Guest Benjet Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 One thing that I’ve found impressive with this little DAC/amp, is it’s ability to lift the “vail” that the HD650 tends to exhibit. Pretty impressive as the only other amp/DAC combo that I have that achieves this costs quite a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_zee Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Benjet said: It take it that the hub is powered? The hub isn’t powered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipnhop Posted February 8, 2019 Share Posted February 8, 2019 2 hours ago, Benjet said: One thing that I’ve found impressive with this little DAC/amp, is it’s ability to lift the “vail” that the HD650 tends to exhibit. Pretty impressive as the only other amp/DAC combo that I have that achieves this costs quite a bit more. What dac/amp are u comparing against?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winterspace Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 19 hours ago, Winterspace said: Same here. Also ordered 18/01 Don't mind if it takes awhile, as long as it arrives eventually Spoke too soon. Arrived yesterday.Works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Benjet Posted February 9, 2019 Share Posted February 9, 2019 What dac/amp are u comparing against??PDX DAC through a AMB M3 SS amp and also through a Bottlehead Crack, Dragonfly Red and a couple of other setups. It’s not that the veil has gone, but it’s more transparent. Might be a bump in the highs that produces this, the result is a smooth mids with plenty of detail in the top end Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Is tracking via USPS? My tracking no states "delivered", but "To Agent RUTHERFORD, NJ 07070" Anyone get something similar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider27 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 2 minutes ago, Mat-with-one-t said: Is tracking via USPS? My tracking no states "delivered", but "To Agent RUTHERFORD, NJ 07070" Anyone get something similar? I guess that it means that it was passed to the shipping agent in USA and shipping agent will now look after the parcel from now on. I had an experience like this and it took another 7 days to pass onto Australia Post and then delivered to my door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 Just now, Spider27 said: I guess that it means that it was passed to the shipping agent in USA and shipping agent will now look after the parcel from now on. I had an experience like this and it took another 7 days to pass onto Australia Post and then delivered to my door. Ah yep. I thought that may be the case. My personal favorite is when a parcel blasts over here in no time from a far away place, then languishes up the road in an Aust Post sorting centre for another 2 weeks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider27 Posted February 10, 2019 Share Posted February 10, 2019 1 minute ago, Mat-with-one-t said: Ah yep. I thought that may be the case. My personal favorite is when a parcel blasts over here in no time from a far away place, then languishes up the road in an Aust Post sorting centre for another 2 weeks!! Yes, had that experience, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spider27 Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Just received one that I ordered. It does not have retail packaging but just the unit with manual & 2 short cables (micro USB to micro USB and Micro USB to USB). The size is very similar to my thumbnail USB drive. Actually thinner. It is about half thickness and 2/3 length of Dragonfly Red that I used to have. I will do a few hours burn in before listening... My quick 5 min impression is a bit less resolution but similar output as Dragonfly Red. I am amazed how this small size unit can drive full sized headphone effortlessly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) Hey all. I too received mine (2 of em - let’s face it, $20 shipped....) in the mail. Here’re some pics for comparison. As for sound? DAMMIT. Get the dreaded “not enough power” from iPad and iPhone (which are both happy with my Dragonfly). I’ll try to find something happy with it, but there goes my main use.....! Edited February 14, 2019 by Mat-with-one-t 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_zee Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Mat-with-one-t said: Hey all. I too received mine (2 of em - let’s face it, $20 shipped....) in the mail. Here’re some pics for comparison. As for sound? DAMMIT. Get the dreaded “not enough power” from iPad and iPhone (which are both happy with my Dragonfly). I’ll try to find something happy with it, but there goes my main use.....! I'm telling you folks, I think this dreaded issue can be fixed with a software workaround to trick the iphone into thinking it's a low power device. That's essentially what happens when you use the USB-hub trick I mentioned earlier. On another note, how do you rate the sound compared to the Dragonfly RED? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 On 09/02/2019 at 7:23 AM, mexicoke68 said: Just got mine today actually! Yet to test it out. Hopefully it works Edit: Just did a bit of testing. It works with iPhone if you connect it like this: iPhone -> Lighning camera cable -> USB 2.0 Hub -> Bitstream DAC via USB to microUSB connection. Power requirement isn't a problem this way. Was just using it with my iPhone on 5% battery and worked a treat. Sounds more airy and open than connecting earphones through the lightning audio connector (which was pretty damn good for it's size anyway). Overall, probably the best value audio buy thus far for me. I thought this is how I did it, but the “needs too much power” message came up and wouldn’t work,,,,? