AQ DragonFly vs HRT MS vs Meridian Explorer vs Herus
Nov 20, 2013 at 4:27 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 29
Vladimir_F1

Vladimir_F1

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Hi guys,
 
Yesterday i've opened DAC world by trying AQ DragonFly with my Sennheiser IE 800 on mac mini :)
 
I really loved the sound which comed from dragonfly. So decided to purchase a DAC. i've found many alternatives to AQ DF. 
But the problem is i'm a newcomer to all this and not sure what will be the best DAC option to use with Sennheiser IE 800 (16 ohm) earphones with mac mini ( and possibly with the iPhone ) 
 
The alternative to AQ DragonFly i've found:
- HRT MicroStreamer: i'm not sure how this DAC is better than AQ DF
- Meridian Explorer: 24/192 Audio Support ( but they say that due to the high output impedance it simply isn´t suited for most portable headphones )
- Resonessence Herus: - it also works with iPhone ( but official website also states that only 600 Ohms to 32 Ohms headphones supported)
 

Which is the best option for me? Maybe you know other DAC that can be used with iPhone and Mac with IE800?
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 7:40 AM Post #2 of 29
vladimir_f1 said:
  Hi guys,
 
Yesterday i've opened DAC world by trying AQ DragonFly with my Sennheiser IE 800 on mac mini :)
 
I really loved the sound which comed from dragonfly. So decided to purchase a DAC. i've found many alternatives to AQ DF. 
But the problem is i'm a newcomer to all this and not sure what will be the best DAC option to use with Sennheiser IE 800 (16 ohm) earphones with mac mini ( and possibly with the iPhone ) 
 
The alternative to AQ DragonFly i've found:
- HRT MicroStreamer: i'm not sure how this DAC is better than AQ DF
- Meridian Explorer: 24/192 Audio Support ( but they say that due to the high output impedance it simply isn´t suited for most portable headphones )
- Resonessence Herus: - it also works with iPhone ( but official website also states that only 600 Ohms to 32 Ohms headphones supported)
 

Which is the best option for me? Maybe you know other DAC that can be used with iPhone and Mac with IE800?
Click to expand...

I just purchased the HRT and I am loving it. From what I have read the AQ has a more defined bass footprint but reviewers seem to lean to  the HRT. The Herus and Explorer are more money and bigger. If you download the the latest firmware from HRT (1V3) the Microstreamer will play 44k1 from an iPhone (iOS 7.0.4) without using a USB hub. If you adjust the numeric feedback value (see my post on the ios7, iphone and Apple CCK thread, page 15) you can play 48 and 96k files but not 88k2. The HRT makes for a very compact portable system (iPhone 5S, USBa to USBmini adaptor, HRTMS, Westone AC2's. 

I am also using the HRT with my MacBook Pro, Audirvana and a pair of HiFiMan HE-300's. I am very happy with this purchase.
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 8:11 AM Post #3 of 29
tmauceri said:
  I just purchased the HRT and I am loving it. 
I am also using the HRT with my MacBook Pro, Audirvana and a pair of HiFiMan HE-300's. I am very happy with this purchase.
 
Click to expand...

 
Thank you for detailed response :)
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 9:28 AM Post #4 of 29
It looks after all i'll buy Geek OUT DAC :)
 
Dec 28, 2013 at 5:16 AM Post #5 of 29
I have a HRT MS on the way so I´ll be able to post some impressions of that soon. Going to be using it with the IE 800. On paper it should be a good match: very low output impedance for frequency response neutrality, "caffeinated" sound signature should work well with the heavy sound of the Sennheiser. 
 
Dec 30, 2013 at 7:56 PM Post #6 of 29
Very happy so far w my Herus. I've only driven my Etymotic ER4S (100ohm) and NAD HP50 (36ohm) so I can't confirm it's less good below 30 ohm but with an output imp of under 1 ohm I'd think most headphones would be fine.
Anyway I bought it to be able to play all types of resolutions and DSD from my iPhone so for that it's pretty sweet.
 
Jan 23, 2014 at 2:18 AM Post #7 of 29
just got the EXPLORER in today, and after having the Dragonfly for over a year, I can tell right now that the Explorer is easier to listen to as it doesn't have that "prickly" effect that the Dragonfly does... although the Dragonfly has a "OH WOW, LISTEN TO THAT DETAIL COOOOOOL" factor about it that gets tiring for long listening
 
Feb 27, 2014 at 4:57 PM Post #8 of 29
vladimir_f1 said:
  Hi guys,
 
Yesterday i've opened DAC world by trying AQ DragonFly with my Sennheiser IE 800 on mac mini :)
 
I really loved the sound which comed from dragonfly. So decided to purchase a DAC. i've found many alternatives to AQ DF. 
But the problem is i'm a newcomer to all this and not sure what will be the best DAC option to use with Sennheiser IE 800 (16 ohm) earphones with mac mini ( and possibly with the iPhone ) 
 
The alternative to AQ DragonFly i've found:
- HRT MicroStreamer: i'm not sure how this DAC is better than AQ DF
- Meridian Explorer: 24/192 Audio Support ( but they say that due to the high output impedance it simply isn´t suited for most portable headphones )
- Resonessence Herus: - it also works with iPhone ( but official website also states that only 600 Ohms to 32 Ohms headphones supported)
 

Which is the best option for me? Maybe you know other DAC that can be used with iPhone and Mac with IE800?
Click to expand...

These are exactly the three I'm looking at - any further impressions?
 
Mar 4, 2014 at 12:22 AM Post #10 of 29
vladimir_f1 said:
  in the end i purchased dragonfly for 100$
 
i'm happy with my purchase
Click to expand...

 
If I had paid $100 for the Dragonfly (it was $250 when I bought it), I would have been happy.  But $250?  I really really think that the trades (all of 'em, Stereophile, Absolute Sound, What HiFi, etc) made wwwwayyyyy too much of a big deal about Dragonfly. $250? RIP OFF.  $100 = fair price.
 
Nov 7, 2014 at 3:17 PM Post #11 of 29
Interested in other comparison beetween microstreamer and herus
I would connect to a second easy setup directly to the mac and senn amperior or to a Samsung galaxy note or the iPhone
Would like to know if both work with iPhone/android- which one is the smaller. I though the herus, but looking the pictures it seems I'm wrong.
Which one best match with the amperior
I have already a conceroHD and I has a hrtII+ some years ago, so if they have the sonic signature of the brand I could have an idea of both (and so are both nice!- maybe the hrt was more aggressive)
 
Mar 20, 2015 at 11:13 PM Post #12 of 29
got a herus recently & very impressed with its performance. never had any of the other gear so do any comparisons, but the herus is a very solid unit. not sure if it's really worth it's full retail price though without comparisons though. i am personally extremely satisfied with its performance though.
 
Apr 26, 2015 at 8:35 AM Post #13 of 29
money4me247 said:
got a herus recently & very impressed with its performance. never had any of the other gear so do any comparisons, but the herus is a very solid unit. not sure if it's really worth it's full retail price though without comparisons though. i am personally extremely satisfied with its performance though.
Click to expand...


Hey Money
Have you compared the Herus to the HA2? Would be really interested in your impressions. In terms of SQ.
Cheers
 
May 13, 2015 at 7:22 PM Post #14 of 29
Hello guys. Let me come into the thread.
 
Crazy question but that is it. Think to buy Resonessence Herus+ or Ifi micro iDSD.  
Use UE900 IEM with Macbook and would like to use DAC with iPad mini 3 in my car.
 
Thanks in advance for response!
 
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