Or you could buy the considerably cheaper and probably much, much better stuff from Headroom.

[www.headphone.com]

I've been using their Micro Amp to power my Beyerdynamic DT880's for about six months now, and it's astonishingly good. Their mobile stuff is supposed to be almost as great, and it's $150 for the one that has a built-in DAC, so you can use it as an outboard sound processor on a computer and keep the conversion from digital audio file to sound away from the EMF echo chamber that is the inside of your computer.

Punkey

Portable amps are a touchy subject because audiophiles will always have a preferred favorite. I'm also surprised that you mentioned movies first and not music.

I personally use AKG K701s or Grados with the Emmeline (Ray Samuels Audio): "The Hornet" portable headphone amp.

Readers may want to check out the bithead from Headroom as mentioned in the first post for a really great introductory solution.

evangelistc01

EMF echo chamber?

You're gonna try and sell me a demagnetizer aren't you?

strider_mt2k

-or build your own and have ultimate control over build and tonal quality!

DIY headphone amplifier projects abound, and used Altoids tins NEED a good home.

strider_mt2k

Or ... you could, for about $50 in parts build your own mini amp ... but NO ALTOIDS TIN. You must use a Penguin Mints tin ... >.> ... in order to ... amplify the ... tonal qualities to their full potential ... >_> <_<

MastaFalse

I have a boostaroo. It cost me £15 ish and amplifies volume on 2 AAAs and acts a s a three-way splitter without the loss of quality in one ear.

Yeebles

For those of us without the time for DIY, you can get a hand-built amp (the PA2V2) that runs on two AAs (works great with NiMHs) for dozens and dozens of hours (~100) without needing a charge -- and when it does need one, there's a plug on the front to plug in the included AC adapter to charge it. Did I mention it's well under $75?

Look it up; I love mine.

formicae

Corda XXS?

FinalValgas

So, is the point of a device like this to raise the volume level past the point that the source device can do without bringing in distortion?

There was a day and age, back in the Cretaceous period, when I noticed stuff like that, but these days I am happy I can hear anything.

Monty

I've been staring at a M^3 for months, eventually I'll order the kit and build it.

Log1c

@Monty: in part. in theory it should also help increase available gain with a minimum increase in noise.
Add to that, each piece will have its own noise, if you match the right headphones, with the right amp, on the right player you can create a very pleasing sound.

Sort of the reverse of recording on mics, preamps, mixers, compressors, etc...

SomeAudioGuy

This seems nice, and I always love to support the homeland tech, but I think I would prefer a portable Headroom or Grado amp for listening to music. Otherwise I would just go with a pair of Dolby Surround Sound headphones with a surround headphone adapter for mobile DVD solution.

TOWken22

@evangelistc01: RSA FTW. They are more expensive, but the sound is just awesome. I'm thinking of buying the Predator, because it doubles as an USB-Amplifier. ([www.raysamuelsaudio.com])

mangochutney

I'd skip all of that and just use a mid-range pair of noise-canceling Sennheisers...never had a pair of buds that actually felt like you were in a disco as much as those!

FiveLiters

they should make one that can draw power from USB

elislider

@FiveLiters: Are you from the US?
Then try the Westone UM2s.
They'll blow everything away those big manufacturers can throw at you. BOSE (especially), SONY, Sennheiser, Panasonic, Philips...

Nothing compares to them, except Ultimate Ears and Shure (and Etymotic for those of you that like their sound signature).

mangochutney