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Post by Gary Cook on Aug 14, 2015 1:21:45 GMT -5
For the last couple of days I've been using a Big Ego connected to Airmotive 4's with a MacMini as the source. The sound quality using the analogue ladder volume control in the Big Ego controlled by the Mac volume slider is the first thing I noticed, even at very low volumes there is no loss of clarity like there is with a digital volume control. Overall the sound quality improvement from the BigEgo over my previous external DAC, a Behringer UCA202, is about the same step up as when I went from the internal MacMini DAC to the UCA202. For a home office near field sound system it was very good before now it's quite amazing. I'd highly recommend it. Good to hear Gary. Now I am more interested in this unit  Care to expand with some subjective impressions? I need to do some more listening over the weekend, plus the guy siting next to me on the AbbaDabba to Sydney leg had the world's worst head cold which of course he shared with me. I've finally just about kicked it, but it dulled the senses for a week or so. The effect of the BigEgo volume control is the easiest to identify and explain, it's actually quit stunning how low the volume can go and still have so much clarity. The sound stage isn't any higher or wider, but it may well be deeper, which with near field speakers i to be expected. The placement in the sound stage is rock solid, you can hear where Nora Jones hands are located on the piano keys. Brushes on cymbals have that metallic "ting" that I hear as being realistic. But it's not Sabre DAC like, which I find mildly annoying. The long rolling thunder intro to Dire Straight Hybrid SACD version of Brothers in Arms really does roll around the sound stage, I had to play it 3 times just to listen to the tone, rumble and motion, mesmerising. That's about it so far, more impressions over the weekend. Cheers Gary |
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Post by garbulky on Aug 14, 2015 3:10:06 GMT -5
Good to hear Gary. Now I am more interested in this unit Care to expand with some subjective impressions? I need to do some more listening over the weekend, plus the guy siting next to me on the AbbaDabba to Sydney leg had the world's worst head cold which of course he shared with me. I've finally just about kicked it, but it dulled the senses for a week or so. The effect of the BigEgo volume control is the easiest to identify and explain, it's actually quit stunning how low the volume can go and still have so much clarity. The sound stage isn't any higher or wider, but it may well be deeper, which with near field speakers i to be expected. The placement in the sound stage is rock solid, you can hear where Nora Jones hands are located on the piano keys. Brushes on cymbals have that metallic "ting" that I hear as being realistic. But it's not Sabre DAC like, which I find mildly annoying. The long rolling thunder intro to Dire Straight Hybrid SACD version of Brothers in Arms really does roll around the sound stage, I had to play it 3 times just to listen to the tone, rumble and motion, mesmerising. That's about it so far, more impressions over the weekend. Cheers Gary That sounds great! Very descriptive. Thank you. |
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Post by rp on Aug 14, 2015 15:26:40 GMT -5
I own Stealth 8 connected to DC-1 (very pleased with this setup), i bought the Airmotiv 4s for other room (connected to desktop PC). I need some DAC to drive this setup. DC-1 is too expensive and is an overkill with all its inputs.
I use "Schiit Fulla" to drive headphones in the office at work. The clarity, bass and overall sound quality are excellent.
I tested the Airmotiv 4s with it and they sounded very good.
I need to decide if to buy second "Schiit Fulla" or buy Big Ego for the 4s.
The "Schiit Fulla" is only $79 and has also integrated volume control knob.
How "Big Ego" compares to it? Does the 'line out' really important? Do I really need the filters selection? How is the bass and overall sound quality leap over the "Schiit Fulla"?
I wish to know from someone that has both, and tested both.
BTW, if you have ~$100 budget and want killer headphone/DAC combo, I found (after lots of trials!) that "Schiit Fulla" + "Monoprice DJ Style Over-the-Ear Pro Headphone" will give the ultimate results. I bet no other combo (even triple the price) can compare to these.
Thanks,
-Pini
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Post by brutiarti on Aug 14, 2015 16:21:47 GMT -5
Did any ego owners noticed an improvement in sound after several day of use?? Idk if it's in my head but i think i can hear more detail and smoothnes on the treble since i got my big ego, listening a couple of hours every nigh since
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Post by novisnick on Aug 14, 2015 16:44:26 GMT -5
Did any ego owners noticed an improvement in sound after several day of use?? Idk if it's in my head but i think i can hear more detail and smoothnes on the treble since i got my big ego, listening a couple of hours every nigh since I noticed that it was much more chocolatly !!! I just kidding, I'd like to know as well, some gear does have a break in period and some doesn't. IMHO Which this one is ? I'm curious. ? |
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Post by brutiarti on Aug 14, 2015 17:05:44 GMT -5
Did any ego owners noticed an improvement in sound after several day of use?? Idk if it's in my head but i think i can hear more detail and smoothnes on the treble since i got my big ego, listening a couple of hours every nigh since I noticed that it was much more chocolatly !!! I just kidding, I'd like to know as well, some gear does have a break in period and some doesn't. IMHO Which this one is ? I'm curious. ? Haha, chocolatly. I'm curouis about it too. It really caught me by surprise. I wasn't expecting an improve in sound because it was already wonderful, but i guess that is a good thing! |
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Post by Gary Cook on Aug 14, 2015 19:05:05 GMT -5
Sounds the same to me this morning and it's been on pretty much every day since it arrived. I'm getting a bit more used to its sound, plus I've played more stuff, a variety that brings out different differences (to the UCA202). But when I go back to my 3 or 4 reference tracks it sounds the same to me.
