Thanks @mikemercer for the photo of your system with the Music Streamer HD.  Really glad that it is working well for you.  The Music Streamer HD is a product that we are very proud of.  It is a product that is all about performance.  The topology is one that strives to achieve vanishing low...

The expression "game changer" is one that has been used and abused too often and has lost a bit of its original meaning.  However, in this case, it is a plug and play solution, just like it should be.  For the less sophisticated users, this really opens up the pairing possibilities.     Kevin...

Very soon!

Android 5.0 (aka Lollipop) is an exciting new solution for a large number of users.  We showed a Nexus 9 running 5 with two new products that we are about to release at the Android Developer Conference (#AnDevCon) last week in San Francisco.  We are very excited about the possibilities that this...

A 'background' clicking sound such as you describe is likely either an issue with the USB availability on the computer or could be an overload issue (if you are using the line output to drive another audio device).  I suggest you contact our support email address (support@hirestech.com) and we...

Sorry I didn't see your question until today, but in general, the answer is yes, the microStreamer will drive loads above 16 ohms without any problem and still have good damping.  Higher impedance headphones are generally less sensitive, so the issue is always adequate volume.  We have a...

Thank you for the clarification of the question and subject matter.     The advantage of using an actual line output as opposed to one taken from a headphone amplifier is that one avoids the headphone amplifier's characteristics (higher noise floor and distortion levels).  By avoiding the...

The underlying concept is to bypass as much of the signal path of the iOS device as possible. By using an asynchronous converter with an actual line output path, the iOS device becomes a UI (user interface) and storage platform; these are the things that an iPad/iPhone/iPod do well. Bypassing...

"Straight from the horse's mouth:"   I have certainly been called worse!   Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution Technologies, LLC

The characteristics of using a line output as a headphone path are dependent upon the impedance of the headphones used but will be in several areas; poor damping, diminished magnitude (volume), and amplitude anomalies.     Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution Technologies, LLC 

Your observation is correct.  Using a headphone amplifiers output as a line output path 'works' but it is far from ideal and the reason why the microStreamer offers separate output paths for line and headphone.  In the case of the microStreamer, as opposed to products that attempt to compromise...

The microStreamer is the lowest power consumption portable DAC/amplifier currently offered at just under 100 mA.  HRT is about to announce a series of products that take the power consumption to an amazingly new level (under 50 mA).  While the bulk of the power is consumed by the phone itself...

Not to mention that the DAC in the microStreamer is higher performance (PCM1793 vs PCM5102 as used in the Explorer, we use the later in lower cost products but not for the microStreamer).  The micorStreamer also offers an actual line output stage in addition to the headphone path.  In the case...

If you would like to contact HRT through our support portal (support@hirestech.com) we can likely provide some testing steps you can use to make a definitive determination if the behavior of the LG host is based upon its hardware characteristics or the phone's firmware.  I suspect that the...

That is a rather strange behavior.  Since the 'sound' disappears when you start playing, I am wondering about the characteristics of the G3's bus power.  Have you moved the microStreamer and same headphones to a different host (perhaps a computer)?   Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution...

HRT offers a headphone calculator that can be used to determine the compatibility of any intended pairing.  Please email our support at support@hirestech.com and request a copy of the calculator.  Rather than 'guess' or reply upon opinion, it is better to know and the calculator will allow you...

Yeah, I love using the LCDs and microStreamer pairing too; they really are a magical combination.   Thank Michael for starting this thread, it really has taken on a life of its own and I don't think that 'seed' of your review was a problem for anyone, look how far it has gone.   Kevin

Hi Mike, Amazing to see how big this thread has grown! We're happy to be here too. Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution Technologies, LLC

Happy to have been able to assist.   Should you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact our support staff at anytime.  A link can be found on the Support page of the HRT website.   Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution Technologies, LLC

I don't think you are 'missing' anything at all, the microStreamer's headphone amplifier is higher performance than most by a good margin.  Certainly, the presence of an actual line output allows you to test with other amplifiers, but I suspect you will find that the combination is indeed a good...

The design of the headphone amplifier section of the microStreamer was to provide as great of flexibility and compatibility as possible.  We were also very focused on making the performance as high as possible.  We chose not to use a (cheaper) DAC with an integrated headphone amplifier, instead...

The microStreamer, despite its small size has both a headphone and a line output paths.  Each is optimized for the task (as opposed to being compromised and combined).  I suspect that it will work well for your home application too, but do let us know how it works out for you.   Kevin...

The headphone amplifier in the microStreamer, unlike that in many of its competitors, has a very low output impedance (.5 Ohms) and a moderately high output voltage swing capability due to its charge pump bi-polar power supplies.  This allows it to work well with both low impedance headphones...

This thread is quickly approaching 1,000 posts.  Very impressive!   I wonder who will be the one to hit number 1,000?   Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution Technologies, LLC

Happy to have been able to assist. You can obtain another USB cable from either your HRT dealer or HRT, whichever is most convenient for you.  Pleased to learn that a second uS may be joining your ranks!   Kevin Halverson CTO High Resolution Technologies, LLC