HRT - MicroStreamer

[I'm raising my review score from 4 to 5 stars, even though 5-star reviews are often uncritical. This tiny thing, and its creator Kevin Halverson, deserve it]It should go without saying that the Microstreamer will sound better than a built-in PC (or even Mac) DAC, so the fact that so many reviewers use that as their point of comparison says that they're taking a first step toward computer hi-fi. They took a big step with the Microstreamer, actually, and those folks shouldn't go chasing better too quickly, because it'll be hard to find (note that this only applies if you have made an investment in your headphones: probably anything under $100 that I know of won't benefit). A better question for me was, how does it compare with the USB/DAC/headphone amp path built into my integrated amp? On first listen, short answer was that it makes my integrated amp sound like it was playing from inside a sack. Not a thick sack, maybe, but still. It's really a surprise to be so used to "emaculate" sound on good headphones (Grado SR-225i, then later Beyer DT-880 and HifiMan HE-400), and then after 1 minute with another...ummm... "rig"... go back and never be able to hear one's old amp the same way again. The best thing I've done with this doohickey so far is play "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" (24/88.2, Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony). The initial boom of bass drum brought out a literal "oh, wow," and the sense of space thereafter was really impressive. I felt like I was hearing music more clearly than I've ever done. This may actually be as detailed as you can hear music. If there's room to put any more detail onto tape or hard drive in the studio, I don't know where. HOWEVER, the Microstreamer plus Grados may not be a very good pairing, at least without some EQ, because both lean toward the bright side. The two together make up the Sahara Desert at high noon, revealing amazing detail, but sounding harsh on more brightly-recorded rock/pop materials (see below if you own Grado). Microstreamer headphone output is only 1.4V, so it's for use with easy-to-drive headphones, which is most of them these days.Specifics...Comparing to the "IDT HD Audio Device" in my Dell laptop, running Microsoft stock drivers: 1) the streamer delivers considerably more power. 2) the Dell sounded distorted in the high frequencies as well as lacking definition in the bass. I gave it astress test with the MFSL disc of _Learning to Crawl_, where the guitar is really, really bright and seems to jump off the disc. The Dell made it shrill and it would have given me a headache if I prolonged it. It's bright but well-balanced on the Microstreamer. (3) There's also something funky about the soundstaging on the Dell. Not just narrower, but somehow "off" or recessed. Not going to try to figure it out further. I've plugged straight into the Dell on trips, because it's not nearly as bad as onboard sound used to be, but I always recognized that it wasn't completely satisfying. I get about the same level of (dis)satisfaction from my IPhone, which I feel is tailored for accommodating the shortcomings of earbuds, rather than for delivering great sound to cans.Compared to the USB+DAC in my TEAC A-H01 amp: As stated above, there's just a thin layer of detail that's curtailed in the amp, but the amp seems tonally better-balanced--the amp is cooler, probably more neutral, a bit boring by comparison. I've owned many USB audio devices over the past 12 years, and each sounded different, either because of the specific chip or, certainly, the overall implementation. All the devices that share my amp's PCM5102 DAC chip, for instance (cf. Merridian Explorer, Wu audio "fireflies"), are consistently described as "smooth" and "not the last word in detail." Could even just be EQ differences, since emphasis on the mids as opposed to a smile curve always seems to me to broaden the image and highlight detail. In any event, Microstreamer is sharper and has a wider soundstage; but along with that, its tonal "center of gravity" is comparatively high, so that it can seem to lack weight, depending on what it's played through. This is more noticeable through loudspeakers. Also, the Microstreamer clearly reveals everything in the recording, for better or worse (compared to everything else I've ever heard, at least), whereas a typical high-fi (well, mid-fi) amp/receiver will hide a lot of that because it's not as detailed. Studying delicate materials (Esperanza Spalding, Kat Edmundson...THEN back to Queen), the amp's USB DAC collapses the depth of the soundstage, front-to-back, as compared with the MS playing through the amp's analog section. It's only at all evident in an unnatural side-by-side, though. I still think the amp's own USB sounds nice each time I go back to it, and then I switch back and notice a few more "feet" of depth to the sound stage (more properly called "image" here) using the MS. This remains true on both speakers and headphones. The Microstreamer's approach is aggressive and forward, delivering a slightly better sense of space. On good recordings, it's pure rich cream. The TEAC amp's approach has more weight, is more neutral in the mid-range, is