Comparison of Mid-Fi DAC/Amp Combination Units (Grace, Schiit, iFi, LH, JDS, etc.)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Oct 30, 2015.

  1. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

    Pyrate Slaytanic Cliff Clavin
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    Quick question: Does the Modi mute the windows volume control in exclusive mode with WASAPI or ASIO?
     
  2. kirayamato

    kirayamato Friend

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    @purrin have you tried the groove? as a transportable solution
     
  3. JewBear

    JewBear Almost "Made"

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    Based on my memory of the Geek Out 450, I feel the groove is inferior to it, and thus to the Geek Out V2 in most regards. It's been awhile since I owned the Geek Out though, so take what I saw with a grain of salt. I'm curious what Purrin thinks about the groove.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yes. The Windows volume control becomes inoperable and other applications cannot access the Modi when using WASAPI in exclusive mode, at least with JRiver MC Player.
     
  5. JakiCHan

    JakiCHan New

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    I think the fact that I forgot to pull the trigger on Friday for the Grace tells me that I didn't want it. It looks slick and all, but the Schiit stack probably will better suit my needs, and is slightly cheaper.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I uploaded a photo all all the units together in the first post to get a sense of the size differential.
     
  7. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    That alone and the wart makes it worth buying over JDS Labs ODAC driver hell.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I actually had difficulties with the JDS driver installation. Windows 7 wouldn't recognize the USB. I believe it's a Saviaudio SA9027 USB receiver. In these kinds of instances, I will manually install the Microsoft provided USB Audio Class 1 driver. In this case, it didn't work. I finally updated to Windows 10 (since the rest of you guys beta tested for me already), and the JDS worked.
     
  9. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    The ODAC is supposed to use generic drivers. Is it at least not USB powered in The Element?
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    if the USB were bus powered, the PC would pick it up upon plug-in. However, I found out that the power button had to be turned on for the USB to be picked up. First time I've used a Saavik Audio USB receiver, so not really too sure. I believe the JDS uses a TI LME buffer chip for the headouts.
     
  11. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    The DAC part can be powered from an iphone http://www.headfonia.com/review-jds-labs-element-bravado/
    Who knows if that means the power comes from the phone or you can just plug the phone into it.
     
  12. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Mmm, Heard about the ODAC USB issues before. So far no issues with plug-n-play with my GO V2. That is, no more blowing up my ear drums when I plug it freshly to my laptop.
     
  13. Psalmanazar

    Psalmanazar Most improved member; A+

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    Apparently it is USB powered: http://www.head-fi.org/t/786883/dc-area-head-fi-meet-impressions-november-7-2015/15#post_12062416
    Very disappointing from JDS Labs for a desktop unit.
     
  14. Friday

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    Whaddya know, this made it to Schiit's facebook page! Some of the comments on blind reviewing really rubbed me the wrong way though, particularly after reading about Tyll's thoughts on blind testing during Big Sound as well as various other posts on SBAF, where people have, if not demonstrated, then at least explained the possible introduction of bias of a different sort by blind ABX which would also influence their opinion of a piece of gear.
     
  15. maikuirock

    maikuirock Friend

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    Should I go for the Lyr2/Bifrost Multibit stack instead of the GOV2+?
     
  16. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    for what headphones and what source?

    having to choose between that option, with full sized ortho headphones: Lyr2/Bifrost Multibit for sure if you are willing to dip $150 into a better pair of tubes.
    if Sennh HD6x0: go with Bifrost Multibit/Valhalla2.
    if you have IEMs or trivial to power mid fi headphones: go with GOV2+.
     
  17. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

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    i really wanna know about fulla
     
  18. JakiCHan

    JakiCHan New

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    Just out of curiosity, after they replaced your unit (or gave you a better USB cable, not sure which) did that change any of your impressions?
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It was just the cable change. Still sounds the same.
     
  20. maikuirock

    maikuirock Friend

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    thanks for the insight :)
     

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