The Big Ego is a USB DAC designed to provide an audiophile quality replacement for the sound card in your computer. The Big Ego accepts stereo PCM digital audio signals up to 32/384k and converts them into an analog audio signal, which can then be connected to a line level input on your main audio system, or used to drive headphones via the built-in high quality headphone amplifier. The Big Ego DAC is powered by the USB connection, and requires no external power source, which makes it especially convenient for driving high quality headphones from a laptop or portable computer.
Turn Your Computer Into An Audiophile Quality Music Player
The quality of modern digital audio files is really amazing – as long as you have the right equipment to play them through. Unfortunately, the hardware in most computers isn’t really optimized for audio playback, so it sets limits on your listening experience. Luckily, there’s an easy solution….
The Emotiva Big Ego USB DAC can turn the mediocre audio coming from your computer into something that actually sounds great. From ordinary streaming videos and MP3 files to high resolution audio downloads; everything sounds better when you have a Big Ego. High resolution downloads sound truly awesome, CD quality files sound great, and even lossy streaming audio will sound better than you ever imagined possible.
Get The Most From High-Res Digital Downloads
You know those hi-res digital downloads that everyone is talking about? You were probably thinking the hi-res digital audio snobs were full of it because you couldn’t tell a difference, even when you were using your fancy reference quality headphones. You asked yourself: “What do they have that I don’t? Magical Ears?” Turns out it was actually pretty simple. It was just a Big Ego. Literally.
No offense to your computer, but with just a simple headphone amp and a low-cost DAC jammed into the case with a bunch of digital circuitry, audio was an afterthought. The Big Ego’s precision USB interface, low jitter clocks, audiophile grade DAC, and direct-coupled audio path, paired with our high performance headphone amplifier, will make your hi-res audio files sound their best.
The Big Ego is so easy to use that you don’t need to be an audiophile know-it-all to set it up. Since your computer sees your Big Ego as a sound card, it can play anything you can play on your computer, from MP3 files and video sound tracks, up to the latest 32/384k hi-res music files. The Big Ego even offers three different selectable digital over-sampling filters, to fine tune the sound just the way you want it. There’s even a sophisticated headphone blend mode to make your headphones sound more like speakers in a normal room.
Use With Headphones, Or To Connect Your Computer To Your Stereo System
Feel like using your Big Ego to play your computer audio over your existing home audio or hi-fi system? No problem. The Big Ego will convert your computer audio into high quality digital or analog audio streams that are compatible with virtually any sound system.
With a Big Ego, you’re in Control.
The Big Ego is a USB DAC designed to provide an audiophile quality replacement for the sound card in your computer. The Big Ego accepts stereo PCM digital audio signals up to 32/384k and converts them into an analog audio signal, which can then be connected to a line level input on your main audio system, or used to drive headphones via the built-in high quality headphone amplifier. The Big Ego DAC is powered by the USB connection, and requires no external power source, which makes it especially convenient for driving high quality headphones from a laptop or portable computer.
Turn Your Computer Into An Audiophile Quality Music Player
The quality of modern digital audio files is really amazing – as long as you have the right equipment to play them through. Unfortunately, the hardware in most computers isn’t really optimized for audio playback, so it sets limits on your listening experience. Luckily, there’s an easy solution….
The Emotiva Big Ego USB DAC can turn the mediocre audio coming from your computer into something that actually sounds great. From ordinary streaming videos and MP3 files to high resolution audio downloads; everything sounds better when you have a Big Ego. High resolution downloads sound truly awesome, CD quality files sound great, and even lossy streaming audio will sound better than you ever imagined possible.
Get The Most From High-Res Digital Downloads
You know those hi-res digital downloads that everyone is talking about? You were probably thinking the hi-res digital audio snobs were full of it because you couldn’t tell a difference, even when you were using your fancy reference quality headphones. You asked yourself: “What do they have that I don’t? Magical Ears?” Turns out it was actually pretty simple. It was just a Big Ego. Literally.
No offense to your computer, but with just a simple headphone amp and a low-cost DAC jammed into the case with a bunch of digital circuitry, audio was an afterthought. The Big Ego’s precision USB interface, low jitter clocks, audiophile grade DAC, and direct-coupled audio path, paired with our high performance headphone amplifier, will make your hi-res audio files sound their best.
The Big Ego is so easy to use that you don’t need to be an audiophile know-it-all to set it up. Since your computer sees your Big Ego as a sound card, it can play anything you can play on your computer, from MP3 files and video sound tracks, up to the latest 32/384k hi-res music files. The Big Ego even offers three different selectable digital over-sampling filters, to fine tune the sound just the way you want it. There’s even a sophisticated headphone blend mode to make your headphones sound more like speakers in a normal room.
Use With Headphones, Or To Connect Your Computer To Your Stereo System
Feel like using your Big Ego to play your computer audio over your existing home audio or hi-fi system? No problem. The Big Ego will convert your computer audio into high quality digital or analog audio streams that are compatible with virtually any sound system.
With a Big Ego, you’re in Control.
Analog Audio Specifications
Maximum Output Level:
1.8 VRMS (headphone); 2.1 VRMS (line).
Frequency Response:
8 Hz to 20 kHz (+0 / -0.3 dB); 44.1k and 48k sample rates.
8 Hz to 40 kHz (+0 / -1.5 dB); 88.2k and 96k sample rates.
8 Hz to 60 kHz (+0 / -3 dB); 176k and 192k sample rates.
Signal to Noise Ratio:
> 106 dB (A-weighted; headphone output).
> 113 dB (A-weighted; line output).
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise:
< 0.006% (headphone output).
< 0.004% (line output).
Headphone Blend Mode:
Switchable.
Digital Audio Specifications
USB Interface (input):
Asynchronous, USB Audio Class 1 and 2.
Format:
PCM digital audio.
Audio File Formats Supported:
Big Ego supports any file or stream format your computer can play.
Digital Filter Options:
Symmetrical ; Asymmetrical Low; Asymmetrical High
Sample Rates Supported:
Apple computers: 44.1k, 48k, 88k, 96k, 176k, 192k, 352k, 384k.
Windows computers: 44.1k, 48k, 88k, 96k, 176k, 192k, 352k, 384k
(no drivers required with current versions of Windows 10;
drivers required with older versions).
Windows computers: 44.1k, 48k, 88k, 96k (driverless).
Bit Depths Supported:
16 bits, 24 bits, 32 bits.
Inputs And Outputs
Input:
“mini” USB connector (from computer).
Outputs:
Headphone (analog; variable).
Line (analog; fixed).
Toslink (digital)
Mechanical
Dimensions: 5.32? x 2? x .625?
Weight: 4.6oz