more forgiving of your room, your recording, your headphones, and your/my taste in music. That's a good strategy for a box that has to please everyone, but the MS is more compelling.Line-out distortion: Like most if not all USB audio devices in Windows, the Line-out jack of the MS, played through Foobar, needs a -3dB or so dip to avoid a little bit of crackling/graininess on high-hat and cymbal-happy rock music, I've noticed (Dragonfly owners have noticed this, but not attributed it to Windows). I've actually known this for many years, but it didn't occur to me with the MS because there's no way for Windows to adjust the lineout. I use Foobar's software gain or replay-gain to accomplish it. This is a Windows issue, and has been for a long time.Set up. I plugged it in, went into Foobar2000, quickly assigned a couple of hotkeys to handle volume duty, and hit play. No problems, no driver required, which is a first for me with an asynchronous USB audio device (no 192kHz, so driverless class 1 does for the Microstreamer). I like to keep my Windows sounds going through the laptop and reserve the out-board audio device for music/video, so I didn't tell Windows to make it my default. Hence, the Foobar hotkeys, though you can also fiddle with the Volume applet to get to the Microstreamer to make the volume adjustment. One note with this configuration, though, is that volume up/down adjust both the headphone and supposedly "fixed" line-out jacks equally. So it's more like two headphones out. Bring a friend, I guess. The HRT Web site claims the two channels have separately-optimized filters for their intended uses (and 50Ohm on the line-out vs. an excellent 0.5 Ohm for headphones), but I may or may not be able to hear the difference on Grados. Another drawback of this setup with the volume is that you have to remember to lower the volume when switching from line-out (or another device) to MS and hedphones, or you'll risk personal and equipment damage. Using Windows volume instead is theoretically better, because the design intent is to hand off the instructions to the MS so it can do attenuation in analog in the Microstreamer itself. Digital attenuation lowers the resolution by 1 bit for every 6dB. In Foobar's 32-bit space, and with 24-bit WASAPI, though, this ain't a big deal: bits to spare, generally. But the Microstreamer's approach, which it shares wit the DragonFly, is the right way to do it, technically.Also note that the 1.4V headphone out is an attenuator, not an amplifier, per se. It's designed to not distort at full volume, and then everything is shaved back from there as you adjust the volume. No need to worry about preserving headroom, then, but only "does it get loud enough?" At least if the phones' impedance curve is pretty flat, going full-range on the slider ought to be great, in theory, because it just means no attenuation. There's no mystery about "leg room" or "it plays loud enough but sounds better through a separate amp." Hogwash, in this case, because the dynamics are all in the digital space controlled by your media software, where it's dead easy to ensure a non-clipped, non-distorted signal. So, do the math to figure out if its 1.4V output is enough to drive your headphones to the desired volume level. If they have a really bouncy impedance curve, pick the highest impedance value on the curve and plug that in to see how much power you'll need (NWAVGuy has a nice tutorial on headphone power).Using Foobar, WASAPI playback appears to work properly. It's my go-to when using the MS. However, it does start to stammer sometimes when beginning to play a hi-res file, particularly 88.2. I've often had to stop/restart one quick time, then it's fine. Probably a WASAPI component issue, rather than anything with the Microstreamer. Not sure, though. It's the only time in my life I've actually heard real live jitter!Build quality: It's fine, and pleasant to hold. Yes, it's metal, although it's so small that this fact doesn't make that much of a statement. The case comprises top and bottom halves with a pronounced seam running all the way around, which takes away from the overall aesthetic, insofar as it tries to have one. Plugging/unplugging does not inspire much confidence, but 1/8" jacks really never do. It's also lighter than the cord I plugged into it, so it will come off the table easily (and frequently does). These aren't "bad," but just design choices. I will worry about durability, insofar as it slides off the desk often as I move the headphone cord. This puts a lot of strain on the jacks. I'd have preferred a heavier unit with quarter-inch and rca jacks, which would still be extremely portable but without the bragging rights. My solution is to simply attach the Microstreamer to my headphone stand. Problem solved.Web site: Several typos and misspellings, particularly on the very oblique support page. The firmware upgrade process is non-intuitive, so here it is: at least on PC, download the zip file containing all the HRT firmwares (Microstreamer files begin with "US," since U is the translated symbol for micro). Run the simple EEPROM flashing utility, load the right .bin file, and hit the 'Write' or 'Program' button. There's a "NAS" version