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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: itlnstln on Mon, 25 January 2010, 15:02:42

Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 25 January 2010, 15:02:42: This looks awesome (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/audio-technica-at-ha35i-melds-headphone-amp-and-ipod-dock/). The MSRP ($560) is a little too high, though, for something that looks fairly specialized. If it works for deviced other than iPods, it might be worth it.
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: snerd on Mon, 25 January 2010, 15:25:18: Quote from: itlnstln;153655
This looks awesome (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/audio-technica-at-ha35i-melds-headphone-amp-and-ipod-dock/). The MSRP ($560) is a little too high, though, for something that looks fairly specialized. If it works for deviced other than iPods, it might be worth it.

That would be really tempting if it had a USB input to the DAC. Watch apple change their connector and you are stuck with a piece of junk or you have to get a bulky adapter that defeats the purpose.

In the same price range, I'm going to get a Meier Audio Cantante.2 after I recover from the cost of my Topre Tenkeyless. (recover in terms of female S/O stress, not actual monetary stress)

I already have a Meier amp (kit) from 10 years ago, and it's been great.
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: SCTony on Mon, 25 January 2010, 15:54:52: That's too pricey for me too- I hope to get an ASUS Xonar Essence ST (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132014) sound card in the next month or two. Need something to drive those new AT headphones :) I only have on-board sound right now. Reviews I can find on it seem pretty promising.

"World's first Precision Clock Tuning for Revolutionary PC Hi-Fi audio
- Industry-leading 124dB SNR
- Built-in headphone amp drives every available headphone with <0.001% distortion "
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 25 January 2010, 15:59:28: I like that sound card. If I were to buid another HTPC, that one would definitely be on the short list.
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: pfink on Mon, 25 January 2010, 19:13:47: Quote from: ripster;153715
I use a Gilmore Lite with a Logitech Squeezebox streaming Flac from my media server. The onboard DACs are Burr-Browns and fine. I find most DACs are fine - more AudioPhool snake oil.

Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7555&stc=1&d=1264465168)

I believe the Squeezebox Duet/Receiver uses a Wolfson DAC. The Squeezebox 3/Classic used Burr-Brown. I've got both and can't tell the difference.
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: snerd on Mon, 25 January 2010, 19:30:43: Neat, but squeezebox + gilmore + cable is more expensive than the cantante.2 and still doesn't do what I want, which is function as a USB sound card to use with my headphones. I listen to music while playing games, switching to dumb youtube videos, and possibly other things that make noise. Right now I use a Yamaha Cavit + corda headamp + HD600 for everything, but the cavit has some quirks due to age, and I'm ready to replace it. Hopefully, with one discrete box for DAC and amp.
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: chongyixiong on Mon, 25 January 2010, 20:23:53: May I suggest Audio-gd stuff?

http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/FUN/DAC-FUN.htm
(http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/pro/FUN/Front2s.JPG)

I am using this, they were the last generation before the FUN came out.. it's a DAC + Headphone amp combo.
http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/DAC-Compass.htm
(http://www.audio-gd.com/enweb/EARpic/Compass1s.JPG)

Very very nice design with a sexy tough 5mm thick all-aluminium chassis with a very nice layout.. sometimes I just browse their website and look at the higher end Reference series if I ever needed an eargasm just from looking at PCBs and electronic components. :P
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: In Stereo! on Tue, 26 January 2010, 06:03:08: Quote from: itlnstln;153655
This looks awesome (http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/audio-technica-at-ha35i-melds-headphone-amp-and-ipod-dock/). The MSRP ($560) is a little too high, though, for something that looks fairly specialized. If it works for deviced other than iPods, it might be worth it.

It is a specialised product for the iPod owners. You can get alot of other DACs wither other types of connectivity. The iPod on the other hand, does not have a digital audio output, so the dock is necessary in this aspect.

Quote from: snerd;153659
That would be really tempting if it had a USB input to the DAC. Watch apple change their connector and you are stuck with a piece of junk or you have to get a bulky adapter that defeats the purpose.

As I said: there are many other USB DACs, why would it be necessary to have another one instead of an iPod DAC?
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: snerd on Tue, 26 January 2010, 09:32:11: Quote from: In Stereo!;153777
It is a specialised product for the iPod owners. You can get alot of other DACs wither other types of connectivity. The iPod on the other hand, does not have a digital audio output, so the dock is necessary in this aspect.

As I said: there are many other USB DACs, why would it be necessary to have another one instead of an iPod DAC?

I think we both get that. The cynicism comes in when you wonder why someone would buy a $560 piece of high quality audio equipment that only works with one proprietary device -- Just for the luxury of having an ipod standing up on top of it.

They could have thrown a USB DAC in for the price, so you can at least have some use for it if the whole ipod thing fades away, or some new trendy device that you want replaces your ipod with a different connector.
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: kishy on Tue, 26 January 2010, 09:38:14: Quote from: snerd;153801
I think we both get that. The cynicism comes in when you wonder why someone would buy a $560 piece of high quality audio equipment that only works with one proprietary device -- Just for the luxury of having an ipod standing up on top of it.

They could have thrown a USB DAC in for the price, so you can at least have some use for it if the whole ipod thing fades away, or some new trendy device that you want replaces your ipod with a different connector.

The irony is that it would be worth less if it had USB connectivity...the fact it's for an iPoop makes it more pricey because it's "exclusive" and "purpose made".
Title: Audio Techinica Headphone Amp/iPod Dock
Post by: In Stereo! on Tue, 26 January 2010, 14:16:41: Quote from: snerd;153801
I think we both get that. The cynicism comes in when you wonder why someone would buy a $560 piece of high quality audio equipment that only works with one proprietary device -- Just for the luxury of having an ipod standing up on top of it.

They could have thrown a USB DAC in for the price, so you can at least have some use for it if the whole ipod thing fades away, or some new trendy device that you want replaces your ipod with a different connector.

BE-cause

An iPod is not equipped with an USB -_-