Headroom has some real, interesting goodies. I have the the Micro w/DAC on preorder. I'm wondering how much I would be giving up to the Desktop Portable w/DAC.
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?
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.
Headroom has some real, interesting goodies. I have the the Micro w/DAC on preorder. I'm wondering how much I would be giving up to the Desktop Portable w/DAC.
A fair bit in the amplifier electronics (much less in the DAC), but then look at the price and size/weight difference. The Desktop Portable is a sort of ultimate transportable - for people who want the absolute best on the the move and are prepared to sacrifice some convenience to get it.
Regarding The Sloth's and Ty's suggestion that if I upgrade in the Micro line, I should leapfrog past the Micro Home and go straight for Micro Max: Recently I read in the amps forum that the benefits of the Max, if I'm understanding correctly, are in conjunction with its use with a DAC. Since I'm running analogue, what might that do for the likelihood that I'd notice any sort of difference with the Micro Max vs. my '06 Micro?
__________________
Cheers,
Robin Michael
iPod 5.5g 80 gig w/256k tracks > HeadRoom Micro with Desktop upgrade > Grado GS-1000s > A nice chianti
To be honest, I have always wished that my MicroDAC wasnt portable. Dont get me wrong, I love the thing and its awesome, but I think it would have been a better product if it had full sized rca jacks and used the battery storage part of the chassis to either put a power supply inside or beef up other parts. I havent used it portably a single time since ive gotten it.
Neither have I. Could've been an option? Or maybe rechargeable.
__________________ There are many non-SQ reasons for using Lossless.
Sources:ESI Juli@/foobar FLAC(Kernel Streaming) ->TOSLINK[Van Den Hul Optocoupler Mk.2]->Headroom MicroDAC, 4GB Cowon D2 w/2 X 8GB/16GB SanDisk Ultra II SDHC cards
Headphones: Sennheiser HD 650, Sennheiser HD 595/50Ω, Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9, Audio-Technica ATH-A900, Koss KSC-75
Amps:Headroom MicroAmp[Desktop]
So far Head-Fi has lightened my wallet by :$3515 Last.fm
Regarding The Sloth's and Ty's suggestion that if I upgrade in the Micro line, I should leapfrog past the Micro Home and go straight for Micro Max: Recently I read in the amps forum that the benefits of the Max, if I'm understanding correctly, are in conjunction with its use with a DAC. Since I'm running analogue, what might that do for the likelihood that I'd notice any sort of difference with the Micro Max vs. my '06 Micro?
*le bump* :allteeth:
__________________
Cheers,
Robin Michael
iPod 5.5g 80 gig w/256k tracks > HeadRoom Micro with Desktop upgrade > Grado GS-1000s > A nice chianti
Linear Mode