intended for low-voltage hosts like smartphones, I guess, but it's hard to get Kevin to tell anyone exactly when to use it... several of us have tried:)More on the Grado + MS issues: Plugged straight into the MS, the Grados really are just brighter than they should be. On well-recorded material, the effect is of being in the studio, all the lights full-on. It's warm and incredibly revealing, with a holographic sense of space. Elevated mids/highs help that effect. On more poorly-recorded material with lots of drums or vocals that run hot (Stones _Some Girls_, Roxi Music, the Rhino editions of Elvis Costello, the 24/96 of Purple Rain, Oingo Boingo's Good For Your Soul), on the other hand, it's flat-out harsh. Very much so (BTW: I DO have some post-80s music around here... now where'd I put that?). I therefore plugged the MS into the amp for more comparisons. Headphone-listening using the MS as line-in to the amp produced the best results. The amp tamed the treble just enough while leaving the detail in tact. Now I know what non-Grado fans mean when they report it sounding "piercing." We all know the Grados have a 2kHz spike sharp enough to kill vampires, but it's never phased me except through the Microstreamer, which may even do its own goosing of the mid-range and higher in order to accomplish the same "lively" and "detailed" effect. I tried a couple of "mods" to the Grados, including flipping the bowls around so that they sit flatter to my ears. This cured the over-brightness, as well as boosting the bass considerably, but curtailed the magic airiness and brilliance that people buy Grado for in the first place. I also found out about the "Scotch tape mod" online and tried that, telling myself as I unrolled the tape that it couldn't possibly be a bad idea, because I got it from the Internet.... Overall, these experiments convinced me that people who mod Grado headphones are people who would prefer closed-ear designs in the first place. Finally, I tried EQ, and found, with some hesitation, that a 4dB dip on the 1.8-2.5kHz bands, leaving all else flat, makes the Grados sound "better" on all sources, and makes bright recordings at least sound bearable. However, "fatiguing" is exactly the word to use, and after only a minute or two if the recording is itself bright.Experiences with the Beyerdynamic DT-880 "pro": I'd say the Microstreamer *barely* powers the 250-Ohm DT-880s to a loudish level. On brickwalled recent loud recordings, the Microstreamer can play very loud. But on many HDTracks downloads or SACD rips, I would call it "comfortable" but not cranked at the highest setting. This is in a quiet room, naturally. On average, I have the Windows volume slider at 70%-100%. The good news is that there's no harshness. Nice pairing if it is loud enough for you, but I'd call this (250 ohms, 96dB sensitivity) the absolute limit for the Microstreamer.HifiMan HE-400: My favorite pairing, although in these early days I'm having to take down the midrange a few dB from about 800-1200Hz in order to get the sound I expected from the HE-400s. Another reviewer noted that this is not a good pairing, but I disagree. According to the math, I must want to listen to music at 90+ dB at times, which is loud beyond the level of caution in most people's books. Although I can easily run the Microstreamer at full volume, I don't really want to run it louder, nor would it be healthy to do so. It hits 110dB maximum peaks on its own, according to my math, which is most people's idea of an ideal target. Even my SACD rips, recorded very quietly, play loud enough for me. The HE-400s cease to be a very "dark" headphone when hooked to the Microstreamer, just as the DT-880s midrange isn't as recessed as usual; both courtesy of the forward presentation of the Microstreamer.Based on specs, the HD-650s (103 dB, 300-ohms) should be an ideal pairing as well, if they don't have a cavernous impedance curve. Finally, I tried all my headphones as well using the MS as DAC feeding a separate headphone amp, which provided nothing but not-really-needed volume to the experience.Still reading? Ok, you're obviously a researcher. My conclusion: Based on the three headphones noted above, it does seem like the unit raises the midrange from roughly 880-2.5kHz a few deciBells, unless of course it's my hearing. Many similar products seem to be going in that direction these days, probably because it sounds exciting. That's my only quibble. I've had extended correspondence with Kevin Halverson, and he's a completely no-nonsense, extremely good engineer, totally incapable of either snake oil or the level of brand promotion that has propelled some other competitors in this space (Kevin trying to sound like a surfer dude would not be pretty, and "HRT" doesn't really inspire much humor as a brand name, either, since Googling it just brings up Hormone Replacement Therapy). But if a USB audio device were an airplane, Kevin's the guy I want landing it. The Microstreamer is no larger, no flashier, and no more expensive than it needs to be for the job it does. And (here goes nothing...) if you inject the Microstreamer into your music, it'll add enough muscle to get it banned from baseball and grow hair on its chest.

