Laptop DACs - Pico vs D1 vs Indigo

[kostalex]

I have Echo Indigo DJ which is built around AK4393 DAC. I consider to upgrade it either to Pico (based on WM8740) or Ibasso D1 (based on CS4398).

Is it worthless to upgrade Echo Indigo DJ to Pico or Ibasso D1?

I am looking for SQ alone, convenience and amp section does not matter. I appreciate the answer from anybody who compared them (pair or three). It is also usefull if anybody compared any other good devices based on the same chips. This is why I mentioned DACs chips.

FYI: DACs official specs - Dynamic range, S/N / THD + N :

• AK4393 - 120 / -100
• WM8740 - 117 / -104
• CS4398 - 120 / -107

P.S. Yeah, I understand that DAC chip itself does not determine SQ in a whole.

[Dorito123]

Seems like you have already answered your own question. Personally I would go for the Pico due to the fact that Justin is one of the best amp builders out there and because of the size.

[kostalex]

Originally Posted by Dorito123

Seems like you have already answered your own question.

I don't think so. Yes, Pico is FOTM, but I can not find any direct comparison of its DAC section to Echo or D1.

[Dorito123]

If you are even considering the Pico then I recommend you get in line as you wont have to pay till your unit will be ready to shipped. If you are aware that the chip doesn't dictate sound quality then why did you list the chips? These are the chips in the comparison, but I know the chip doesn't have anything to do with sound quality. Yes you did answer your own question. I also say that the Pico is not the FOTM.

[kostalex]

Well, the question was:

Is it worthless to upgrade Echo Indigo DJ to Pico or Ibasso D1?

I appreciate the answer from anybody who compared them (pair or three). It is also usefull if anybody compared any other good devices based on the same chips. This is why I mentioned DACs chips.

I'm already in line for Pico. I hate lines, so I'm looking for some alternative to Pico.

And yes, I already have very nice portable amp, Meier Move.

[kostalex]

I updated OP with more exact question.


Dorito123,

you really helped me to clarify the original question. Thank you very much!

[Dorito123]

I think I found an article you may want to read. It refers to the absolute superiority of AC powered amps for reference headphones like your 650s and D2000s. I understand you may want to upgrade your Dac as you are using a PC card dac that probably doesn't have the best sound quality, however if you invest in a great dac like the pico then you will still need an AC powered amp to fully realize the potential of headphones like your 650s. Therefore I would recommend something like the Meier Cantate, or the Opera. I only have experience with one of the products on your list but my instinct is that a PC card powered by a noisy computer will not give you sound quality on par with the D1 or the Pico. As far as the Pico and the D1 I would say the Pico would be superior unless you absolutely need to have coax and optical inputs. Anyway here is the thread, let me know what you think.

Disturbing Trend

[kostalex]

Thank you, Dorito123 for bumping my thread with the answers to someone else questions.

May anybody help on my matter?

[Andrew_WOT]

Originally Posted by kostalex

Well, the question was:

Is it worthless to upgrade Echo Indigo DJ to Pico or Ibasso D1?

I appreciate the answer from anybody who compared them (pair or three). It is also usefull if anybody compared any other good devices based on the same chips. This is why I mentioned DACs chips.

I'm already in line for Pico. I hate lines, so I'm looking for some alternative to Pico.

And yes, I already have very nice portable amp, Meier Move.

I used to own Echo Indigo DJ and Pico is a HUGE step up from it. Cannot comment on IBasso, but judging by just technical spec of Pico (USB-I2S, chip, upsampling) and my comparison with Stello DA100 where Pico fared surprisingly well, I doubt that Ibasso can reach that level. You may find this thread useful
Compared: Headamp Pico, Ray Samuels Hornet, Apogee MiniDAC
If there is any DAC of that size competitive with Pico, the only one I can think of is Apogee Duet, but it's limited to Firewire and Mac OS only.

[kostalex]

Thank you, Andrew. Do you know the beast you use as your avatar?