ALO audio RxMK3-B portable headphone amplifier: monster power house with a monster sound!

When In Manila and you seek for the best portable amplifier that can drive that power hungry headphone of yours, while giving an extremely layered and delicate clarity in sound with impact. Look no further, ALO audio has brought out their latest version of their widely famous Rx series portable headphone amplifiers, the ALO audio RxMK3-B. And oh boy, it is very very very difficult to beat. You want power to drive those high-end headphones? ALO audio RxMK3-B. You want adjustable bass? ALO audio RxMK3-B. You want extremely beautiful layered details? ALO audio RxMK3-B. You want rich sweet mids? ALO audio RxMK3-B. You want expansive sound? ALO audio RxMK3-B. Hmmm… did I miss out on anything? Maybe, but the ALO audio RxMK3-B didn’t.

 

 

 

Built like a tank… a very beautiful tank. 

 

 

 

 

Build/Packaging:

 

• Battery:4400 mAh Lithium-Polymer
• Dimensions:2.42 x 4.03 x 0.32
• Battery Play Time:10 – 14 hours
• Battery Recharge Time:3 hours
• Frequency Response :+/- 1 dB:5 Hz – 80 kHz

The ALO audio RxMK3-B comes in a very nicely themed box. I liked the design, they’re not the type of boxes that you just throw away upon opening and I’d definitely keep the box. Upon opening the package, you’ll find the ALO audio RxMK3-B sitting right on top. Upon removing the ALO audio RxMK3-B and removing the cardboard layers, you’ll find the rubber bands and charger for the ALO audio RxMK3-B. I’ve always been a fan of rubber bands included with portable headphone amplifiers since they are always designed with the product’s maker. And I have to say, ALO audio’s rubber bands have always been an eye catcher. They even match the design of the amps they produce.

 

 

 

 Love those rubber bands. Must collect more!

 

 

 

The ALO audio RxMK3-B surely does look and feel sturdy. I believe this is built like a tank and I could probably hit a burglar with this and still use them perfectly after. These are probably one of the most durable amplifiers I have encountered, although I’d be scared to drop them or even scratch them. I wouldn’t want to ruin that sexy finish. Yeah that’s the OC me with my gadgets.

 

 

 

 Definitely dig those metal knobs compared to the old jog dials.

 

 

 

 

I love how they changed from the dial style volume control to metal knob types. It gives a more accurate feel of the volume and it somehow also adds a more “powerful” or aggressive look to the amp. Oh and also, I loved how the position of the gain switch is placed in-between the outputs and knobs at the front instead of at the back. Turning the amp on requires you to turn the volume dial up and beyond a small click, which is more convenient than having to flick another switch. This also applies to the bass knob. Yeah, you read that right, the ALO audio RxMK3-B has an adjustable bass knob for when you want to add some oomph to your listening. Somehow reminds me of my start into the audiophile field with the FiiO E11 amp that had the same turning on configuration.

 

 

 

 Fully balanced.

 

 

 

 One of the new things found on the ALO audio RxMK3-B are the Kobiconn balanced input and output. They are compatible with some Sennheiser, HiFiman and Audeze headphones. I’ll make sure to update this article once I get a hold of a compatible pair.

 

 

 

 As strong as its looks.

 

 

 

 

Sound Quality: Now here comes the most exciting part! I began testing these with my Sennheiser HD598 which are known for their wonderful mids that bring out very irresistible vocals, and wow. I cannot fathom how incredibly more musical and soothing the mids and vocals sound have become from my Sennheiser HD598. I have never heard them sound so emotional in the mid-range area. I then quickly switched to my Sony XBA-3SL triple balanced armature in-ear earphones and began testing. I had the gain switch down to low since these Sony in-ears require little power and the ALO audio RxMK3-B just had so much versatility with power. Switching it to low gave a very accurate volume adjustment compared to how they were already so powerful even at just the middle gain. I imagine these giving enough power to the HE-6 headphone which might be the most power hungry headphone even for desktop amplifiers.

 

Going back to testing the ALO audio RxMK3-B with my Sony XBA-3SL, they sounded immaculate just as soon as I played the first track. These are very sensitive in-ear earphones and with very very detailed 3 balanced armatures instead of a single driver, so it just shows how much the ALO audio RxMK3-B have developed their sound character easily. Just immaculate! My Sony XBA-3SL suddenly had thicker and more lush mid-range comparing to how V sounding they were before on other amps. The highs extensions that the ALO audio RxMK3-B gave the Sony XBA-3SL made me feel like I was listening inside a huge hall or auditorium, so much expansive space that my in-ears don’t even feel like in-ears, or even headphones anymore. And the bass slam is there without interrupting any of the other frequencies of sound. The bass doesn’t go uncontrolled or muddy at all even on tracks with the most demanding bass attack and decay, or with tracks that have so much instruments playing all at the same time. This probably is the most full sounding portable headphone amplifier that I have ever heard.

 

This isn’t the first time I have used a top-tier portable headphone amplifier or even a desktop headphone amplifier but oh boy, the ALO audio RxMK3-B made so much more details and instruments in my music more noticeable. It’s like this is the first time I have heard some of the other details or instruments of my music come-out and it’s just mind blowing! I cannot find a single fault with the ALO audio RxMK3-B. Usually, I find faults in most, if not all, audio products, but with the ALO audio RxMK3-B, it’s just very difficult to find any. Perfect, simply perfect! The ALO audio RxMK3-B is truly revolutionary. I believe that the ALO audio RxMK3-B will be a game changer in the world of audiophilia. This amplifier will be hard to beat for a very very long time, and I believe that it will be the force to make other companies to take a step forward and up the game.

 

Every single product from ALO audio, such as the ALO audio RxMK3-B, are hand built and tested at their headquarters in Portland Oregon to ensure that each product is beautifully made equally. The ALO audio RxMK3-B retails for $649.00 and can be purchased through ALO audio’s website www.aloaudio.com

 

 

 

ALO audio

 

 

ALO audio RxMK3-B portable headphone amplifier: monster power house with a monster sound!