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RSA vs. HeadRoom

Mar 3, 2008 at 9:31 AM Post #16 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
So they made a 2008 micro dac but then discontinued it in Feb?


The portable Micro Amp and portable Micro DAC have been replaced by a "2 in 1 case" portable, like I said. $399 for the amp, or add another $199 for both amp and DAC in one case. The DAC chip is different, and the battery is rechargable instead of a pair of 9V.

So, it makes is a higher-end version of the iBasso D1. The portable micro DAC is certainly better than the D1, from what I am hearing.

They have 15 or so of the old design (not worse design, just older) amps and DAC's for sale at $299 each on the B-stock page at HeadRoom. I was close to buying an Ultra Micro DAC for $699 for the jitter-free up-sampling chip, till I saw this deal and the fact that it runs on battery. The portable makes a good compliment to the Apogee mini-DAC I picked up to run my HD600 Balanced off my CD player.
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 5:31 PM Post #17 of 38
I hear the 07 Micro Portable is excellent. The SQ is on par or very close to the old 06 MicroStack but in one case now, plus I believe it has been biased into class A operation for added SQ. The rechargeable battery also has enough punch to run full sized headphones ex. HD650 K701s to relatively respectable levels as well. The main reason I wouldn't buy this is 1. I only use IEMs portably and 2 I don't really have a need for a portable DAC.
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 6:32 PM Post #18 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif
So, it makes is a higher-end version of the iBasso D1. The portable micro DAC is certainly better than the D1, from what I am hearing.


I sold my iBasso D1 to purchase a microdac. Its the older model that also runs on batteries. Both the dacs are great for the money. The D1 has a colder sound signature. The microdac is warmer while still being highly detailed. Also the bass definition is much better on the microdac. So yeah, to me the microdac is the winner.
 
Mar 3, 2008 at 6:39 PM Post #19 of 38
Even if you don't need a portable DAC, I still think for the uber small size and big sound, the Predator is a better choice than Tomahawk.

I sold my TH after I got the Predator, once I had over 800 hours on the Predator and it was fully burned-in. It is simply smoother, more powerful and punchier, more transparent and open, and gives effortless reproduction. But, that's me. The Predator is why I only got the 2006 Micro DAC portable and not the full stack or 2007 combo. I just didn't need a better portable amp, but a good portable optical/coax DAC for CD and DVD with Predator is impressive
wink.gif
 
Mar 4, 2008 at 1:40 PM Post #22 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
So they made a 2008 micro dac but then discontinued it in Feb?


I think due to the popularity of the 2006 Micro's, they ran a limited production on the 2006 Dac and 2006 Amp. It's on their website for $299 each. If I didn't already have a set, I would seriously consider those.

BTW. In speaking with the folks at HR, new stuff is coming in April. Denon Headphones, new amps, new desktop acessories, etc.. If typical HR, should be outstanding.
 
Mar 4, 2008 at 2:40 PM Post #23 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif
So, it makes is a higher-end version of the iBasso D1. The portable micro DAC is certainly better than the D1, from what I am hearing.


Why are you saying the Micro DAC is a higher end version of the D1??
 
Mar 4, 2008 at 5:00 PM Post #24 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Why are you saying the Micro DAC is a higher end version of the D1??


Based on what others are saying I believe the amp side of the portable Micro is better than on the D1. The DAC components are pretty similar I think. I believe they both use the Cirrus CS4398 D/A chip.
 
Mar 4, 2008 at 5:37 PM Post #25 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by PFKMan23 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Why are you saying the Micro DAC is a higher end version of the D1??


Not, I said it makes it "like" a higher end version of the D1.
 
Mar 4, 2008 at 5:41 PM Post #26 of 38
Quote:

Originally Posted by brainsalad /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think due to the popularity of the 2006 Micro's, they ran a limited production on the 2006 Dac and 2006 Amp. It's on their website for $299 each. If I didn't already have a set, I would seriously consider those.

BTW. In speaking with the folks at HR, new stuff is coming in April. Denon Headphones, new amps, new desktop acessories, etc.. If typical HR, should be outstanding.


