Micro stack vs desktop amp

[xFih2]

Hi, I'm a college student on a budget so money is important to me, and I want good sound from out of my laptop. I have the Total AirHead but want to upgrade, and I'm not sure what to get:

1) 2007 Ultra Micro Amp w/ Micro DAC and Astrodyne power supply

or

2) Desktop Amp w/ Home module and Max amp and HeadRoom power supply


The costs without shipping and handling would be $1200 vs $1450. From what I understand, the electronics are better in the Ultra Micro amp vs the Home module in the desktop amp, and vise versa for the DACs in comparison, but I'm sure at least some corners had to be cut in the Ultra Micro amp because of the size of it (kind of like laptop vs desktop PCs). So, I was wondering, is it worth it to have the better amp or DAC, and would the micro combo sound better / be on par with the desktop module? I'm leaning towards the micro stack thinking it might have better sound - which is a complete guess. I also like how I can get one at a time for the micro combo, how it costs less, and although it's not a big deal the size might come in handy later.

Also, since they are labeled as 2007 micro amps/dacs, is there going to be a 2008 line coming out in the future so I don't kick myself later for indulging too soon? (that is, if you're allowed to say )

Thanks for the help

P.S. I'll be using them with AKG K701s if that matters.

[JorgeC]

Originally Posted by xFih2

Hi, I'm a college student on a budget so money is important to me, and I want good sound from out of my laptop. I have the Total AirHead but want to upgrade, and I'm not sure what to get:
1) 2007 Ultra Micro Amp w/ Micro DAC and Astrodyne power supply
or
2) Desktop Amp w/ Home module and Max amp and HeadRoom power supply
The costs without shipping and handling would be $1200 vs $1450. From what I understand, the electronics are better in the Ultra Micro amp vs the Home module in the desktop amp, and vise versa for the DACs in comparison, but I'm sure at least some corners had to be cut in the Ultra Micro amp because of the size of it (kind of like laptop vs desktop PCs). So, I was wondering, is it worth it to have the better amp or DAC, and would the micro combo sound better / be on par with the desktop module? I'm leaning towards the micro stack thinking it might have better sound - which is a complete guess. I also like how I can get one at a time for the micro combo, how it costs less, and although it's not a big deal the size might come in handy later. Also, since they are labeled as 2007 micro amps/dacs, is there going to be a 2008 line coming out in the future so I don't kick myself later for indulging too soon? (that is, if you're allowed to say )
Thanks for the help P.S. I'll be using them with AKG K701s if that matters.

Hello xFih2,

If listening principally to a computer source, the HeadRoom Ultra Micro DAC is likely the most critical component to splurge on first. I'll hazard to add that the Ultra Micro design cuts few corners and effectively competes against our upscale Max Line of products...almost!... Keep in mind that compared to your current Total AirHead unit, even the mobile-use Portable Micro w/DAC (at $598usd) represents a vast sonic improvement and can be used for true on-the-go audiophile listening with your k701 headphones.

Of course, the larger HeadRoom Desktop Amp offers all the module and/or DAC upgrade installations of your choice and also much broader input/output interconnect flexibility ...and even the option for a balanced-drive Desktop Amp unit

Cheers,
Jorge
HR Sales/Product Manager

[xFih2]

Thanks for the help, it ended up changing my thinking a little bit and ended up ordering the Ultra Micro Amp for now, and I'll be getting the Ultra Micro DAC in the future, along with 2 Astodyne power supplies. Thought might as well go all Max in Micro w/ cheaper power supplies vs desktop with the bigger power supply, as it's cheaper altogether, and I get the parts over time Hopefully I'll know it was a good decision when I receive part 1 of 4 next week