USB Thingie

[Knuckledragger]

I think they should change its name to Hannibal, or maybe just...

[Voltron]

I played with Gene's Thingee and it is both tubular and sticky on the ends!

Gene completely loves this thing and takes it with him on the road all the time.
I thought it sounded just ok directly out of the headphone jack but certainly passable and a one-stop solution in a road situation or in a pinch. He also likes it much better with an amp and I would think G-Lite would be a nice match. The extra added coolness of the USB-->spdif conversion makes this Thingee irresistible. I absolutely think Reks needs to strap on a Thingee and start playing with it pronto!

Samich had it and thought ill of it, but I am curious how you used it, Chris. Do tell. My experience was limited but Gene doesn't go for junk.

[EdipisReks]

heh

[guzziguy]

Originally Posted by EdipisReks

that website seems ever so slightly skeevy to me, just the way it's put together. i think i'm going to get this redundantly named preamp from them, what do you think?

I don't think that saying "Reks is playing with his KingRex" is nearly as believable as saying that "Reks is playing with his Thingee".

[Dusty Chalk]

Originally Posted by EdipisReks

that website seems ever so slightly skeevy to me, just the way it's put together. i think i'm going to get this redundantly named preamp from them, what do you think?

Only two inputs? I'd need at least...uh...(starts to do math, gives up)...three...

[EdipisReks]

i'm not actually going to get one.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by EdipisReks

i'm not actually going to get one.

jerk

[Upstateguy]

I've been looking at the Thingee too (for my Constantine - laptop set up). Does anyone know what USB DAC chip is in it?

The other alternative is the Trends UD10 (which I think, uses the same USB chip as the Stello DA100) but the battery pack is a turn off since you can't charge while listening.

It was also mentioned somewhere that the Thingee would sound better if it was connected through a powered hub.

Another question would be that with only USB power, might it sound better without the toslink option that would draw power as well?

USG

[EdipisReks]

anyone ever use Stereo-link? certainly looks the part...

[deepak]

Have you thought about a Denon DA-500 DAC? Ian and I are pretty impressed by them. And they go for less than $150. But they're not really transportable.

[EdipisReks]

i don't need transportable, but i do need USB.

[Upstateguy]

Originally Posted by EdipisReks

anyone ever use Stereo-link? certainly looks the part...

I checked out the web site... don't know if it's any better than a Constantine USB, for instance.... didn't see what the USB implementation was.

USG

Don't you ever sleep Reks?

[EdipisReks]

probably not as good as the constantine, but certainly cheaper.

not on the weekends, apparently. big mistake on my part, as i'm sure it's going to screw up my sleep schedule for monday. i also need to get up reasonably early (gonna go sleep soon, i think) today to continue packing for my move. i went through stuff for about 6 hours yesterday, and it feels like i barely made any progress.

[aardvark baguette]

Originally Posted by Voltron

Samich had it and thought ill of it, but I am curious how you used it, Chris. Do tell. My experience was limited but Gene doesn't go for junk.

Me? I never auditioned the Blue Circle Audio device myself. Sorry if I mislead you. I have tried (and owned) the M-Audio Transit and the Emu 0404 USB. For those, I found Emu>M-Audio for dac use. However, if using as a transport, the M-Audio is half the price, so probably better for said purpose.

My non-ipod source history:

M-Audio Transit > Emu 0404 USB > Bel Canto Dac3 > Pico (but still use the Bel Canto)

[boomana]

Like Al, I also listened to Gene's Thingee, and thought it sounded okay, but nothing I'd spend money on. I listened with SR-60s and PS1s (sounded like poo), and ESW9s. Never tried it with another amp, so that could change things.

[Voltron]

Originally Posted by aardvark sandwich

Me? I never auditioned the Blue Circle Audio device myself. Sorry if I mislead you. I have tried (and owned) the M-Audio Transit and the Emu 0404 USB. For those, I found Emu>M-Audio for dac use. However, if using as a transport, the M-Audio is half the price, so probably better for said purpose.

My non-ipod source history:

M-Audio Transit > Emu 0404 USB > Bel Canto Dac3 > Pico (but still use the Bel Canto)

Didn't see the 0404 in the quote, so I thought you were referring to the Thingee.

[Frihed89]

The Thingee is for real and sounds a lot better than the hagermann converter. I don't know about the others. The mfr is very closed mouth about his DAC technology, but I can assure you that the two DACs they sell are both very, very good. Gilbert Yeung knows his way around digital, analogue and tube circuits.

Skylab and I both own the Blue Circle SBH headphone amp. I rate it as an equal with my SP MPX-3 Slam SE at half the price. As a preamp, it is superb (which the MPX-3 as a preamp is NOT). I use K-701s and HD-595 (older high gain variety).

[Fungi]

I want a thingee now. h8!

[deepak]

Originally Posted by EdipisReks

i don't need transportable, but i do need USB.

You could probably mod a Transit inside it very easily keeping everything under $200.

[swt61]

Reks at work " Want to play with my Thingee? It's big and tubular and sticky on the end!".

Co-worker "Hmmmfff", stomping upstairs to the HR office.

Reks at home permanently, with a Thingee he now has no need for.