I find your comments about the output stage of the Reference confusing. Just because a device can make headphones make noise really doesn't mean anything. I dont' think there's a dynamic out there (K1k included) that will shut down an amp. Shoot, my Ipod can make the K340s make sound but that doesn't tell me a thing about the output stage. The reality remains that no portable is going to do much for the K340s especially fed by a low output portable source.