What is the BEST Portable Solution? Musical bliss where ever you are in World?

Fyper

Well-Known Member
May 16, 2015
2
0
131
Paris
Not only when I travel, but as soon as I set foot outside the appartment: AK240 + FLC8 IEMs from FLC Technology.

> 350GB of 16/44 flac files.

Simply can't do without it.
 

marty

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
3,025
4,169
2,520
United States
No matter where I travel, the one essential must have for me are JH Audio inner ear monitors. They can be used with an iPod or directly to access the sound console on most flights with a standard minijack connector. I started with the cheapest ones in the product line which are the JH 5 for $399 (http://www.jhaudio.com/product/jh5-pro-custom-ear-monitor). I thought I lost them some so then ordered the JH15 (now discontinued or renamed) for $799. Miraculously, I then found my original JH5 so was able to do a good comparison (something that is ordinarily hard to do with custom fit monitors). I wouldn't go crazy looking to move up the line and if the JH5 was all you can afford, you will be very pleased. They are beautifully balanced. In fact, when I received the JH15, I thought they were too bright and I asked Jerry if he could modify them, which he did by adjusting the crossover to take down 3300 Hz. (they required a return to the factory but there was no charge!).

What I love about these is that they are fantastic on overseas flights. You can wear them while you sleep and it really removes most of the cabin noise. A downside is that you also can't hear what the stewardess is saying so you either have to take one out constantly, or excel in lip reading.

As many know, Jerry Harvey founded "Ultimate Ears", then sold the company but somehow managed to retain the design rights. Thus JH Audio was founded with virtually identical monitors to UE, but with lower prices across the board. Great products. Made by the guy who first mass marketed the field of custom inner ear monitors, now used by virtually all performing artists, stage actors, etc.
 
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Jeffy

Well-Known Member
Apr 27, 2014
475
171
348
Orchard Lake, MI
The AK portables have wonderful screens and interface, but sonically I'll take HIFIMAN 901S over them anytime. Much less thin and bright and much more musical. No need for Hugo or an extra amp as you can pick up to 6 amp modules that fit in the unit.
 

Fidach Lad

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2015
82
8
113
Fidach
My second generation IPODs (i have 2) and a pair of AKG 701s with a 1M cable, a safari shirt for the Ipod, a plastic shopping bag for the headphones and a book, and a sleeping pill on 8-16 hour over-night flights. The rest is just too much too handle for this older gentleman.
 

caesar

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2010
4,290
767
1,698
Bump!
Seems like there a lot of product releases in this category...
 

Sablon Audio

Industry Expert, VIP Donor
May 22, 2015
1,611
1,484
553
To my mind, there is quite a subjective element as to what level of portability people will find acceptable. I personally lean towards minimalism for travel and run Tidal off my iphone into a Cozoy Aegis dongle amp / dac and then to Etymotic IEM.
 

Fidach Lad

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2015
82
8
113
Fidach
My second generation IPODs (i have 2) and a pair of AKG 701s with a 1M cable, a safari shirt for the Ipod, a plastic shopping bag for the headphones and a book, and a sleeping pill on 8-16 hour over-night flights. The rest is just too much too handle for this older gentleman.

I recently checked, it's a 5th or 6th generation IPOD Classic.
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
3,210
1,738
1,260
Alpharetta, Georgia
I'm using my Chord mojo now with an iPhone 6+ and Audeze Sines.

If you want more compact than that...I suggest an iPhone with a good music player app like the Denon Music Player and some high quality IEMs. The Cardas A8s are very nice but custom molded IEMs that fit your own ears are the most comfy.
 

YashN

New Member
Jun 28, 2015
951
5
0
Canada

bmoura

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
417
3
248
Very nice! I also like the Audio-Technica gear - sleek, modern with just a little vintage design through the VU meters.

The selectable impedance inputs on the Audio-Technica DAC/Headphone Amp is an interesting feature. Don't see that on most DACs in the market.
 

RubenV.

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2015
101
14
148
I am using an iPhone 128GB with Tidal (playlists offline) or Onkyo HF (for local stored DSD, high rez and flac's) paired with a Chord Hugo and a pair of Shure SE846's (in-ear-monitors). I take this with me everyday to the office and on trips and holidays as well. Especially on planes and boats the pair iem's cancel a lot of noise around you.
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
3,210
1,738
1,260
Alpharetta, Georgia

Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
3,210
1,738
1,260
Alpharetta, Georgia
I am using an iPhone 128GB with Tidal (playlists offline) or Onkyo HF (for local stored DSD, high rez and flac's) paired with a Chord Hugo and a pair of Shure SE846's (in-ear-monitors). I take this with me everyday to the office and on trips and holidays as well. Especially on planes and boats the pair iem's cancel a lot of noise around you.

Nice rig!
 

RubenV.

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2015
101
14
148
Nice rig!

Thanks! I am really happy with it. Never could have thought that I would use it that much. Although it is a different experience I get from my main rig at home, it is more then able to transport and immerse me into the world of music.
 

bmichels

Well-Known Member
Nov 30, 2012
109
2
260
The successor to the Astell&Kern AK380 is finally anounced :)



The AK Ultima SP1000 to be launched at MUNICH this week.

more info here: http://www.quebecaudio.com/index.php/astellkern-launches-new-product-lines-at-high-end-2017-munich/

• Dual AK4497EQ DAC
• Octa-Core CPU to optimize system performance
• Sound designed with high output power with low distortion
• 5 inch LCD screen, new GUI, USB 3.0, and multifunction wheel
and.... 12 hours playing time (advertised :) ! )

SS version available in MAY... and CU version available later.

but.... no infos about storage and about TITAL (and TITAL Off-line)
 

The Smokester

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2010
347
1
925
N. California
...The AK Ultima SP1000 to be launched at MUNICH this week.

• Dual AK4497EQ DAC
• Octa-Core CPU to optimize system performance
• Sound designed with high output power with low distortion
• 5 inch LCD screen, new GUI, USB 3.0, and multifunction wheel
and.... 12 hours playing time (advertised :) ! )

SS version available in MAY... and CU version available later.

but.... no infos about storage and about TITAL (and TITAL Off-line)

Native storage is 256GB + microSD card also up to 256GB. Total 512GB.

Tidal not available offline and exclusive to iOS and Android apps.

See comments at bottom of page here and subsequent page:

https://us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news/product-information-a-ultima-sp1000
 

cjfrbw

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
3,323
1,313
1,730
Pleasanton, CA

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