This thing really makes you want more FLAC/ALAC for your laptop. Im not an audiophile so I get impressed by things like nice tight bass on bus power. You can also plug this into your iOS device (using 1 overpriced adaptor) and get bus-powered sound on the go. I was initially looking at the iDSD nano, the E17K and the Dragonfly. I chose this over the dragonfly because it plays with iOS. I chose this over the iDSD and the E17K because it doesn't play ball-and-chain with my laptop when on the go. Also I don't own any DSD content and I don't need a battery because, as mentioned above, this device can draw power off of an iOS device.edit 1 week out:So I have noticed a few things so far. One is that the iPhone battery takes a hit from the microstreamer even though the latter is guaranteed to draw less than 100mA (which is the cutoff for iOS bus powered peripherals), lessening the appeal of this pairing for me down the road. Second, this device with the included detachable cord takes up considerably more space than a thumb drive, which is about the size of the audioquest dragonfly. I got curious and picked up a dragonfly 1.2 from best buy on the way home today. The packaging and finish of the dragonfly is definitely superior. Wondering if I might have found a replacement for the microstreamer, I started a test of a few 16bit tracks I had lying around: Kraftwerk: Titanium, The National: I Need My Girl, Bach: Cello Suite 1 in G Major, and Steve Jablonsky: Autobots. My rig is a lowly pair of ATH-M50s with crumbling ear cushions and a MacBook Pro. On this setup, the microstreamer blew the dragonfly away. Compared to the dragonfly, the microstreamer better reveals the warmth of Yo-yo Ma's cello and the soft gravely ranges of Matt Berninger's voice. Kraftwerk's synth gained deep powerful texture. This result is astounding to me given the lower price and lower power consumption of the microstreamer which is definitely here to stay.

No have intern battery. The sound whit Shure 535 its okay.No tiene bateria interna. El sonido es aceptable.Fiio DAC/AMP have battery

I purchased it having read the reviews in "What Hi Fi", where it received 5 stars, but frankly, got very disappointed. Yes, it adds a lot of clarity and even hints of the soundstage, but... What it does is that it brings laptop music playing capability to an i-phone/i-pad level. Useless, as far as I'm concerned. Because you wouldn't build your home system on this device (due to its not so magnificent sound) and when you're on the go, you'd better use your phone for listening to the music.

J'avais besoin d'une solution flexible et de bonne qualité pour les fichiers audio sur PC. La solution devait servir pour: travailler des fichiers audio des lectures de textes pour nos guides sur Paris mixées avec de la musique classique; de temps en temps écouter de la musique et voir des vidéos ou des films. Après longues recherches j'ai opté pour le HRT microstreamer qui en tant que DAC offre des sorties casque et ampli (ou enceintes actives). J'ai couplé le microstreamer avec des Audioengine 5+ et j'ai ce qu'il me faut. Le son est neutre, les bas sont correctes (donc pas besoin de caisson de grave. Je peux jouer la musique très bas sans que la qualité en ressente trop.

