Chordette Gem by Chord

[Cankin]

An interesting new DAC with bluetooth and USB input by Chord, looks like a good computer source.

Chordette Gem

[Cankin]

and new QBD76 to replace DAC64

[Dusty Chalk]

Bluetooth, huh? Now that's innovative. I wonder if you can zap it files from your iPhone and it will play them?

[Cankin]

As long as your phone or computer support A2DP

Bluetooth profile - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The MSRP is

[Dusty Chalk]

Unholy carp, that may be the cheapest Chord product evar!!!1!

[blessingx]

Excuse my unfamiliarity with Bluetooth, but is 'CD-like transfer of music' basic marketing-speak or is there some Bluetooth technical limitation (bandwidth, etc.) that requires that lossy compression/sat radio-ish term? I see Cankin's link lists 'MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AAC, and ATRAC, and is extensible to support manufacturer-defined codecs.' I'm guessing because of Bluetooths earlier intended uses with cells, etc. means uncompressed audio is probably out for laptops users, etc.?

[Cankin]

It should be available in North America in Sept. according to the distributor, no pricing info yet.

[deepak]

This screams overpriced gimmick to me.

[HDen]

maybe we'll see some cheaper DAC64s on sale

[Elephas]

USB is a good option to have, but I don't understand why there is bluetooth. I wouldn't use bluetooth to send music files to a DAC.

Phones have larger storage capacities now, but so do other devices. I can't see myself using a phone to play music files through the Chordette Gem.

BTW, I'm a DAC64 owner.

[Cankin]

There are many more devices support A2DP bluetooth, for eg. newer Macs and Vista PC. I recall that people from Chord said they "think" that A2DP bluetooth can be the next main stream wireless. So, they're actually betting on that.

BTW, this can be a good one box solution over Squeezebox + DAC at the same price range.

[Dusty Chalk]

I can't see myself using a phone to play music files through the Chordette Gem.

Unless your phone is also your DAP.

[aardvark baguette]

Lets put it to a vote:

All those who want Cankin to take one for the HC team and audition say 'I'. All opposed say 'nay'.

"I"

[Dusty Chalk]

Mu.

[Cankin]

You really want useless raving review by a newbie with no experience at all like me?

[Icarium]

There are always at least a few empiricals to take away from even the worst newb rave review. Unless you wanted to actually spend time to fabricate something completely fictitious that is designed to be useless.

[aardvark baguette]

Dont mention burn-in and you're half way there.

[aardvark baguette]

Mu.

[aardvark baguette]

At least until its a little long in the tooth;)