tee 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 Tigger, i have just started using the MiniMe Meta, initial impression is that it presents very good transparency in the mid-high frequency range. It would be good if the bass section could be emphasized a little bit more. 3-D spatial definition within soundfield is firm and seamlessly integrated. I was listening basically to acoustic jazz materials with Grado RS-2. Just some ideas to explore. Any chance to include DSP-based crossfeed with virtual multi-channels (inspired by Yamaha), to be ready when SACD-Surround discs become pervasive. Another feature of desire, IMHO, is the HDCD decoder (2nd generation) for die-hard fans of Reference Recordings and some other good CDs recorded in HK and Taiwan. Audio Alchemy's success in miniaturising DAC may be an interesting model to emulate. Of course, combining a DAC with headamp is something quite new to begin with Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evil-zen 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 tee, DAC with headamp has already been done and on sale now. Sostenuto-1 Portable DAC http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread....&threadid=37208 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tee 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 Thanks evil, is Sostenuto the only one in the market currently ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evil-zen 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 there's one more GRACE 901 i think. it is a higher end commercialised headamp and dac. it was on stereophile quite sometime ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tee 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 Do they come with 192kHz/24 bit upsampling ? I just hope that a new Headsave amp comes with this spec plus DSP-based virtual surround option. Do you like the idea, evil-zen ? I don't wish to hijack this thread but hope to hear tigger's view on this potential too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evil-zen 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 no idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tee 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 Maybe erickoh can help.....he owns one right ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erickoh 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 Welcome Tiger! Regarding the sostenuto, I just got it for less than a week, so I wont comment on it yet. However, as a person who listen to most of my music from the PC, I find that using an external DAC makes a lot of difference to the sound quality than just using the soundcard's lineout/speakerouts. (Caveat: I have not used the m-audio revo or better soundcards, but I have owned quite a few decent ones). Same with a portable rig, you wont expect the DAC or opamps in your portable player to be top-notch, so the sostenuto-1 fits in nicely as both a portable dac and headamp. A similar but bulkier portable rig to the sostenuto-1 would be to use the ART DI/O together with your favourite portable headamp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tee 0 Report post Posted July 13, 2003 Thanks erickoh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mackie 0 Report post Posted July 14, 2003 Tigger, please excue me for the late welcome garland......busy lately. Welcome to the family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tee 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2003 Paging Tigger...paging Tigger....where are you ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites