if there where problems you would NEVER hear about it on head-fi. Half the mods over there are getting some type of money or percs from most of head-fi's sponsors and guess what, RSA is a major sponsor for head-fi.

Please do you research before pointing people in the wrong direction. RSA products might look pretty and get rave reviews at head-fi, but head-fi is not the end all be all of headphone discussions. They are the biggest and most well known site, but that really doesn't mean crap when you look at the way their forum is set up. It is so sponsor heavy that you can immediately tell it is just there to make tons of money. Good luck with your amp search and stay away from RSA unless you get a really good deal on one of their amps. Don't spend more than $200 on anything from RSA.

EDIT: Also, another thing that I thought about. If you head over to head-fi and look at the for sale section; there are always RSA amps for sale. Why is that exactly. From what all the head-fi fanboys say, RSA should be the pinnacle of headphone gear. So answer me the $64,000 question about why they are always on sale. Probably because, RSA is CRAP. Just have Rockhopper Audio build you a Mini^3 if you don't want to build one yourself or just build one yourself and then you will be immensely happy with it and this discussion will be over. End of rant :D;)
 
Ok, that might be true, but I completely disagree that the Mini 3 is enough for the K601.
 
Alai said:
Ok, that might be true, but I completely disagree that the Mini 3 is enough for the K601.
Click to expand...

Well I have read a few people that own the Mini^3 say that it drives all their headphones pretty well (and at least one of those people own's the K701's).

I personally haven't heard any AKG's with a Mini^3, but I am in the process of ordering myself a Mini^3 from Rockhopper Audio. So hopefully in a month or so I can give impressions.
 
runnin17 said:
RSA is known and respected at head-fi because RSA gets head-fi a lot of money through sponsorship. While most of head-fi is very good about giving honest information, you have to sift through a lot of sponsor biased claims and people that just like to have others spend money on over-priced crap.

RSA's rep is not spotless and if there where problems you would NEVER hear about it on head-fi. Half the mods over there are getting some type of money or percs from most of head-fi's sponsors and guess what, RSA is a major sponsor for head-fi.

Please do you research before pointing people in the wrong direction. RSA products might look pretty and get rave reviews at head-fi, but head-fi is not the end all be all of headphone discussions. They are the biggest and most well known site, but that really doesn't mean crap when you look at the way their forum is set up. It is so sponsor heavy that you can immediately tell it is just there to make tons of money. Good luck with your amp search and stay away from RSA unless you get a really good deal on one of their amps. Don't spend more than $200 on anything from RSA.

EDIT: Also, another thing that I thought about. If you head over to head-fi and look at the for sale section; there are always RSA amps for sale. Why is that exactly. From what all the head-fi fanboys say, RSA should be the pinnacle of headphone gear. So answer me the $64,000 question about why they are always on sale. Probably because, RSA is CRAP. Just have Rockhopper Audio build you a Mini^3 if you don't want to build one yourself or just build one yourself and then you will be immensely happy with it and this discussion will be over. End of rant :D;)
Click to expand...

I know Ray is 'untouchable' there.. I remember when their was a thread about RSA stealing other peoples schematics, & the thread was closed. I know someone who is a member of the trade.. He told me this.. I still don't think his amps are crap. I bought his RSA HR-2, & thought it was very good, but was overpriced IMO.. Why are RSA amps up for sale a lot? People like to upgrade, & get better.. You can ask why there are a lot of single power amps for sale on head fi? Is it because they are crap? There are more RSA amps for sale.. The reason.. Rays cheapest amp is 350, compared to the cheapest single power amp, 600.. & Ray sells a lot of portables.
 
runnin17 said:
Well I have read a few people that own the Mini^3 say that it drives all their headphones pretty well (and at least one of those people own's the K701's).

I personally haven't heard any AKG's with a Mini^3, but I am in the process of ordering myself a Mini^3 from Rockhopper Audio. So hopefully in a month or so I can give impressions.
Click to expand...

K but I own a Mini3 by Rockhopper and I have the K701. It's tinny compared to the Heed.
 
I would suggest looking at the Corda 3MOVE, Corda XXS, iBasso D3, and the HeadAmp Pico if you are actually going to spend some money on an amp.

If you decide to go with the Mustang, don't buy it new. Just get a used one off Head-fi.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top