Predator vs. Pico?

[donunus]

So what does ASIO or kernel streaming do for the pico?

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donunus /img/forum/go_quote.gif So what does ASIO or kernel streaming do for the pico?

Same as for any other sound device, internal or external. See ASIO4ALL thread on Computer as a Source board, things like this are better discussed there.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

I'm trying to put this in layman's terms. It prevents extra conversions in bit rate by the media player then OS then mixer, or something like that. You can set your media player to do 96Khz, but the OS might down convert it back to 44.1 if you don't have the right setup, drivers, software, whatever.

On the Mac we use Audio MIDI setup to make sure iTunes always uses 96Khz, since it's converter is nearly transparent, unlike Core Services.

 

[donunus]

ok it sounds like its not a big concern since what we need for the pico is a 16/44.1 signal for the dac to do its magic and upsample

 

[Manny Calavera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanee /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a Predator on loan, with more than 1000 hours on it. I only heard Justin's Pico very, very briefly at the last NYC meet (so I can't really comment it 'til I've heard it properly) -- but based on that I'd say the Predator has a distinct warmth by comparison. I hope to at least have a more extended listen to the Pico at the upcoming NYC meet, and hopefully an at-home loaner (if I get lucky). At first listen to the Predator, I thought "this sounds very much like my well-played Tomahawk". Now, however, I feel the Predator is a bit cleaner, clearer, more "transparent", has greater impact, more distinct separation/delineation of performers and instruments, and better description of the shape/physical volume/material of instruments. The DAC seems to have lower-level output than the 2 stand-alone DACs I'm using to compare: Fubar USB and Spitfire Optical (Mac G5 w/Apple Lossless files), both of which seem more detailed and possibly more open. However, as with the Pico, it is great to have a DAC built into this tiny amp (just a whisker bigger than my Tomahawk). It drives the Senn HD600/Equinox Cable>Zu Pivot 1/4-to-1/8 (silver) cable very nicely, and it's an excellent pairing. Pico loaner anyone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by micaela /img/forum/go_quote.gif I spent 10 days with both amps thanks to ASR's loaner program. I found the Pico to be the warmer of the two. I did not think the Predator was cold or overly analytical sounding, and if I had not been directly comparing the two I might not have heard this so clearly- but when comparing the two directly I definitely found the Pico to be warmer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was listening to UE9 using a Predator DAC today, all I can say is WOW! I take back the word thin and lacking of body Now, I prefer Predator DAC -> UE9 than iMOD(Vcap) LISA III, UE9 combination. Predator DAC -> UE9 sounds very expansive and the bass goes very deep, very dynamic, huge soundstage. Please keep in mind it's only with Ultrasone Edition 9. This may not apply with other headphones. I would have to say OMG OMG OMG!! I'm totally hooked with predator DAC and UE9. Oh by the way, NOW I WISH SOMEONE CAME OUT WITH A PLAYER WITH USB OUT to feed the predator or pico.

Thank you both for your comments and opinions.

 

[jamato8]

The bass from the Predator I have that had a very well formed cap (over 2000 hours) had some of the best bass I have heard. Extremely well controlled and yet natural but the control of the headphone diaphragm amazes me. I have actually thought my shoulders were vibrating only to reach up with my hand to realize they weren't but the sensation was there. It is not a nasty overpowering bass but integrated as it should be.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

My 1,100 hour Predator shipped out to Skylab for a review today.

I think it is a fantastic amp, everything just seems so effortless for it. It is just right in so many ways I can't describe - so I decided to let Skylab do it for me. He might be done with it by next week, I don't know.

 

[nettuno65]

I'm just listening to Predator and Pico with my Shure E500, the first impression is that the Pico sounds much warmer but my Predator is only about 100 hours...

Bass and especially double bass lines are much clearer with the Predator, I need to listen more but for the moment it's seems that the choice between the two must be done considering the sinergy with the headphones

Looking forward to compare the two dacs with my HD650 and RS1, it's very possible that HD650 will sound better with the Predator and the RS1 with the Pico...

 

[donunus]

looking forward to what you think of the pico vs predator for the rs1

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nettuno65 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm just listening to Predator and Pico with my Shure E500, the first impression is that the Pico sounds much warmer but my Predator is only about 100 hours... Bass and especially double bass lines are much clearer with the Predator, I need to listen more but for the moment it's seems that the choice between the two must be done considering the sinergy with the headphones Looking forward to compare the two dacs with my HD650 and RS1, it's very possible that HD650 will sound better with the Predator and the RS1 with the Pico...

I would probably agree with your synergy guess - my Grados like my AD8397 (and AD797 with AD8397 as buffer) powered amps a lot, and my HD600 like the Predator better. The AD8397 seems to have the extra current the Grados need to come alive.

The Grados weren't bad with the Predator - I did a whole review on RS-2/HF-1/HP-2 with the Predator which sounded great, before I then discovered some other amps have better synergy (DV336i, iBasso D1 with AD797+AD8397, Lyrix).

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nettuno65 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm just listening to Predator and Pico with my Shure E500, the first impression is that the Pico sounds much warmer but my Predator is only about 100 hours... Bass and especially double bass lines are much clearer with the Predator, I need to listen more but for the moment it's seems that the choice between the two must be done considering the sinergy with the headphones Looking forward to compare the two dacs with my HD650 and RS1, it's very possible that HD650 will sound better with the Predator and the RS1 with the Pico...

Interesting observations on Pico warmness, I have done some head to head of Pico and Stello DA100, and Pico definitely sounded colder and more analytical in comparison. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/3801983-post39.html
But from memory it is indeed warmer than MicroDAC I used to own. Guess that makes it sound less "digital", not as analogish as Stello but moving into the same direction.

EDIT: BTW tests were done with external amp, GS-1, so I guess that makes it more of a DAC than amp section test, although using hp out of Pico inevitably should have added some coloration.

 

[nettuno65]

After the first day of listening Predator and Pico with the Shure E500 if we assume that:

Predator is only about 100 hours and it can only get better
Pico is new but won't change during the burning

I definitely prefer the Predator because it sounds more neutral, instruments are more realistic and especially the mid bass is more integrated.
I listen to jazz and classical music, I'm a professional musician and I've also played the doublebass for years, so I have an idea how it sounds like...

Next week I'll be at home and I'll compare the two DAC/amps with the HD650 and the RS1

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nettuno65 /img/forum/go_quote.gif After the first day of listening Predator and Pico with the Shure E500 if we assume that: Predator is only about 100 hours and it can only get better Pico is new but won't change during the burning I definitely prefer the Predator because it sounds more neutral, instruments are more realistic and especially the mid bass is more integrated. I listen to jazz and classical music, I'm a professional musician and I've also played the doublebass for years, so I have an idea how it sounds like... Next week I'll be at home and I'll compare the two DAC/amps with the HD650 and the RS1

At 100 hours I was a little disappointed, and worried about how much better it would get. Jamato8 re-assured me that his at 100 hours sounded nothing like it did at 300, and nothing like 300 hours by the time he was at 600 hours. I was doubtful, but he was correct.

It is just such a rich and musically transparent amp at 800-1100 hours that I couldn't be happier. The sound signature is almost like my DV336i tube amp in a tiny pocket sized package, with maybe not as much current for driving Grados, but otherwise just as enjoyable. I wasn't sure until that point whether I would also jump on the PICO bandwagon or not. I think that I am ready to focus more on my source and DAC for home now, and not more portable stuff.

 

[jamato8]

The bass continues to mature and will amaze even if you think it is good now.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The bass continues to mature and will amaze even if you think it is good now.

Cool - maybe you have sent your Predator to Skylab instead of me.

Mine has 1100 hours on it, and for the review he needed one with over 800 hours (per Ray's recommendations).