[upstateguy]

Everyone chill, they're coming......

USG

 

[airstream66]

This is off topic but if anyone is planning to use Pico with triple.fi's I would definitely recommend looking at the Lune cable from null audio. I really think it improves the triples a great deal with Pico. I didn't think a cable could or would have much effect on the sound but was very wrong. Much tighter bass, airier highs, and punchier more organic sound overall. Less fatiguing as well. Pico's DAC is great by the way.

 

[LONZO]

Hey,
Did you guys get your amps in yet. I'm right in Virginia and nothing yet. I order 4/30. For those who've received them. How long was total wait. I'm getting frustrated

 

[h.rav]

I received mine after 5 weeks. But the wait is worth it.

 

[purk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONZO /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey, Did you guys get your amps in yet. I'm right in Virginia and nothing yet. I order 4/30. For those who've received them. How long was total wait. I'm getting frustrated

I think your will get ship soon. I ordered mine back in early March and got it late in April. It worths the wait.

 

[Helmut Roth]

Is anybody out there using the pico dac/amp with a MacBook Air? I heard that the MacBook Air dac is pretty good and I am wondering whether it is worth to get pico dac/amp. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmut Roth /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is anybody out there using the pico dac/amp with a MacBook Air? I heard that the MacBook Air dac is pretty good and I am wondering whether it is worth to get pico dac/amp. Any feedback is appreciated.

Typically the Mac's have a headphone out/DAC about on par with a 5.5G ipod video - average and doesn't suck, but doesn't stand out either. I can't see the Air having a headphone out that is that much better to negate getting an upgraded DAC like Pico DAC, or D10, or Apogee Duet (oh, wait, you need firewire for the Duet

). Usually even the Burr Brown Japan PCM2702 DACs are better than the Mac's internal DAC.

 

[justin w.]

As of today, all Pico w/ DAC orders have been shipped, and all colors are in stock for next day shipment. The amp only version will still have a 2 week wait for now. The black USB DAC is also in stock

 

[DoYouRight]

I am curious if the new DAC only sound identical to the Amp/Dac?

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoYouRight /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am curious if the new DAC only sound identical to the Amp/Dac?

FWIW, my impressions of the prototype vs. the amp/DAC:

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif With respect to the sound quality/signature, the impressions of the Pico Amp/DAC when being used as a DAC should be a very close proxy for impressions of the DAC only. I listened to the Proto head-to-head with a Pico Amp/DAC and noticed just a very slightly smoother presentation with the DAC only. There was an ever so slight hint of etch when I was using the Amp/DAC as a DAC only (understanding that the Pico amp remains in the chain), which I attribute to either volume matching or just some issues between the Pico and the Stax 007tII. I would not have noticed the hint of etch if I had not compared it to the DAC only. As with the Pico, I found the DAC only to be smooth and a bit on the warm side without sacrificing detail and pace. It does not have the glare of the benchmark DAC1 or the crystalline detail of the north star m192 mkII. As I've mentioned, to my ears, it shares more in common--soundwise--with the Electrocompaniet ECD-1. It has that musical lushness without becoming congested or boomy. The DACs that I have been most familiar with over the last couple of years have been on the bright side, so when I call the Pico DAC warm, please note that it is mainly in comparison to the brighter DACs I have heard. I do not think this is an overly-warm DAC and find it just on the warmer side of neutral. And I am surprised by the large soundstage given the tiny size of the Pico. Overall, I have formed a very favorable impression of the Pico DAC. Disclosures: I owned and sold a Pico Amp/DAC and I currently own a KGSS DX that is being repaired. The setup used for these impressions was iMac to Pico to 007tII to O2 mk1 playing both lossless and lossy.

Further disclosure: I like HeadAmp products.

 

[jonoliew]

If you bought the amp/dac, can the dac be turned on and off?

 

[Bojamijams]

You can use the unit just as an amplifier and thus not use the DAC.

 

[Suasexed]

Does this have a line out like the iBasso D10 so I can bypass the headphone amp and make use of the DAC when I just want to listen to music through Audioengine speakers?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suasexed /img/forum/go_quote.gif Does this have a line out like the iBasso D10 so I can bypass the headphone amp and make use of the DAC when I just want to listen to music through Audioengine speakers?

No, you use the Pico as a DAC/Pre-amp to feed the Audioengine speakers. The distortion is low enough and the sound uncolored enough that it will actually work quite well.

 

[Suasexed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif No, you use the Pico as a DAC/Pre-amp to feed the Audioengine speakers. The distortion is low enough and the sound uncolored enough that it will actually work quite well.

Right okay, I thought that may be the case. How exactly would it work with volume adjustment? Because there would be 3 places to adjust volume... on my Mac, the Pico and on the Audioengine speakers. Would you have the Mac volume on 100%, Pico at around 50% and then adjust the Audioengines to your desired volume?