Best Portable AMP driven by Ipod Classic (modded) for HD 650s in 2024? [help]

[nathhamme0]

Hi everyone,

I've done alot of research so far through this site and others - looking for a portable AMP, potentially with DAC. It would be driven from my modded Ipod Classic 5th gen and I will be using it mostly with HD 650s.

I've come across things like the Topping Nx1s, Nx4 or Fiio A3, A5, potentially even the Fiio Q1 mkII. I believe I would need Aux input for my LOD cable and then output for headphones.

But with all this information being rather old now what would be the recommendation for portable AMP/DAC to use in this setup to properly run the headphones in 2024? Ideal budget would be around 60-70£ or worst case below 100.

Apologies if this comes up alot or isn't in the right place, this is my first post on the site.

 

[staticV3]

Hi @nathhamme0! Welcome to ASR.

These portable headphone Amps have gone out of fashion lately with the disappearance of headphone jacks from mobile devices.

It'll be difficult to find something modern at that price point, much less modern and well engineered.

However, the HD650 is a really easy load to drive, and will hardly stress retro headphone outputs.

If you get enough volume directly out of your iPod, then I'd suggest you just use that.

Edit:
Maybe a Helm DB12 would be worth a look?

 

[nathhamme0]

@staticV3 Good to be here!

I appreciate a modern solution with an aux input is probably unlikely, but perhaps a version thats some-what modern that meets the need.

With the HD650 being easy to drive, would you say any of those listed would be fine? and if so, out of those more retro options which would be the best?

I modded the ipod so the line out just goes through capacitors instead of the onboard processing, hence looking for an amp/dac, if its possible to create a cable from Ipod 30pin to USBc would this be a better option for more functionality rather than 30pin>3.5 jack?

 

[staticV3]

With the HD650 being easy to drive, would you say any of those listed would be fine?

Yes.

I modded the ipod so the line out just goes through capacitors instead of the onboard processing, hence looking for an amp/dac, if its possible to create a cable from Ipod 30pin to USBc would this be a better option for more functionality rather than 30pin>3.5 jack?

You cannot use an external DAC unless you find a way to output digitally from the iPod (SPDIF etc).

You cannot connect an analog Line out to an external DAC.

 

[nathhamme0]

Of the retro ones listed which would you say would be best (if there is much difference between them - even if that's just build quality/durability)? or is there a different more retro solution you would recommend.

Yeah so the output from the ipod will be analog from my understanding as it still uses the wolfson DAC , so I would just want an exclusive AMP for the headphones no DAC, correct? (and I believe that's what most of the ones I've listed are - the Topping NX7 is another, slightly more modern option I believe too but still sells round 120£)

Edit: My question around the 30pin to USBc cable was more if I could connect from the ipod to a USBc output I could potentially connect to a more modern portable amp that uses USBc input or would that not work?

 

[staticV3]

Of the retro ones listed which would you say would be best (if there is much difference between them - even if that's just build quality/durability)? or is there a different more retro solution you would recommend.

With retro I was referring to the iPod BTW

I haven't looked into Topping's and FiiO's older headphone amps much, so I can't tell you which one is best.

Yeah so the output from the ipod will be analog from my understanding as it still uses the wolfson DAC , so I would just want an exclusive AMP for the headphones no DAC, correct?

Correct.

the Topping NX7 is another, slightly more modern option I believe too but still sells round 120£)

The NX7 would be my go-to portable headphone amp.

It's extremely transparent, the closest thing to a wire with gain: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/topping-nx7/

 

[nathhamme0]

With retro I was referring to the iPod BTW

Here I was thinking you meant the amps since they're a similar age! Hopefully if someone else with more knowledge on them jumps in they might be able to help but seems any of those would probably do the job about the same.

You cannot use an external DAC unless you find a way to output digitally from the iPod (SPDIF etc).

I think there are a couple of docks that do that - take the digital output from ipod 30pin and output as S/PDIF to connect to an external DAC - I think I will look into trying to nab one for my at home setup to essentially just try get as close to CD quality through the ipod as possible.

The NX7 would be my go-to portable headphone amp.

i'll see if I can find one for a good price - the others (A3, NX1s) I can find for about 30/40£ just now, the A5 for about 50 where as NX7 is closer to 100 but perhaps it's worth the extra money

or I get the cheaper portable dock and use the saved money towards the digital dock

 

[scalllos]

Hi everyone,

I've done alot of research so far through this site and others - looking for a portable AMP, potentially with DAC. It would be driven from my modded Ipod Classic 5th gen and I will be using it mostly with HD 650s.

I've come across things like the Topping Nx1s, Nx4 or Fiio A3, A5, potentially even the Fiio Q1 mkII. I believe I would need Aux input for my LOD cable and then output for headphones.

But with all this information being rather old now what would be the recommendation for portable AMP/DAC to use in this setup to properly run the headphones in 2024? Ideal budget would be around 60-70£ or worst case below 100.

Apologies if this comes up alot or isn't in the right place, this is my first post on the site.

Try one of these. They are MFI certified for ipods: