[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzikk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Excellent review Skylab keep it coming. I just have one question. How would you compare the dac of the headphonia to the aria? Or to a computer soundcard that you have experience with. I am interested in the headphonia but it is a slightly out of my budget if you have to consider buying batteries and power supply since they are not included. Maybe the dac will make it quite a deal. Cheers.

I listened to the DAC for a bit, but not extensively. It performed pretty well though - I'd say it's just a whisker under the Aria's DAC, although I did not find the DAC in the Aria to be it's strong suit - good but not great (as opposed to the DAC in Meier's more expensive Opera, which is terrific).

But again, for the money - awesome.

 

[user18]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listened to the DAC for a bit, but not extensively. It performed pretty well though - I'd say it's just a whisker under the Aria's DAC, although I did not find the DAC in the Aria to be it's strong suit - good but not great (as opposed to the DAC in Meier's more expensive Opera, which is terrific). But again, for the money - awesome.

Man, now I want to get the Opera... I was planning on the Aria. That's going to really hurt the wallet.

 

[muzikk]

I am thinking of using it as portable dac when I am travelling with my laptop, there aren't too many options besides the Porta corda and the Bithead. (BTW you should add those to your review, GO Skylab

)

But can you confirm that it has a decent optical line out? I mean a worthy line out to connect to a more expensive dac for home use. That will be a weird setup though,

laptop -> headphonia -> external dac -> back to headphonia for amplication -> finally headphones

I wonder if it effects the sound quality having all the connections going in and out on a small amp.

 

[Postal_Blue]

Sticky?

 

[tnmike1]

2X Sticky. How 'bout it Mr. Moderator?

 

[Hanzo]

This is such a value to read. Thanks. My vote for sticky.

...but what happened to the pix? and can we have a pic or two of the second group?

 

[GreenLeo]

3X sticky.

I very often come back to see the new post of this thread from time to time.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanzo /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is such a value to read. Thanks. My vote for sticky. ...but what happened to the pix? and can we have a pic or two of the second group?

Thanks for your nice comments. The pictures are there - maybe when you looked there was a problem with photobucket where they are hosted. But they are there.

 

[Hanzo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for your nice comments. The pictures are there - maybe when you looked there was a problem with photobucket where they are hosted. But they are there.

Gak! Dern corporate firewalls!! Second set there too? Will have another look when home.

Bet that's it.

Thanks!!

 

[fraseyboy]

4x Sticky. Great read, skylab!

 

[crocandy]

(sticky) I agree as a total newbie this post has saved me asking numerous annoying questions.

Skylab how do your top 5 portable amps compare to home amps around the same price? I like the idea of the portability of some of the amps but would only need to be portable around 20% of the time. [if this has already be done please could someone point me in the right direction]

Rig = ipod 4G 20gb, Grado SR80, Senn HD 650 (when they arrive)
Next purchase Westone UM3 (when i sell one of my kidneys)

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crocandy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Skylab how do your top 5 portable amps compare to home amps around the same price? I like the idea of the portability of some of the amps but would only need to be portable around 20% of the time. [if this has already be done please could someone point me in the right direction]

Well, there is this thread http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229399 , although this does not represent my complete thinking on the subject. It's complex. But for the money, I think the Xenos is a freat place to start, given what you said about how you would use it.

 

[EFN]

Vote for Sticky!

 

[Ymer]

Very nice thread!

Say, how would a Gilmore Lite or Headfive fare against the top 5 portable amps in this round-up?

Thanks!

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ymer /img/forum/go_quote.gif Very nice thread! Say, how would a Gilmore Lite or Headfive fare against the top 5 portable amps in this round-up? Thanks!

The Headfive, when I had it, was competitive with the top 5 amps in the survey, even though it was cheaper than all of them except the Xenos. It has a little warmer sonic signature than all of them except the Xenos, which means it would mate better with some headphones than some of these amps. I also felt the Headfive has slightly superior imaging to all of these amps, but that is going from memory since I no longer have it.