[Covenant]

Just received my DAC-Only. Its a thing of beauty, and the packaging bordered on obsessive

Thanks Justin.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eron /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, that solves the problem. However, I still don't have volume control on my macbook pro. I can't adjust the volume through the keyboard. The system triggers, but has no effect on the volume. This is regardless of me using the 3.5mm or RCAs. I can adjust the volume through the software like iTunes though.

Yeah, the Mac system volume does not control many DAC's out there, including the Pico DAC-only. I didn't talk about the iTunes volume control, but that doesn't help when listening to youtube or other programs.

 

[n_maher]

As far as I know most systems do not attenuate their digital outputs. Neither of my laptops do, one of which is a macbook.

 

[eron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, the Mac system volume does not control many DAC's out there, including the Pico DAC-only. I didn't talk about the iTunes volume control, but that doesn't help when listening to youtube or other programs.

That's kind of disappointing. I was using a Govibe DAC previously and it allowed me to use the system volume.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eron /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's kind of disappointing. I was using a Govibe DAC previously and it allowed me to use the system volume.

Ones that use the USB receiver to do the analog output often tend to let you adjust the volume from the system volume control, while the ones that hand off the spdif to a better DAC chip often don't. Not a hard and fast rule, and I could be wrong.

 

[DoYouRight]

Im debating this for a semi-portable dac for my laptop. Especially if I get a mini 7-9" netbook.

 

[Covenant]

Okay, this is odd.

Since my amp isn't here yet, I decided to start burning in my DAC-Only by plugging it via the line output to my old Pico Amp/DAC's line in via an APuresound mini to mini, so that I'm basically using the DAC of the DAC-Only and the Amp portion of the Amp/DAC, if that makes sense

And for some reason, I think it sounds better than I remember my Amp/DAC sounding by itself. I haven't bothered to do a proper A/B comparison, relying only on sonic memory, but right now I'm hearing a slightly smoother tone, and perhaps a small increase in resolution.

Is this just my ears playing tricks on me?

 

[GreatDane]

^ Must be that apuresound cable...he uses fairy dust wire you know.

There probably is an improvement with the DAC only Pico but I could not hear it. I was always happy to use my Pico amp/DAC as DAC only > tube amp.

 

[jyle_t]

is there any hear-able difference between using the RCA outputs and the 3.5mm?

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyle_t /img/forum/go_quote.gif is there any hear-able difference between using the RCA outputs and the 3.5mm?

I highly doubt that. Maybe a difference because your cables will have different make up.

This is how I plan to connect:

errr, when my wallet is well again.

 

[Covenant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatDane /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ Must be that apuresound cable...he uses fairy dust wire you know. There probably is an improvement with the DAC only Pico but I could not hear it.

Maybe so. I noticed the difference fairly immediately, even though it was a subtle one. A bit of an enigma!

 

[pongz]

Been away and just managed to try mine yesterday. Great job as usual Justin!

 

[Jeff]

The dac sounds great. Even low bitrate mp3s sound better than what I thought they would. Currently using it with foobar2000 with WASAPI output, and works just fine.

 

[JimBob85]

Is this available yet?

 

[justin w.]

It has been available for weeks. See here: HeadAmp Audio Electronics (Order)