[INGRAMLI]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229294
After reading Iron_Dreamer's review, it appeared that MiniDAC has a even better headphone-amp than the DA10(if i didn't get him wrong), while DAC being the same level(correct me if i am wrong), if size is a concern for me(DA10 is half-rack, but the size of MiniDAC is even more friendly to me

), i used to own an old Philips CDP, and i like the typical NOS sound, however i don't hate the neutral sound of the DA10 either(of course it would be even better if being a little more musical/closer to vinyl

),will i be better off if i get rid of DA10+Audiofire4 combo and get a MiniDAC instead?

 

[chesebert]

you should buy one and try it for yourself, for all we know Iron_Dreamer may have really screwed up hearing, or vice versa

GL! half the fun in this hobby is doing these comparisons/discoveries yourself.

 

[radio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chesebert /img/forum/go_quote.gif you should buy one and try it for yourself, for all we know Iron_Dreamer may have really screwed up hearing, or vice versa GL! half the fun in this hobby is doing these comparisons/discoveries yourself.

I think one of the biggest problem with dacs is the inability to hear it at a brick n mortar store or anywhere else.

i mean some of you are lucky to have CI audio nearby... but e.g here in toronto there is absoultly no way i can hear a dac on display or do an inhome audition so i have to rely on opinoins of others on this matter...

especially the dacs like zhalou, citypulse... the lavry, benchmark, minidac and vda2 are no exception to this.

 

[INGRAMLI]

same situation in Melbourne.

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by INGRAMLI /img/forum/go_quote.gif http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=229294 After reading Iron_Dreamer's review, it appeared that MiniDAC has a even better headphone-amp than the DA10(if i didn't get him wrong), while DAC being the same level(correct me if i am wrong), if size is a concern for me(DA10 is half-rack, but the size of MiniDAC is even more friendly to me ), i used to own an old Philips CDP, and i like the typical NOS sound, however i don't hate the neutral sound of the DA10 either(of course it would be even better if being a little more musical/closer to vinyl ),will i be better off if i get rid of DA10+Audiofire4 combo and get a MiniDAC instead?

Unless you are coming from a training in music or another high end system I dare say you would not be able to tell the hardly any difference between the two.

 

[INGRAMLI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slwiser /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unless you are coming from a training in music or another high end system I dare say you would not be able to tell the hardly any difference between the two.

So you mean they are not only similiar in class(resolution), but also close in sound signature?

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by INGRAMLI /img/forum/go_quote.gif So you mean they are not only similiar in class(resolution), but also close in sound signature?

They are in the same class and the sound signature is something you might pick up on if you are untrained but how significant would that be to the untrained ear, I don't know. That would be the "hardly" part.

 

[INGRAMLI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slwiser /img/forum/go_quote.gif They are in the same class and the sound signature is something you might pick up on if you are untrained but how significant would that be to the untrained ear, I don't know. That would be the "hardly" part.

is the head-amp section of MiniDAC really significantly better than DA10's?

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by INGRAMLI /img/forum/go_quote.gif is the head-amp section of MiniDAC really significantly better than DA10's?

I would not think so...but your mileage may vary. I would think the DA10 headamp better than the MiniDac. But as a DAC were my comments addressed. Make sure that your talking about using the MiniDac single ended vs. balanced. The MiniDac is clearly a winner in the balanced performance arena. While the DA10 does well in the single ended arena. It all depends on what your focus maybe and even your sound sig preference. What I prefer may not be your preference. Seems like you are almost demanding an absolute objective observation as to which is best and desiring one to be best for all situations. For myself, I am not that objective. I knew what my goals were and my objectives when I purchased the DA10 and have been quite satisfied since. I may have gone the other direction and been just as satisfied. You can't lose with either.

Why not offer someone who has the Mini-Dac a swap of some kind so that you can hear it and compare it. Maybe someone would do this for you or email Apogee and ask them to send you a loaner. This seems to be something vendors are doing more lately. This keeps down returns for them.

 

[INGRAMLI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slwiser /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would not think so...but your mileage may vary. I would think the DA10 headamp better than the MiniDac. But as a DAC were my comments addressed. Make sure that your talking about using the MiniDac single ended vs. balanced. The MiniDac is clearly a winner in the balanced performance arena. While the DA10 does well in the single ended arena. It all depends on what your focus maybe and even your sound sig preference. What I prefer may not be your preference. Seems like you are almost demanding an absolute objective observation as to which is best and desiring one to be best for all situations. For myself, I am not that objective. I knew what my goals were and my objectives when I purchased the DA10 and have been quite satisfied since. I may have gone the other direction and been just as satisfied. You can't lose with either. Why not offer someone who has the Mini-Dac a swap of some kind so that you can hear it and compare it. Maybe someone would do this for you or email Apogee and ask them to send you a loaner. This seems to be something vendors are doing more lately. This keeps down returns for them.

is the term "single-ended" you talk about means "unbalanced" configuration?

 

[slwiser]

Quote:

Originally Posted by INGRAMLI /img/forum/go_quote.gif is the term "single-ended" you talk about means "unbalanced" configuration?

Yes using standard quarter headphone plug.

 

[INGRAMLI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by slwiser /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes using standard quarter headphone plug.

why not configure the XLR output to unbalanced configuration in the back panel? The front panel output is head-amped

 

[lcp12345]

I haven't listened to miniDAC. But, reviews here claimed that it has warmer sound(guess you have already read them). Maybe, some user with DA10 and miniDAC can tell you the different.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

The Apogee's headphone amp is a mild improvement on that in the DA10, I'd say, and mainly for high-impedance headphones. I didn't have much issue with the DA10's headphone amp for low-impedance headphones, but it did sound a bit flat, or lacking dynamics with the higher impedance headphones.

As DAC's they are very close, and though I've not heard them side-by-side, I think the differences would be quite minimal, especially considering that they bear a great deal of internal resemblance.

I'd only bother changing out the DA10 if the different size or features of the Apogee would really be convenient for you. Neither has an uber-great headphone amp, so that's something you'd have to add later anyway, if that is indeed your goal.

 

[INGRAMLI]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Apogee's headphone amp is a mild improvement on that in the DA10, I'd say, and mainly for high-impedance headphones. I didn't have much issue with the DA10's headphone amp for low-impedance headphones, but it did sound a bit flat, or lacking dynamics with the higher impedance headphones. As DAC's they are very close, and though I've not heard them side-by-side, I think the differences would be quite minimal, especially considering that they bear a great deal of internal resemblance. I'd only bother changing out the DA10 if the different size or features of the Apogee would really be convenient for you. Neither has an uber-great headphone amp, so that's something you'd have to add later anyway, if that is indeed your goal.

the decision for me can be tough then........since i am using the 600 ohm monster-240M