Portable DAC/amp

[DigiPete]

Folks,

Looking for a DAC for my laptop. A/C powered is ok.

Built in head amp, but I might get a mini3 later.

Looking at the E-MU 0404 usb 2.0 for about $160 shipped.

Any other ones in that price range that I should consider?

Pete

[DigiPete]

USB is required. Could go a little higher on price.

DIY is a possibility.

Anyone... anyone??

[tkam]

You could try building an alien dac + diy portable amp of your choice in a single case. Can't think of too many other options in that price range.

[DigiPete]

I'll use it mostly for family trips and put it on my desk at work for a little better sound.

[ojnihs]

I have the e-mu 0404 usb, just got it like a week ago. I'd recommend it, it sounds quite good for the money.

[PFKMan23]

I think either the alien USB DAC + mini cubed or the 0404USB + mini cubed would sound great.

[DigiPete]

oh... what the hell, I'll dew eet

[PFKMan23]

oh... what the hell, I'll dew eet

dew wuhat?

[DigiPete]

trigger pulled on the emu 0404 usb

[ojnihs]

trigger pulled on the emu 0404 usb

sweetness.

[PFKMan23]

[DigiPete]

after hearing Iron Dreamers apogee mini dac I was shocked at how good it sounded.

I thought, if I could do half as well with the emu 0404 usb,

it would be a great improvement over my f***ing shitty laptop sound (noise) card,

and the meciocre sound at my work desktop.

Looking forward to it.

[hungrych]

What about the new headamp thing?

[DigiPete]

I think they want $400, more than double what the 0404 cost .

At the $400 range there are probably lots of good usb dacs...

[KenW]

I think they want $400, more than double what the 0404 cost .

At the $400 range there are probably lots of good usb dacs...

I think it's more $500-600 range isn't it?

[DigiPete]

I was thinking of the 2007 headroom micro-dac...

but headamp's new pico dac/amp looks intriguing based on Iron Dreamer's impressions at the Nor Cal meet yesterday.

[Icarium]

The Ibasso can't even merely claim that is HALF as sophisticated as Justin's dac/amp. And though I haven't heard the iBasso what I've heard from justin's piece and the tech inside I bet it just crushes the iBasso.

[jinp6301]

but the ibasso has optical and coax! but almost def justins thing is going to sound so much better, the amp part on the ibasso sucks (or so im told)

[compuryan]

how about the corda move? The amp inside it kicks.

[hYdrociTy]

kicks the bucket

[Nanoha]

how about the corda move? The amp inside it kicks.

At least it's based off the AD8610 and not the LM6171. Heh. PCM2704 for the DAC? Hah.

[Icarium]

Imo none of the Meier products kick anything. They at best play limp ass footsy.

I am glad Jan Meier hooked up the HE90 group buy, but yeah,...

I used to think the Opera was a good buy but really looking back at it... it was only because it was an amp/dac combo in one. The amp is a thin sounding beast at best. 3 channel topology does nothing for it. The DAC is completely un-noteworthy.

The Corda being the other product I've heard is also profoundly mehhhh and very similar sounding but less. I can't imagine that any of his amps particularly break the mold defined by the two samples I've tried.

[Nanoha]

Imo none of the Meier products kick anything. They at best play limp ass footsy.

I am glad Jan Meier hooked up the HE90 group buy, but yeah,...

I used to think the Opera was a good buy but really looking back at it... it was only because it was an amp/dac combo in one. The amp is a thin sounding beast at best. 3 channel topology does nothing for it. The DAC is completely un-noteworthy.

The Corda being the other product I've heard is also profoundly mehhhh and very similar sounding but less. I can't imagine that any of his amps particularly break the mold defined by the two samples I've tried.

Hah, I'm happy someone agrees with me. I've heard the HA-2, Aria, and Porta Corda for a few hours; none were impressive. I consider Meier to be a good engineer; I don't particularly care for his engineering style (design choices) and have the opinion that the sonic characteristics of his amps are bland and dry.

[jinp6301]

Hah, I'm happy someone agrees with me. I've heard the HA-2, Aria, and Porta Corda for a few hours; none were impressive. I consider Meier to be a good engineer; I don't particularly care for his engineering style (design choices) and have the opinion that the sonic characteristics of his amps are bland and dry.

yay at least 2 people agree with me when I feel that the meier amps are too thin, and dry

[Icarium]

Yeah I mean I am all about the analytical sound, but I don't think his signature qualifies at all. By thin, i don't even think it is just lacking in body but there isn't much detail to compensate so there it is thin on all levels. If you want to stay away from being over-lush you gotta be doing it to reveal details that normally would be hidden by the lushness otherwise what's the point?