iPod Can anybody suggest a good amp and/or DAC to use with my iPhone?

Grado RA1 Excellent

The Grado RA1 is about $399. Maybe too pricey for now, maybe not. As the hot-rodders say, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"
The RA1 is an excellent amp. There are models for high impedance or low impedance cans. The RA1 can be either battery powered (two 9v) or wall powered.
You can view reviews of the RA1 and other amps at Stereophile.com, a truly unbiased audiophile site.
I was just about to buy one last week, but job crisis intervened. The money is still in my piggy bank, but I am waiting for a sunny (economy) day. I have auditioned the RA1, and am convinced they are the best for my purposes. My music tastes range from rock to classical to R&B to country to jazz. And I do like music fidelity.
You can get good sound from many amps. I just prefer the RA1.
Good luck with your search.

what would be the benefit of using this? and what kind of scenario.

dmblue said:

what would be the benefit of using this? and what kind of scenario.

Click to expand...

Basically, when you want a badge of Nerd.

It's not even Geek, because in the vast majority of cases portable amps actually degrade the signal - but simply has the effect of altering the tone a bit (as well as deafening you quicker, of course).

Analog-wise, if you can get Xin to deliver which is a struggle at times, his amps are probably the best out of a largely useless lot due to the size and spec. http://www.fixup.net/products/index.htm

In terms of DAC/amps there's the HeadAmp Pico (http://www.headamp.com/), which is well reviewed by the peers on Head-Fi. I thought it was OK, but suffers from the same general problems with portable amps of practicality. It's also iPodlike in that it scratches really easily. Bear in mind that the DAC part only works with laptops/desktops.