Bitzie first impressions

morris_minor wrote: My last proper session with the Bitzie:   I unplugged the Proprius amps from the AV processor, and with the iPad as source (streaming from the Squeezebox server - no computer near enough for a direct connection) plugged the amps direct into the Bitzie with CuSat50s. Speakers are PMC GB1i floorstanders connected with Spatia cables & links - so it was a minimalist GSP only system (aside from source and speakers, and I don't think these are on Graham's development road map (yet??)).   Music ranged from Bach organ, unaccompanied choral, jazz (Dexter Gordon - Tanya from One Flight Up), Dire Straights (Telegraph Road), and Holst's Planets (Zubin Mehta/LAPO, Decca LP rip). [Edit - that's Dire Straits, of course ]   My usual source is a Slim Devices (Squeezebox) Transporter with it's own "audiophile" DAC and output stage, and also the Transporter into the (Audiolab) AV processor's 192/24 DAC. (I tend to alternate between analogue and digital out from the Transporter - can't really tell the difference as the DACs are so well matched!). I won't bore you with all my listening notes for every piece, but the scale and authority of the presentation from the Bitzie was mightily impressive. Delicate and transparent when required, dynamic and hard-hitting when required. The low toms in Telegraph Road had a body and resonance that was definitely in the same ball-park as the bigger DACs. Likewise bass from The Planets (Saturn especially), and the various Bach organ pieces. The organ music was notable too for it's low level detail - the mechanical noises of pipe organs, the noise of the blowers, the decay of notes in the big acoustic; these were all really well defined. Mid-range was lucid and treble was just right - no digital glare, but you got what the recording gave you. The choral music (by Eric Whiteacre - Stephen Layton/Polyphony on Hyperion) was just as sublime on the Bitzie as via the other DACs.  And lastly - the first note of "Tanya" is a woody, fortissimo, double bass in "unison" with a drum hit. The first time I could separate out the characters  of both instruments was when I put the Dutch NOS DAC in my study system. That the Bitzie pulled off the same trick is, for me, testament to it's quality. I have three good DACs in the house - two in equipment costing around 3-4 times more than the Bitzie, and a DAC over twice it's price. Never was the Bitzie outclassed. Once or twice I could discern a touch more body, or air, and sometimes marginally better dynamics - but I think Graham has designed a truly remarkable piece of kit here which operates in many scenarios. Use it with a mobile source out and about, and when home it will slot neatly in to a "full size" system, giving a suitably "full-sized" sound. As a USB to S/PDIF converter it works transparently. As a headphone amp from a USB source it gives the Solo UL a good run for its money. I think the Lautus USB cable should be a regular part of the package, though, as it allows the Bitzie to perform to it's full potential. If you don't use a "good" USB cable it'll be like a V8 firing on 4 cylinders. All in all this is another product Graham and his team should be very proud of. At the price it is an absolute steal!

morris_minor wrote: In all my musings above I didn't mention the most important thing about the Bitzie: how enjoyable it is! Most sessions started as a serious evaluation, listening for sonic clues to the Bitzie's DNA, and how it compared with my other equipment. But without fail these sessions just evaporated into pure music listening for the sake of the music, and my "demo track" selection was soon left behind! I never felt an urge to go back to my own gear as the Bitzie was so "musical" - an equipment concept hard to define, but noticeable when it is, or isn't, present. Also the lack of native reproduction of higher sampling rates (I played a number of 96/24 tracks) never spoilt the party. No doubt those who buy their hi-fi by looking at the numbers in the spec rather than by listening may miss out on the Bitzie's charms. That is their loss! So, Graham, the "little DAC" has been done. I'm so eager to see (hear!) what you do with your "big DAC"! Dare I ask when this may be available??

Four opinions so far and I'm very happy that all four have received the entertainment value I intended the Bitzie USB DAC to give.

Here I'm quoting Bob's last words before he sends the Bitzie USB DAC onwards, especially:

"Also the lack of native reproduction of higher sampling rates (I played a number of 96/24 tracks) never spoilt the party. No doubt those who buy their hi-fi by looking at the numbers in the spec rather than by listening may miss out on the Bitzie's charms. That is their loss!"

What I tried to put together here is a product that:

1] ticks the 'eye candy' box by being cute, solidly built and well engineered

2] ticks the 'portability' box by being easily transportable in a pocket or bag, and at least it works with portable devices which don't demand of the manufacturer the payment of a license fee.

3] ticks the 'plug and play' box by making it dead-easy for those of us not blessed with IT skills (me included)

4] ticks the 'usefulness' box by it doing headphones, line out via a quality adapter, coaxial and optical S/PDIF out, and having a proper volume control rather than those frustrating up-down buttons. The volume control doubling as an output level 'trim' for its more serious use as a USB preamp.

5] ticks the 'computer-friendly' box - unlike others that demand all 500mA (that's 2.5W) of the USB power bus along with a charge spike, and because of that are known to cause 'the blue screen of death' - the Bitzie USB DAC meets with the 'USB low-power bus powered functions requirement' drawing 100mA (that's 0.5W) with the equivalent of 10 micro-farads of capacitive charge.

6] ticks the 'will it play all my music?' box for those who use Foobar or similar software players.

7] ticks the 'sounds awesome' box for those able to tell the difference or those who appreciate analogue sound quality with its separation/air, sound staging and engaging qualities.

But it really needs the Lautus USB-audio cable to remove the computer environment noise that would otherwise prevent the Bitzie USB DAC from working its miracles. I'm pleased you've found that the Lautus USB-audio cable fulfills that requirement which lends credence to our claims.

Thank you.

(plug over )

morris_minor wrote: So, Graham, the "little DAC" has been done. I'm so eager to see (hear!) what you do with your "big DAC"! Dare I ask when this may be available??

Before I can get down to the serious work involved I have to move house and workshop. Hopefully the move will be happening next week and the week after.

Would all members who need to know our postal address please note the new address which will be in the footer of every page on the website the moment we have the keys.