SR325i

[Tef]

would it be a waste if i use fatman itube ipod dock (the cheapest one with the 3.5mm jack) to drive the SR325i? I will be feeding the amp with iphone + apple lossless files. or should i invest abit more to get higher model and some kind of converter to 3.5mm ? thanks

[Drubbing]

I've not heard much about the fatman, but in general, cheap tubes amps tend to be more about having a tube than achieving the warm sounds tubes are known for.

It would certainly have no trouble running the 325, but your weak link will be the DAC in the iPhone, so buying a higher end model is moot, IMO. The Fatman won't bypass the cheap DAC in an iPhone or iPod.

Amping a poor source like that with good headphones can often reveal the poorness of the source.

[StevieDvd]

Better to use the lineout connector of the ipod than the 3.5mm headphone socket. And from what I've read from head-fi the fatman is not bad at all, and that's from a member I'd pay attention to.

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by StevieDvd

Better to use the lineout connector of the ipod than the 3.5mm headphone socket. And from what I've read from head-fi the fatman is not bad at all, and that's from a member I'd pay attention to.

Good point. Using a line out dock will ensure you bypass the ipod amp, otherwise a 3.5 the Fat will probably amp the ipod amp signal, which isn't what you want.

Not having a crack at this unit, only pointing out cheaper tube amps aren't going to perform like the expensive ones. Some people just think all tubes = better than solid state.