Portable dac question

[nc8000]

In my hotel room setup I am now using a Sony D-EJ1000 pcdp and Xin's new Referenc amp. Is there a dac in existence in roughly the same form factor as a Xin amp that accepts optical input and is a worthwile improvement in my setup ?

 

[epaludo]

You may wanna check the MicroDAC.
It has optical, coaxial and USB input, has a strong line out and it sounds amazing.
Try some research on it ...

 

[nc8000]

I assume that it is Headroom's model you are referring to. Yes I have looked at that and know that it is supposed to be pretty good but would ideally want something smaller, the same size as a Xin amp (best would be if Dr. Xin ever got round to making a dac but I doubt that will ever happen).

 

[Kabeer]

If you want it to be be battery powered, and the battery inside the unit,then no.

 

[mrarroyo]

Lisa II in a tin can would fit the bill.

 

[nc8000]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Lisa II in a tin can would fit the bill.

I cant seem to find any info on this. Searches here on head-fi only turns up 11 threads and they are all discussing a Lisa amp

 

[labrat]

Deleted.

 

[nc8000]

That's the size I'm after only with the batteries inside that size box.

Are dacs really consuming so much more power than amps that they all seem to need external power or only last a few hours and be bigger ?

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc8000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I cant seem to find any info on this. Searches here on head-fi only turns up 11 threads and they are all discussing a Lisa amp

Send Jamato8 a PM, he built one and really loves it.

 

[Kabeer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Send Jamato8 a PM, he built one and really loves it.

Is it really a small size (~Xin amp) with battery pack inside? Because during my numerous investigations and question asking on this forum I have been told such a thing does not exist. The micro DAC is the only closest solution I could find.

 

[nc8000]

I send this to jamato8

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc8000 Hi, I have been posting here looking for a small portable dac and mrarroyo pointed me your way saying you had build such a thing. What I really want is one the same size as a Xin SuperMacro (ideallly in the same kind of cabinet) with build in battery and accepting optical input from my Sony PCDP (and usb input as well would be nice but not required). Does this description fit what you have made and if so could you build me one ?

And got this reply back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 Hi, I fit mine in an Altoid tin but the battery pack is just as large. I am sure a dac can be done in the size you want but know one has done it. I don't have time now and the size would be larger any way. I don't know where to point you as I know of no one building a dac that is small and good. Mini is a reference quality that was designed as a home unit but I made a few changes.

so the search goes on

 

[Kabeer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nc8000 /img/forum/go_quote.gif ... so the search goes on

Iv been doing this search for a while with my iriver h140. The main point was to find something which would significantly improve the iriver h140 line out. And at the same time be v.small (like you say Xin amp size).

And I think its impossible to get this (at least for an optical DAC), even if you do, you have an external battery pack, which increases size. I also tried asking people on here to help me find someone to commision to build me an amp such as this. And it seems price would be similar to a micro DAC, and sizewise bigger after the external battery.

I think the best solution is the Micro DAC by headroom. I find it a real shame since this is a very under represented side of the market.

I was going to get a Micro DAC, but now changed my mind and am getting a 5.5G iMod, just for the fact that iriver + micro dac + amp is a bit too cumbersome for me.

Good luck!!

 

[SiBurning]

Another far from optimal suggestion is the xhaolu dac in the box. It's very small, sounds better than most CD players, and maybe competes with some of the better DAPs for sound quality. It's also cheap, at under 60usd. On the down side, it has no battery. You could get an enclosure for a 9V battery, wire the right dc connector to it, and the pair would be about the size you're looking for. (I think.)

 

[mrarroyo]

How about:

http://www.headwize.com/projects/ifkovic_prj.htm

http://www.core-sound.com/HeadLine/1.php

 

[swcwong]

Here is a small DAC for your consideration.

http://www.audiomagus.com/component/...id=27&vmcchk=1