MP3car Authorized Group Buy!!! Audiophile Sound Solution- The HIPPOhi-fi Bloat DAC!!

**amapro704** · 06-14-2008, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by dosquito

could someone please confirm this?

and how will it affect sound quality?

ps: is there any way to plug this into the digital out of a sound card?

You cannot use digital out of a soundcard. I am going to get 100% confirmation on this, but I am @ 99.9% that no, it does not make the DAC operate at 16bits. And it definately does not affect sound quality negatively at all- this type of system is actually better. Let me explain:

This DAC is unique, it takes digital signal over the USB that is received by a BurrBrown chip (the one in question) and that sends spdif (still digital) to the main, dedicated BurrBrown DAC to do the conversion to analog. Since the first receiver chip sends out digital spdif signal its bitrate is irrelevant because there is no analog conversion, like T3 said. They do it this way I beleive for less jitter and better clocking to make the sound "cleaner/ crisper", something thats not easy to accomplish on a computer. Basically it has its own internal clock rather than relying on your computers clock. Less jitter and better sound! Anyone who has any questions about the souond quality should read the review posted earlier and if you have any further doubts, PM me and tell me what you're currently using and I will tell you the difference you can expect to hear. There won't be any dissapointments!

Thanks guys for the great questions!

Joey

**Naamanf** · 06-14-2008, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by t3sn4f2

I understand that the first DAC is only 16 bits but doesn't that only matter if you are using the D to A function? If you are just passing a digital signal through it, doesn't it send whatever the OS sends and then the second DAC does what it is capable of doing?

Not at all. The USB receiver chip used is only capable of receiving a 16 bit signal. Period. It then converts that to a 16bit signal in the I2S format to be used by the DAC. So the DAC only gets 16 bits of data. Period.

Originally Posted by amapro704

This DAC is unique, it takes digital signal over the USB that is received by a BurrBrown chip (the one in question) and that sends spdif (still digital) to the main, dedicated BurrBrown DAC to do the conversion to analog. Since the first receiver chip sends out digital spdif signal its bitrate is irrelevant because there is no analog conversion, like T3 said. They do it this way I beleive for less jitter and better clocking to make the sound "cleaner/ crisper", something thats not easy to accomplish on a computer.

Nothing really unique here. I personally own 5 other DACs that work in the same manner, 4 of which I built myself. The receiver chips bitrate does matter, and it isn't using SPIDF. Also the 2707 is used as the master clock but I wouldn't say it's the last word in jitter reduction.

I am not saying anything is wrong or bad with this DAC, just that you need to understand what you are really getting. There are many other DACs on the market that do the exact same thing that cost less and a lot more.

**amapro704** · 06-14-2008, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Naamanf

Not at all. The USB receiver chip used is only capable of receiving a 16 bit signal. Period. It then converts that to a 16bit signal in the I2S format to be used by the DAC. So the DAC only gets 16 bits of data. Period.

Nothing really unique here. I personally own 5 other DACs that work in the same manner, 4 of which I built myself. The receiver chips bitrate does matter, and it isn't using SPIDF. Also the 2707 is used as the master clock but I wouldn't say it's the last word in jitter reduction.

I am not saying anything is wrong or bad with this DAC, just that you need to understand what you are really getting. There are many other DACs on the market that do the exact same thing that cost less and a lot more.

Thanks for the info man! Like I said, I'm not the tech guy, I'm the I listened to this and a thousand other audio solutions guy and this was hands down the best. I think you are taking credit away from the Bloat by not factoring in its size, simplicity and even its warranty when comparing it against things you have built. I completley disagree with your last line. You cannot show us a less expensive DAC with all the features and components of this for less...

**dosquito** · 06-14-2008, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by amapro704

Thanks for the info man! Like I said, I'm not the tech guy, I'm the I listened to this and a thousand other audio solutions guy and this was hands down the best. I think you are taking credit away from the Bloat by not factoring in its size, simplicity and even its warranty when comparing it against things you have built. I completley disagree with your last line. You cannot show us a less expensive DAC with all the features and components of this for less...

hey amapro...I think he was takling specifically about the 16bit conversion...not that there are plenty of other dac/amp combos like this for less

**t3sn4f2** · 06-14-2008, 12:48 PM

Now this has me worried. Volume control in Vista is excellent when coupled to a "24bit DAC". Would the Bloat be able to achieve this level of fidelity with regard to volume control?

I wish Brent would come by and help clear this up a bit

**dosquito** · 06-14-2008, 12:51 PM

btw could someone please explain how to adjust the volume on this. can it just be done with the normal volume bar in windows xp?

**amapro704** · 06-14-2008, 12:55 PM

CD audio is 16 bit as well. In fact cd readers are only able to read @ 16bit. There is no shame in 16bit. lol. Why do you think there is an everlasting argument on Head-fi.com about whether there is an audible difference between 16/24 bit. The importance here is that an outboard DAC eliminates a lot of the problems carputer users encounter with other forms of sound output (hardware noise, jitter and weak output) and the Bloat is the best value in a DAC available right now. My $.02

**t3sn4f2** · 06-14-2008, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by dosquito

btw could someone please explain how to adjust the volume on this. can it just be done with the normal volume bar in windows xp?

Gotta read the thread

**Naamanf** · 06-14-2008, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by t3sn4f2

Now this has me worried. Volume control in Vista is excellent when coupled to a "24bit DAC". Would the Bloat be able to achieve this level of fidelity with regard to volume control?

I wish Brent would come by and help clear this up a bit

Should be fine with the Bloat also seeing as Vista does not use the same audio scheme as XP.

I am just trying to clear up the fact that the Bloat does not do 24bit audio (limited by the receiver) even though the DAC chip is capable of it.

All the USB DACs I have use the PCM2707/2706 and I think it does just fine as a receiver. The PCM1794 is a really good DAC, so the Bloat should sound really good as long as the I/V stage is properly implemented.

I hope I didn't scare anyone away because this does seem like a pretty good little package for the price.

**amapro704** · 06-14-2008, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by dosquito

btw could someone please explain how to adjust the volume on this. can it just be done with the normal volume bar in windows xp?

Yes indeed it can be controlled with windows sliders and thru your front end if it controls the wave line (roadrunner and others do- if yourd doesn't it can be modified..)

Thread: MP3car Authorized Group Buy!!! Audiophile Sound Solution- The HIPPOhi-fi Bloat DAC!!

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