Pico DAC impressions.
I've had the Pico for a few weeks now.
I moved some stuff from my bedroom to my basement, and haven't migrated my Dac3 or Ear HP4 downstairs yet. I've been using my new-to-me B22 with Pico. So I haven't heard how the B22 mates with the Dac3, and only had the HP4 connected to a Pico for a few hours.
Overall, I still really love the Dac3 the most, but the Pico gets fairly close. Its quite surprising, considering it is about 1/4th the cost, and probably 1/4th the size as well.
However, both the Dac3 and HP4 have not been turned on for at least a week now.
To my ears, the Dac3 has slightly better highs, cleaner midbass and slightly leaner bass with more tonality. But if I was back in college with a more limited income, I could easily live with the Pico alone. I had to make do with a Transit, then an Emu 0404USB in college.....those dark days are now behind me
The one impression I have that has been most consistent with all of my Dac upgrades is the tendency towards a 'fun sound' in the bass, as the chief signature of all the affordable units. The Emu definitely goes for this sound, and at times makes it glaringly obvious. The Pico does a far, far better job, giving an impression of a more balanced and even sound, yet if you listen for it, you realize that it does have a healthy, robust bass sound. The Dac3 is where I hear the sound take a different direction, and is more balanced and linear still. Though I know the optical sounds a little more robust than the USB counterpart. But I've been using the computer as source almost entirely. I haven't used the optical since around the first month or two of owning the Bel Canto, simply because the USB is so convenient.
I still cant believe how close the Pico Dac gets though.
So those are my impressions. YMMV.
Here is a pic I took when I received my Picos. I've sold one to help fund an SACD player (not yet purchased), but will definitely be keeping the 2nd.