Ok, if you've already spent the $$$ on the Micro Stack...

[nspindel]

I've discovered that you're insane if you don't spend another $150 or so on a used iRiver. I just got a H120 off eBay and have it hooked up through the toslink to the stack. I'm finally liberated from dragging a laptop around.

Yeah, it's only a 20 gig drive, but I rockboxed it and loaded it with my top 50 or so cd's, all in flac. Finally a portable with gapless, and the digital out into the stack is outrageous.

I have it all in a camera bag, it's working out so well.... What a great companion for a Micro Stack.

 

[RnB180]

Go team kitchen sink!

 

[tom2517]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel I've discovered that you're insane if you don't spend another $150 or so on a used iRiver. I just got a H120 off eBay and have it hooked up through the toslink to the stack. I'm finally liberated from dragging a laptop around. Yeah, it's only a 20 gig drive, but I rockboxed it and loaded it with my top 50 or so cd's, all in flac. Finally a portable with gapless, and the digital out into the stack is outrageous. I have it all in a camera bag, it's working out so well.... What a great companion for a Micro Stack.

Well, I just found out you can't use Ipod with the DAC, but I don't want a iRiver...what a bummer....

 

[bmclaurin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel I've discovered that you're insane if you don't spend another $150 or so on a used iRiver. I just got a H120 off eBay and have it hooked up through the toslink to the stack... Yeah, it's only a 20 gig drive, but I rockboxed it and loaded it with my top 50 or so cd's, all in flac. Finally a portable with gapless, and the digital out into the stack is outrageous.

OMG, I did the exact same thing. I got my H120 factory refurbished from eBay a week or two ago for $170. Couldn't imagine dropping $600 on the stack without that DAP to accompany it. Bit perfect optical output to the Stack is sooooo awesome. All in a surprisingly portable (...OK, transportable) package. And Rockbox...well, rocks...for its native FLAC support. Love it, love it, love it.

 

[nspindel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmclaurin OMG, I did the exact same thing. I got my H120 factory refurbished from eBay a week or two ago for $170. Couldn't imagine dropping $600 on the stack without that DAP to accompany it. Bit perfect optical output to the Stack is sooooo awesome. All in a surprisingly portable (...OK, transportable) package. And Rockbox...well, rocks...for its native FLAC support. Love it, love it, love it.

Hah! amen bro. It doesn't get better than this, does it? I mean, not where you can just close the bag, get on a plane, and have it with you whereever you go? I've pretty much got the same bag as RnB does in that picture, but I've got a wish list a mile long for the ultimate Micro Stack bag.....

To be honest, I don't love the iRiver all that much. I like the interface of the iPod so much more. And Rockbox is out in early test versions for the ipod, so I have a feeling there will be gapless flac on the ipod sometime soon. But still no digital out. That one little connection is the whole reason I bought this thing.

NOW WHERE THE HECK DO I GET A 6-inch mini-toslink cable??? I've trolled every cable seller on the internet, and can't find one.

 

[nspindel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom2517 Well, I just found out you can't use Ipod with the DAC, but I don't want a iRiver...what a bummer....

I hear you dude. I still have my ipod for general walking around town listening on my px100's, laying at the pool, gym, car, etc. But trust me, if you have a Micro Stack, you must get an iRiver. Even just the small one used on ebay. It's so worth it.....

Funny thing is, if you look at HeadRoom's website where they sell the bags for the MicroStack. They actually show a picture of the Micro Stack with an ipod on top of that kickstand thing. Hello??? ipod no worky with MicroDac

They should change that picture to an H120.

 

[RnB180]

I didnt know that. Yes I agree it would be misleading ipod no work with dac.

My guess is the iriver is out of production so they didnt use it.

dont worry we have the neuros audiophile DAP coming soon

you guys got it good with the iRiver, I got mine on ebay for $300+

It was a bid war for a completely sealed iRiver in the original packaging though.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nspindel NOW WHERE THE HECK DO I GET A 6-inch mini-toslink cable??? I've trolled every cable seller on the internet, and can't find one.

Check out http://gallery.bcentral.com/GID5050044P3745597-Toslink-Digital-Audio-Optical-Cables.... I can't recall who posted it, but a Head-Fi'er ordered custom length optical cables from this company. I saved the link for future reference.

 

[nspindel]

Doesn't look like they have mini-toslink, which is what's needed on both sides with the iRiver/MicroDac. I'd have to get started with adapters, which I'm not eager to do if I can find a wire that's already mini<->mini...

 

[Hirsch]

Buying the MicroAmp did cost me

Next step was MicroDAC. Then, having both, I needed a souce. A portable DVD player with optical out is actually very nice, but nowhere near as convenient as iHP-140, which I bought. Then ER-4s for on the place, RS-1 for music, and Sony F-1 for watching movies. All together, it's a nice little "travel entertainment" rig.

 

[RnB180]

i went with the iRiver over a PCDP, because I didnt want to lug around 30 cds and swap them out everytime I wanted to listen to a new album.

A lap top also works well with it as an all in one music/movie solution. But you cant listen and travel like with an iRiver.

 

[malcolm.mcintyre]

Does an optical out sound better than USB?

 

[lan]

I use to have this but... I didn't find the sound quality worth the inconvenience... The battery changing just kills it for me. I do believe in going all the way or nothing though

 

[RnB180]

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolm.mcintyre Does an optical out sound better than USB?

yes

 

[brb9911]

just ordered one from ebay for about $200 out the door ... i'm excited to finally have a digital out in a portable. although i imagine my ipod will still get the majority of use due to convenience, it's gonna be great to have a lossless digital source for my favorite tracks when i want.