Beweggrund für die Anschaffung war der Umstand, dass icha) mit den Klangqulitäten meiner mobilen Geräte (Cowon J3, SGN2, Notebook/PC) nicht zufríeden war undb) auch hochauflösende Musik mobil geniesen willc) dabei keinen riesen Fuhrpark mit mit rumschleppen möchteDie mobilen Lösungen für den geneigten Konsumenten angeboten von FiiO (X3), sowie Astell&Kern (AK100/AK120) sind für mich zur Zeit allerdings noch nicht interessant, daa) nur auf HiRes Files ausgelegt (MP3 kann nicht gapless gespielt werden)b) Bedienung recht rudimentärc) sehr kostspielig (Astell&Kern).Alternativ gibt es zwar von Audioquest die Dragonfly, die jedoch nur am PC/MAC zu betreiben ist. An einem Smartphone (zumindest bei Android) ist hier eine zusätzliche APP (USB Audio Recorder Pro) zu benutzen, die dann für die Audioausgabe zuständig ist (und nur .flac Files unterstützt).Bei weiteren Recheren im Internet (Google: USB Audio Out) bin ich dann auf den HRT Microstreamer gestossen, der über einen OTG Hostadapter an meinem Samsung Galaxy Note 2 betrieben werden kann. Das alles ohne Zusatzgerätze (DACs oder AMPs) die aufgeladen werden müssen oder zusätzliche APPs die auch nur eingeschränkt nutzbar sind.Natürlich kann der HRT Microstreamer auch an einem PC/MAC angeschlossen und betrieben werden (für mich ein Benefit).Mit dem HRT Microstreamer kann ich nun .MP3 und .FLAC in allen Auflösungen über mein Smartphone und dessen Bedienkomfort hören. Als Abspieler nutze ich hier Poweramp in der Vollversion (den besten Musicplayer den ich für Smartphones kenne).Der HRT Microstreamer fungiert hier als externe "Soundkarte" im Aluminiumkleid, die Musik Files bis zu einer Auflösung von 24/96 in einer herausragendenden Qualität wiedergeben kann. Der Unterschied ist schon bei .MP3 wie Tag und Nacht! Gerade mit sehr guten Kopfhörern (z.B. Ultrasone Signature Pro) oder auch InEears (B&W C5; Sony XBA4) geht hier regelrecht die Sonne auf. Bei .FLAC Files ist der Musikgenuss fast schon als berauschend zu beschreiben. Dabei können Pegel gefahren werden, die jeden Ohrenarzt bedenklich den Kopf schütteln lassen ;-)Als Zubehör gibt es hier ein sehr ordentliches USB Kabel (USB-A auf Mini USB-B) und ein Samtsäckchen in dem man den Streamer und das Kabel aufbewahren und transportieren kann. Evtl. wäre hier ein Etui vorteilhafter gewesen (das ist aber schon Jammern auf hohem Niveau), dann wäre aber auch der Preis auf "Dragonfly Niveau".Mein Fazit: absolut empfehlenswert und mit einem hervorragenden Preis/Leistungs Verhältnis.Achtung !! Nachtrag: Das Gerät funktioniert mit Android 4.1.2 bestens. Seit dem Update auf 4.3 ist allerdings die USB Schnittstelle des SGN2 verändert worden. Somit kann der HRT laut Foren nur mit der APP "USB Audio Player Pro" ab der Version 1.0.2. betrieben werden.

Il microStreamer non si fa notare per il suo design, veramente basilare: un robusto mattoncino di alluminio e niente più, però quello che conta è la qualità del suono e da quel punto di vista è un ottimo apparecchio, equipaggiato con un circuito di conversione di qualità (PCM1793). Valido l'amplificatore per cuffie integrato (TPA6130), pilota egregiamente la mia Sennheiser hd 598. Tolgo una stella perché quando si passa da una traccia all'altra, se sono campionate a frequenze diverse, si sente un fastidioso schiocco.

