New HeadRoom Micro Stack Arrived...

[KenW]

Originally Posted by jamey

I think we're set up now. Talk to mario@headphone.com for assistance.

Thanks,
Jamey

Jamey,

Still no word from Mario. When you speak with him, tell him to check his email and get back to me.

Thanks for the help.

Ken

[tyrion]

Originally Posted by Oski

I actually use my Overture/Coda stack as a desktop setup for my headphones using the USB out from my laptop. But was just wondering about the possibility to use the Overture (essentially the same as the Micro DAC) as an outboard DAC with my DVD/CD player in my stereo rig as I stated previously. It may actually improve the sound since the Overture/Micro DAC does use the flagship TI/Cirrus CS4398 DAC that I can only assume is better than what's inside my DVD/CD players. But I was wondering if anyone had tried this before spending the money on a toslink cable.

I used the micro dac with my airport express in my speaker and headphone rig. Go to Radioshack, buy a mini to mini toslink cable with an ax/wireless network and your good to go.

[Jamey Warren]

Originally Posted by KenW

Jamey,

Still no word from Mario. When you speak with him, tell him to check his email and get back to me.

Thanks for the help.

Ken

Hi Ken,

Mario is buried in e-mails right now. I'm sure you'll hear from him shortly.

Thanks,
Jamey

[mkozlows]

So right now it's nearly 2:00 AM. I'm tired, and I'm sitting at my computer listening to a Brahms cello sonata via the HeadRoom Micro DAC/Micro Amp/Sennheiser HD650 setup here. I really would like to go lie down and listen to music in bed, but I'm not willing to take the step down that I'd need to take to listen from the portable player (which didn't USED to sound bad).

The longer I listen to this, the more impressed I am; I said that before, but it continues to be true. I didn't find the Benchmark DAC-1 nearly as euphonious as this (though to be fair, I was using HD580 headphones when I tried that out), and it is in fact basically certain that this is the single best headphone listening experience I've ever had -- and it's the bottom of HeadRoom's new line-up. That's pretty damn impressive.

At any rate, a bedroom system is definitely in the cards, if for no other reason than to rescue my poor destroyed sleep cycle.

[akwok]

Need an EMU0404 / EMU1212 / Onkyo SE-90PCI vs. Micro DAC shootout!

[digitaldave]

Originally Posted by mariowar

Oski, it would defeat the purpose of portability. It would be like jogging with an Ipod and a pair of Sennheisers 650......

Whilst it would defeat the idea of the portability, it's cheaper than the Desktop with DAC module installed:

Micro DAC + Micro Amp: $598

Desktop Amp + DAC module: $848

You can even have the Desktop amp module installed in the Micro amp, thus improving the sound (at the expense of the battery life of course). So, for $250 less, you can have an amp with the same module, plus a DAC - sounds like a no brainer to me . Especially when you consider that you also have the option to take it mobile if you want to - you can't do that with the Desktop (ok, you can with the Desktop Portable, but that still costs $848 for the same setup.).

The only thing that the Desktop might have over the Micro stack is better connectivity options, but then you are only getting one extra line in, line out, the ability to have coaxial and optical sources connected at the same time (since the Micro DAC has a combined optical / coaxial input), and a 1/4" headphone socket in addition to the 1/8". All the other connections are present, although you may need an adaptor in some cases. But then we haven't seen the Micro Switch yet, so it's possible that some of these might also be added.

If the sound of the Micro Amp is comparable to the Desktop Amp (especially if you have the Desktop module in the Micro Amp), then I have to disagree with Tyll's belief that the Desktop is the sweet spot in the new line up - I believe that for price vs performance, the Micro stack is much better .

[Onix]

You know guys, I really hate you all . Now I am plotting and selling stuff in order to get me a Micro DAC. I think it will go for around $350 for me, using FedEx. And it's all thanks to you. I think I'll have another Xmas with no hair trasplant for me (j/k)

[akwok]

I am torn between the Micro DAC (about $360 with the TOSLink and Zu Pivot) and the Gilmore Lite DPS ($230)

[Onix]

Originally Posted by akwok

I am torn between the Micro DAC (about $360 with the TOSLink and Zu Pivot) and the Gilmore Lite DPS ($230)

So, it doesn't include the cables, rigth?

