I never expect to be impressed by Audio Technica amps. I expected the ATPHA100, a portable amp/DAC, to doubly disappoint. Here's why I've begun to doubt my feelings:

1. low noise floor - barely discernable through the Grado GR10 (which I reviewed at headfonia)
2. Excellent L/R balance even at low volume levels through sensitive earphones
3. USB can be powered from an iPad
4. Great RMAA scores (coming soon)

The above isn't all. Next to the Pioneer XPA-700, it isn't fugly, either. Unfortunately, that's as much as I will be able to say; the ATPHA700, along with a Fiio X5, the Pioneer XPA-700, and a DSD UFO thingy, are heading back to Mac Audio, which sent them to me to be photographed for their latest edition.

(These photos were taken for the purposes of this small impressions piece; they are not commercial.)

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