EINLEITUNGAnderthalb Jahre lang war ich zufrieden mit meinem Audioquest Dragonfly 1.2. Ich habe ihn mir damals nach ausgiebiger Recherche aufgrund der praktischen Größe, des reduzierten Preises und vor allem der vielen überschwänglichen Bewertungen gekauft und war auch immer sehr zufrieden mit ihm. Ich hatte damals allerdings keinen Vergleich zu anderen Produkten, aber das erschien mir auch nicht notwendig, da ich ja sehr zufrieden war.Vor einem Monat habe ich meinen treuen Begleiter verloren. Tja, da war die geringe Größe wohl doch nicht so von Vorteil… Da ich meine Musik aber hauptsächlich von meinem Computer an meine Hifi-Anlage und Kopfhörer zuspiele, und der Kopfhörerausgang meines Laptops unterirdisch klingt, hielt ich es irgendwann nicht mehr aus, und ein neuer DAC musste her. Da das Internet jedoch voll von widersprüchlichen Aussagen über den Klang von Produkten ist (klar, ist ja auch überaus subjektiv), sollte es diesmal einen Vergleich zwischen verschiedenen Produkten geben. Nach erneut ausgiebiger Recherche fiel meine Wahl auf die folgenden:1) Audioquest Dragonfly 1.22) Meridian Explorer 23) HRT microstreamerTESTUMFELD UND VORAUSSETZUNGENIch möchte mich in meiner Rezension auf meine subjektiven Höreindrücke beschränken. Infos zur technischen Beschaffenheit der DACs finden sich genug auf anderen Seiten und letztendlich ist es ja der Klang, um den es geht. Und da dieser immer nur das Ergebnis aller in einer Kette spielenden Komponenten ist, seien diese hier kurz in ihrer Schaltungsfolge aufgeführt:High-Resolution Files über Foobar 2000  DAC  Marantz PM 14  Monitor Audio Silver S8High-Resolution Files über Foobar 2000  DAC  AKG K 712 ProDie erste Kette spielt im Ergebnis recht neutral und ausgeglichen, mit einem Hang zum Warmfärben durch den Marantz. Bei der zweiten Kette sieht es durch den warmen Grundton des AKG ähnlich aus. Hierbei ist allerdings zu beachten, dass der AKG trotz seiner geringen 62 Ohm dennoch viel Leistung verlangt. Er spielt an meinem Violectric HPA V200 genau so laut wie mein 300 Ohm Sennheiser HD 800, was am unterschiedlichen Wirkungsgrad der beiden liegt. Als Musik wählte ich hauptsächlich Jazz und Acoustic, aber auch verschiedenes an Klassik und Rock.HÖREINDRÜCKEWährend der ersten Stunde konnte ich kaum Unterschiede zwischen den Dreien ausmachen. Da ich aber weiß, dass dies ganz normal ist, und das Gehör sich erstmal an etwas Neues gewöhnen muss, hörte ich weiter und siehe da! Es kristallisierten sich die ersten Unterschiede heraus.Renaud Garcia-Fons „Oriental Bass“, das Intro zum gleichnamigen Album, beginnt mit einem schnellen Lauf auf dem Kontrabass. Der Dragonfly spielte hier recht druckvoll, was einen realistischen Eindruck des großen Instruments verschaffte. Beim Wechsel auf den Meridian wurde aber klar, dass dieser die schnellen tiefen Töne viel besser voneinander trennte und dabei neutraler darstellte. Was beim Dragonfly noch etwas verwaschen, aber druckvoll klang, war hier viel präziser und authentischer. Man konnte das An- und Abklingen der einzelnen Töne wahrnehmen und war damit gefühlt näher am Geschehen. Gut, dachte ich mir, mal schauen was der Microstreamer so zu sagen hat. Angeschlossen und siehe da, was für eine Wucht! Er strotzte nur so von Dynamik und Spielfreude. Dabei schoss er mir die Töne regelrecht um die Ohren und erzeugte eine riesige Bühne, was mich zunächst sehr beeindruckte. Weit über den Körper der Boxen hinaus verteilte er die Töne und sorgte schon fast für ein wenig Surround-Feeling.Als