juve021

Just put my order in! Hoping this will make my crappy onboard sound better. Just to make sure, this will work with usb 1.1 correct? Also, anyone with XM using this unit with their XM plugged into onboard sound line in, any major differences?

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amapro704

I haven't used it that way for xm, but ipod, hd radio and even using my phone into the input sounded great! I really don't know if it works with USB 1.1, did you check the specs @ hippohifi.com? Maybe it says in there. I will send an email and try to find out for you real quick too

Caelric

Yes, my XM goes into the onboard sound line, and then back out through the Bloat. No problems whatsoever.

As for USB 1.1, I would intuitively say that it would NOT work, since the bandwidth is much lower, but thats just a guess on my part

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amapro704

Plus doesn't 1.1 have lower power capabilities? I can't remember but the Bloat is powered solely by the usb, which is nice, but if 1.1 isn't up to it then it might not work...

juve021

OK, just checking about the USB 1.1, I have some 2.0 ports as well, just checking. Great, hope this goes through, can't wait to plug this in!

dosquito

how does this work with the HD580/HD600 sennheiser line? should it amp adequately?

amapro704

I dont use headphones often but there is a warning right on the hippohifi's website that says because it has such high gain/ powerful output that you should be careful not to damage your hearing w/ headphones so yes it will amp adequately

HIPPOhifi

The Bloat is compatible with USB 1.1 as well.

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nobb

I just have a few questions.

1)If I were to order one unit now, will I be able to order another unit after the deadline has passed for the same price?

2)Also, is the unit powered solely by usb or is there a separate adapter?

3)From the site it says

"Each OpAmp used has a set gain of 6. As a result the output power is high and HIPPOhifi strongly recommends users to be cautious listening for long periods at high volumes, especially with lower impedence headphones."

Can someone clarify what this means and what would qualify as low impedance? I use my laptop with a pair of computer speakers (altec lansing mx5021) as well as a set of iems (ultimate ears super.fi5, impedance 21 ohms). Just making sure the DAC wont hurt my iems or speakers.

amapro704

No, once the group buy is up its up, everything will go back to regular price. You can buy one now and one later in the group buy period- that is fine. The high gain refers to the strong output (4 volts rms) and if you crank it with lower impedance headphones it will get wicked loud- thats the reason for the warning. It wont harm your equipment and you can turn it down on your computer's volume control. It just means that at max vol it will get really loud with lower impedance..

Thanks,
Joey

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.

amapro704

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

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

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

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.


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.

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