best audio playback for laptop???
Mar 17, 2003 at 2:12 AM Post #18 of 43
The DACs in the Audiophile USB and the Echo Indigo have pretty much the same specs, and may sound similar. Here are the datasheets:

http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...93/ak4393.html
http://www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/akm/en/...28/ak4528.html

Note that the Echo Indigo uses a Sigma-Delta DAC while the Audiophile USB uses a multibit DAC. Some people claim multibit DACs are more musical.

The opamp used in the headphone driver of the Echo Indigo is fairly cheap (as is the one in the Audiophile USB), probably chosen because it allows a voltage swing close to the +/- 5V power rails without too much distortion. The datasheet is here:

http://www.analog.com/Analog_Root/pr...2135%2C00.html

Since you can't bypass the opamp used in the Echo Indigo, it's probably not as good a choice as the Audiophile USB if you're planning on adding a dedicated headphone amp later (or if you already have one). On the other hand, the Echo Indigo is probably a decent low-cost total solution, and is very portable.
 
Mar 17, 2003 at 6:05 PM Post #19 of 43
Seems Audiophile USB's opamp also can not be bypassed. There are 7 5532 JRC, it looks: headphone out, line out, line in, microphone in ... all have dedicated 5532(s).

The power for AP USB is 9V AC

Datasheet shows ak4528's SNR is 96dB, so AP USB'SNR should be no better than that. that is not good.
 
Mar 17, 2003 at 6:19 PM Post #20 of 43
You're right! Thanks for pointing that out. It's interesting that the Sonica's DAC has better S/N specs than the Audiophile USB's DAC (102dB vs 96dB) and the Echo Indigo's DAC's S/N specs are even better.

Do you find that there's audible noise on the outputs of your Audiophile USB?
 
Mar 20, 2003 at 3:09 AM Post #22 of 43
Quote:

Originally posted by Wodgy
You're right! Thanks for pointing that out. It's interesting that the Sonica's DAC has better S/N specs than the Audiophile USB's DAC (102dB vs 96dB) and the Echo Indigo's DAC's S/N specs are even better.

Do you find that there's audible noise on the outputs of your Audiophile USB?


no, there is no any audible noise from ap usb
 
Apr 24, 2003 at 2:47 AM Post #23 of 43
I've got some Beyer 250-80's that I'm running off of a Apple Powerbook. The audio is clean, but I'd like a bit more power to get all that the Beyer's have to offer. Does anyone know if the Indigo would be enough given the fact that the Beyer's are easy to drive? I know a stand-alone amp would perform better, but I like the portability of the Indigo - just plug it in and forget about it. One less part or component to port around.

Thanks.
 
Jul 3, 2003 at 12:01 AM Post #26 of 43
I just got the Audiotrak Opto Play and it makes my HD590's sound 10 times better than my Audigy soundcard. Also makes the MX500's sound really good, but with the 590's WOW! better than sex... well BAD sex anyway
very_evil_smiley.gif
nothing beats good sex
very_evil_smiley.gif
 
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