The Computer Audiophile Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 You can view the page at http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content.php?r=505-Meridian-Explorer-USB-DAC-Review Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 We must go to different coffee shops Chris, all my favorite haunts are too loud either because of the music or the people, and sometimes both. I could never ever listen to music in any of them, especially with open back headphones. Am I right that this would not work as a DAC in a full size system, only a USB to Toslink converter, or would a headphone jack to RCA jack cable work? No electron left behind. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 We must go to different coffee shops Chris, all my favorite haunts are too loud either because of the music or the people, and sometimes both. I could never ever listen to music in any of them, especially with open back headphones. Am I right that this would not work as a DAC in a full size system, only a USB to Toslink converter, or would a headphone jack to RCA jack cable work? Pick up a pair of IEMs that block out 26dB of external noise and all is right with the world :~) I'm guessing you skimmed over the review. The Explorer has three outputs, headphone, line out, and toslink. It works well in a full size system. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
jhwalker Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 I want one right now - exciting times in portable audio, for sure! John Walker - IT Executive Headphone - SonicTransporter i9 running Roon Server > Netgear Orbi > Blue Jeans Cable Ethernet > mRendu Roon endpoint > Topping D90 > Topping A90d > Dan Clark Expanse / HiFiMan H6SE v2 / HiFiman Arya Stealth Home Theater / Music -SonicTransporter i9 running Roon Server > Netgear Orbi > Blue Jeans Cable HDMI > Denon X3700h > Anthem Amp for front channels > Revel F208-based 5.2.4 Atmos speaker system Link to comment
wisnon Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 It costs the same as the iFi IDac (Sabre chip), so there are real choices out there. Link to comment
Jsmith Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Chris, I would appreciate it if you can expand upon a topic of the use if the Wire World USB? Did you notice any sonic difference between this and the stock cord? Main / Office: Home built computer -> Roon Core (Tidal & FLAC) -> Wireless -> Matrix Audio Mini-i Pro 3 -> Dan Clark Audio AEON 2 Noire (On order) Portable / Travel: iPhone 12 Pro Max -> ALAC or Tidal -> iFi Hip Dac -> Meze 99 Classics or Meze Rai Solo Link to comment
DKennedy Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 My Explorer shows up next week. Can't wait to get my hands on mine! Will be very interesting to see if Android will support the piece.. I listened to it last week, and compared it to a few $1,000+ DACs as a line level out. None of the Sabre implementations I compared it to came close. While I liked the Meitner MA-1 more in my system, the Explorer compared VERY favorably. Anyone looking for a new DAC, line level or headphone, would be missing out by at least listening to one. Link to comment
wisnon Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Doesn't it draw power from the PC? If so, I dont see why $1,000+ Dacs should be shaking in their boots. Now if you have a power isolater in there... Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Doesn't it draw power from the PC? If so, I dont see why $1,000+ Dacs should be shaking in their boots. Now if you have a power isolater in there... Most DACs use USB bus power. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
wisnon Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Not if you use a USB converter to Spdif like the OffRamp/JKeny, or if you put an isolator in-between though. I see no protection from the PC at all here, so an after market unit should help a lot. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Not if you use a USB converter to Spdif like the OffRamp/JKeny, or if you put an isolator in-between though. I see no protection from the PC at all here, so an after market unit should help a lot. Hi Wisnon - Let's not derail the comments here, but what you're describing isn't using a USB DAC rather an S/PDIF DAC. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
labjr Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Nice review! Looks like a Bic lighter! No DSD support on a portable device yet. I didn't really expect Meridian to be the first to do it. And looks like the PCM1502 has no DSD support. Link to comment
MikeJazz Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Hello Chris! Great addition to the reviews, I just learned about this product today and you already had a review! And I was considering buying the DragonFly...I guess I must reconsider. This is very interesting! One question, if we use the higher resolutions on the Explorer as a Digital Interface (optical digital as 176.4 and 192 kHz) what will be the practical use... I thought the toslink interface was limited to 96, and I think we find this limit in most dacs...or not? http://www.computeraudiophile.com/members/mikejazz/ funded this campain: http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671 Link to comment
AudioDoctor Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Pick up a pair of IEMs that block out 26dB of external noise and all is right with the world :~) I'm guessing you skimmed over the review. The Explorer has three outputs, headphone, line out, and toslink. It works well in a full size system. Yeah, sorry about that I was interrupted midway through it and again during my reply. So you connected it via a 3.5mm mini headphone jack to RCA cable I see. No electron left behind. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Hello Chris! Great addition to the reviews, I just learned about this product today and you already had a review! And I was considering buying the DragonFly...I guess I must reconsider. This is very interesting! One question, if we use the higher resolutions on the Explorer as a Digital Interface (optical digital as 176.4 and 192 kHz) what will be the practical use... I thought the toslink interface was limited to 96, and I think we find this limit in most dacs...or not? Hi Mike - 96 isn't the limit as evidenced by my bit perfect test at 192 and 176.4. It all depends on the receiving device. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
Snowmonkey Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Ahhh, the Dragonfly - yesterday the darling of the audiophile world, today a squashed bug on the windscreen. Sic transit gloria. Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted. - Einstein Link to comment
John H. Darkø Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Ahhh, the Dragonfly - yesterday the darling of the audiophile world, today a squashed bug on the windscreen. Sic transit gloria. Nailed it. Link to comment
Old Listener Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Chris, Your review mentioned that the Explorer DAC required a driver for use under Windows. I didn't see any discussion of driver installion and performance. Did the driver installation go smoothly? Has operation under Windows been troublefree? Bill Link to comment
firedog Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Meridian Explorer USB DAC | AudioStream Another positive review Main listening (small home office): Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments. Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three BXT Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup. Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. All absolute statements about audio are false Link to comment
MikeJazz Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I guess reply to articles are buggy...I know Chris has replied to my last message but cannot see it here...(was visible in "what's new" page).... http://www.computeraudiophile.com/members/mikejazz/ funded this campain: http://igg.me/at/geekpulseaudio/x/5216671 Link to comment
felix Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 It could make sense to use a Meridian Explorer USB DAC instead a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 as a high quality USB to S/PDIF converter without taking into account de DAC or the headphone amplifier? Of course with the 4x sample rate tweak. The reason i ask is before the Meridian i was planning to buy a Musical Fidelity & a DragonFly. But at least in theory the Meridian should be a perfect replacement for both & much cheaper. But i don't want to skimp on audio quality for the USB to S/PDIF converter. Link to comment
js Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Chris, Many thanks for this. I understand from your excellent reviews of these three CASH products that in terms of sound quality both the Explorer and the Halide DAC HD outperform the Dragonfly to some extent. Now, is the Explorer so good that is also surpasses the Halide? I just bought the Halide and I am courious if I should look at the Explorer as a potential (marginal) upgrade. Many thanks again, js Link to comment
dalethorn Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Not nearly as convenient as a Dragonfly when you need a USB cable to connect it, whereas the Dragonfly plugs directly in. I read the AudioStream review and came away with the impression that it softens the highs compared to a more detailed Dragonfly. Link to comment
The Computer Audiophile Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 Not nearly as convenient as a Dragonfly when you need a USB cable to connect it, whereas the Dragonfly plugs directly in. I read the AudioStream review and came away with the impression that it softens the highs compared to a more detailed Dragonfly. Hi dale - Good to hear other opinions. Thanks for sharing. Founder of Audiophile Style | My Audio Systems Link to comment
gvb Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 I am confused by the statement that the Meridian Explorer serves as a "preamp". With its fixed analog output, how could I connnect it to a power amplifier ? Am missing something here ? Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now