nächstes hörte ich „Night Train“ von Oscar Peterson. In diesem Stück bekommt das Becken sehr viel Platz, wohingegen Piano und Bass eher im Hintergrund agieren. Ich ließ den microstreamer eingesteckt und hörte drauf los. Wieder stellte sich das selbe Gefühl ein. Der microstreamer spielte, wie der Meridian, klarer und differenzierter, als der Dragonfly aber schwemmte die Töne in großen Wellen aus den Membranen. Das Becken gewann damit an noch mehr Platz, als es durch die Aufnahme eh bereits hat, was mir persönlich jedoch zu viel war. Ich wechselte wieder auf den Meridian und hatte zum ersten Mal das Gefühl einer Erleichterung. Die preschende Spielweise des microstreamer war mir schon nach wenigen Minuten zu anstrengend geworden. Mir wurde klar, dass seine riesige Bühne mehr Quantität als Qualität war. Die Instrumente wurden zwar weit im Raum verteilt, aber es fehlte ihnen an Kontur. Am besten lässt sich dieser Eindruck damit vergleichen, was passiert, wenn man die Polung eines Cinch-Kabels vertauscht, also rechts und links, rot und weiß. Der Wechsel zum Meridian war geradezu wohltuend. Das Klangbild beruhigte sich und ich lauschte wieder der Musik anstatt den Effekten. Ich möchte damit nicht sagen, dass es dem Meridian an Dynamik fehlt. Ganz im Gegenteil! Passagen, die nach Kraft und Brillanz verlangen, werden auch so dargestellt und leise, zurückhaltende Passagen bekommen genügend Ruhe. Der Meridian denkt mit, wohingegen der microstreamer stur seinem Naturell folgt, welches aber eben nicht „natürlich“ wirkt. Kurzer Wechsel auf den Audioquest: aus meiner 1,5-jährigen Erfahrung mit ihm weiß ich, dass dieser sehr langzeittauglich ist. Er spielt sich weder in den Vordergrund, noch überspitzt er irgendwas. Allerdings fehlt es ihm im Vergleich zu den beiden Kontrahenten an Klarheit, respektive Auflösung, und Dynamik. Alles wirkt ein wenig wie durch einen warmen, ruhigen aber durchaus gefälligen Filter hindurch gespielt.FAZITLetztendlich ist es wie bei allem eine Frage der persönlichen Präferenz und der indiviuellen Voraussetzungen. Deshalb kann ich für mich ein klares Geschmacksurteil fällen. In diesem setzt sich der Meridian klar an die Spitze, gefolgt von Dragonfly auf Platz zwei und microstreamer auf Platz drei. Über meine Lautsprecher war mir der imposante microstreamer einfach zu anstrengend. Das liegt sicherlich daran, dass der PM 14 ein sehr kraftvolles Gerät ist und die Kombination beider damit schlichtweg überfordert. Über meinen AKG empfand ich den microstreamer nämlich deutlich weniger fetzig. Ich schließe daraus, dass der microstreamer für Leute, die eine eher zurückhaltend spielende oder einfach weniger große Anlage als ich besitzen, durchaus ein großer Schritt nach vorne sein kann. Audioquest’s viel gelobtes und von mir bisher jahrelang geschätztes Gerät muss sich, was Auflösung und Schnelligkeit betrifft, leider geschlagen geben. Meridians Explorer konnte mich am meisten überzeugen. Mit ihm macht es sowohl Spaß Musik zu analysieren, als auch einfach nur nebenbei zu hören. Er schafft damit den Spagat zwischen audiophilem Anspruch und Langzeittauglichkeit – und das mit Bravour!Eigentlich wollte ich nur drei Sterne für den microstreamer verteilen, aber aufgrund des wiklich günstigen Preises für so viel Auflösung und weil er an anderen Ketten bestimmt eine bescheidenere und weniger aufdringliche Figur macht, gibt es von mir noch 4 Sterne.

J'ai un abonnement spotify et utiliser le HRT en sortie est un pur bonheur si vous avez un casque de qualité.