Portable Headphone Amp recommendations?

[Thetiminator]

I have an Astell & Kern AK120 playing through MrSpeakers Ether C’s and want to add a little portable amp for some extra drive. A couple of things.....
Many of the portable headamps have built in Dacs, how does this work when there are dacs in the A&K? Does the headamp dac take over as the main processor? I’m thinking that the dacs in the A&K would be better but I could be wrong...?
Am I better off going for a headamp without a dac?
Also it needs to be small, ideally not much bigger than the A&K so I could strap them together and still fit in my pocket...
Anyone have any recommendations or has compared any?
Thanks.

Edit: Budget - up to c.£400 max I suppose, but used very rarely so ideally less.

 

[Mongeddavid]

Not sure on the 120 but alot of daps have a coax out sometimes doubled with a headphone output and switchable in the menu. The Mojo would be a good start for a similar sized amp dac.

 

[mikechadwick]

How about the iFi Audio xCan? https://www.futureshop.co.uk/ifi-audio-xcan-next-generation-portable-headphone-amplifier

 

[Thetiminator]

Thanks guys. I’m thinking just a straightforward amp my be best and avoid the dacs...

 

[BTC3]

I have an AK120mk2, connected via optical cable to a Chord Mojo (and from there into IEMs). I love the sound the two boxes produce when working together, a very clear difference to the AK on its own. Given the optical out, I'm pretty sure the Mojo is taking over DAC duties.

 

[mikechadwick]

How about the iFi Audio xCan? https://www.futureshop.co.uk/ifi-audio-xcan-next-generation-portable-headphone-amplifier

The xCan is just an amp, no DAC

 

[Thetiminator]

Thanks BTC it’s helpful to hear about 1st hand experience. I’ll get one for a try....
Cheers

 

[linnfomaniac83]

I have an AK120mk2, connected via optical cable to a Chord Mojo (and from there into IEMs). I love the sound the two boxes produce when working together, a very clear difference to the AK on its own. Given the optical out, I'm pretty sure the Mojo is taking over DAC duties.

Yep, and someone posted one in the classifieds for £225 yesterday, total bargain!

 

[BTC3]

Yep, and someone posted one in the classifieds for £225 yesterday, total bargain!

Richer Sounds has them at £299, which is a decent discount, too.

 

[linnfomaniac83]

Richer Sounds has them at £299, which is a decent discount, too.

That’s a cracking deal, and just as well because I’ve just noticed the one at £225 is sold.

 

[I.D.C.]

For offshore working I used the Japanese Fotex HP-V1. with a good built in Dac. 650hd headphones Fantastic sound.

 

[Thetiminator]

Yeh for an extra £75 worth getting a new one....

 

[Thetiminator]

Good few used ones on eBay at over £300....good luck with that

 

[anuenlil]

Support small local businesses: Neco Soundlab anytime for me.