Predator vs. Pico?

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jude /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ed's telling it like it was: I was there, too, so I feel it fair for me to comment. Using his laptop, I did hear hiss coming from my Predator that (a) the Pico did not exhibit; but that (b) the Predator does not exhibit from any of my computers, or any other of the several computers I've tried it (or the naked Predator prototype) with. On my laptops and desktops, the Predator is very quiet, as well as on several laptops I tried it with at the store. (One of the reasons I was sent the naked prototype was to help evaluate its sensitivity to USB noise with several computers, which I did at a local branch of a major CE retailer--and where it silently passed with flying colors.) I have several devices with USB DAC functionality, and the Predator is among the most silent (in terms of background noise), if not the most silent (but definitely not out of Ed's tablet computer's USB). As for its background noise through its line input, it is the quietest of all my headphone amps, portable or otherwise.

USB output can be so random that way. I have a desktop computer that leaks a ridiculous amount of noise into the craptacular soundcard in it. The analog output even outputs hard drive noise. Yet, every USB audio device is dead quiet. Go figure. Absolutely the opposite with a Toshiba tablet PC I have. Analog outputs are pretty quiet, USB audio devices quite noisy (except the Pico, go figure).

Next time I'm at Best Buy, I'll be trying my Pico with many different laptops and desktops I can just for the heck of it. I'm just curious now.

-Ed

 

[shigzeo]

i guess i came a little late but i don't see what the fuss is about. i have not heard either amp but obviously there is no synergy between edwood and the predator but for most people there is. conversely, there is bound to be a pico pickle of a computer - anyone found it?

both ed and 3X331 have made comments that were a bit steamed. i don't know who started it, but want to see the end in a ring somewhere, ill buy tickets. the pico has me down for maybe next year anniversary gift or something if i can manage it. looks sweet. im fed up with large amps and systems until i can get a place to live at least in the same continent for 5 - 10 years. pico, predator i love yous

 

[IronStomach]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif USB output can be so random that way. I have a desktop computer that leaks a ridiculous amount of noise into the craptacular soundcard in it. The analog output even outputs hard drive noise. Yet, every USB audio device is dead quiet. Go figure. Absolutely the opposite with a Toshiba tablet PC I have. Analog outputs are pretty quiet, USB audio devices quite noisy (except the Pico, go figure). Next time I'm at Best Buy, I'll be trying my Pico with many different laptops and desktops I can just for the heck of it. I'm just curious now. -Ed

I have almost exactly the same thing - the headphone jack on my Asus A8Js leaks noise like a mofo, seemingly corresponding with hard drive activity. It's all a question of how the computer's built, and some just don't take shielding the audio ports into account.

 

[jterp7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Predator of my Thinkpad T60 is completely silent also.

I'm just 4 slots down from you on the list and you've already received yours?

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had a chance to use Ultrasone Edition 9 with predator and AE2 today and yes it seems like Predator is lacking of juice driving UE9 compared to AE2. Predator seems lacking of body with UE9.

I use the Predator with the Pro 750's, which have the same drivers as the 9's and no problem with driving them with ease or having a fullness and openness to the sound. This after comparing to a number of other amps. I guess that variable of being a human shows up and must always be accounted for. I find the HD650's a harder drive for amps and the Predator works fine with them also.

 

[melomaniac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif USB output can be so random that way.

hmm... doubt that we as headphiles should be content to leave it at that. yes, it's been my experience also, having tried many and owned half a dozen USB-audio devices. but surely someone with the right bent can narrow it down to a few possible culprits? my suspects: cramped hardware in small laptops, software settings (on some newer machines you can actually access settings for audio more easily than before), faulty or loose termination... I've heard a hiss on some very pricey USB DAC solutions, and experienced absolutely no hiss on others.

 

[Edwood]

I haven't found a computer yet that my Pico's USB DAC input hisses on, even with AC adapter plugged in charging the laptop battery at the same time. This scenario is often the widow maker of USB sound devices as the AC adapter introduces an insane amount of electrical noise.

Should be noted that the hissing with the Predator with my Fujitsu P1610 was on battery power only.

Speaking of noisy AC adapter, the only noise I've found is with my old Toshiba 3505 with the AC adapter plugged in. I get a ground loop buzz if I touch the outer case of the Pico. And only when I'm holding onto the case, as soon as I'm not touching it no noise or buzz. Funny, the volume knob doesn't buzz at all. So the outer case of the Pico is "live" to the ground?

Anyone else try this with their Pico or Predator? Plug in an AC adapter into your laptop, plug in your Pico/Predator and then touch the case and the knob, see if you can hear a buzz or anything.

-Ed

 

[HardHeadCase]

Crapy computer hardware causes so many problems and people never learn. Always Always Always go for the best computer equipment you can afford.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had a chance to use Ultrasone Edition 9 with predator and AE2 today and yes it seems like Predator is lacking of juice driving UE9 compared to AE2. Predator seems lacking of body with UE9.

I don't hear that at all with my Predator and Ed9. It drives them as well as any of my other amps. If the Edition 9 are lacking body with the Predator, then they lack body with everything, and I just haven't heard "real" body yet...

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone else try this with their Pico or Predator? Plug in an AC adapter into your laptop, plug in your Pico/Predator and then touch the case and the knob, see if you can hear a buzz or anything.

Old Dell Inspiron 8500 here, nothing to report, Pico is dead quiet.

 

[OptionTrader]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyone else try this with their Pico or Predator? Plug in an AC adapter into your laptop, plug in your Pico/Predator and then touch the case and the knob, see if you can hear a buzz or anything.

Acer Travelmate, MacBook Pro, MacBook --> Predator --> Ed9 or ER4s/p

- Playing "silence" file
- All 3 gain settings
- Dead quiet every time. No buzz. No hiss.

 

[Jaw007]

I don't hear that at all with my Predator and Ed9. It drives them as well as any of my other amps. If the Edition 9 are lacking body with the Predator, then they lack body with everything, and I just haven't heard "real" body yet...[/QUOTE

Are the Ed9's 300ohm's?

 

[jh4db536]

Pico and Predator is dead quiet on my home desktop, work desktop, and 266mhz Compaq laptop (ancient). I haven't really heard anything Substantially More quiet to date using my IEMs to judge.

I sent the Duo off to the next reviewer yesterday. You should probably be getting another summary of it. I have my comments about them both in a 2 page word doc, ill probably put it up in a day or 2.

I dont think i have come up with anything that isnt already known. I highlighted to prominent differences the best i can. There's only so many words to describe these things. What generally will differ is the subtleness between qualities.

 

[Jaw007]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jh4db536 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Pico and Predator is dead quiet on my home desktop, work desktop, and 266mhz Compaq laptop (ancient). I haven't really heard anything Substantially More quiet to date using my IEMs to judge. I sent the Duo off to the next reviewer yesterday. You should probably be getting another summary of it. I have my comments about them both in a 2 page word doc, ill probably put it up in a day or 2. I dont think i have come up with anything that isnt already known. I highlighted to prominent differences the best i can. There's only so many words to describe these things. What generally will differ is the subtleness between qualities.

What headphone cables are on your headphones?

 

[jh4db536]

Dowin cable. LOL if i can buy a $3000 amp i got the cheapest balanced cable. I probably shouldve just got an OEM one. It was my first adventure into balanced Senns.

Nothing wrong with the dowin. The only thing i dont like is the stiffness. Either way, i am happy with the current setup.

BTW I have an equinox cable on the way. If it can get better, more power to me.