joelha Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 I've been looking at a DAC I can use for travel. It needs to be something I can drop into my business bag so I'll have no checked luggage although it doesn't have to be thumbdrive sized. While I suspect few if anyone on this site has heard every usb powered DAC offering, I'm sure there are plenty of opinions. I currently have the Hiface and have heard Meridian's Director, but feel I can do better (no insult intended to the Hiface and Director owners out there). I've been looking at Resonnence Labs Concero HD, and others. Thoughts? Extra credit for DSD capability and double extra credit for double DSD. Thanks, Joel Link to comment
DRB Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 The DIrector is not a headphone DAC to be carried around, it's a two input (using as a USB DAC) for a more permanent system since it has 2 RCA outs and no headphone out. But the Explorer is the headphone version, but it doesn't up-sample 16/44 like the Director. Light Harmonic is coming out with a headphone DAC that's supposed to go to 384. if that's what you want. I think they are planning on $300 for the thing. I haven't heard it, but I'm sure it sounds great since they make the DaVinci DAC, but unfortunately you can't drop the DaVinci in your business bag. System consists of Late 2012 iMac, i5, 1TB Fusion drive, 16GB RAM, Drobo Mini w/4-256GB SSD, MIT StyleLink USB Plus, MIT CVT Terminator 1 Bi-Wire, Totem Mani-2 Signature, Bel Canto C5i. I go back and forth between Pure Music, Audirvana, Bit Perfect, Amarra as they all have features I like. I like to mix it up from time to time. :-) Link to comment
tne Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I have a Resonessence Concero HD which I have owned for about a month and really like it. However it is not a headphone amp. I use it into powered speakers through RCA interconnects. The Concero HP is a headphone amp variant with a digital output and should also sound very good. They are both small enough to drop into your carry on bag or laptop case. You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star Link to comment
Mike Gillespie Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 I have a Resonessence Concero HD which I have owned for about a month and really like it. However it is not a headphone amp. I use it into powered speakers through RCA interconnects. The Concero HP is a headphone amp variant with a digital output and should also sound very good. They are both small enough to drop into your carry on bag or laptop case. I've had the Centrance Dacport for 3 years. Unbelievably well built (I've dropped it a couple times and no problem) and great sound. Very portable. I take with me always with phones. Great support from Mike Goodman, CEO. MG555 Link to comment
Andrew_WOT Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I am in the market for one as well. HRT Microstreamer wasn't mentioned yet. But seems that Concero HP is the current king of the hill. Portable DSD DACs from Resonessence Labs - Concero HP and Concero HD in review | Digital Audio Review by John Darko AURALiC Vega->AURALiC Taurus MKII Yulong DA8->Headamp GS-1 (Dynalo+) Link to comment
xsajohn Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Fiio E17. (Sounds GREAT with Sennheiser IE80) PS Audio DirectStream DSD Bridge -> Classe CA-2200 - >B&W 803-D2, Nordost Tyr cabled. Synology NAS, MinimServer, BubbleDS. Link to comment
One and a half Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 To the OP: DSD128 can do with Korg DS-DAC-10 it's a little bulky to put in backpack though, YMMV. It's bus powered, however a little anemic on bass at times, but if you feed it PCM2DSD from Jriver, it sounds pretty darn cool. From Oct-25-2013 (ex Japan), Sony PHA-2, DSD128 includes a battery for the HP amp. It's about the size of an iphone, but double the thickness. I have the PHA-1 which maxes out at 96fs, it's not bad for what it does, but the PHA-2 with DSD would be better (optimistically). AS Profile Equipment List Say NO to MQA Link to comment
Mike Gillespie Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 The new Centrance HiFi-M8 is also versatile and terrific and you might look at it. MG555 Link to comment
MikeJazz Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 The new Centrance HiFi-M8 is also versatile and terrific and you might look at it. Funcionality in spades, they seem to have all covered...let's see how it works sonically. I would love to test one.. http://www.computeraudiophile.com/members/mikejazz/ funded this campain: http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671 Link to comment
burnspbesq Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Funcionality in spades, they seem to have all covered...let's see how it works sonically.I would love to test one.. FWIW, I gave the HiFi-M8 a good listen at T.H.E. Show Newport, fed by an iPod Touch and driving UERMs. It was OK, but didn't woo me away from my Fostex HP-P1. Office: MacBook Pro - Audirvana Plus - Resonessence Concero - Cavailli Liquid Carbon - Sennheiser HD 800. Travel/Portable: iPhone 7 or iPad Pro - AudioQuest Dragonfly Red - Audeze SINE or Noble Savant Link to comment
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