indialogue
Active Member
Hi guys, as I posted in the following threads - New miniature DACs and Another sub-200 DAC, I've just ordered a Geek Pulse DAC that is being crowdfunded on Indiegogo.
As a part of their campaign, I have an option to upgrade to the Geek Pulse X, which is a fully balanced version of the DAC having the following features
"instead of a standard 1/4 stereo headphone jack, youll find a 4-pin balanced output. On the back panel, youll find two XLR outputs, one AES digital input, one RCA digital input, one TOSLINK input, and one USB input."
"In order to accomplish a true balanced design, we have to nearly double the internal components, including the DAC IC and the analog signal amplifiers. This means that Geek Pulse X uses a dual mono (sometimes called mono-mono") design. There are other internal component upgrades as well. Geek Pulse X will employ Nichicon Muse capacitors in the decoupling stage, and the analog stage will feature a dual mono, high-bias class A module with high-precision, non inductive Caddock resistors"
Now, I do not have any balanced input amplifiers or headphones right now (though my Sennheiser HD650 can be used with a balanced output - just need to invest in a cable), but I'm wondering if I should invest in the upgrade for USD140. Given the improvements in the DAC through mono-mono upgrades, this should technically provide better performance than the standard version right? What do you all suggest? The only additional cost implications are XLR-to-RCA cables for my current system and planning for a fully balanced system in the future - which I'm currently contemplating by going in for a fully active speaker system
As a part of their campaign, I have an option to upgrade to the Geek Pulse X, which is a fully balanced version of the DAC having the following features
"instead of a standard 1/4 stereo headphone jack, youll find a 4-pin balanced output. On the back panel, youll find two XLR outputs, one AES digital input, one RCA digital input, one TOSLINK input, and one USB input."
"In order to accomplish a true balanced design, we have to nearly double the internal components, including the DAC IC and the analog signal amplifiers. This means that Geek Pulse X uses a dual mono (sometimes called mono-mono") design. There are other internal component upgrades as well. Geek Pulse X will employ Nichicon Muse capacitors in the decoupling stage, and the analog stage will feature a dual mono, high-bias class A module with high-precision, non inductive Caddock resistors"
Now, I do not have any balanced input amplifiers or headphones right now (though my Sennheiser HD650 can be used with a balanced output - just need to invest in a cable), but I'm wondering if I should invest in the upgrade for USD140. Given the improvements in the DAC through mono-mono upgrades, this should technically provide better performance than the standard version right? What do you all suggest? The only additional cost implications are XLR-to-RCA cables for my current system and planning for a fully balanced system in the future - which I'm currently contemplating by going in for a fully active speaker system