Review: Apogee Mini-DAC vs AQVOX USB 2 D/A MkII vs Stello DA100/HP100 vs Corda Opera

[GASTAN]

I wonder if anyone can explain this
With RS1 Apogee Mini-DAC (1/4 headphone jack, XLR) sounds pretty much like Citypulse DA7.2x + Heed CanAmp
which is weird.

but in my chinese speaker setup, I can hear higher level of clarity/detail, almost reaching RS1 level (in comparison to Citypulse)
How that's possible?
Could it be there is better impedancy matching of preamp with DAC ?
I must also say, I had problem (unsolved) of connecting AKG K1000 to terminal outputs of amp (Jungson JA-1/JA-99C )
It played ok on low volumes, but before reaching "proper" listening level, distortion in more demanding pasages was introduced, so by the time I reach listening level, sound was just brutally damaged.
Would some impedancy adapter help ?
thx

[Volts]

Just curious... Anyone compared the Citypulse to the Darkvoice amp ?

[Computerstud]

I.D. (Iron_Dreamer),

Did you get a chance to try the Apogee Mini DAC or Lavry D10 with the Opera AMP?

How was the synergy, etc...

[Iron_Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Computerstud

I.D. (Iron_Dreamer),

Did you get a chance to try the Apogee Mini DAC or Lavry D10 with the Opera AMP?

How was the synergy, etc...

Nope, I did not have either at the time I had the Opera on loan. Both are relatively neutral and similar in sound signature (as they should be for their great internal similarities), so I don't think either one would produce drastically different results with the Opera. Either one will sound a bit less warm than the Opera's internal DAC.

[Computerstud]

ID,
Have you tried plugging your HPs into the 1/8 line-out of the Apogee?
Try it...A/B the Apogee HP out vs 1/8 line-out...

Set the 1/8 to VAR to control the line out with the vol pot.

[jp11801]

IMHO the DAC section of the Apogee is significantly better than the headphone section. I would advise using the headphone section as a last option most if not all DAC amp combos do not have strong amp sections compared to a good stand alone amp for the Pro DACs live Apogee, Lavry or Grace. Now this changes with amp makes that implement dacs typically the DAC sections are not as strong as the amp sections it's a matter of the company doing what they do best and have designed for years.

[Computerstud]

^^^ JP...I happen to think the Apogee's AMP is pretty decent but that's a different story.
The unique thing about the Apogee is that it’s a DAC well capable of driving HPs directly from its 1/8 and XLR line out (low impedence, high voltage) bypassing amping. I'm sure you have read or perhaps tried bypassing amping w/ the Apogee. What I noticed immediately (not subtle) is the level of clarity it offers by direct connect. I don't believe that any AMP regardless of price connected to the Apogee can offer the same signal accuracy because in actuality an AMP (along with interconnect, etc...) is lengthening the signal chain.

[GASTAN]

Id, computer ... how do you guys amp MiniDAC ?
from 1/8" or 1/4" ?

I got that feeling that CanAmp adds some more energy to the music
(while collecting some noise from computer and monitor in mini->cinch interconnect)

--G

[TR909]

You can amp the mini-dac by setting the internal jumper for the 1/8" out to fixed instead of variable, then attaching a 1/8" to female rca adapter to connect with rca cables.

[GASTAN]

omg, thats actually pretty cool idea as I have expensive rca interconnects unused
and I even havesomewhere that kind of adapter, but no idea where