postjack Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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. Quote
Iron_Dreamer Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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. Quote
riceboy Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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. Quote
The Monkey Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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. Quote
Iron_Dreamer Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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). Quote
n_maher Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 I believe that the desktop portable uses the desktop dac module, which is nowhere near the level of sophistication of the Pico. Quote
The Monkey Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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. Quote
riceboy Posted July 4, 2008 Report Posted July 4, 2008 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. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.