Cool, but I'm pretty much done for a while. The only thing I'll be missing is a balanced desktop amp, in case I don't like running HD600 balanced from the Apogee mini-dac directly - but $3,000 is little out of my price range now that I am retired on disability.
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Mar 5, 2008 at 5:13 AM Post #27 of 38
I owned both the ultra micro amp and dac as well as the Predator. I love all of them. What I don't quite understand is that why are there so few reviews of the HR products (in this case the Micros stack for instance) on headfi. HR is a popular brand here but nobody seems to compare and contrast HR amp and dac to other brand. I would like to see more of that. For instance, Skylab and others did not include the Micro stack in their reviews (I know they are not portable). I think the Ultra Micro Stack is an excellent pair that can probably compare to amp and dac that cost more. If some one know where I can find some good reviews please direct me to the source. Thanks.
 
Mar 5, 2008 at 8:31 AM Post #29 of 38
I too would like to see some reviews (detailed) about the HeadRoom products here at head-fi. I haven't seen anything bad, except one comment about bad jitter in the Micro DAC via USB, which I haven't heard any issues with my Macbook Core 2 Duo 2.2Ghz.

THIS IS NOT A FULL REVIEW, but I did this especially for the OP.

SOUND: Some things are difficult to compare, like with socketed opamps in the D1 I really can't complain about D1 being less warm than MicroDAC, not when I have the power to correct it by pulling a silly chip out and popping a new one in. In regards to the point of the thread (RSA vs Headroom) I think the Predator and MicroDAC via USB are very close, but the edge goes to the MicroDAC and iBasso D1. They both seem to pull more details and ambience out of the music than the Predator's USB DAC, even though they are all running in 16bit/44.1Khz mode. There is just that little bit of extra transparency with the MicroDAC and D1, that the Predator DAC doesn't quite reach. And, that is not saying the Predator DAC doesn't sound good, it just isn't better.

DAC ONLY: As far as D1 vs MicroDAC, it looks like HiFlight may have helped me find the right opamp for my D1 DAC section, to make it fuller and warmer like the Micro DAC. I'll know by the weekend since he shipped the LM6172 and ADA4841-2 on Monday, which I can try in place of the LT6234 and 6241HV that I have been using. While the MicroDAC uses an AD823 in the DAC output, the D1 doesn't do well with that opamp, but an AD746 is not bad. The Predator doesn't do DAC only, but it can act as a preamp.

DAC/AMP COMBO: The D1 amp section is well tuned with AD743 in a 2:1 adapter, and LMH6643 as buffers. So, using the D1 DAC coupled with the internal amp is warmer and fuller like it should be, and I only have an issue with slight brightness when using the DAC section with line out, by-passing the main amp section. Thus, the D1 as a whole (DAC/Amp) sounds very similar to the MicroDAC feeding the Predator. I'm sorry I don't still have the Tomahawk to test for you now, but I sold it to buy the MicroDAC
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BATTERY LIFE, HR vs RSA vs D1: A gentleman selling a 2006 MicroAMP says he gets about 8 hours from a pair of Alkaline 9v. The 2007 Model portable (there is no 2008 model, as 2007 came out late 2007) is supposed to run 20 hours on internal rechargeable. I'll have to test the 2006 Micro DAC battery life with my two 250Mah NiMH batteries and external charger. (have 4 NiMH batteries, but two are in my other amps). However, it typically will now be in my bedside rig, instead of D1, so the batteries wont get used much. I have run the Predator for 48 hours straight via USB on battery, and then charged it up again without it running out of power. On the Tomahawk I put 300 hours on a pair of AAA and didn't run them down. I know I'm good for about 15-20 hours with the iBasso depending on whether AMP, DAC or both.

MISC: I am just happy to have a spare battery powered DAC, so I don't have to always unplug mine from the bedside rig (5 cables) when I want to take the H140 optical out on a walkabout. I could have bought a second D1 (had planned to) but I thought I'd try something different like the HR. The 2006 model MicroDAC (new feb 08), iRiver, and Predator all fit in the ONE HR MicroBag, using a sysconcept.ca horseshoe optical cable and a mini-mini horseshoe interconnect. The iRiver and iBasso D1 only need the optical cable, and there is extra room inside the bag if I don't use the predator with it.
 
Mar 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM Post #30 of 38
thanXs, Thank You, Thanks, thank you!!! For reviewing the HR products. As has been noted, they don't seem to get much attention here, so I'm happy to see a review, and positive at that. Headroom has been around for a long time, and I figured they must be doing something right.

I also want to thank you for the review of the iBasso D1 - a unit I've been considering, as it puts a lot of toys into one box. I'm glad to hear that a little op-rolling may put it at a 'higher' audio-level.

There's a Q. about the D! floating in the gray matter, but as the sun is a rising - meaning bedtime for me - I'll have to Q. you at another time.

Again - much thanks,

angel
 
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