[mcramen]

INFRASONIC will introduce its luxurious headphone amps
in NAMM '08

Here is detailed view of inside.
It might help you guys what it will bring.
I see it's nicely done and some good parts (solid CAP and stuff), but I don't really know what it offers.


[size=medium]System[/size]

[size=medium]Headphone Amp section[/size]

[size=medium]Analog input section[/size]

[size=medium]Digital inputsection[/size]

[size=medium]DAC[/size]

forgot to post this image (BB DAC, 1792?)

[size=medium]Output module[/size]

[size=medium]Power[/size]

[size=medium]USB module[/size]

Any thought about this one?

 

[Ricey20]

looks interesting, any word on pricing?

OP: OPA2604AP
DAC: JRC55320

 

[d-cee]

they sure fit a lot in such a small space

 

[achristilaw]

Wow!! What an example of a multi-tiered architecture. They did shoe horn as much as posssible. Into a small case. Good quality part use. Yeah. It's been asked. But how much?

 

[mcramen]

I believe it's not going to over $500 USD.
Hope it stays about $300, so I can afford it.

I heard it equips DAC with 129dB range
and supports ASIO 2.2.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricey20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif looks interesting, any word on pricing? OP: OPA2604AP DAC: JRC55320

I also saw a PCM1792 in there.

It looks like it could be a very nice desktop amp. It won't contend with the major players though, as it needs a serious torroidal transformer.

And I'm kind of skeptical about the quality of any amplifier that:

A) Labels itself as a "Luxury" Headphone Amplifier, and
B) does not use a rotary potentiometer.

 

[rodentmacbeastie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also saw a PCM1792 in there. It looks like it could be a very nice desktop amp. It won't contend with the major players though, as it needs a serious torroidal transformer. And I'm kind of skeptical about the quality of any amplifier that: A) Labels itself as a "Luxury" Headphone Amplifier, and B) does not use a rotary potentiometer.

A)They label the amp as a "Luxury" amp because it is a Korean company. This is likely just saying elite, high-end, premium, etc... You have never been to a "Happy Food" restaurant or something like that? Translations are not always exact. Language and cultural barriers will not change the sound of a product!

b)If you are worried about quality, you would not want a pot! You would want a stepped attenuator or have it controlled in the digital realm. Most good DAC chips have volume controls as well. This attenuation in the digital realm is miles ahead of even expensive pots that would likely raise the cost of this thing another 25%. There are many high-end(Luxury, LOL!) DACs and CD players that use the on chip attenuation. I don't think the designers of a $5000 CD player would degrade it's signal intentionally for a feature that most users bypass. I will include a link for a player that uses a similar approach to atteuation. So you don't need a pot to sound good. In fact, usually one of the best ways to improve your sound is to get rid of pots altogether!
6moons audio reviews: Consonance Droplet CDP 5.0

Now, even though attenuation on this DAC does not appear to be in the digital realm or use a stepped attenuator, the lack of a pot does not mean crap sound as shown above. It takes a pretty bad design to sound noisier and less balanced than a cheap pot!

 

[grubyhalo]

That's impressive build quality! Anyone knows the URL to Infrasonic's website? Also, do they have any other products that may have been reviewed?

 

[d-cee]

yeah i believe digital volume control such as in the lavry and grace DACs is preferable to a pot

 

[elnero]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif yeah i believe digital volume control such as in the lavry and grace DACs is preferable to a pot

I don't think the Lavry's volume control is digital.

 

[Cecala]

This does look interesting.
Website: Welcome to SIMS Corp.

 

[joo_n_jooang]

oh this is perfect product I suppose

reasonable size that will fit in anywhere

nice design

and I see an USB port there

hm I am pretty exciting

wonder whats the price gonna be

 

[joo_n_jooang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grubyhalo /img/forum/go_quote.gif That's impressive build quality! Anyone knows the URL to Infrasonic's website? Also, do they have any other products that may have been reviewed?

I found one!!

review over 'quartet' another interesting product by infrasonic

Infrasonic Quartet Sound Card

and here is the website for infrasonic

INFRASONIC


they do have lots of interesting stuff there

 

[Capunk]

I'm soo damn interested.
When this thing will come out?

 

[mcramen]

I heard this one will be released in First Quarter of 2008.

More specific, in March.