Headroom ULTRA microdac, First Impressions!

[n4k33n]

Finally, after 2 months of waiting, my Headroom Ultra Microdac came.

A breakdown first, for those who don't know about this dac. The Ultra Microdac is a brand new dac in the headroom family. It uses the same CS4398 chip, but also includes the Analog Devices AD1896 upsampling chip, upsampling to 24/192 for a smoother sound. From what I know, this should put this Dac in the same league as some of the more expensive ones, like the DAC1.

The dac includes an optical input, usb and coax. The output is a mini jack.

Physically, the dac is much like headroom's other micro line products. It has the same case and form factor. Thankfully though, the new dacs have all the inputs and outputs on the rear end of the case, instead of both ends. This allows me to stack it on top of my amp (a PPAv2), instead of off to the side. The build quality is great, and it seems very solid.

Sound:
Frankly, this thing sounds incredible. I really only have the Monica 2 to compare this to, but it blows the monica right out of the water. Its incredibly resolving. It fleshes out many details in the music that the monica passed by. I felt that listening to the original microdac could be fatiguing, but theres no hint of that here. Everything is so smooth. Its amazing how well it balances resolution and musicality.

I'll post additional comments when I have it for a bit longer. But I'm giving this dac 2 thumbs up. =D

 

[vo328]

Thanks for the impression n4k33n. I'm curious, what was it about the MicroDAC's sound that made it fatiguing for you? Just trying to get an idea of what's different in the way the Ultra MicroDAC sounds vs. the original MicroDAC.

 

[Asr]

Let us know what develops, looking forward to more impressions.

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4k33n /img/forum/go_quote.gif Finally, after 2 months of waiting, my Headroom Ultra Microdac came. A breakdown first, for those who don't know about this dac. The Ultra Microdac is a brand new dac in the headroom family. It uses the same CS4398 chip, but also includes the Analog Devices AD1896 upsampling chip, upsampling to 24/192 for a smoother sound. From what I know, this should put this Dac in the same league as some of the more expensive ones, like the DAC1. The dac includes an optical input, usb and coax. The output is a mini jack. Physically, the dac is much like headroom's other micro line products. It has the same case and form factor. Thankfully though, the new dacs have all the inputs and outputs on the rear end of the case, instead of both ends. This allows me to stack it on top of my amp (a PPAv2), instead of off to the side. The build quality is great, and it seems very solid. Sound: Frankly, this thing sounds incredible. I really only have the Monica 2 to compare this to, but it blows the monica right out of the water. Its incredibly resolving. It fleshes out many details in the music that the monica passed by. I felt that listening to the original microdac could be fatiguing, but theres no hint of that here. Everything is so smooth. Its amazing how well it balances resolution and musicality. I'll post additional comments when I have it for a bit longer. But I'm giving this dac 2 thumbs up. =D

We need a comparison with my DAC1.. 'the Giant killer'

 

[applegd]

I got my Ultra MicroDAC on Oct 24. Now my MicroDAC(uses OPA2134 chip) is For Sale.

 

[twsmith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4k33n /img/forum/go_quote.gif From what I know, this should put this Dac in the same league as some of the more expensive ones, like the DAC1.

Well...perhaps close but that's about it. From what I remember, I think the DAC chips used in the UltraMicrodac are the same ones used in the Max DAC module that is included with the "maxed-out" HR Desktop. I happen to have both the latter as well as a new Benchmark DAC1-USB and have compared both, albeit in slightly different set-ups. With all due respect to the Max DAC module and probably also the UltraMicroDAC, which are indeed very good DACs, I do not think they are in the same class as the Benchmark.

 

[n4k33n]

^ I have not heard the dac1, but I would eagerly appreciate anyone in the san jose/ san fran area who wants to do a side by side comparison.

Anyway, I've had a couple more weeks with this baby. It still sounds incredible. I've noticed the digital toslink input sounds better than the usb implementation, which uses the ti2902. I have two computers though, so its turned out to be pretty convenient. I have an optical in coming from my laptop, which I use most of the time; and the usb in coming from my desktop. I can change the input with just a flick of the switch on front. Very convenient.

The sound is so silky smooth on this thing it almost hurts to listen to it. I'm having trouble doing any actual work because I can't tear myself away from it.

The other thing I'm really digging is the aesthetics of it. Its such a nice dac in such a small solid box. It looks great on top of my misterX ppav2, like they were designed to be used together or something. With so many of the commercial dacs and amps looking ridiculously tacky, its nice to have boxes I'm not embarrassed to put on my desk. I'll post pics soon so I can show it off.

Anyway, I might write a full review at some point soon. I'd like to give a definite recommendation on this lovely unit. Admittedly, it was more than I wanted to spend on a dac, but it has payed for itself in euphoric bliss. I think I know what an eargasm is now. =D

 

[solvexyz]

Hi, n4k33n. thanks for your impressions. I am also an owner of the older version of MicroDAC, and looking into this Ultra thing for sometimes now. So can you elaborate more on difference in sound of these two.

thanks

 

[kool bubba ice]

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4k33n /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^ I have not heard the dac1, but I would eagerly appreciate anyone in the san jose/ san fran area who wants to do a side by side comparison. Anyway, I've had a couple more weeks with this baby. It still sounds incredible. I've noticed the digital toslink input sounds better than the usb implementation, which uses the ti2902. I have two computers though, so its turned out to be pretty convenient. I have an optical in coming from my laptop, which I use most of the time; and the usb in coming from my desktop. I can change the input with just a flick of the switch on front. Very convenient. The sound is so silky smooth on this thing it almost hurts to listen to it. I'm having trouble doing any actual work because I can't tear myself away from it. The other thing I'm really digging is the aesthetics of it. Its such a nice dac in such a small solid box. It looks great on top of my misterX ppav2, like they were designed to be used together or something. With so many of the commercial dacs and amps looking ridiculously tacky, its nice to have boxes I'm not embarrassed to put on my desk. I'll post pics soon so I can show it off. Anyway, I might write a full review at some point soon. I'd like to give a definite recommendation on this lovely unit. Admittedly, it was more than I wanted to spend on a dac, but it has payed for itself in euphoric bliss. I think I know what an eargasm is now. =D

I live in San Jose.. We should have a mini meet shoot out between the 2.. Mine is not the USB one though..