it better be if its that much more expensive

You should keep everything you have and buy more stuff. That way you are contributing to the economy as well.

i've never heard the 0404USB, but i wouldn't be surprised if the Duet was much better.

You can borrow my E-MU0404usb in the summer if you want.

question for GRAWK:

when you say "But the headphone out is 1000000% better", which one are you referring to?

question for GRAWK:

when you say "But the headphone out is 1000000% better", which one are you referring to?

I'm comparing the headphone out on the minidac to the one on the duet. The duet is world's better. I didn't like the headphone out on the minidac. Note however, that I'm talking about using my ears, and my grados.

Anymore Duet comparisons to full size uber dacs?

Anymore Duet comparisons to full size uber dacs?

Does the Cosecant not count?

Does the Cosecant not count?

Of course, just wanted some more impressions until I can make my own comparisons.

If you end up selling the 0404USB, lemme know.

I'm going to assume this is what you were referring to:

Ok, I'm listening to the pico with my new to me HD600s with stock cable. It works very well, and I'd say it's a good option. I'm not the most critical of listeners, but listening to dire straits, it's got good imaging and depth, the dynamics and PRaT seem appropriate, and the sound is clear and forceful. I remain impressed by this amazing little device.

So I'll stand by what I said earlier, that I'd recommend the duet for fixed location or transportable use with a mac if you have use for full sized line outs or will use the line ins. Using the built in headphone amps, my preference is slightly towards the pico. I haven't done any level matching at this point, although I will later. I'll also feed the m3 with both and do a comparison. But really, you can't go wrong with either, so the obvious choice is high end IN and OUT vs OMG SMALL. Both sound great.

damn me, consensus on both are too good to just pass up.

must have more impressions

Just get both.

Ok, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the pico is a better match with the hd600 than the duet. I've been listening to the pico most of the day, switched to the apogee for a bit, then switched back. It's fairly striking.

Nice impressions grawk. I am very curious about the comparison of the Duet vs. Pico dac only so plug them into that M3 already!

The dacs are very comparable. I couldn't say I have a favorite. I'll spend tomorrow doing a more direct comparison, but doing that will be a huge pain in the ass.

Ok, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the pico is a better match with the hd600 than the duet. I've been listening to the pico most of the day, switched to the apogee for a bit, then switched back. It's fairly striking.

thanks for the impressions grawk.

How do both units fare with the HF-1, Grawko?

How do both units fare with the HF-1, Grawko?

At this point, there's less difference between them driving the hhf1s.

Pico > This? WOW. The duet sounds really great already.. I listened to it at my friend's studio.. and it was pretty amazing imo.

The dacs are very comparable. I couldn't say I have a favorite. I'll spend tomorrow doing a more direct comparison, but doing that will be a huge pain in the ass.

I didn't do an extensive volume matched comparision between the two before shipping the Duet to you but my initial impression was that they were comparable. Once it returns (no rush) I will give it a shot. I'm still in my vinyl honeymoon stage so no digital being played for the last 1 1/2 weeks.

I have been listening to the pico as source with the m3 and hd600s/hhf1s all morning. I can't hear any flaws in the presentation. I could easily live with this as my only source from a sound quality perspective. I will say that I absolutely can't stand minijacks for this application tho. But since I only had to deal with that for about 2 minutes while getting everything set up, that's probably ok.

Justin's got a real winner here.

I really want justin to come out with an airport express mod with the guts of the pico in it

I really want justin to come out with an airport express mod with the guts of the pico in it

that would kill

I have been listening to the pico as source with the m3 and hd600s/hhf1s all morning. I can't hear any flaws in the presentation. I could easily live with this as my only source from a sound quality perspective. I will say that I absolutely can't stand minijacks for this application tho. But since I only had to deal with that for about 2 minutes while getting everything set up, that's probably ok.

Justin's got a real winner here.

Do you just set it to high gain and max volume and then connect it to your amp?