MilhouseV
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2015
- Posts
- 76
- Likes
- 21
I was finally able to spend a bit more time with DACport HD and various set-ups. First of all, there is a marked improvement in quality of amplification when the device is connected via Schiit Wyrd - but that only means that my source's USB power isn't up to snuff, so individual results may vary. Low frequencies become more articulated, and highs are a little more balanced. With that said, it is still no match for a full-size dedicated amp - but for a lighter-sized device, it is quite an achievement. Not sure if there will be much improvement between the amp in FiiO E12 and a properly powered DACportHD - and their specs are quite comparable - but E12 is much better suited for on-the-go use due to built-in battery.
Brightness appears to start with a more detailed DAC presentation of AK4490, and gets exacerbated by difficult to drive headphones which have tendencies for sibilance. At the same time, better power source helps - so Wyrd helped reign in high frequency spikes of Beyerdynamic T1, which at 600ohm had no trouble whatsoever being driven by the DACport HD. About half of the volume on max gain was sufficient - so there is quite a bit of power reserve in this little unit. Beyerdynamic T5p also faired better when connected to a Wyrd-DACportHD chain - except for these it was mostly improvements in the low frequency region, where T5p lacks significantly under weak amplification.
So far, my main concern is the line-out use case, with the device's output level significantly below standard 2V peak.
It is definitely a great starter device, easily displacing Dragonfly on my list of recommendations for someone who just enters high-end audio world, and is looking for DSD / DXD capable unit.
Brightness appears to start with a more detailed DAC presentation of AK4490, and gets exacerbated by difficult to drive headphones which have tendencies for sibilance. At the same time, better power source helps - so Wyrd helped reign in high frequency spikes of Beyerdynamic T1, which at 600ohm had no trouble whatsoever being driven by the DACport HD. About half of the volume on max gain was sufficient - so there is quite a bit of power reserve in this little unit. Beyerdynamic T5p also faired better when connected to a Wyrd-DACportHD chain - except for these it was mostly improvements in the low frequency region, where T5p lacks significantly under weak amplification.
So far, my main concern is the line-out use case, with the device's output level significantly below standard 2V peak.
It is definitely a great starter device, easily displacing Dragonfly on my list of recommendations for someone who just enters high-end audio world, and is looking for DSD / DXD capable unit.