Explorer2/MQA review

[firedog]

Meridian Audio Explorer 2 portable headphone amp/DAC | Hi-Fi+

[bobbmd]

firedog- do you own one? i want to use it through my mac mini late 2012(i have a spare USB slot) to compare to my Schiit gungnir uber also late 2012/2013 but most of all b/o it's portability to use with my iPad air 2 will it work with it? from what i have read or watched on uTube need a special connector(an apple camera kit??) is that true

am also interested in it's ability to upsample even iTunes library and MQA as Schiit abhors upsampling and has no interest in MQA

thanks

[weldp]

I have an Explorer2. You can't use the Explorer2 with and iPad or iPhone even with the camera kit unless you use a usb hub because it draws too much power. You get the error "accessory unavailable because it uses too much power".

 

I have read that people have had success plugging in USB hubs inline. This article takes that approach but with a Dragonfly: Dragonfly DAC with iPhone - Update - UofMTiger Tech

 

I use the Explorer2 from my PC and Macbook Pro and it works great. I have played around with some of the sample MQA files and they do seem to sound better. You have to have a bitperfect player to get the MQA light to light up. I'm using Roon.

 

There is also a review in Stereophile.

 

-weld

[bobbmd]

weldp- thank you - too bad about it not working with iPad air 2 sort of defeats purpose of 'portability', eh?

i thought i would use it on plane trips to listen to my 'offline' music from Qobuz and Tidal or same in my car connected to aux input as i do now with the iPad(makes sirius sound so sick/bad)

are you sure there is no workaround for using E2 like i want?

the stereophile article was eye opening thanks again-from the article it appears it will drive my sennheiser 598's easily

[Miska]

For a DAC in exactly same category as Explorer2, I'd recommend checking out Resonessence Labs HERUS. Sounds good, performs technically well, and also works without problems with various mobile devices (USB OTG).

[Audio_ELF]

Not tried it... But should work with the new Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter - Apple (UK) if you connect an external power supply. Chris reported on this setup recently (sorry not got a link to hand).

[Miska]

Not tried it... But should work with the new Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter - Apple (UK) if you connect an external power supply. Chris reported on this setup recently (sorry not got a link to hand).

 

HERUS works without external PSU straight with the Lightning Camera Adapter with my iPhone 6... And with USB OTG on my Android devices. Not many DACs can do that.

[jhwalker]

HERUS works without external PSU straight with the Lightning Camera Adapter with my iPhone 6... And with USB OTG on my Android devices. Not many DACs can do that.

 

As Chris pointed out, the new Dragonfly Black and Red do, as well.

 

I'm interested in the Herus / Herus+, but I've heard they really suck battery power from your iPhone / iPad - is that your experience, as well? I'm hearing the new Dragonflys are a lot less taxing that way but, of course, they only support PCM up to 24/96 (no DSD, no DXD).

[weldp]

are you sure there is no workaround for using E2 like i want?

 

Follow the instructions in the article I link to about the dragon fly. They used this small USB hub and said it worked. I may try this.

[bobbmd]

thanks again-looks like need a 10$ plugable and an apple CCK great will try it

[Miska]

I'm interested in the Herus / Herus+, but I've heard they really suck battery power from your iPhone / iPad - is that your experience, as well?

 

I have not noticed anything to complain about or something I wouldn't have expected. For solving power consumption problems, there are those slightly larger devices with built-in batteries like iFi iDSD Nano/Micro. And Chord Mojo, which by the the way is really unrealiable for me with my iPhone 6 to the extent that it is not really usable with it (seems to be extremely sensitive to the USB interface and cable).

 

I'm hearing the new Dragonflys are a lot less taxing that way but, of course, they only support PCM up to 24/96 (no DSD, no DXD).

 

I have not tried those, so I cannot comment much...