CarDAC / preamp with display, volume knob and DC power options: Geek, Essence, M2Tech, more?

[maglito]

I plan to install my Dell Venue 8 pro (8" Intel Windows8.1 tablet) and run foobar 2000, in my fair weather occasional use car ( carPC style) and run this DAC off a USB hub also hosting a 256GB USB thumb drive with flac and DSD. I will save post 2 for detailed car related install information(for those interested). In this post I'll stick to the on topic DAC specific details. I'm open to feedback on these DAC choices as well as suggestions for other DACs that may meet the required criteria.

 

My 5 required criteria for this DAC:

 

1) Small

roughly able to fit into a DIN sized opening but I have some wiggle room here, especially on the height side

 

2) Display with volume and sampling rate info

at a glance (even in the dark) I'd like to be able to see my volume level and if I'm playing the HD version of the track or not

 

3) Volume knob

for quick and easy sound level adjustment while driving

 

4) DC input power

I don't want a kludgy and inefficient DC->AC power inverter in my car. A simple 6-15v DC input to regulated 5, 12 or 15v DC output circuit is all I want to use. A USB powered DAC solution would have obvious advantages in a car, but I have yet to find one with the required display. In addition it seems most USB powered DAC are on the weak side in analog signal voltage output.

 

5) Async USB2 and High bitrate HD format source compatible

at least 24/192 PCM and DSD. I'd like to try many of the albums on superhirez.com in DSD format.

 

-optional-

6) 4v+ unbalanced RCA variable output

most DACs RCA level output is around 2v RMS, I will be running the DAC output directly to a quad mono amp in the trunk and can adjust the gain on the amp to match, but a 4v+ output would be nice to leave the gain turned down on the amp.

 

Disclaimer:

Yes, I know many people have many reasons to say this is a stupid project. I know when the engine is running and worse when the car is moving most of the additional sonic details will be lost to my ears. In addition, many will site the need for additional DSP, time correction, etc for the car environment. I usually travel in this car with a companion and prefer the sound to be as pure and correct sounding to BOTH occupants as possible. Yes, I know the noise in the car's power from the alternator with the engine running will be a far from an ideal power source.

However, I often take this car to car shows and will likely audition the sound system without the engine running in parking lots and driveways.

Finally, I've had a pair of HD600 for about 12 years and never had a proper source for them. In the winter months, I plan to pull the DAC out of the car and plug it in at my desk at home with my HD600 plugged in (basically what these DACs were built for). So, this DAC won't be a complete waste in the eyes of the naysayers.

 

Here are the DACs I've found, so far, that meet my requirements:

 

Option A) Geek Pulse

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/geek-pulse-ultra-high-def-audio-for-your-desktop#home

1)Pulse measures:

Depth: 8.25 inches (20,96cm)

Width: 7.375inches (18,73cm)

Height: 3inches (7,62 cm) Higher than the ideal 2" but not bad

2)Display with volume and sampling rate info:YES

3)Volume Knob:YES (volume control is in digital domain)

4)DC input power:12v .85amp

5)PCM and DSD support:up to PCM 32/384 and DSD128

6)RCA output: 2v RMS

Price: ~$400 before Jan 2015

Sound quality from published reviews: Should sound like the well received USB powered Geek Out, but slightly better?

Pros: Good sound, low price before Jan 2015, should have excellent software/driver support

Cons: Size kind of high, digital domain volume

 

Option B) Essense HDACC

HDACC by Essence For Hi Res Upsampling

1)Essense measures:

Depth: 8.8 inches (22.3cm)

Width: 5.4 inches (13.8cm)

Height: 2 inches (5 cm) Ideal

2)Display with volume and sampling rate info:YES

3)Volume Knob:YES (volume control is in digital domain)

4)DC input power:5v 3amp

5)PCM and DSD support:up to PCM 24/192 and *NO DSD*

6)RCA output: 2v RMS

Price: ~$700

Sound quality from published reviews: Decent sound from USB, but outperformed by many USB powered DACs, focus is HDMI audio

Pros: Awesome size and display, 5v input is most common stepdown circuit for car applications

Cons: No DSD support, relatively poor sound quality, more expensive than Geek Pulse, digital domain volume

 

 

 

Option C) M2Tech Young DSD

http://www.m2tech.biz/it/youngdsd.html

1)Young DSD measures:

Depth: 7.9 inches (20cm)

Width: 7.9 inches (20cm) a hair wide

Height: 2 inches (5 cm) Ideal

2)Display with volume and sampling rate info:YES

3)Volume Knob:YES (volume control is in ANALOG domain)

4)DC input power:15v .3amp

5)PCM and DSD support:up to PCM 32/384 and DSD128

6)RCA output: 5.4v RMS selectable

Price: ~$1400

Sound quality from published reviews: Very good sound, analog resistor ladder chip volume control a plus

Pros: Great sound, High voltage RCA output, good height, analog domain volume

Cons: Size kind of wide, relatively expensive

 

I will be happy to edit this list as other suggestions are made and will follow up in the post below with the non DAC specific car installation details. Thanks for reading and for your constructive input.

[maglito]

Reserved for future use

[maglito]

Option D) AMI Musik DS5AMI MUSIK DS5 | AMI International, Inc.

1)AMI Musik DS5 measures:

Depth: 14cm Ideal

Width: 15cm Ideal

Height: 4 cm Ideal

2)Display with volume and sampling rate info:YES

3)Volume Knob:YES (volume control is in domain but claims to be very high precision)

4)DC input power:5v 3amp

5)PCM and DSD support:up to PCM 32/384 and DSD128

6)RCA output: 2.2v RMS selectable

Price: ~$700

Sound quality from published reviews: Very good sound (though some state the headphone jack is better than the RCA preamp)

Pros: Great sound, perfect size for Car, regulated 5V from car is VERY common, attractive minimal LED line based display

Cons: not cheap but a decent value in this segment

 

This may be my choice.