So - how good is Headroom's MicroDAC...

[mattigol]

...and how would you guys describe its sound signature? Is there someone who could chime in and explain how it fares against some of its competition and whether it's an enhancement over typical mid-fi CDPs DACs? At 300 US$ it's priced much lower than SN TubeDac, ack! Dack and all the others, so I don't want to raise my expectations unreasonably.

Rather I am interested in some description of its qualities. I read somewhere it's a bit warmer sounding than the DAC-1, other than that no serious difference (I think tyrion made that remark). That would be amazing for such a small and economical device!

How about specifics on detail, soundstage, extension? Its versatility is great and it's an amazing bargain as it stands, but there is little info on the web yet explaining in detail what it really sounds like.

I'd bite the bullet on tyrion's remark alone, but it's sold out for 4-8 weeks so I might as well bug all you head-fi nuts out there with this question...

Thanks,

Matthias

 

[elrod-tom]

I think it's an excellent smaller DAC. Will it beat out the DAC stage of most CDP's in the $300 price range? Yes IMHO...if you think about it, it makes sense. There's no transport stage, so no associated cost. That said, it's small enough that the analog out stage is necessarily going to have to make some compromises.

Does it outpace comparably priced DACs with full-sized footprints (e.g. MSB DAC)? IMHO it does not...but that's not intended to be a slam. Again, it's a PORTABLE DAC...it can run on two 9v batteries. It certainly blows away any PCDP I've ever heard, and it's the best I've heard when fed via USB (disclosure - I've not heard many).

For the way I use it (transportable office audio), it kicks butt...that's really all that matters to me.

 

[mattigol]

thanks tom,

i admit i am member of team "hunt for audio bargains". I have been researching DACs for a while now mainly to enhance redbook playback from my Rega Planet, which is now 6 years old. I read in many recent reviews that modern DACs these days have the ability to reproduce more detail than ever and to sound liquid and smooth at the same time - something that even 5 or 6 years ago was an ability rarely heard in digital playback, at least in a moderate price range of sub-1000 US$ CDPs. Some reviewers say the advances in DAC hardware have helped the to extract much better playback from traditional CDs than previously thought possible, to the effect that CD's high-res competition hasn't really gained much market share in recent years (e.g. in 2004, CD sales went up by a significantly greater rate than SACD and DVD-A).

I don't know how big these technological advances really are, and that's the reason I ask.

Thanks, M.

 

[Teerawit]

I heard the Overture (which should sound very similar to the micro DAC) with the SR-71 and that made even my MS-1 sound warm like I like it. Full-bodied, sweet, pleasant, enjoyable to the point that I bought myself I micro DAC. However I'm currently ampless, so I can't tell you how it sounds. My next amp is going to be the Hornet...so whenever that comes out I'll tell you how it sounds for sure! (Assuming you won't have the Micro DAC by then

)

 

[grawk]

How does it compare to the minidac usb out?

 

[labrat]

Deleted.

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk How does it compare to the minidac usb out?

I think he means The Apogee MiniDAC's usb IN

 

[Oski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattigol I have been researching DACs for a while now mainly to enhance redbook playback from my Rega Planet, which is now 6 years old. I read in many recent reviews that modern DACs these days have the ability to reproduce more detail than ever and to sound liquid and smooth at the same time - something that even 5 or 6 years ago was an ability rarely heard in digital playback, at least in a moderate price range of sub-1000 US$ CDPs.

Though I got the Overture (predecessor and essentially the same as the Micro DAC) to play music files on my computer, I too was curious as how modern DAC technology would compare against my Musical Fidelity X-Ray, a very good CD player from 5 years ago. I found the Overture (Micro DAC) and the Musical Fidelity X-Ray (24 bit CD player) to have quite different sonic presentations. The Overture places the sound more in the head and has just slightly less depth but is actually more detailed, with better microdynamics, sustained decay, and more body/weight, making it more palpable. The X-Ray in contrast is more airy, open, lighter, and has faster transients and is a bit more dynamic. For example on the first minute of complex percussions on Dave Matthews’ “Say Goodbye” the X-Ray is faster and more dynamic, but the Overture has a bit more weight on the bottom end. On vocals such as Norah Jones, the X-Ray is a bit more airy and ethereal sounding with a slightly cleaner presentation on the X-Ray while the Overture has more fullness and presence. So it would have to come down to a matter of preference and matching to other pieces of equipment.

The Rega Planet was popular because of its more analogue sound for a digital front end, which I felt was accomplished by smoothing over the leading edge of instruments and a bit of rolloff. So I think the Micro DAC will likely be much more detailed and extended in comparison. The Micro DAC will also likely be a bit more dynamic and faster compared to the musicality of the Rega. I believe the Micro DAC will still have a wonderful sense of fullness and warmth that you appreciate with the Rega.

From the sound of it, you may also intend on using the Micro DAC with your speaker setup. I have a passive preamp (McCormack Micro Line Drive), so the Overture didn't initially provide enough gain into my power amp to produce the same wonderful sound I heard with my headphones. But linking the Overture into the SR-71 to amp the signal into the McCormack MLD provided for pretty good sound, though I would prefer to just use my X-Ray in this application.

However if you have an active pre, the Micro DAC could very well serve quite capably as a processor with the use of your Rega as transport. The Micro DAC can then serve double or triple duty with a computer or with a portable DAP on the road.

 

[mattigol]

Hey Oski,

thanks so much for your insights! This is really the kind of information I was hoping for. Back 5 years ago I also checked out the X-Ray but fell for the Rega's sound instead and never regretted it. I replaced the Rega Luna with a used Sugden A21a last year resulting in more overall more detail and extension to both ends of the spectrum with my 89db/W speakers.

The warmer presentation of the MicroDAC should suit me better than the rather cold sounding Benchmark and should be an improvement over the old Planet. Thanks for pointing out the low output which might not allow it to be placed into my home rig straight away.

I have just ordered the AQVOX USB DAC recommended by cosmopragma many times over. It's a topnotch modern DAC and I shall see if this gives me the performance boost I am hoping for. If not I can send it back no questions asked and continue my quest, maybe with the MicroDAC.

Matthias

 

[Oski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattigol I have just ordered the AQVOX USB DAC recommended by cosmopragma many times over. It's a topnotch modern DAC and I shall see if this gives me the performance boost I am hoping for.

Please report back with your impressions, that looks like a very interesting unit and a great solution to upgrade my stereo setup as well.

 

[mattigol]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oski Please report back with your impressions, that looks like a very interesting unit and a great solution to upgrade my stereo setup as well.

sure thing.

 

[Oski]

Even more interesting is the fact cosmopragma upgraded to the AQVOX USB DAC from a Musical Fidelity X-Ray as well. Now I'm really curious...argh, must resist temptation.