Gadgetory

hey guys how are you audio head here today we have the cipher labs algorithm solo DB this is a portable DAC that is were the next generation for the original algorithm solo this time around we have balanced outputs in addition to the ability to connect to a computer not just an Apple I device for those of you who are not familiar at cipher Labs originally had made a solo with that a connected exclusively to AI devices and really was one of the very few dax out there that lets you take a digital direct signal from an eye device into the DAC the Decker would then take the information transport transform it into an analog signal for you pretty good a high quality signal and output it then to your amplifier so this was not a DAC amp combo for headphones but rather just an exclusive deck so really the first kind of step for component separates in a portable setup whose one of the very few there's only one or two others I think that did that this being the second generation they decided to up the ante with even more kind of a stereo component feel to it with balanced outputs via the mini four pin balanced jack this DAC is compatible with roughly only two other headphone amplifiers in that configuration be it a balanced configuration race Samuels has a couple of amplifiers that are compatible with the four pin balanced output in that configuration as well as the one that this was designed to kind of meet stylistically amplifiers put out by alo audio the ARX mk3 be especially matches this in style and in texture and they're roughly the same size so they pair well with let elastic rubber bands to those so if you want to kind of have an audiophile sandwich to take with you when you go that's really kind of how they're set up to be you wrap them together in these silicon bands they fit quite nicely together now through the single ended output you can obviously prepare this with any amp you desire it it works extremely well there's a very cool LED on the front I file and the texture and the build on this to be remarkably great something that you would expect from a portable dies something that you would you know pick up move around heaven forbid you drop it on the ground but for all intents and purposes a very very solid build like you would expect from something that you're going to be mobile it also includes a coaxial output digital so it can just be a USB converter to a digital signal so it does include an Ocoee axial output I tested that as well very good output there I didn't see like any major deterioration in the signal from the analog output to the coaxial so good stuff on that front as well the input is mostly a mini USB jack but this particular package does come with a USB cable to the 30-pin Apple so it is sticking true to its roots where you can plug an eye device into this and just hit the streets the I tested the both the USB and the Apple inputs from my computer and it was very pleased with the results I found the sound to be exceptional for the price point this does retail for around $700 so it is quite an expensive unit as far as portable devices go I mean seven art allows for deck isn't just a drop in the bucket however it I found it did perform quite closely to its price point some of the high points from me especially were in the high frequencies I saw a lot more extended highs than some of the other decks in the lower price ranges and even even jacks around the same price range I saw a great high end energy from this one particularly greater detail in the high end symbols sounded more realistic and also the mid-range was just a little more liquid these are all very small changes mind you this isn't these are not major dramatic swings in quality with Dax the the quality changes sometimes harder to hear then with a pair of headphones for instance but when it does come to decks this one does perform quite well for its price point this deck does not charge through the USB port that connects to your computer rather it charges from the wall wart that is supplied with it I also found that this union did not wait while it does work with Apple devices it did not work with my samsung galaxy 3 phone so those of you looking for that you might have to look elsewhere for that type of connectivity but overall I really really was pleased with this unit its performance right on par with what you would expect in that range a very very competitive quality for the price point which is saying something because it is quite an expensive DAC one of the very few ones that connects with Apple one of the very few solid portable decks out there in general and one of the very few that offers balanced output portable connectivity so all those things wrapped into one make this a very special unit I did enjoy it a lot let me know if you guys have any questions regarding it if you get a chance please follow the channel and I'll see you guys next time thank you