[seraphkz]

Just got an email about the ALO The Key USB DAC. Anyone has any prior beta experience with this little thing?

 

[gav007]

I got an email as well, I doubt anyone has The Key since it just released.

 

[seraphkz]

Yeah was just wondering if someone has seen it before the release date. If there was some kind of beta testing or people have gotten the product from ALO for reviews.

 

[palermo]

Its looks like shorter than m2tech hiface dac and cheaper too 

 

[Ultrainferno]

But not as cheap as the Stoner Accoustics

 

[CJs06]

Can anyone share some comparison between the Texas Instruments PCM5102A DAC found in The Key compared to the Cirrus Logic CS4398 DAC found in The Island. I'm thinking it would be a better value to just get The Island since it has an amplifier as well.

 

[RUMAY408]

Priced below the AQ Dragonfly on its debut.  Just received the email expecting that someone here had already reviewed it.

 

[NZtechfreak]

Interesting, I have a DF 1.2 shipping to me now, would be interested to compare it to this (curious as to whether the Alo The Key or Island will work with Android devices too).

 

[CharlesC]

  Interesting, I have a DF 1.2 shipping to me now, would be interested to compare it to this (curious as to whether the Alo The Key or Island will work with Android devices too).

Don't know if The Key can be compared to the DF since it is just a DAC (or so I think) and probably lacks any kind of volume control.  It's intended to be used with a separate amp.

 

[CharlesC]

I can see using this in a desktop setting where you have a dedicated amp (a Crack for me, thank you) and want a small DAC that you can keep out of the way - but it's hard to see why anyone would want separate DAC and amp in a mobile setting. I guess if you had to take your 384  files with you then this would be the thing.