Isabellina HPA - Owner's Thread and Impressions - Page 4 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

osmo · #46 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 11:03 PM

Has anyone tried the Isabellina HPA as a preamp to a Signature 30.2 (please state power or integrated)? I think I may have found my dream setup for headphones and speakers.

KingStyles · #47 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 12:38 AM

krmathis has a isabelina into a 30.2. You might want to ask him if you have any questions.

Alwayswantmore · #48 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo

Well, today I finally got to try the USB input into the Isabellina HPA. The source of the files is my almost 5 year old Dell using iTunes and Apple Lossless files. First I had to go from the optical line out (Chaintech AV710) that normally feeds my Monarchy Audio NM24 DAC to USB.

Either I'm missing something or there's an easier way. Are you going optical out then converting to USB?

Alwayswantmore · #49 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osmo

Has anyone tried the Isabellina HPA as a preamp to a Signature 30.2 (please state power or integrated)? I think I may have found my dream setup for headphones and speakers.

If you purchase an Isabella HPA with variable outs and the straight 30.2 amp, the volume control in the HPA is the same as the 30.2 integrated.

I have the straight 30.2 amp fronted by Isabella with DAC / headphone options. Makes for a nice combo.

The straight amp also runs about $400 less than the integrated.

If you were to use the integrated, you would turn the 30.2 volume control up enough to make HPA's volume control fall into the sweet spot.

I went to a headfi meet with headphones running from my Isebella and K1000s running from the 30.2, so two people could listen at the same time.

Kent

Bredin · #50 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 03:49 PM

A question about the USB vs Coax on windows. Does the USB support ASIO? If not, how does it stand against a ASIO soundcard + coax?

krmathis · #51 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osmo

Has anyone tried the Isabellina HPA as a preamp to a Signature 30.2 (please state power or integrated)? I think I may have found my dream setup for headphones and speakers.

Not quite there, but I have been a very pleased Isabellina (not HPA) and Signature 30.2 (integrated) for 12 months so far. Fantastic combo for the K1000.

Sadly very limited experience driving full size speakers with it, but I think it should be really nice with a pair of high efficiency ones.

GreenLeo · #52 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bredin

A question about the USB vs Coax on windows. Does the USB support ASIO? If not, how does it stand against a ASIO soundcard + coax?

Yeap. I use Foobar2000 with ASIO for the Isabellina.

Never used a soundcard output before so can't give you a true comment. However I believe that Isabellina is much better.

Bredin · #53 (**permalink**) 08-10-2009, 06:44 PM

I've had a M-Audio fast track USB soundcard. It worked, but not as flawlessly as a normal soundcard. So I'm somewhat sceptic on USB audio.

mrarroyo · #54 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore

Either I'm missing something or there's an easier way. Are you going optical out then converting to USB?

Hi, I feed the Isabellina HPA directly via USB. I was just trying to describe my problem in switching from feeding my other dac via optical to usb for the Isabellina. BTW, I had to take an emergency trip so I will not be able to post much for the next few days. At 125 hours the Isabellina is sounding fine, I am hoping for the body to thicken and get both more clarity and extension. Upon my return I will continue burning it, I am hoping that 250 hours of burn in is the magic number.

HeadphoneAddict · #55 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo

Hi, I feed the Isabellina HPA directly via USB. I was just trying to describe my problem in switching from feeding my other dac via optical to usb for the Isabellina. BTW, I had to take an emergency trip so I will not be able to post much for the next few days. At 125 hours the Isabellina is sounding fine, I am hoping for the body to thicken and get both more clarity and extension. Upon my return I will continue burning it, I am hoping that 250 hours of burn in is the magic number.

When you return you can tell us if you'd wished you got a Pico DAC + ALO Amphora instead. I'm loving mine...

Bredin · #56 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenLeo

Yeap. I use Foobar2000 with ASIO for the Isabellina.

Never used a soundcard output before so can't give you a true comment. However I believe that Isabellina is much better.

Does it support ASIO out-of-the-box or are you using asio4all?

Man! My fingers itch so much! And it's 2weeks till payday

GreenLeo · #57 (**permalink**) 08-11-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bredin

Does it support ASIO out-of-the-box or are you using asio4all?

Man! My fingers itch so much! And it's 2weeks till payday

I think that's asio4all. Sorry if I've misinterpreted your post and informed wrongly.

Bredin · #58 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 09:46 AM

What do you guys think of this setup?
Foobar2000->ASIO->ESI Maya44->Chord Indigo (RCA->BNC)->Isabellina HPA-> Moon-Audio Black Dragon-> Alessandro MS-PRO.

I own Alessandro MSPRO with Black Dragon, and foobar2000 with ASIO

.
I will buy a DAC, coax cable and soundcard the 25-30th.

I was going for a neutral setup, but the question is: Where am I heading now?

And will everything comp fine? 99.99% of my music collection is 16bit/44.1Khz music.

mrarroyo · #59 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

When you return you can tell us if you'd wished you got a Pico DAC + ALO Amphora instead. I'm loving mine...

Hi Larry, interesting question. A while back I compared the offerings by Justin and Ray w/ the Pico and Predator. At the time both were the dac/amp combo and I preferred the sound out of the Predator. Perhaps it was due to me prefering Ray's house sound, for example I much prefer the SR71 or P51 over either of Pico or AE-2 amps.

So in closing not sure, but I would think the use of silver wires in the Isabellina HPA would help improve the treble extension.

HeadphoneAddict · #60 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo

Hi Larry, interesting question. A while back I compared the offerings by Justin and Ray w/ the Pico and Predator. At the time both were the dac/amp combo and I preferred the sound out of the Predator. Perhaps it was due to me prefering Ray's house sound, for example I much prefer the SR71 or P51 over either of Pico or AE-2 amps.

So in closing not sure, but I would think the use of silver wires in the Isabellina HPA would help improve the treble extension.

I agree with much of the above. However, the Pico DAC-only that I am talking about doesn't have much of any "sound" of it's own, but it's an excellent USB DAC is all I'm trying to say (after you complained of your USB performance); and coupled with the Amphora you get the same headphone amp section of the Isabellina HPA which you enjoyed so much before, but with analog inputs to also enjoy other sources and not just the built-in DAC. I just really enjoy the extra flexibility. Of course you also get the 12v performance of the headphone amp section, and I don't know how much better that might be over mine with 8.4v NiMH power.