UPDATED 2/22 REVIEW 13 USB DAC amp - Predator, Pico, 2/3MOVE, D10 D3 D2 Viper/Boa D1, Lyrix, MicroAmp, Vivid V1, Nuforce, XM5

[estreeter]

Larry, I've gone back to page one but the last update seems to be from 2009 - where do you rank the uDAC in this lot ? I know its not a powerhouse like the 3Move, but interested to see where it slots in sonically after your uDAC thread.

Tks,

estreeter

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by estreeter /img/forum/go_quote.gif Larry, I've gone back to page one but the last update seems to be from 2009 - where do you rank the uDAC in this lot ? I know its not a powerhouse like the 3Move, but interested to see where it slots in sonically after your uDAC thread. Tks, estreeter

I put the uDAC in it's own thread, like I did the StyleAudio CARAT-TOPAZ, because I think these fit a different category by being portable. The title of this thread is so long with all the various DAC/amp names that I can't fit portable in it. Links to other reviews are in my public profile "about me".

As for comparison, I did compare the uDAC to the D4 in my other review, and discussed the sound differences further as questions came up in the thread. You could put together my impressions by looking how the D4 compares to D10 (not too long ago in this thread), and then how the D10 compares to 3MOVE at the beginning of this thread. That connects the 3MOVE to uDAC indirectly.

But, in a nutshell the 3MOVE DAC is not on the same higher level of the uDAC's DAC, but the amp sections are not too far apart, having a strong bass, and being warm and slightly forward. The 3MOVE has just a little more treble sparkle and is a little less laid back than the uDAC, and is a bit more powerful when using a 9v battery. I don't recall what I said about 3MOVE's power output when not using a battery, as it does have a 5v mode. If I tested it I would have put it somewhere in this review thread.

My most used DAC/amp with Macbook right now is my D4, followed by the uDAC because both cover different kinds of sound signatures for when I want something different. Third most often used is Pico DAC only into ALO Amphora, and I run a 6 foot USB cable under my chair to the table next to the chair where they sit.

I haven't been using the D10, Predator, 3MOVE, XM5 or V1 much lately, but not because they don't sound good, but because I have too many to chose from. Before the D4 and uDAC were my most used DAC/amps I was using the D10 and the 3MOVE most often for their opposing sound signatures. And before that it was the Predator and Pico depending on whether I wanted my favorite DAC or my favorite amp. For portable I have been using the P-51 and T3 for their smaller size and good battery life.

 

[estreeter]

Thanks Larry - I cant even comprehend how you keep track of all the kit you have. I lost the T3 for 2 weeks - its just *too* small IMO - only to find it buried in my couch ...

I take your point about amps that need a wall-wart not being genuinely 'portable', regardless of form factor - apologies for muddying the waters.

 

[gameboy115]

For sake of other peoples, I have to bump it up to top of page. I used up 10 mins to look up the forum page by page, so I could find this thread which I visited before.
 
I found it extremely to find a thread which sunk but still very useful like this one. I hate new interface causes all of troubles.
 
Without a good searching system, and lack of ability to view by order of how many peoples reply the thread, it blows

 

[Zack916]

This has probably already been answered in one way or another (or ten) but for the life of me I couldn't find it.  Which of these do you think pairs the best with Grado RS1s?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

This has probably already been answered in one way or another (or ten) but for the life of me I couldn't find it.  Which of these do you think pairs the best with Grado RS1s?

Going from memory the first ones I heard that I really liked with the RS-1 in my early part of the review were the Predator and 3MOVE with the RS-1.  But later I thought the D10 and XM5 were also good choice (stock or upgraded opamps), and then when I got the opamp rolled D4 it became my favorite with RS-1 just ahead of the opamp rolled D10.  But that didn't make the Predator or 3MOVE or XM5 sound worse with the RS-1 and they are still a good choice if you don't mind slightly less detail from the DAC.  I think the stock D4 was like a cross between the Pico and Predator, and it should be good with them but I can't remember.  The original Pico I thought needed more warmth with the RS-1, or I had to use flat pads only with the RS-1 if using the Pico.

 

[Zack916]

I think based on price and reviews, the opamp rolled D4 it is!  Thanks alot, your gigantic portable review thread was the basis for researching all of this stuff, and it was INCREDIBLY helpful.

 

[Zack916]

And the D4 sounds the best only using the 5v USB rather than the USB and 9v?

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

I think based on price and reviews, the opamp rolled D4 it is!  Thanks alot, your gigantic portable review thread was the basis for researching all of this stuff, and it was INCREDIBLY helpful.

 
Cool.
 
Quote:

And the D4 sounds the best only using the 5v USB rather than the USB and 9v?

Where did you hear that?  
 
9v will give it more power but doesn't affect the sound signature much.  9v helps most with high impedance cans, but also still helps with current delivery in low impedance cans, especially inefficient ones like the HE-5/HE-5 LE.  So, you could still notice improved power and impact with the RS-1 at 9v, but you'll want to pick up some 500 mah lithium rechargeable 9v if you want to use that a lot.  I found 2 lithium 9v with charger on eBay for $35.  I sold the RS-1 over Xmas, so all my comparisons with those was before that.

 

[koonhua90]

Any chance of the Arrow amp being reviewed? The 2nd generation Arrow amp is coming out in a week or two according to the website.

 

[Zack916]

Oh I didn't hear it anywhere, I just wasn't sure if the 9v battery made a difference with low impedance cans like the RS1s

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Any chance of the Arrow amp being reviewed? The 2nd generation Arrow amp is coming out in a week or two according to the website.

If it's a DAC + amp and they want to offer me a sample to review I would consider it.

 

[brendon]

^^ Nope ! The Headfonia Arrow is a pure amp. No DAC.

 

[Armaegis]

The upcoming "DAC Stick" from headphonia is a dac/amp though.

 

[brendon]

^^ Nope. Its a pure DAC and not a DAC + portable amp like the others in this section.