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VentureCraft Go-DAP DAC/Amp /Series: Go-DAP X (13th May 2012) and Go-DAP TT (21st May 2013)
Aug 22, 2012 at 12:45 AM Post #61 of 507
Quote:
tzjin said:
 
Oh wow I've fallen behind. Can you post a few impressions?
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 Hehehe...VentureCraft would like me to write up some impressions too but unfortunately no plans to buy the X (yet?).
 
Very preliminary impressions though the OPA2134 version though, at least to me, sounds like the older 4.0 OPA2134 brother - which makes sense since it's really the same device but with additional circuitry for USB/iAP switching, surround sound, and support expansion to cover all iDevice, not just iOS ones. So at least for now in my personal opinion, the impressions I wrote on the OPA2134 for the 4.0 applies to the X too.
 
As for the Muses 8920, I need to listen to that more.
 
Aug 22, 2012 at 1:08 AM Post #62 of 507
Quote:
anakchan said:
 Hehehe...VentureCraft would like me to write up some impressions too but unfortunately no plans to buy the X (yet?).
 
Very preliminary impressions though the OPA2134 version though, at least to me, sounds like the older 4.0 OPA2134 brother - which makes sense since it's really the same device but with additional circuitry for USB/iAP switching, surround sound, and support expansion to cover all iDevice, not just iOS ones. So at least for now in my personal opinion, the impressions I wrote on the OPA2134 for the 4.0 applies to the X too.
 
As for the Muses 8920, I need to listen to that more.
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Can you elaborate in more detail what are the significant improvements in sound quality of an ipod "with" and "without" the Go-DAP X?
 
As I read the review/opinion about the CLAS & Fostex DAC in some forums, the improvement in sound is just an incremental and not exponential.
 
Aug 22, 2012 at 2:35 AM Post #63 of 507
Quote:
cyberalpha11 said:
Can you elaborate in more detail what are the significant improvements in sound quality of an ipod "with" and "without" the Go-DAP X?
 
As I read the review/opinion about the CLAS & Fostex DAC in some forums, the improvement in sound is just an incremental and not exponential.
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This actually is a general question now 'cos the CLAS, HP-P1, and Go-DAPs are pretty much competing products. So they're similar but each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
 
It sounds like you're looking for a dramatic change in SQ and dramatic or "incremental" is also subjective from person to person. However if you classify the CLAS & HP-P1 as incremental, then you should see the Go-DAP X to be the same.
 
If you're looking for something that's a significant improvement, and as such, in another level would be the likes of the DX100, Colorfly C4, etc. But those are dedicated DAPs. Note that they have their idiosyncrasies (usually user interface).
 
Aug 23, 2012 at 2:28 AM Post #65 of 507
Quote:
yellowssm said:
subscribed
 
 
Quote brought from the Denon thread:
yellowssm said:
looks promising but pricey
 
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Thought I'd bring your post to this thread instead of the Denon since it really doesn't have much to do with the Denon's (unless we're talking about DAC/Amp headphone synergy).
 
Yep, it seem anything with iAP support seems to be pricey - Go-DAP, HP-P1, or CLAS - thx to Apple. USB DACs on the other hand are much cheaper. Nothing much can be done about that unless someone manages to convince Apple to support USB DACs on their iDevices.
 
Within the iAP supported DAC/Amps though, the Go-DAP 4.0/X is probably the cheapest starting from the base model. By the time you upgrade the OpAmps, etc. then it's slightly cheaper than the HP-P1. The CLAS on the other hand needs a budget for an external amp still so ends up being the most expensive option (but it's a good DAC and combined with the Rx Mk3 Amp makes a really good sounding package).
 
There are ways to get some USB DACs working with iPad/iPhone. With the iPad, some DACs need to find ways to fit in under the 20mW limitation set by iOS 4.2. Alternatively is to carry around a power pack for a USB hub (i.e. powered USB hub). That gets bulky - not to mention a workaround and who knows what Apple will do next to kill this option. Similarly, for the iPhone, you'd have to jailbreak the iPhone to use the CCK (designed for the iPad), to use a USB DAC. Although from a geek techout perspective these options are cool, they're subject to change whenever Apple finds ways to close this loophole.
 
That's why the Go-DAP X has so far been the only DAC/Amp that officially supports both USB and iAP in a single package - for ~$420 (based on today's exchange rates), that's not too bad considering the other alternatives, HP-P1 or CLAS are more expensive and are limited to the iDevices only.
 
  Go-DAP X Go-DAP 4.0/VAmp HP-P1 CLAS USB DAC/Amp
Official iPad Support Yes No but works via cable Yes Yes No but luck of draw if it works with CCK
Official iPhone Support Yes Yes iPhone 4/4S only Yes Yes No but may work with Jailbreak, Cydia CameraConnector with CCK
Official iPod Classic Support Yes No Yes Yes No
Official PC Support Yes No No No Yes
Additional costs       External Amp Required   
Comments
  1. OpAmp Upgradeable
  1. OpAmp Upgradeable
  2. Most integrated package
  1. Can be used DAC-Only with external Amp
    
Product Cost ~$420 ~$382.50 ~$637 $579 From ~$70
Portable DAC/Amp Comparison (SQ not factored in)
 
Aug 23, 2012 at 2:42 AM Post #66 of 507
Quote:
danimoca said:
I'm actually surprised nobody talked about the price...
 
So, is there any information on pricing? 
biggrin.gif
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According to Musica's site the price in USD currency will be 500 flat once  released in Fall.
 
Aug 23, 2012 at 6:00 AM Post #67 of 507
Quote:
anakchan said:
snip
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Taking my table idea I see :p 
 
btw PC support and USB class Audio can be used interchangeably but are significantly different enough to warrant notice. Mainly because of drivers. 
 
Aug 23, 2012 at 7:35 AM Post #68 of 507
Quote:
wir3d said:
Taking my table idea I see :p 
 
btw PC support and USB class Audio can be used interchangeably but are significantly different enough to warrant notice. Mainly because of drivers. 
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Really? U're a tables guy? Honestly didn't know.
 
About PC Support and USB class audio, I guess you're alluding towards Android? I guess I can put in the Android OS's but JB 4.1  isn't even officially productionised yet?
 
Aug 23, 2012 at 8:40 AM Post #69 of 507
Quote:
anakchan said:
 
Really? U're a tables guy? Honestly didn't know.
 
About PC Support and USB class audio, I guess you're alluding towards Android? I guess I can put in the Android OS's but JB 4.1  isn't even officially productionised yet?
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Lol nice sarcasm :p no I was referring to the now impossible to find table I made a while back listing portable DAC/AMPs for various platforms; Andoid, iOS, PC and the respective gaps in the market
 
I honestly wouldn't know, ever since s broke everything on my HTC I haven been in the dark with tech news lately since I don't have Appy Geeks. Hearing all sorts of chaos is happening atm. Go figure. 
 
But yes I was talking about android, DanBa actually explained it quite well earlier in this thread
 
 
danba said:
 
There are two kinds of USB audio for Android : standard USB audio and Android-specific USB audio.
 

 

 
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Aug 23, 2012 at 8:59 AM Post #71 of 507
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