Quote:
Originally Posted by mrarroyo
As I understand it the 2007 Micro Amp/Dac portable is the equivalent (sound quality wise) of the current desktop module and micro dac. Did I understand it correctly?
|
Yes and no.
The desktop module was a design based around the OPA2134 for all active stages, feeding a Diamond Buffer output stage. The 2134's weren't biased toward class A, however there was a small amount of bias in the buffer. It was originally designed to run off a +/- 15V power supply, however can function well down to about +/- 7V I believe.
The 2007 Micro Amp design uses the AD8397 as gain and output stage (I'm not sure what handles the crossfeed...). There is no diamond buffer as the output current potential of the 8397 is sufficient to drive headphones directly. The 8397 does have class A bias applied to it, to improve sound quality. It is designed to run off the dual cell LiIon battery, which provides +/-3.7V.
I can't comment on the sound of the new Micro, as I haven't heard it, so am only commenting on some technical implications here. I would expect that the 8397 design would be almost as good as, but possibly slightly different from the Desktop Module.