Both emerged winners.
Gender-wise, the custom O2/ODAC is a guy. The M&M is a girl. Why? Read on!
OBJECTIVE COMPARISON:
This custom O2/ODAC has DAC RCA line-out and 3.5mm analog line-in. The M&M only has RCA to RCA to connect the DAC with the amp. Which means the O2/ODAC is more versatile when it comes to multiple sources. For the M&M, if you want to switch to an analog source, you will have to unplug the RCA cables on the Magni.
The M&M is fixed 5x gain.
O2/ODAC has switchable 2.5x/6.5x gain.
M&M takes up slightly more deskspace, and twice the height of the custom O2/ODAC.
Using Monoprice 8320 IEM, with nothing playing, the O2 is totally silent at max volume 2.5X gain. At 6.5X gain noise can be heard once the volume knob is past 2-3 o'clock.
For the M&M (5X gain), noise can be heard at 12-1 o'clock. (Realistically, this won't be a factor during normal listening, esp if using full-size cans).
Also, there was crackling noise when the M&M volume knob is transitioning a certain spot near the maximum (I think it might be a bad pot?).
O2's knob is very very smooth. MM knob has a tiny rotational play.
SUBJECTIVE COMPARISON
Subjective listening tests are...subjective.
We didn't have the setup required for blind A/B testing, so Airekris and I decided right from the start that we won't be doing a subjective listening test that was likely to be subject to subjective bias.
So, we went ahead to have fun with both amps!
Looks-wise, the M&M is the clear winner. It looks stylish, it looks more expensive, and personally I prefer the cool blue LEDs. It has more sex appeal, with all the rounded edges.
The custom O2/ODAC, with its sharp edges and lines, looks masculine. I would describe it as clean, minimalist, even industrial. It's a machine, not a statement.
Airekris aptly described thus: The O2 is a guy, the MM is a girl.
(And girls/wives/girlfriends/sisters likes to make noise! )
I agree with this. Also, I think if the light on Joe's o2 is white like M&M, it will be much nicer, red looks kinda out of place in that aluminium chassis.
From pictures, M&M does look much better doesn't it, but Joe's o2 also bue pai la.
Both emerged winners.
Gender-wise, the custom O2/ODAC is a guy. The M&M is a girl. Why? Read on!
OBJECTIVE COMPARISON:
This custom O2/ODAC has DAC RCA line-out and 3.5mm analog line-in. The M&M only has RCA to RCA to connect the DAC with the amp. Which means the O2/ODAC is more versatile when it comes to multiple sources. For the M&M, if you want to switch to an analog source, you will have to unplug the RCA cables on the Magni.
The M&M is fixed 5x gain.
O2/ODAC has switchable 2.5x/6.5x gain.
M&M takes up slightly more deskspace, and twice the height of the custom O2/ODAC.
Using Monoprice 8320 IEM, with nothing playing, the O2 is totally silent at max volume 2.5X gain. At 6.5X gain noise can be heard once the volume knob is past 2-3 o'clock.
For the M&M (5X gain), noise can be heard at 12-1 o'clock. (Realistically, this won't be a factor during normal listening, esp if using full-size cans).
Also, there was crackling noise when the M&M volume knob is transitioning a certain spot near the maximum (I think it might be a bad pot?).
O2's knob is very very smooth. MM knob has a tiny rotational play.
SUBJECTIVE COMPARISON
Subjective listening tests are...subjective.
We didn't have the setup required for blind A/B testing, so Airekris and I decided right from the start that we won't be doing a subjective listening test that was likely to be subject to subjective bias.
So, we went ahead to have fun with both amps!
Looks-wise, the M&M is the clear winner. It looks stylish, it looks more expensive, and personally I prefer the cool blue LEDs. It has more sex appeal, with all the rounded edges.
The custom O2/ODAC, with its sharp edges and lines, looks masculine. I would describe it as clean, minimalist, even industrial. It's a machine, not a statement.
Airekris aptly described thus: The O2 is a guy, the MM is a girl.
(And girls/wives/girlfriends/sisters likes to make noise! )
Initially, My stack has the same problem as your testing set. "For the M&M (5X gain), noise can be heard at 12-1 o'clock. Also, there was crackling noise when the M&M volume knob is transitioning a certain spot near the maximum (I think it might be a bad pot?)"
However, after 1 week+ of 18 hours a day burn in and i reposition it (nearer to my laptop), there is no sound coming out from stack with both my 535 and 215s. This i do not know the reason thou.
Joe's Diy o2+odac takes up much lesser space then M&m stack i believe, as Joe's do not need to have the rca to rca connection. Even he cables are 15cm long and bended, they still takes up space at the back thou.
Initially, My stack has the same problem as your testing set. "For the M&M (5X gain), noise can be heard at 12-1 o'clock. Also, there was crackling noise when the M&M volume knob is transitioning a certain spot near the maximum (I think it might be a bad pot?)"
However, after 1 week+ of 18 hours a day burn in and i reposition it (nearer to my laptop), there is no sound coming out from stack with both my 535 and 215s. This i do not know the reason thou.
Joe's Diy o2+odac takes up much lesser space then M&m stack i believe, as Joe's do not need to have the rca to rca connection. Even he cables are 15cm long and bended, they still takes up space at the back thou.
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