HRT - MicroStreamer - High Performance External USB Soundcard and Headphone Amplifier

 
Manufacturer: HRT
 
Model: microStreamer
 
Price: $169 at amazon.com

 
Volume Control: Digitally-activated analog attenuator, no volume control on unit itself.

Power Connector: USB, mini B

Battery Life: Plug-in-USB operation only.

Inputs: 1x USB Mini B

Outputs: 1x line-level 3.5mm stereo output

1x 3.5mm headphone jack

 

Specifications:

From (http://www.hirestech.com/product/?pid=107#prods)

-Asynchronous Mode Operation eliminates timing errors (jitter).

Click to expand...

 

Click to expand...

 

Click to expand...

-24 Bit operation.

Click to expand...

 

Click to expand...

 

Click to expand...

-Plug and play using standard audio class 1.0 Drivers.

-Supports 32k, 44k1, 48k, 88k2 & 96K sample rates.


 
Build and Finish: Tiny two-piece aluminum housing. Precision-machined and finished off with an anodized silver exterior. Should last forever.
 
Accessories: The Microstreamer is shipped with a tiny pop-out cardboard box. Inside is the unit itself, a black carrying pouch, and a generic white Mini USB to USB cable. Short and sweet.
 
Technology and Design: While ahead of its time upon release, the Microstreamer offers fairly standard features in today’s market. Asynch USB transfer mode, 24 bit/96k playback, line-level out, LED sample rate indicators, all come standard on the Microstreamer.



 
Sound / Comparisons:
 
The Microstreamer was one of my original forays into the portable amp/dac market.
It goes to show that I’ve enjoyed owning them--I’ve had them since 2013.
They represented one of the best values in terms of performance relative to size.
How do they stack up to the newer products?
 
When you utilize the Microstreamer for the first time, you’re in for a surprise.
It offers a surprisingly full-bodied response with above-average imaging and instrumental placement. While it lacks definition and details compared to the more pricier models, the Microstreamer makes up for it with its energy and engaging sound. While I wouldn’t call the Microstreamer superbly musical, it does the job for both analytical and casual listening.
 
Vocals are sweetly layered and textured, especially female vocals. Bass definition and micro-details can be easily heard on a headphone like the Ethers, which has excellent bass dynamics and extension.
 
Treble response is something lower-tier amp/dacs fail at.
The original AQ Dragonfly and Schiit Fulla both suffer from somewhat strident and sibilant treble.
The Microstreamer improves on these units, but it doesn’t stay completely clean when it comes to certain recordings. This gives certain songs an odd tonality that is a tad harsh to my ears.
 
Other than the minor treble issue and slight mid-range bleed, the Microstreamer is an outstanding purchase.
It offers so much for the price, is solidly built, and is tiny enough to fit anywhere.
I can definitely see why they’ve received so much positive reviews over the years.
 
If you want to take a step up from the Microstreamer, I highly recommend the Resonessence Herus. It’s not much bigger physically, but offers an even more enjoyable and robust sound.
The iDAC2 is also a solid choice. It provides a slight step up from the Microstreamer in terms of driveability with full-size cans and a larger step up for ultimate transparency and playback options..
 
Overall Score: 7.8
 
    -Bass: 8
    -Mids: 9
    -Treble: 7
    -Transparency: 8
    -Dynamics/Transients: 8
    -Resolution/Details: 7
    -Soundstage/Presentation: 8

Intro
 
HRT microStreamer is a small silver box, powered by and fed audio via USB input, with separate 3.5mm outputs - one output to feed headphones directly using an internal amplifier and a second output for exclusive line-level to feed an external amplifier. It uses USB Audio Class 1.0, meaning the microStreamer has no drivers for Windows, yet is capable of audio playback up to 24-bit at 96kHz.
 
But none of this is what I want to write about - this thing is musical man  And what does that mean 
 
It holds onto a fine edge:
 

1. Engaging, but not overbearing.
2. Detailed, but not etched.
3. Enunciating bass lines, but not boosting them or adding a delayed decay.
4. Allowing for the airy high frequency details, but not throwing them at you like icy blades.

 
Plug in your USB, plug in your headphones, set your volume, and hit play. Music streams out of the microStreamer - it is just that simple. The microStreamer seems like a box that someone took care to design, build, listen to for a while, and tweak, tweak, tweak until they got it right. It is not uber-anything, yet it does everything just about right 
 
Comparisons
 
And...the above is pretty much all I wanted to say. I apologize for having such a short review - more just a personal preference, insight, whatever you wish to call it. I'll quickly run through a few other USB AMP/DAC for at least a brief comparison:
 

1. CEntrance DACport HD - these two DAC/AMP choices are quite close in sonic quality. I would estimate the CEntrance simply has better parts, with less grain - less aural strain. Though the delta is ever so slight.
2. Geek Out V2 (output through 4-pin XLR) - much more detail retrieval, but also more scientific, microscopic. Less alive in its presentation of the music.
3. Meridian Explorer 2 - more 3-dimensional, less harsh. Also what I would call less detail-obsessed with regards to any grit in the recording. For me, sometimes it works - and sometimes I need more grit to feel the musical intent.
4. Schiit Fulla - similarly musical, just sharper - this one comes with teeth. The Fulla has a little less compromise for things like large impedance variation or inherent headphone treble emphases. The microStreamer smooths these issues over, just a little. I like the Fulla on a balanced headphone, like the AKG K7XX. The musical detail in the microStreamer is present, and less pronounced - more subtle goodness for you to seek, when your ears are ready to listen.

 
And now I normally add upgrade options. To my ears the (twice the cost) Apogee Groove and (four times the cost) Chord Mojo both have easily heard upgraded sound. Each keeps what I feel is the best attribute of the microStreamer - a musical and balanced sound with at least a similar level of detail. There is particularly more detail with the Mojo, yet it retains the musical value more so than the GOV2. By moving from the microStreamer to either the Groove or Mojo, I am allowed to dive even further into the music, likely due to what I am certain are better parts. I can listen louder (not usually my preference) or longer (this is what I like) without tiring.
 
Outro
 
If you own the microStreamer, would I advocate you upgrade to those - depends on your wallet. And - no, in that there is nothing either of the two upgrades I have listed does that makes it twice the goodness of the microStreamer. My final thoughts - do not discount this older DAC/AMP. It is still a good choice even when compared to the modern onslaught of DAC/AMP options.
 
Just my brief thoughts - and always, YMMV