Where to buy in the UK?

justsurfing55 · 06-10-2008, 4:13 PM

Hi, I was just trying to find and buy (online) in the UK good portable headphone amps. I would like to know and get some advice on brands and models of portable headphone amps and which are the best regarding sound quality. I saw a few on Head-Fi and wanted to know if some of those are being sold in the UK.

BigTone · 06-10-2008, 5:11 PM

The answer is very little in the UK. I think the only portable headamp built in the UK is the Slee Voyager - which is by all accounts a very fine amp.

I bought the ibasso D3 a month or so ago and I've been very happy with that, the big advantage over the voyager is the DAC section.

BT

justsurfing55 · 06-10-2008, 6:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigTone

The answer is very little in the UK. I think the only portable headamp built in the UK is the Slee Voyager - which is by all accounts a very fine amp.

I bought the ibasso D3 a month or so ago and I've been very happy with that, the big advantage over the voyager is the DAC section.

BT

Thanks for your reply. Where or how can I buy the iBasso or similar quality ones? Only on American websites? Do they ship overseas?

justsurfing55 · 06-10-2008, 11:22 PM

justsurfing55 · 07-10-2008, 9:35 AM

Can anyone help on this?

**Steven** · 07-10-2008, 10:11 AM

Unfortunately you are reliant on the internet. UK/Europe has a limited selection of portable headphone amps. There is meire-audio from Germany from memory though I think there are better choices out there

For example I imported my RSA Tomahawk from the USA (though RSA Predator and the Pico are preferred right now)

justsurfing55 · 07-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Thanks LFC_SL, I wanted to know how long it takes (took) ordering and receiving your Tomahawk from that website. I had a look at them and iBasso as well.
Also I wanted to know what difference or how better are the DAC/Amps compared the Amps on its own.

BigTone · 07-10-2008, 10:35 AM

I bought the IBasso D3 amp, it took less than a week to arrive and I've been knocked out with the quality and price, a great DAC/AMP combo.

iBasso

BT

**Steven** · 07-10-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsurfing55

Thanks LFC_SL, I wanted to know how long it takes (took) ordering and receiving your Tomahawk from that website. I had a look at them and iBasso as well.

It took me 4 weeks because UK customs apparently had the whole month off

Ray has now changed it for international orders so Fed-Ex is compulsory. Therefore you will get it within the working week but beware of customs, though I believe Ray marks the package down on request. Of course caveat emptor applies but you should be OK...

I paid RM £10 when my amp was marked as £70 by Ray

justsurfing55 · 07-10-2008, 10:42 AM

And what it the difference between a DAC/Amp and AMP standalone?

*Reano* · 07-10-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsurfing55

And what it the difference between a DAC/Amp and AMP standalone?

You would need to have a digital out from your listening device to make best use of an external DAC. The difference always depends of the quality of each item being compared..

justsurfing55 · 07-10-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reano

You would need to have a digital out from your listening device to make best use of an external DAC. The difference always depends of the quality of each item being compared..

Does that mean that if I buy the iBasso D3 or similar I can only use it with an mp3 player that has digital out or can be used with it because it can also use the analog out?

lisnalee · 08-10-2008, 4:19 PM

If you have a Dac in the amp it basically means you could use your pc/mac connected via mini usb as your source while at home or work. It would go something like computer....dac/amp....headphones.

When your mobile you can connect your mp3 player via its headphone socket or dock connector if its an ipod to the amp. It would be along the lines of mp3 player.....dac/amp....headphones.

Hope this helps