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 16 minutes ago, mexicoke68 said: I'm telling you folks, I think this dreaded issue can be fixed with a software workaround to trick the iphone into thinking it's a low power device. That's essentially what happens when you use the USB-hub trick I mentioned earlier. On another note, how do you rate the sound compared to the Dragonfly RED? Could you post a pic of how this all looks and whether the I-thing needed any setting changes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 (edited) Now. Down to business. Note this is a quick 1st outing and my bed time. I’ll hit a mate’s house soon and try some more interesting and difficult to drive cans. i-phone/pad>camera connector (micro USB connected to power, USB to Bitstream DAC>headphones = “device requires too much power”. I’m open to suggestions. No issues with this setup and Dragonfly Red (DFR). MacBook Pro > USB connector cable that came with Bitstream DAC> hifiman HE350 = works no issues. The above setup was compared b/w: - computer headphone jack - Bitstream DAC (BS) - Dragonfly DAC (DF) Firstly, the external DAC’s both quickly outclassed the computer’s. Whew! Build: - the DF is solid, nice looking, and well constructed. Having said that, the one I have replaced my 1st one under warranty when the headphone jack became loose and failed. This was rectified by the kind and helpful folks at Audioquest. - the BS is tiny, light and flimsy. I’d be mindful not to plug in and out of its bits non stop. It’s an AUD$10 delivered DAC.... Now, the BS and the DF seem to have similar gain. Believe it or not, the BS seems to punch a little harder. The soundstage between the 2 is lineball. Really similar. Both pick out detail in a similar manner, however the DF does it with a little more finesse, whereas the BS can be a little sharp around the edges. I noted this with mouthing/reed sounds on Miles’ AKOB. Also noted a bit “thin” on hihats and similar sounds... The DFR has a “warmer” and more rounded presentation. I feel it’s nicer to settle into, but the the BS is no slouch - the stage and detail are all there. Malia and Boris “Convergence” is always a great album to test stuff, and both DAC’s were up for it. This album is great for separation of channels and crisp detail, and neither disappointed. Another test I love is “Walk on the Wild Side” off Lou Reed’s album “Transformer”. This is one of the greatest albums ever, and vinyl rules here, however worth a go! Again, the BS damn good, but perhaps just misses the “rounded” warmth I prefer, but vocals were front and centre, and the coloured girls still managed a good “do-dodo...””. What wins? Dragonfly Red. A great DAC in a tiny package. Best value? Bitstream by a country mile. This cost me just on AUD$10 delivered. Geez! If I didn’t have a back-to-back comparison, I’d reckon it was the biz at 10x the price - maybe much more. I’ll give it some burn-in and hit some varying cans on a blind listen with a mate and keep you all posted! Mat-with-cheap-DAC Edited February 14, 2019 by Mat-with-one-t 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Benjet Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 This seems to work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMCNAD Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 This has gone up in price to USD14.99 or A$21 delivered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipnhop Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 It was good for that price. But at this increased price. No one talk about the cons because it was so cheap. Firstly not great with sensitive earphones can hear static noise. Resolution is ok. At this price you should look at some of the USB u audio dongles. More cleaner dynamics slightly better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_zee Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 3 hours ago, hipnhop said: It was good for that price. But at this increased price. No one talk about the cons because it was so cheap. Firstly not great with sensitive earphones can hear static noise. Resolution is ok. At this price you should look at some of the USB u audio dongles. More cleaner dynamics slightly better I can hear the static noise with my IEMs too, I thought resolution was very good for the price and a bit beyond. I don't, however, think that USB u audio dongles are better overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_zee Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 5 hours ago, Benjet said: This seems to work What does the camsol cable connect up to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 7 minutes ago, mexicoke68 said: What does the camsol cable connect up to? That’s what I’m doing but doesn’t work..... I too noticed the static Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Benjet Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 What does the camsol cable connect up to?USB charger or battery pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_zee Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 4 minutes ago, Benjet said: USB charger or battery pack Mhmm this setup could be good for someone with a portable charger then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve.au Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Looking at those pics the Bitstream looks a bit like the Cyrus Soundkey... https://www.whathifi.com/cyrus/soundkey/review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scobbi Posted February 15, 2019 Share Posted February 15, 2019 Got my two today. Ordered 26/01. Took 20 days to arrive. I am country NSW so would take a couple more days than metro. Unlike most others mine came in full retail packaging as per Benjet's original post. Early deliveries seem to be coming loose. Anyway cant wait to try out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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