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

**nobb** · 06-20-2008, 08:57 PM

Thanks for your reply. Im pretty convinced to buy this, but I just have a few more things to ask before going ahead and ordering.

1) This is a really stupid one, but is the wav volume (that controls the Bloat's volume) the same as the master volume slider on the computer? Basically I just want to make sure that the volume output can be adjusted just like normal via the slider from clicking the speaker icon (Vista).

2) There have been comments on the Head-Fi forum (for audiophiles) that the sound coming from The Bloat is indeed very clean, but the bass is very "lean" (weak?). Can anyone go into more detail on this one? Does this mean the lows extend low, yet there is not much punch to it?

3) Since the gain is high at 4v, is it safe to connect the output to the 3.5mm aux in of my headunit? My current setup is carpc > headunit > amp > speakers, so all the audio is routed to the hu first.

**amapro704** · 06-21-2008, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by nobb

Thanks for your reply. Im pretty convinced to buy this, but I just have a few more things to ask before going ahead and ordering.

1) This is a really stupid one, but is the wav volume (that controls the Bloat's volume) the same as the master volume slider on the computer? Basically I just want to make sure that the volume output can be adjusted just like normal via the slider from clicking the speaker icon (Vista).

2) There have been comments on the Head-Fi forum (for audiophiles) that the sound coming from The Bloat is indeed very clean, but the bass is very "lean" (weak?). Can anyone go into more detail on this one? Does this mean the lows extend low, yet there is not much punch to it?

3) Since the gain is high at 4v, is it safe to connect the output to the 3.5mm aux in of my headunit? My current setup is carpc > headunit > amp > speakers, so all the audio is routed to the hu first.

Wav can be controlled via your slider if you set it up I believe in vista also (I use xp..) There is a neat little program that can configure your volume controls if it doesn't. There is a link somewhere in these threads or in the group buy thread on MP3car.com for the program. The bass is not weak with the upgraded set-up, that is for sure. Keep in mind that the reviews on head-fi are by ppl strictly using DAC's for headphones so it is completely different when you are using it in a car. Headphones are much more limited on bass than the cars speakers (even stockers) and you have a little bit of eq with your HU to make things sound to your tastes.. In the reviews, they may have been comparing it with cheaper units that actually aren't as "clean" down low and what you would be hearing is slight distortion in the lower frequencies simulating a little bit of "false" bass- same with cheap midbass drivers.. Thats the way I have had it described to me and something I can attest to from a listening standpoint- not really a technical one, but with the upgraded BurrBrown DAC, opamps and capacitors it gives it a much fuller sound and very, very accurately represents the recorded music. It is definately safe to use with your headunit! Front aux input would be just fine or if you have RCA inputs in the rear it may be just slightly better to go that route. Dude, trust me you will be happy with the Bloat- its impressive. If you have any questions then ask, otherwise place your order!

Joey

**dosquito** · 06-21-2008, 03:08 AM

I saw in the other thread that this will only have an RCA output. What is the advantage to that?

Is it possible to get the standard 1/8" headphone out? i would much prefer that as I will be using this with headphones

**kwchan** · 06-21-2008, 09:41 AM

I will be hooking up my CarPC to my Alpine H700 processor using optical cable. Is it necessary to get the Bloat DAC?

I am using a low end processor, will this USB audio card take up a lot of CPU resource and USB bandwidth?

**amapro704** · 06-21-2008, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by dosquito

I saw in the other thread that this will only have an RCA output. What is the advantage to that?

Is it possible to get the standard 1/8" headphone out? i would much prefer that as I will be using this with headphones

The advantage is that RCA's typically make a better, stronger connection- thats why they are used on amps, etc. It can't be ordered with a mini jack through the group buy, but your best bet is to get an RCA to mini jack adaptor - its a little inexpensive y-cable. That way you have both and if you ever want to use it in your car or even hook it up to home audio equipment, you have what you need.

Originally Posted by kwchan

I will be hooking up my CarPC to my Alpine H700 processor using optical cable. Is it necessary to get the Bloat DAC?

I am using a low end processor, will this USB audio card take up a lot of CPU resource and USB bandwidth?

The Bloat does not do optical out. You can use its analog signal to you H700 but if you are stuck on using optical then you will need a different soundcard. DAC's typically use a little bit more CPU on average than a normal soundcard, although a lot of the new soundcards require so many programs to run and do what you want them to do, they can be pretty CPU intensive also.