I haven't tried any filters as yet, that'll happen when I'm more familiar with the BigEgo sound.
Cheers
Gary
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2015 8:28:32 GMT -5
Any using these on Win10 x64? Any issues? The drivers do not specifically call out having been tested on the platform so I would like some confirmation.
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Post by foggy1956 on Aug 17, 2015 8:38:14 GMT -5
Any using these on Win10 x64? Any issues? The drivers do not specifically call out having been tested on the platform so I would like some confirmation. No problems here |
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Post by MukAudio on Aug 17, 2015 22:57:03 GMT -5
Can either of the ego's be powered from an iphone 6+, I was looking at getting a nice portable dac that could be plugged into the iphone camera connection kit (USB connection) I had the Onkyo HA200 on my wishlist but would love to give the egos a shot. Has anyone tried this yet ? I'm wondering the same thing. Can I plug my iPhone into this? Mark |
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Post by qdtjni on Aug 18, 2015 4:52:47 GMT -5
Can either of the ego's be powered from an iphone 6+, I was looking at getting a nice portable dac that could be plugged into the iphone camera connection kit (USB connection) I had the Onkyo HA200 on my wishlist but would love to give the egos a shot. Has anyone tried this yet ? I'm wondering the same thing. Can I plug my iPhone into this? Mark It should work wit the Lightning to USB Camera Adapter some powered USB hubs. |
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KeithL
Administrator 
Posts: 10,261
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Post by KeithL on Aug 18, 2015 12:20:26 GMT -5
Big and Little Ego, iPhones, and the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter - YES THEY WORK!.  We tried the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter on a few iPhones - with totally positive results. Both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 worked just fine with the Egos (and in both UAC1 and UAC2 modes).However, YOU WILL HAVE TO USE A POWERED HUB BETWEEN THE ADEPTER AND YOUR EGO (a hub with an AC power pack that plugs into the wall). (Apparently the iPhone doesn't put out enough power, from its USB port, through the adapter, to power normal USB devices.) We used the Amazon Basics 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub (but it should work with any normal powered hub). www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-power-adapter/dp/B00DQFGJR4
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Post by MukAudio on Aug 18, 2015 18:21:10 GMT -5
Thanks Keith for the detailed instructions. It sounds quite doable but not something you'd be walking around with.
Mark
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Post by qdtjni on Aug 18, 2015 18:47:17 GMT -5
Big and Little Ego, iPhones, and the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter - YES THEY WORK!. We tried the Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter on a few iPhones - with totally positive results. Both the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 worked just fine with the Egos (and in both UAC1 and UAC2 modes).However, YOU WILL HAVE TO USE A POWERED HUB BETWEEN THE ADEPTER AND YOUR EGO (a hub with an AC power pack that plugs into the wall). (Apparently the iPhone doesn't put out enough power, from its USB port, through the adapter, to power normal USB devices.) We used the Amazon Basics 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub (but it should work with any normal powered hub). www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Port-USB-power-adapter/dp/B00DQFGJR4 You're welcome.  In order to not drain the battery, iPhone and iPads are designed to not work at all with USB devices needing power over USB, such as the Egos, Hence, the need for a powered USB hub. |
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Post by qdtjni on Aug 18, 2015 18:50:30 GMT -5
Thanks Keith for the detailed instructions. It sounds quite doable but not something you'd be walking around with. Mark Unless you have very long power cable for the USB hub.  You would need a battery powered DAC, such as iFi Nano iDSD, or alternatively a battery powered USB hub. |
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Post by sancho89 on Sept 3, 2015 21:34:51 GMT -5
BTW, if you have ~$100 budget and want killer headphone/DAC combo, I found (after lots of trials!) that "Schiit Fulla" + "Monoprice DJ Style Over-the-Ear Pro Headphone" will give the ultimate results. I bet no other combo (even triple the price) can compare to these. Thanks, -Pini I just got the monoprice headphones, and I agree it is fantastic. Its better than my old Sennheiser momentum. |
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Post by Mark on Sept 4, 2015 11:56:52 GMT -5
Has anyone tried using the Big Ego with an Apple Airport Express and mini-x a100? I assume I would use the line level analog output from the AE but it does have a USB out. Obviously can't install any software so I would need to go driverless mode?
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Post by hp1kw on Sept 6, 2015 3:00:08 GMT -5
I guess I missed it in the pictures, etc. But a note to owners of Grados or headphones with a "bulge" at the plug, please be aware that they will not just plug into the headphone output of the Big Ego. The headphone port is recessed just enough to make it an issue.
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Post by dean70 on Sept 25, 2015 0:30:47 GMT -5
Can the filter be disabled? I run HQPlayer which has its own excellent upsampler & filters and plan to run it at 384KHz PCM.
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Post by frisco on Sept 25, 2015 17:28:22 GMT -5
Has anyone out there done a listening comparison of the egos to the second gen dragonfly?
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Care to expand with some subjective impressions? 
