There has been some recent concern over some comments made by one of Head-Fi's members (RNB180) about the headphone jacks on my amplifiers. The comments made resulted from problems he had using some of his cables with my amplifiers. RNB180 builds custom cables and sells them to the Head-Fi community. Until I can find out what the problem was I would highly recommend that none of my customers purchase his cables for use with my amplifiers. I will continue to research the problem but from my customer's feedback it is my understanding that this has been limited to this one occurence and that there shouldn't be any concern using cables from other manufacturers. The front panel screws do not currently sit flush with the front panel but there is adequate space for all cables I have used and those that my customers have reported using. Anyone having a concern about their cables fitting can have the front panel screws replaced when ordering with standard philip head screws which are not as pretty but will sit flush with the front panel providing a little extra clearance. You can view the comments made by going to this thread.
UPDATE 4/14/06 : I have increased the hole size on the front panel and the hex screws now sit fully flush on the front panel. Any concerns involving this issue have been resolved and should no longer be a concern. I have tested the amplifier with a Black Diamond Reference cable without any problems.
News and Updates
Portaphile V2^2 and X^3 shown with Zu Pivot Audio Cables to show spacing
12/11/2005
12/24/2005
All current orders have shipped and arrived before Christmas. I hope the new owners will get many years enjoyment from their new amplifiers.
Ordering has now resumed with new orders currently scheduled to ship by 1/10/05.
TM
Portaphile
The Portable Audiophile
Do you see this text?
4/22/06
Beginning May 1st, 2005 amplifiers can now be ordered with an optional LT1210 in the power supply. This buffer can source four times the current that the current BUF634 can source and has improved the performance of the amplifier in several key areas. Downside is that the upgrade is not backwards compatible so is only available to new amplifier orders. Also, battery life has been cut in half so this should be considered as an option to improve desktop performance. Plase visit the LT1210 page for more information.
4/24/06
There will be a delay on a few parts that I use and won't recieve them until May 6th. Orders placed after today will not ship until then. Please keep this in mind when placing order.
5/8/06
Everything's in stock again and orders are shipping within four days of placing an order. All orders have shipped as of today and I don't foresee any delays in the immediate future.
5/12/06
Just when I thought things would run smoothly for a good time I find that I will be short a critical component for up to 45 days. I currently have stock for a limited number of amplifiers and soon as stock runs out there will be a break time until my part order is fullfilled. I'll use the break time to work on a new amplifier design I've been trying to finish but I haven't had a time to iron out all of the details. This amplifier will be an addition to my product line and not a replacement. For a brief introduction to the new amp you can go to this page.
5/26/06
Well, everythings in stock again. I hate to be one to cry wolf but I really like to announce any foreseeable delays, just in case. The only time things will slow down now will be during the last week of June and the first part of July. I plan on taking a much needed vacation during these 3 weeks. So, if you plan on ordering during that time, order early or order after I get back. This will be the week of June 25th through July 10th. Orders are now shipping as usual with a maximum four day lead time. I sometimes get amps shipped out in a matter of two days.
6/22/06
I'll be out on vacation until 7/8/06. All current orders have shipped. I will still be available through my email so please email me if needed. Ordering will resume after my return.
7/10/06
Well, I'm back from my vacation and ready to build some amplifiers.
9/26.06
The new amplifier that I have been working on, Shohin is taking longer than I had previously had hoped. Because of this, I'll will stop production of the PV2^2 after my current stock is out and devote as much time as I can on the new amp. I am considering possibly replacing the current Pv2^2 with the new amp so these last few amps may be just that. I'll post updates as soon as more information is available. Thanks for all the interest and I'll be updating this website weekly so please check back for updates.
Currently out of Stock, as of 10/15/06
11/25/06
My strive for excellence has delayed the release of the Shohin and I don't have an estimated release date yet. To help fund the continuation of the development and get a few orders fulfilled for Christmas I want to do a limited production run of the Portaphile V2^2. Orders will ship on or around December 15th to guarantee Christmas delivery. I've updated the ordering page to reflect the availability of these amplifiers. Please email me if you have any questions or comments.
12/12/06
Currenlty Sold out for Christmas. I've decided to still produce the current line up in limited quantities while the Shohin is in development. Please contact me for estimated shipping times..
2/07/07
The Portaphile Maxxed is back in limited production but I am currently sold out. I'll have more amplifiers available to ship at the end of February. Please order early to reserve your place for one.
12/18/07
There is a new review out of the V2^2 and can be read by going to the reviews page and clicking on the appropriate link Thanks again goes out to Head-fi member ASR for taking the time to review one of our amplifiers.
3/14/07
The Shohin is still "in development" mode with no real completion date available yet. The Portpahile V2^2 Maxxed is currently available and usually ships 3 to 5 day from placing an order (sometimes sooner).
Portaphile Audiophile Headphone Amplfiiers All Rights Reserved 2008
9/5/07
Time for a long overdue update. ;)
Well, I've run into a part shortage for a critical component (BUF634U). Because of this, I currently only have stock to build about 4 amplifiers (V2^'2s). I don't know when and if stock of the buffers will be available so I don't know when I'll have more amplifiers. As soon as stock is out I'll update the website to reflect this so if you want one of these amps you better hurry. These may just be the last of the V2^2 I build.
Development of the Shohin has been on and off for the last year or so. One of the chief concerns and one that I haven't been able to get past has been battery life. The current design meets all of my design goals (Size, opamp rolling, etc...) but battery life is still pretty short. This has been a chief concern from customers on the V2*2 so I want to get better run times or possibly ditch some of the features to prolong battery life. I still plan on building this amplifier, but I won't offer it until I'm happy with it.
So, while I wait for the Shohin I'd like to build a nice home headphone amp. This is something I've been wanting to do for some time now and think the time is right to get into this. If there's enough interest I'll get the ball rolling on a home amp while I sit back and analyze my Shohin problem and come to a solution.
Don't think this is the information some of you have been waiting for but that's where things are. I'll try to post updates a little more frequently now. I've just moved into a new house and have finally settle in. I should have more free time on my hands to get back to building and designing.
Happy listening!.
1/12/08
I managed to score some more buffers so, I am putting the Portaphile V2^2 back into full production! Although, at a small price increase due to supply & demand effects on the price of the buffers. Please see the V2^2 page for more details.
The Shohin is on hold "Until Further Notice" due to design issues. I'll keep you all posted.
Expect a 7 to 10 day build time on any new orders and there will be a simplified ordering process along with a new website some time soon.
It's been a great year for the portable audiophile and I'm glad to be a part of it.
Happy Listening!
8/8/08
I just run out of buffers and am trying to replenish my stock. Please email me expected availability of amplifiers. Currently, it looks like I won't have stock available until October 2008 but I'll keep looking and hopefully will have stock before then.
9/18/08
I have stock for one or two amplifiers. Please email me if you 'd be interested in one of these extremely limited run amps and I'll email you ordering instructions.
9/23/08
My current stock is sold out again. I'll update the site as soon as the buffers become available.
11/12/08
I've managed to secure parts to build another round of amplifiers with ship date of about 12/10/08. There will be an additional 7 amplifiers available for a total of 15 including the 8 that are already on order. Please go through the ordering pages to place an order if you are interested in getting one of these amplifiers. Thank you for your patience.
11/20/2008
As of today, there are 3 amplifiers still available and they are going fast. Please place your order today to reserve one of these last few amplifiers of the year. Happy listening.
