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Got my MicroDAC today

post #1 of 24
12/2/05 at 12:04am
Thread Starter 
I am trying to hear the difference between it and Audigy 2 ZS.

Then I will determine if $299 is worth it or not.
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post #2 of 24
12/2/05 at 12:14am
Are you using the digital output of your Audigy 2 ZS to feed the DAC? If so, you won't come close to hearing the DAC's potential. The digital output of the Audigy 2 series is resampled in an unfortunate way.
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post #3 of 24
12/2/05 at 12:20am
I got mine today too. It's definitly worth it. My setup is Apple PowerMac G5-->USB-->MicroDAC-->SR71-->SennHD650. I am hearing much more details and overall clarity from 320kbps AAC files with MicroDAC. Based on what I read before I got MicroDAC, I thought I was going to be disappointed with the purchase but I am very happy with the overall performance.

I wonder how HeadRoom's Micro Amp with Desktop Module sounds different than SR71 with MicroDAC. Can anyone comment on the different synergy between MicroDAC+MicoAmp vs. MicroDAC+SR71?
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post #4 of 24
12/2/05 at 12:27am
Are you using the USB?
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post #5 of 24
12/2/05 at 12:40am
Thread Starter 
yes i am using usb.
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post #6 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SK138
I wonder how HeadRoom's Micro Amp with Desktop Module sounds different than SR71 with MicroDAC. Can anyone comment on the different synergy between MicroDAC+MicoAmp vs. MicroDAC+SR71?
Sheesh! That's hard. I don't think there's much synergy between microdac and sr71, while there is with the microstack, but the lack of synergy might work to complement the microdac. The sr71 has a more open high end that might be pleasing with the microdac. One thing I find is the stack works better with my shure e5 & westone um2 IEMs than it does with eytmotic erp4. I'd guess the sr71 works better with my Etys. It's a high end thing. sr71 opens the highs a bit like an angelic chorus, and both shure and westone downplay the highs compared with etymotic. Maybe you can make sense of what I'm getting at. I can't.
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post #7 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:25am
I think I understand you. I am listening to MicroDAC+SR71 with Senn650 and Beyer DT250. My UM2 is on a repair trip to Westone and my Shure E4 is on loan to a friend. I definitely like to MicroDAC in my listening loop. I tried MicroDAC+SuperMini3...and it sounds very different than with SR71...but for now, I am enjoying the MicroDAC+SR71 too much to switch amps. The soundstage is almost 3D...but bottomline I like MicroDAC;-)

I guess..my real question is...should I get the stack (MicroAmp+DM)? Is it worth it, compare to having SR71? Help...don't let me spend more money!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SiBurning
Sheesh! That's hard. I don't think there's much synergy between microdac and sr71, while there is with the microstack, but the lack of synergy might work to complement the microdac. The sr71 has a more open high end that might be pleasing with the microdac. One thing I find is the stack works better with my shure e5 & westone um2 IEMs than it does with eytmotic erp4. I'd guess the sr71 works better with my Etys. It's a high end thing. sr71 opens the highs a bit like an angelic chorus, and both shure and westone downplay the highs compared with etymotic. Maybe you can make sense of what I'm getting at. I can't.
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post #8 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:38am
Hard to say. If you like bright, stick with sr71. But from your choice of IEMs, I'd say you prefer the hardness of the British sound, in which case you might enjoy the stack more. Best bet is try it at a meet if you can. Or try to organize a local mini meet just for that purpose.
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post #9 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:46am
Do you guys notice any computer noise when not playing any music?
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post #10 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:53am
I don't have any line noise and between notes are very "black"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Sneis
Do you guys notice any computer noise when not playing any music?
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post #11 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Sneis
Do you guys notice any computer noise when not playing any music?
Not computer noise, cause I'm not using a computer, but I get hiss between tracks from my dap through the microdac. It even happens during some of the tracks, but for now I'll blame me and assume I messed up the encoding on them.
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post #12 of 24
12/2/05 at 1:59am
Thread Starter 
no noise for me.
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post #13 of 24
12/2/05 at 2:38am
im very interested in your feedback jahjah.. I have been considering a microdac ever since I purchased my MicroAmp. Though i'd feel kinda dumb buying one now that I Just spent 50$ on a 5 foot custom starquad mini-mini, lol would have no use for it. Im not convinced I really need a DAC though, but im extremly curious. Im currently using an X-Fi Extreme Music as my output. It's quite abit better then an A2, mostly at resampling. I hear alot more detail with my soundcard then I do on the same songs coming out of my RCA lyra. Im also really curious about power supplies. I'd love to have one but 400$ is alot to throw down for the Desktop Power Supply. I wonder if some kinda 15v STEPS could be made for a micro amp and would it be better then the wallwart it comes with.

edit: forgot to add, my X-fi gets "Excellent" across the board in RMAA testing, as long as the volume is not past 79%. at max it decreases to "Very Good". Though im sure there's more to a dac's sound then it's RMAA scores.

Regards,
Mike
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post #14 of 24
12/2/05 at 3:15am
Thread Starter 
X-Fi uses Cirrus Logic CS4398 which is the same in the MicroDAC.
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post #15 of 24
12/2/05 at 3:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SiBurning
Not computer noise, cause I'm not using a computer, but I get hiss between tracks from my dap through the microdac. It even happens during some of the tracks, but for now I'll blame me and assume I messed up the encoding on them.
I don't think it's just you

I have compared my Micro DAC to my Audigy 2......let's not go there
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