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The D3 DAC may be the perfect solution for your portable needs if the built-in DAC on your notebook/ MacBook just doesn't cut it. The linear and clean response should excite most audio enthusiast that like the reference sound.
Speaking of Audioengine's D3 USB DAC, have a go at Hardware Canucks's video review (embedded above), which in my opinion, is the most-helpful D3 review out there. Actually, Hardware Canuck's reviews of products from mice to cameras, are incredible.
My review will be out this evening at Headfonia.
If you want to hear your music in higher quality, get better headphones, or a better quality player - in that order. Adding a separate box, and another layer of interface that does nothing but give your ears warm (or cold) fuzzies, is just unnecessary complication. If you're really into the experience of portable audio geek, get a DAC, maybe an amp, and probably you'd not seriously look at a tiny box like the dSp. If you're not into that experience, the dSp is, and never will be on your radar.
That said, the dSp does boast some impressive spec. I just wish they'd go whole-hog and either make a DAP, or a compact accessory DAC, and not waste time on this stuff.
Thanks Mr. Pithy Shorts for spotting this.
In his sincerest of monotones, HAL9000 told me that imitation is flattering. And the Aurender FLOW, as sometimes-frustrating as it can be, is a great DAC/headphone amp that just so happens to look a bit like old HAL.
I smell the promise of so much more. Well done Aurender.
BTW, this review was written by yours truly, for Headfonia.
“Aurender targeted a specific sound, and honed that target to near perfection. As unintelligible as its interface may be; as much as you may need to pour over its manual; as much as you may mistake it for a HAL9000—powered vending machine in miniature, FLOW is something awesome, something else.”
Sean Chan has published an early review of it at Head-fi. It's worth a read.
“The Flow has just taken over my Cypherlabs stack in that respect of “presenting a big sound”. The Flow has been able to just make the sound bigger, larger, wider, deeper. I’m actually comparing the Flow to my Invicta/Zana Deux desktop gear - although not up to that level it’s mightily close at a fraction of the cost. So despite the somewhat clinical tonal presentation, it’s width and depth presentation on the other hand makes the overall music sound so palatable to the ears. ”
The FLOW's comber aesthetic and washing-machine aesthetic take a little getting used to. But its ease of use, perfectly legible OLED screen, plug/unplug safety features, and remote control functionality, are perfectly endearing.
In case you're wondering, this 1300$ DAC:
1. has a low (but not silent) background noise floor
2. boasts lots of current into low ohm loads
3. pumps good volume, high-quality signal into high-ohm loads
4. works with both iPhone and iPad (as well as Android devices)
5. boasts decent stereo separation and detail levels across all frequencies
6. has a battery and can be used on the road
7. has external controls that interface directly with your device
And, it is machined impeccably. Korean portable Hi-Fi units have the unique advantage of being produced in Korea, by Koreans. They look, and feel, wonderful next to outsourced competitors. And the FLOW is the best-feeling Korean unit yet.
FLOW is a wonderful device. It probably isn't the be-all-end-all of performance DACs, but it boasts headphone safety features, is well-machined, and speaks for itself as an important member of an impressive, and growing, family of products.
I will be reviewing it at Headfonia in the new year.
More about the FLOW: Aurender FLOW personal entertainment
Note: click on images below to proceed to next image
I never expect to be impressed by Audio Technica amps. I expected the ATPHA100, a portable amp/DAC, to doubly disappoint. Here's why I've begun to doubt my feelings:
1. low noise floor - barely discernable through the Grado GR10 (which I reviewed at headfonia)
2. Excellent L/R balance even at low volume levels through sensitive earphones
3. USB can be powered from an iPad
4. Great RMAA scores (coming soon)
The above isn't all. Next to the Pioneer XPA-700, it isn't fugly, either. Unfortunately, that's as much as I will be able to say; the ATPHA700, along with a Fiio X5, the Pioneer XPA-700, and a DSD UFO thingy, are heading back to Mac Audio, which sent them to me to be photographed for their latest edition.
(These photos were taken for the purposes of this small impressions piece; they are not commercial.)
Click the image below to advance to the next frame
Sharp MD-DR7 Minidisk recorder (bottom); Astell & Kern AK120 RWA
In the course of reviewing Tralucent's 1Plus2 earphone, I have borrowed some pretty cool gear. Astell & Kern's now-outdated AK120 is one of those. It's got a decent quality output, a slick interface; best of all, it is compact. It has also fuelled the seller's market for portable toslink-equipped DACs.
Tralucent's own DAC/amp is a truly excellent option. Its performance is top-flight performance, it's battery life decent, and its form factor quite splendid. But when it hits online and retailer shelves, it will come with a price to match its performance. Across the board, that tends to be the story.
Except for the Minidisk recorder.
The above photo shows my twelve year-old Sharp MD-DR7 minidisk recorder. Beaters can be had for 20$, while ones in better shape go for up to 70$. Sharp turned a corner with the release of its Auvi series. Prior to Auvi (featuring 1-bit processing), Sharp was considered a second-tier option whose lineup was riddled with hardware problems. Auvi units were well built, easy-to-use, and good-sounding.
A testament to that is that my MD-DR7 lives on. And using it as an outboard DAC couldn't be easier.
Just pop in an MD, click record, plug in your headphones, and voila! you've got a DAC for chump change. There are a few benefits: noiseless headphone outputs, small form factors, good battery life, and, believe it or not, a bonafide living room-HiFi sound.
What do I mean by living room-HiFi? More channel bleed, higher levels of distortion, the use of older DAC units; but best of all, MDs are simple to operate. Channel bleed helps to emulate the convivial sound of speakers, where, because the stereo image travels through the same medium, L and R channels simultaneously arrive at both ears. Your brain does the filtering.
Rife with channel bleed and low L/R contrast, old MD recorders return some of the openness and natural imaging your ears are used to hearing, and that headphones stomp with relentless precision.
The problem MD recorders have is that their sync capabilities are limited to 16-bit/48 kHz, meaning you can't enjoy DSD music through an outboard MD DAC. Ho hum.
Today, MD recorders are inexpensive. But prices are ticking back up as they become rare commodities. I picked up a second MD-DR7 from Yahoo! Auctions for about 50$. So far, it's been worth it.
Looks pretty interesting. More info to come at www.gloveaudio.com.
This link and graphic provided by the prodigious thumb, Sasaki.
UPDATE: earlier versions of this article said that the Glove Audio's DAC amp/case was built for the Astell&Kern AK240. It is not. It is built for the first AK100 and AK120. My sincerest apologies. You will notice that the link is still the same.
Antelope Audio’s newest DAC, the Zodiac Platinum, isn’t merely a follow-up to the original Zodiac Silver DAC, it’s a re-think of the series. Thankfully, Platinum sports the same compact shape, the same quality construction, and it is compatible with the awesome Voltikus power supply.
Read more
Meier Audio's DACCORD & CORDA Classic reviewed at Headfonia.
“If you’re looking for a setup with an incredible sound stage and a smooth musical and very dynamic sound this isn’t the setup for you. If you’re a fan of neutral sounding units however, where you don’t want your amp/dac to influence the sound and you really want to hear what your headphones sound like, you certainly need to have a listen to the Meier Gear. This is a combo for those who want a clear, neutral, detailed and original/correct presentation of their music. In this price range there is a lot of competition but you should definitely put these Meier units on your shortlist if you’re looking for the above mentioned characteristics.”
Tsukuba, Japan
