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Pico - USB DAC/Amplifier From HeadAmp - Page 15

post #211 of 711
9/25/07 at 1:36am
I'm getting one for my Sextetts!












(By the by, just kidding.)
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post #212 of 711
9/25/07 at 2:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corbet View Post
I'm just curious if the Pico is worth considering for someone who doesn't care about having a portable amp? I know that smaller parts = more expensive and possibly a lowering in quality, or can a Pico be a desktop replacement?
X2.
Expecting, let's say, GLite level of performance is probably too much, isn't it?
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post #213 of 711
9/25/07 at 2:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwood View Post
Heheh. I was wondering how you found that pic. I guess the official preorder thread is up.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=261440

-Ed
Actually, I saw it on another forum (HeadphoneHaven) before that thread popped up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by justin w.
Peter, when I release the full set of specs for the Pico I think it will be clear that I am trying to set a low price for it
Good to know.
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post #214 of 711
9/25/07 at 2:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT View Post
X2.
Expecting, let's say, GLite level of performance is probably too much, isn't it?
according to the early reviews it might be on par with or even best the G-lite!
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post #215 of 711
9/25/07 at 3:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corbet View Post
I'm just curious if the Pico is worth considering for someone who doesn't care about having a portable amp? I know that smaller parts = more expensive and possibly a lowering in quality, or can a Pico be a desktop replacement?
I'd say it can be a desktop replacement. In my listening session with it, I found it to perform as a DAC/amp overall at least on the level of devices like the Apogee Mini-DAC and Benchmark DAC1 (if not higher). Assuming all one needs is a USB input, volume control, and headphone output, the Pico fits the situation superbly. Other "desktop" devices have more features, as far as I/O and options go.

I wouldn't say that miniaturization lowers quality in this case, in fact SMD parts can often be more precise than their through-hole counterparts.
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post #216 of 711
9/25/07 at 5:24am
I'm also definitely going to get a unit. From first impressions I'm amazed and excited by the prospect of the DAC quality that Justin was able to magic in there. My concern though is still with the amp section. I have an Apogee unit and am not impressed with its headphone amp at all. It was of course not built primarily for that function. Would a few more who've heard the pico comment on it purely as amp in comparison to known entities like RSA, Xin, and Meier?
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post #217 of 711
9/25/07 at 5:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by edwardsean View Post
I'm also definitely going to get a unit. From first impressions I'm amazed and excited by the prospect of the DAC quality that Justin was able to magic in there. My concern though is still with the amp section. I have an Apogee unit and am not impressed with its headphone amp at all. It was of course not built primarily for that function. Would a few more who've heard the pico comment on it purely as amp in comparison to known entities like RSA, Xin, and Meier?
if you read through this thread as well as justin's pre-order thread you will read a lot of comments about the amp section.
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post #218 of 711
9/25/07 at 11:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kugino View Post
according to the early reviews it might be on par with or even best the G-lite!
Haven't drawn that conclusion from reviews I've read. Can you please point to one?
Considering how close to GS-1 Glite is, I am a bit skeptical on that assessment.
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post #219 of 711
9/25/07 at 4:08pm
Correct me if I'm wrong please but the Pico's DAC has the acclaim Wolfson WM8740 which a simple google/head-fi search shows that it present in many $1000 DAC.

It appears that the impressions of the Pico were Mac-->DAC-->AMP and perhaps that is the reason for the impressive reviews comparing it to some of the hi-fi system.

Either way, if the Pico's AMP is anywhere near the SQ of the Move, RSA amps, Larocco I think we got a winner. Additionally, running the AMP through the very high spec DAC should theoretically yield SQ rivaling many desktop rig.

BTW, there are only 75 units available for reserve (first batch) and the thread currently has 33 pre-ordered within a day.
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post #220 of 711
9/25/07 at 4:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Computerstud View Post
Correct me if I'm wrong please but the Pico's DAC has the acclaim Wolfson WM8740 which a simple google/head-fi search shows that it present in many $1000 DAC.
Correct, it's also the same DAC that's used in the Twisted Pear Opus DAC which I've been hearing good things about. In addition, Justin is going USB --> I2S without S/PDIF conversion which should increase quality as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Computerstud View Post
It appears that the impressions of the Pico were Mac-->DAC-->AMP and perhaps that is the reason for the impressive reviews comparing it to some of the hi-fi system.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by Mac-->DAC-->AMP, there wasn't a separate amp, from my understanding listening impressions have been with both the Pico DAC and amplifier. So the chain looks like MAC-->Pico DAC-->Pico Amp-->Phones.
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post #221 of 711
9/25/07 at 4:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elnero View Post
I'm not exactly sure what you mean by Mac-->DAC-->AMP, there wasn't a separate amp, from my understanding listening impressions have been with both the Pico DAC and amplifier. So the chain looks like MAC-->Pico DAC-->Pico Amp-->Phones.
That's what I meant.
The impressions were done on Justin's Mac --> Pico's DAC --> Pico's AMP --> HPs
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post #222 of 711
9/27/07 at 11:47am
Anyone who has heard the HeadAmp Pico AND the iBasso D1 wanna give a preliminary comparison in SQ?
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post #223 of 711
9/27/07 at 11:55am
I think you have to wait for the Pico release to get a real comparison with the D1. Those that heard the Pico were listening to a prototype.
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post #224 of 711
9/27/07 at 12:50pm
Two questions:

1. What is the gain of the "low gain" setting, is it unity gain or higher? I have found unity to work perfectly for IEMs.

2. Will there be a way to go USB in and get line out, so the DAC portion can be used to feed other amps?

I'm guessing the answer to both questions is no, but I'd love a couple yes's.
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post #225 of 711
9/27/07 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew_WOT View Post
Haven't drawn that conclusion from reviews I've read. Can you please point to one?
Considering how close to GS-1 Glite is, I am a bit skeptical on that assessment.

It's better than any dynalo implementation I've heard. Hands down.
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