Iâd say 95% of the time my listening is sat at the kitchen table while I work from home on a laptop. I do have to plug and unplug the laptop, move into another room when the kids come in to have snacks etc. So a static amp isnât really an option.
The thinking with the BTR5 is that itâs portable in that it can be moved easily into another room when I have to take my laptop somewhere else. Iâm also not next to an obvious plug outlet, I have to stretch the laptop power cable over, so I couldnât have an amp that plugs into mains either.
So ⊠BTR5 seems to fit the bill well I guess? I could plug it into my laptop when i know Iâll be staying at the table for a while, or use Bluetooth when Iâm moving between rooms.
Always welcome to other suggestions though. I wouldnât want to go over ÂŁ100 really.
Its very small, so very portable, but just about any portable amp/dac or DAP could do the trick really. If you want the most out of the Hawks i say go higher, but the BTR5 is solid
Any other portable amps that youâd recommend? That are within budget? Iâve considered the likes of the Dragonflyâs too, but that needs the Apple camera conversion kit and it all looks a bit messy cable-wise.
I did consider the Hip Dac but wasnât sure how portable it would be. Also a bit more expensive than Iâd like. Iâm also getting a 2.5mm balanced cable with my NHâs so that would work with the BTR5 but looks like the Hip Dac doesnât have 2.5mm balanced.
The hip dac has 4.4 and a dual/combined balanced 3.5 and single ended 3.5, its very portable and more convenient to use, since the BTR5 is all digital, but the hip does not have bluetooth.I think it has better control, and a physical volume knob too. Has better buttons, etc. Not sure about the UK, but the hip was only $50 more than the BTR5 for me
@DagsJT for more power to push the hawks you might look at the Xduoo XD05. Itâs been out for a while and you might be able to find one used. There are several different models. I donât really know the differences but I believe they generally have a good reputation. There is also the iFi Nano BL. Should be able to pick one of those up for close to 100ÂŁ.
Hmm XD05 isnât easily available and the Nano looks a bit chunky.
I think Iâll probably just stick to the BTR5. It should drive the Nighthawkâs well enough for me, and itâs small and convenient enough to move around.
The BTR5 will easily drive these headphones and youâll enoy the sound, particularly if you are able to connect using LDAC codec. If you want a DAC in the XD05 price range then I would seriously consider the Fiio Q5s Type-C, where the amp modules are interchangeable and comes with the highly rated THX AAA amp module. For me, this is a great pairing with the NHs and the LDAC codec sounds the best option for these if your source device is compatible.
Hi everyone, Iâve used the NHC for almost two weeks now and they had around 80 hours of burn in with music, gaming and pink noise over night. Im however still getting pretty sharp s and t sounds for example in Sowing the Seeds of Love - Tears for Fears. I donât have an amp or dac yet but will probably buy the Ifi Zen DAC soon. Currently Im just using a new MacBook Air to drive them. Is it my ears, my setup or something else?
Suede should give ya some relief with what you are saying too. Iâm wondering too if your laptop isnât giving it the quality/quantity juice it needs, so its pushing it too much, and you got volume going pretty high? What audio sources are you using?
