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Stand alone Max dac?

post #1 of 104
8/2/08 at 9:17am
Thread Starter 
Just ordered the balanced desktop and home dac and cant wait till it gets hear. One question though is there a stand alone Max dac and if so home much does this beauty cost and if there is not, why not lol?
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post #2 of 104
8/2/08 at 10:41am
This is a long discussed topic, I've been bugging Tyll about it for the better part of 4 years now. I think that HR is still considering making a standalone version of the DAC but currently you can't buy one. But there is actually one balanced MAX Dac out there, it's at a meet in Virginia this weekend.
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post #3 of 104
8/2/08 at 11:55am
If you do not need balance output, wouldn't the Ultra Micro Dac w/ the Astrodyne PSU fit the bill?
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post #4 of 104
8/2/08 at 12:34pm
There is not, and never will be a larger, full featured, standalone production HeadRoom balanced DAC based on the electronics found in the Max DAC add-on board...
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post #5 of 104
8/3/08 at 11:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheSloth View Post
There is not, and never will be a larger, full featured, standalone production HeadRoom balanced DAC based on the electronics found in the Max DAC add-on board...
That very focused statement may be true but it leaves a lot of doors open.
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post #6 of 104
8/5/08 at 3:24pm
Hmmm... I remember Tyll was ruminating on DACs in the planning in another thread. Nate, you were in that thread.

I had assumed that meant a standalone Desktop balanced DAC. Hope so because I'm in line for that too!
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post #7 of 104
8/7/08 at 3:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by n_maher View Post
That very focused statement may be true but it leaves a lot of doors open.
Does it really? I didn't realise...
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post #8 of 104
8/7/08 at 4:01pm
HeadRoom was founded in 1992 & manufactures headphone amps, DACs, and accessories; and sells headphones & related personal audio gear. We offer exceptional products, customer service, & information.
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post #9 of 104
8/7/08 at 4:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JorgeC View Post
Sure Jorge, stir the pot why don't you, stir the pot.
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post #10 of 104
8/7/08 at 4:12pm
I've heard the Ultra Micro Dac... that sounded pretty good to me. What kind of advance in sound quality would the Max DAC present?
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post #11 of 104
8/8/08 at 5:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MD1032 View Post
I've heard the Ultra Micro Dac... that sounded pretty good to me. What kind of advance in sound quality would the Max DAC present?
Well it would provide RCA outs. That's the biggie for me. It would also provide balanced outs. That's my all-important "justify another purchase because of upgrade path potential".

But another thread here noted a few reasons why the Ultra Micros don't actually perform quite up to the Headroom Max Series. Circuitry differences in the implementation I believe. So it could also be even better for SQ...
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post #12 of 104
8/8/08 at 9:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperpwc View Post
But another thread here noted a few reasons why the Ultra Micros don't actually perform quite up to the Headroom Max Series. Circuitry differences in the implementation I believe. So it could also be even better for SQ...
The ultra-micros are most of the MAX electronics from what I understand but you're still paying a slight penalty for squeezing everything inside that tiny chassis. So a standalone unit should be able to provide better performance and would certainly offer more options in the way of both inputs and outputs. I'm supposed to have officially retired from talking about this but since Tyll's out of town right now maybe he won't notice.

I can tell you one thing for sure, anyone that's heard the balanced max dac (Hertsens Signature DAC) hasn't come away disappointed. In fact it's been favorably compared to DAC's in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.
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post #13 of 104
8/8/08 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by n_maher View Post
I can tell you one thing for sure, anyone that's heard the balanced max dac (Hertsens Signature DAC) hasn't come away disappointed. In fact it's been favorably compared to DAC's in the $3,000 to $4,000 range.
Just before anyone asks where you can buy a Hertsens Signature DAC, it might be worthwhile pointing out that it is the name of a one-off DIY project built by Nate (above poster) using a Balanced Max DAC board in a full size chassis, connectors and PSU built-in.

It isn't going to be offered for sale, and the modules and DAC boards are not generally for sale to DIY'ers either. Nate just happens to have special powers of persuasion...
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post #14 of 104
9/12/08 at 1:34pm
Just thought I should let you guys know this one is actively in development now.

Mmmmm ... what else can I say? Not much actually.



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post #15 of 104
9/12/08 at 2:05pm


and I think I just heard some wallets go...

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