Micca OriGen High Resolution USB DAC and Preamplifier - 24-Bit/192kHz PCM and 64x DSD

Quick and simple review:
 
Pros: Easy to use item. But needs drivers to be install first to use. Can download the drivers at their website. It is a small and compact portable device that dose not heat up. It can be left on 24/7 without issues. The device is able to play any file format and DSD files. It is a uncolor and natural dac/amp. I was able to use it with HD800, Ether C Flow, Alpha Primes and He400i at 60% of volume level at high gain with no problems. Never needed to go any higher on the volume meter. 
 
Cons: At lower volumes less than 20% the device becomes uneven and unstable and distorts the music. This is unfortunate. Because at higher volumes it sounds great. At rare moments clippings dose happen which again is unfortunate. This device is only USB power and there's no other higher gain switch to be added. 
 
Summary: Great sound, Pushes almost any headphones on high gain, But there are distortions and low volumes issues lower than 20% of volume. 

I mainly use an AKG K702 as well as a few higher end KOSS models (Pro4s and PRODJ100). I use headphones for listening to music, primarily on Spotify Premium at the extreme setting (OGG at 320kbps), and occasionally higher quality audio for music I really like (FLAC or WAV). I also use headphones in a studio environment writing and producing music and commercial video.
 
This is my first headphone amp/dac, although technically I had been using an Apogee Duet to perform this purpose (which has high-quality converters). However, the Duet was lacking power for the AKGs, so I finally decided to find an amp for them. In this price range, this seemed to be the highest quality-to-value item on the market, so I decided to give it a shot. I am enjoying it very much with my work iMac (27" Retina 2015) and my home MacBookPro. It has more than enough power for my AKGs and it sounds clear, transparent, and strong.
 
I highly recommend watching the review below if you are interested; there is no need for me to reiterate what is covered in this review because it is accurate to my experience.
 

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The Micca OriGen DAC/Amp:
 
http://www.miccatron.com/micca-origen-usb-audio-dac-and-preamp/
 

 
- (All photos taken by me, except for the [color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]VIA USB Device Deck screen shots) -[/color]
 
 
 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]**Disclaimer #1, I would like to thank Micca for providing a sample of the OriGen for my unbiased review**[/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]**Disclaimer #2, Micca wanted it to be know that the OriGen was primarily designed as a pre-amplifier for use with Micca brand powered speakers, like the PB42X. The headphone amplifier is a secondary feature.**[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Important Specs*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Playback that supports PCM Audio Up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD64[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- VIA VT1736 USB 2.0 High Speed 480Mbps Audio Controller[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Cirrus Logic CS4392 stereo D/A converter[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- JRC NJM4556 Op Amps for Voltage[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Gain Levels of 5.6Vrms and 1.7Vrms Output[/color]
 

 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Build*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]With an anodized aluminum top plate, steel tub chassis and solid machined aluminum volume knob, all make up an extremely solid devise. There is also what I like to call a premium weight to it. When placing the OriGen on most surfaces, you will find that it says firmly in place.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]More on the volume knob, I love the feel and feedback it provides for quick volume control, much better than a [+] [-] buttons.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]A great feature is that Micca includes both a 3.5mm and 1/4” outputs for this build, which in return leads to less need of adapters and quicker headphone use. [/color]
 

 

 

 

 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Contents*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Micca OriGen [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Owners Manual [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- MicroUSB to USB 2.0 Cord [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- 3.5mm to RSA Out Cable [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Driver and Ultility CD[/color]
 

 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Software*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Use of the VIA USB Device Deck program is pretty straight forward with simple control over; volume, channel balance and sample rates.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Below I have cut and pasted an example directly from the User Manual for example: [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]It should also should be noted that for foobar2000 or JRiver users to pay close attention to the User Manual for settings to get the optimal playback.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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http://www.miccatron.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Micca-OriGen-User-Manual.pdf

 

Click to expand...

 
 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Sound*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]The sound signature can easily be described as neutralish, with a decent amount of clarity for this price range. Soundstage was neither large or small, but does lack a bit of instrument separation. Overall presentation is done on a budget, but is represented well enough. Though the OriGen does have a built-in headphone amp that supports 16-600 Ω, I found I needed to push them a bit harder on higher impedance units.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]As promoted, the noise level is very low, even when using sensitive IEMs, the OriGen stayed extremely quite to the floor. Though I did notice that right before you get to zero that there is a slight channel imbalance that can be a little bothersome for those wanting to listen as a extremely low level. [/color]
 

 

 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Comparison*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Micca OriGen vs. HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2:[/color]
 

 
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Both:[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Cost Around $100[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Have Physical Volume Knobs[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Similar Neutral Sound Signatures[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- Slight Imbalance at VERY Low Levels[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- No Internal Batteries, External Power Needed[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]Differences: [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- First thing you will notice about the two of these DAC/Amps is the build. The OriGen is much more solid and slender with its mostly metal materials. The HiFimeDIY Sabre USB DAC 2 is lightweight, wider and mostly plastic. Both within a size to be considered portable, but more of the sense if you are taking them somewhere you might be for a little while. Not as easy to carry around as say a USB DAC Thumb Drive.[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]- There is a different approach to drivers and software. The OriGen does need external drivers to be installed and at the same time installing software to better control your audio quality levels. USB DAC 2 takes a plug and play approach with no external drivers or software needed. [/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Testing*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]For my purposes, I used the Micca OriGen primarily with my VERY old Compaq Mini 110 NetBook running Windows 7 Starter and using foobar2000. The reason I used this computer was that it has an awful headphone out, being very noisy with not much power. The Micca OriGen came flying to the rescue with it multitude of playback options and low noise level. The OriGen did bring a lot of new life to my old NetBook, allowing me to have a decently portable setup that is great for travel at hotels, hospitals or other longer stay locations.[/color]
 

 
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]*Overall Thoughts*[/color][color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)][/color]
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[color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.870588)]While Micca did want me to include that the OriGen was primary made for their specific speakers, I found that they also do a wonderful job with headphones as well and that their disclaimer is not really warranted. For around $100 I find that this DAC/Amp has great value with its solid build and multiple playback options. The OriGen makes for a great little desktop or portable DAC/Amp combo that is easy on the wallet and good for the ears.[/color]
 

 
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