Best MAC HQ DAP options - Page 2

Keyboard USB of course are peripherals that draw their own power. The same Mac will run the HM602 with Windows, so it isn't a computer issue, and the iPad, that no laptop and hardly any desktop can power (for fast charging) works fine on any Mac. It isn't the hardware current problem, it is a problem with the unit's USB interface.

If I have enough time  to compare and enough ability to describe  what I'm going find out about the sound quality of my

JH13+Twag replacementCable plugged into the following :

1   Whipmod + Whiplod reference Elite + Meier Stepdance

2   HM801

3   mini to mini DNA + Sony D-777 or D-25s + Meier stepdance.

I will write my impression here.

For now I'm still  waiting for my JH13 (remolded by UM) and my friend's HM801 to come.

I still don't have the HM801 in my hands,but today in the morning I had a chance to try the HM602.I then compared  D25s,D777 ,Whipmod + WhipLod reference aka "Fat boy" and HM602 (I just took the picture 10 minutes ago,that's why you  guys don't see the HM602 .

Here is my ranking

1 D777 + HGA DNA + StepDance : Both D777 and D25s very good soundstage seem to be airier than listen to the Whipmod and HM602 ,D777 sounds round nice warm and analog compared to the D25s but in some records D25s is better because its sparlink treble.

2 D25s + HGA DNA + StepDance : as mention above 

3 Whipmod+WhipLod Reference + Stepdance ,   really great Detail ,dark blackground,great dynamic. .The combination is  really great ,but I feel the PCDP can give you a better airier soundstage.   . 

4 D777 headphones out, D25s headphones out soundstage still better,but by a margin compared to a whipmod combo,but somehow listening to the headphone out lacks some dynamic the stepdance gives.

5 HM602 + HGA DNA + Stepdance : Easy to notice ,that this combination is better than the HM602 alone. 

6 HM602 headphones out : Great sound ,better than the headphones out of all Ipod I heard.Sound seem to be color a little bit,but it's fun to listen too.

If I'm not wrong ,I feel the bass is a little boosted up ,nice treble no roll of here,decent soundstage.If I have to choose a player to go without amp and cable ,I will choose HM602 above the PCDP (not ideal for portable :P ) and Whipmod.

7 Whipmod headphones out. : not worth buying whipmod if you just use its headphone out.

Conclusion : Vintage PCDPs are still better than Whipmod combo and HM602.

Whipmod is a very good source because it is not  colored   like HM602 and has far better detail than the HM602. But it's really useless if you use only the headphone out (I would say 15% better than Ipod video :P). Cable suggestion for whipmod = WhipLod reference .The normal Whiplod with C-Blackgate is an ok-cable ,but if you want the best thing for your whipmod ,you only need the "Fatboy" (I owned the Normal Whiplod with c-blackgate and Oyaide mini jack.It sounds good,but still far behind the Whiplod reference.it's really noticeable,that's the reason I sold my normal WhipLod) 

HM602 : very good DAP for its price.It far better than all other ipod +amp and better than the headphone out of the Whipmod .

Headphones in this comparision are Denon D7000 and JVC Victor DX1000

I'm sorry I can't give you guys a better picture,because I'm not good at describing things,but anyway hope this helps.

p.s I don't know when will I get the HM801 from my friend ,but as soon as I get it,I will post my short impression here again

There is no surprise to me that those vintage PCDPs could beat most of today's DAPs in sound performance.  Back then, they were built from high-quality components and priced accordingly.

How much burn-in did you do on the HM-602, WhipMOD and most importantly, the Fat Boy WhipLOD?

held off on the head direct DAPs because of the Apple user issues. 

can Apple computer users who use these DAPs comment on whether the issues have been ironed out?

I really want something portable to play hi-rez flac into my IEMs...