[digitaldave]

Originally Posted by akwok

I am torn between the Micro DAC (about $360 with the TOSLink and Zu Pivot) and the Gilmore Lite DPS ($230)

I guess it depends on what sound improvements each option will give. Unfortunately, I don't know that answer to that, as I don't have either . There should be plenty of info about the Gilmore Lite PSU upgrade, and Micro DAC opinions are starting to appear. Personally, I'd go with the Micro DAC, as this will give more options for connecting kit together, and provide DAC capabilities, whereas the Gilmore Lite PSU will only be useful with the Gilmore Lite amp.

[digitaldave]

Originally Posted by Onix

So, it doesn't include the cables, rigth?

Apparently not. However, you should be able to pick up decent cables quite cheaply. For example, Headroom have some interconnects of varying lengths, so you could get everyting from the one supplier.

[KenW]

Originally Posted by digitaldave

Whilst it would defeat the idea of the portability, it's cheaper than the Desktop with DAC module installed:

Micro DAC + Micro Amp: $598

Desktop Amp + DAC module: $848

You can even have the Desktop amp module installed in the Micro amp, thus improving the sound (at the expense of the battery life of course). So, for $250 less, you can have an amp with the same module, plus a DAC - sounds like a no brainer to me . Especially when you consider that you also have the option to take it mobile if you want to - you can't do that with the Desktop (ok, you can with the Desktop Portable, but that still costs $848 for the same setup.).

The only thing that the Desktop might have over the Micro stack is better connectivity options, but then you are only getting one extra line in, line out, the ability to have coaxial and optical sources connected at the same time (since the Micro DAC has a combined optical / coaxial input), and a 1/4" headphone socket in addition to the 1/8". All the other connections are present, although you may need an adaptor in some cases. But then we haven't seen the Micro Switch yet, so it's possible that some of these might also be added.

If the sound of the Micro Amp is comparable to the Desktop Amp (especially if you have the Desktop module in the Micro Amp), then I have to disagree with Tyll's belief that the Desktop is the sweet spot in the new line up - I believe that for price vs performance, the Micro stack is much better .

Man, I love it when someone does their research!!! Being the lazy sort, it really makes things much easier. Thanks for that great post.

Now about that Switch...what do we know about it other than what their website says? What features will it add and of equal importance, at what cost?? Sometime this summer but has a firm release date been set?

I'd almost decided to go with the Desktop Portable with DAC but now I'm having second thoughts. It's a shame that no one has yet had the chance to compare the two for sonic ability. Sometimes, there are just too many choices!

[wakeride74]

FedEx door tag...go-to pick up! FedEx employee emerges from the back with that white box and the sweet new Headroom logo on two sides. Great packaging and a bit heavy but that is the wall power supply (what a monster).
I only ordered the Micro amp (no DAC) for now, I listed to it last night and am doing the same now at work. I have to say the more I listen to Headroom products the more I love the crossfeed feature, it really does make a difference. I got the desktop module which I think is the only reason this amp could take it to the SM3 and SR-71. I did have a SR-71 for some time and loved it but I think (as previously mentioned in this thread) the pronounced mids give this amp a richer sound with more fullness and the same transparent background and instrument separation. I have not had the pleasure of hearing the SM3 (may order it just to have something so small and see what the buzz is about) which brings me to size. The micro is a good 1/4 larger than the SR-71 so for those of you that consider "portable" what fits in your pocket it may be a bit big. All in all my initial impressions leave me to feel pretty impressed for $100 less than the SR-71 & SM3 (loaded), the bass is big and tight with 0 burn-in and craftsmanship is really awesome, the Headroom pictures do not do it justice. I may bring it to Best Buy to plug into an Iriver H10 that I am considering and see how it sounds with that but for now I am using a 3rd rate Sony cd player (portably) with my Beyer DT770 and my Denon 3800 with the HD650's at home and it sounds pretty sweet (really not very far from my Headroom Supreme). I will be sure to give more opinions after I have spent more time with it. Anyone doing a side-by-side between this and the SM3?? That would be an interesting match up!

[KenW]

I'm hoping you meant that the Micro is 1/4 "inch" bigger or did you mean it's 25% larger??

[Oski]

Originally Posted by digitaldave

If the sound of the Micro Amp is comparable to the Desktop Amp (especially if you have the Desktop module in the Micro Amp), then I have to disagree with Tyll's belief that the Desktop is the sweet spot in the new line up - I believe that for price vs performance, the Micro stack is much better .

Great analysis Dave! That was exactly what I was thinking about the other day looking at the Desktop vs. the Micro line and realizing the same arbitrage opportunity.