Pico vs. HR Desktop with DAC

[postjack]

Headamp Pico

vs.

Headroom Single-Ended Desktop with DAC

Surely someone has had the opportunity to do a shoot out between these two, or has heard both and has a firm enough memory to compare them?

Though I don't really have a practical use for either of them, these all in one headphone-centric units just fascinate me.

[Iron_Dreamer]

Funny you should ask. At last weekend's Bay Area meet, this was the comparison going on at my PC. Pico plugged into one USB port, Headroom Portable Desktop plugged into another.

Every person I talked to came away stating the Pico sounded significantly better, FWIW. I didn't listen to the Headroom too much, but it certainly had a darker sound, and was a bit more blurred/muddled sounding, compared to what I am used to from the Pico. Granted, it did have more volume reserves, and drove the K340 a bit better than the Pico, but considering it has a battery larger than the entire Pico, it probably should have.

[riceboy]

Hey Jack. I never heard them side by, but I do have similar impressions like Iron Dreamer. The Pico is a lot more clearer and cleaner sounding. The music from the HR Desktop is not as resolving as the Pico, but from what I remembered it could drive my HD650 pretty well. Basically, I do agree with what Iron Dreamer mentioned. I did enjoy the HR Desktop when I did have it though.

[The Monkey]

Which modules were the HR amps using in the comparisons above?

Once I have completed my gear sell-off to pay for the Stax rig, I am very seriously considering a Pico.

[Iron_Dreamer]

I honestly don't know what modules the HR had (I am pretty sure they weren't max modules, as I know they sound better than that, and use too much power to run off batteries).

[n_maher]

I believe that the desktop portable uses the desktop dac module, which is nowhere near the level of sophistication of the Pico.

[The Monkey]

I believe that the desktop portable uses the desktop dac module, which is nowhere near the level of sophistication of the Pico.

I just looked at the HR site, and you're right Nate. The desktop portable uses the desktop DAC module, but the home amp module.

[riceboy]

I believe that the desktop portable uses the desktop dac module, which is nowhere near the level of sophistication of the Pico.

Just as n_maher mentioned. It was a Desktop DAC module in mine as well.