Apogee Mini-Dac WOW!

[milkpowder]

http://www.fullcompass.com/product/337956.html

Courtesy of Happy Camper

 

[Happy Camper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_freak /img/forum/go_quote.gif Wow, the fact that it goes to 11 makes me want to get one so bad, haha. -edit- missed it, where'd you find it for ~650 shipped?

Standard. http://www.fullcompass.com/product/337955.html

 

[vcoheda]

the mini-dac finally arrived. 650s balanced. have never sounded better.

 

[Knockturne]

vcoheda do you think your "Rig 2" sounds better than your "Rig 1"?

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knockturne /img/forum/go_quote.gif vcoheda do you think your "Rig 2" sounds better than your "Rig 1"?

My 650s sound better balanced than single ended paired with my Lite. No contest. I'm sure my DT880s would as well. Not sure about the AKGs or RS1, as these DAC balance configurations supposedly don't work as well with low impedance phones. As far as comparing other phones singled ended versus the 650 balanced, I haven't really done much of that. The 650s have not left my head since I got my mini-dac. But the beauty of the mini-dac (or DAC1) is that I don't have to choose. I get both options.

 

[Don Quichotte]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif the mini-dac finally arrived. 650s balanced. have never sounded better.

So, have you compared the XLR out -> unbalanced cable -> headphone amp to 1/8" out -> the same type and length of unbalanced cable -> the same headphone amp?

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Quichotte /img/forum/go_quote.gif So, have you compared the XLR out -> unbalanced cable -> headphone amp to 1/8" out -> the same type and length of unbalanced cable -> the same headphone amp?

Not yet. When I listened to my Gilmore Lite, I used an XLR to RCA connection. I have yet to try the 1/8 to RCA. But I intend to do this at some point. And as far as the internal jumpers go, I don't see myself adjusting them. It just doesn't seem worth it.

 

[Knockturne]

Do you guys think that just a Mini-DAC would sound better than say, a <$600 tube amp (eg. Mapletree Ear+ Purist HD) with a <$300 DAC?

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knockturne /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you guys think that just a Mini-DAC would sound better than say, a <$600 tube amp (eg. Mapletree Ear+ Purist HD) with a <$300 DAC?

it depends what you paired the mini dac with. a mini dac alone will not sound better than the other combo.

 

[JimP]

x

 

[vcoheda]

i haven't seen a firewire. i'm not even sure it's out yet. i mean you could order it from places, but is it really in stock. apogee told me that for casual listening, i would probably not notice a difference between usb and firewire.

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knockturne /img/forum/go_quote.gif Do you guys think that just a Mini-DAC would sound better than say, a <$600 tube amp (eg. Mapletree Ear+ Purist HD) with a <$300 DAC?

I think it does if you use balanced HD 650. I even preferred the Mini-Dac XLR with balanced HD 650 over a single-ended HD 650 connected to a Corda Opera. I posted some impressions in the meet forum some time ago.

 

[jpelg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif apogee told me that for casual listening, i would probably not notice a difference between usb and firewire.

Since when is anyone here a "casual" listener? And if you were, would you be purchasing a Mini-DAC????

 

[DennyL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif Apogee told me that for casual listening, i would probably not notice a difference between usb and firewire.

I'm not sure I'd buy an $800 DAC for casual listening.

 

[JimP]

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