Micca OriGen G2 High Resolution USB DAC and Preamplifier - 24-Bit/192kHz PCM

I like the form-factor and size. This DAC sounds superb, comparing favourably to my Audiolab Q-Dac. It's the perfect audio solution for laptops! It has a simple yet effective LED display to tell you what speed and bit-rate is. The unit is dead quiet, and though good headphones the sound-stage is large and has depth. This DAC/preamp is a steal for the price!

I have had the Origen G2 for about two weeks now (after waiting quite a while for it to come back into stock) and I think it is perfect. There are quite a few other desktop DAC/Amps but these are the key reasons I like this one.1) Sounds better than on board audio from PC. Noticed better stereo separation and clarity right away.2) Nice, solid metal construction, yet compact size.3) Large volume knob with high degree of volume control.4) Has both a 1/8" and 1/4" headphone jack.5) 1/8" output jack on back. Assuming you have some sort of powered speakers attached to your computer's 1/8" analog output jack on the back of your computer, you can simply now plug that same wire into the back of the this instead6) Output selector switch. This allows you to control output to your powered speakers or the headphones with this switch on the front WITHOUT having to unplug your headphones. I love this.7) Runs off of USB - no extra power required8) Zero setup (at least for me) on Windows 10. I just plugged it into a USB 2.0 port and it was immediately recognized.9) Reasonably priced - all that for about $100!If you are simply looking for better sound and better control of your PC's audio, this thing is a no-brainer. I love it.

As a matter of background information, I've been evaluating various DAC's over the past several months and currently have 6 in my possession for comment and review - those being the iFi ZenDAC, the Soundavo HP-DAC1, the Schiit Modi 3, the SABAJ D3, the FX Audio X6, and the Micca OriGen 2. I constantly switch back and forth between them all, using two superb passive (built-like-a-tank) GOHIFIAUDIO S1 RCA audio switchers. This switcher model can handle up to 4 different audio units and there is virtually no signal loss or alteration. You can find it here on Amazon at (just copy and paste the link below into your browser):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085W1PPHL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1My initial evaluation was accomplished using active speakers only (I'm typically not a headphone user, although I've recently began using some headphones). The active speakers used were the Edifier S3000 Pro's, the Edifier R2000 DB's, the Edifier R1850 DB's, the Edifier S350DB (a 2.1 system), and the JBL 1 Series 104's. USB cables used were upgraded Audioquest Pearl models and the RCA cables used were either versions from World's Best Cables, or from Blue Jeans Cables (their LC-1's). In addition, just recently I added into the mix the absolutely superb (makes a world of different in USB sound quality) iFi Purifier 3.0 USB line conditioner and reclocker.Alright - now on to the Micca Origen2. In a nutshell, it is a very competent performer. The music it produces is transparent and balanced with no one particular area standing out of the crowd, and it creates a large, more laid back sound-stage that spreads out the instruments from far left to far right. Some would call the OriGen 2 boring at times, but that most certainly is not the case - please read on.I tend to listen to only classical, big band, jazz, Latin jazz, and other large orchestral pieces and I specifically listen to how DAC's produce the different instrumentation. With that in mind, for me - the OriGen 2 does not initially call attention to itself and it does not move the music up-front and in your face as some DAC's do. Using classical music as an example, or any orchestral ensembles, what you will experience is that sound staging is pushed back a bit and at the same time widened from left to right. Now some DAC's excite you at first by throwing the music right in your face - that is, they move the sound-stage forward on a single plane. Some of these other DAC's may have a sense of immediacy, but their sense of depth may suffer in the process.Now do keep in mind that I listen to music by my desktop PC because I spend a good 6-8 hours daily working, communicating, and photo processing with Photoshop (in addition to being an audiophile, I am also a photographer). And I'm a critical listener.As I mentioned above, the music is balanced and there isn't any one area that screams for attention to itself (again, like with some DAC's). This balanced sound translates well towards long term listening. Now using the term "balanced," should not be meant to infer that it is bland - far from it. If you want "immediacy," just turn up the volume up bit. When you do that, the Gen 2 keeps the balance and the sense of depth from front to rear, yet also imparts that "immediacy" or involvement that so many are looking for.When there's bass, the Gen 2 does a superb job giving you the wallop you need. Mids and highs are handled with delicacy, not trying to over-shawdow anything. With good source material, some high frequencies like strined instruments for example, have an almost silky sheen to them (not grating).One thing I like about this DAC that is missing in a few other DAC's is that if you want to connect a headphone, you are given two headphone jacks - one for the larger sized version, and a separate one for the 3.5 MM version. In addition, if you want to listen to the headphones only, just flip the front switch to headphone and your speakers will NOT play (just the headphones). Likewise, when you want to go back to the speakers only, just flip the switch back to the speakers symbol and wallaaaaaaa...now you're listening to your speakers without the headphones being used (in case you still have them plugged in).So this exceptionally small sized DAC (which shocks you the first time you open it up) is anything but small in the audio department - that's for sure.But as is always the case, YMMV - everybody uses their gear differently. I don't play rock or higher high-pitched screechy type of music. Large orchestral works are some of the best indicators of musical qualities in audio gear - I learned that a long time ago. In addition, I make it a point to upgrade all of my cables - to include USB cables, RCA or 3.5 MM connector wire, and in some cases the power supplies. Little improvements such as these can often make a world of difference, allowing the true audio performance levels to shine with various gear.So for the ridiculously inexpensive price it's placed at, this G2 is a solid performer and it tends to grow on you as time goes on, and it most certainly does not look like other DAC units.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NOTE: On 7-6-2020 I edited and adjusted the initial review. As time went on, I came to really appreciate this Micca MiriGen G2 DAC unit. So for those of you revisiting this review, yes, it has changed. My changes now involved more positive comments about audio performance, sound-staging, and more. And I also changed my initial star rating from 4 to 5.

Delivery was 3 days earlier than expected which is excellent. Found this product through Z reviews in Youtube. Solid sturdy product, has enough power to drive my m40x. The DAC in my laptop is great but this is a little bit better (that's just me) because the laptop DAC doesn't have a powerful amp and the origen g2 does the job, but it's still an excellent DAC and Amp nonetheless. It has several inputs (spdif and usb) and output (headphone and line out) and has a switch to choose between the two outputs which is very convenient. It is also USB powered so less wire clutter. I highly recommended this product when you are looking for a cheap and portable DAC to go with your laptop or for desktop use.

I wanted to switch from a bulky receiver which I no longer used for anything but headphones and try a dedicated headphone amp. I tried the Schiit Modi and Magni v1 first but didn't like various things about them. Sadly, I ended up resorting to a product not made in America due to budget constraints and picked this up. However, like many knives it seems to be that this is a product of high quality; one of those rare gems that comes from Asia that's built well.The construction is solid, finish is clean and the unit functions flawlessly. I haven't tried anything besides the headphone jacks, volume knob, USB connection, gain switch, output switch and SPDIF out (for functionality testing only) but everything has checked out so far. I leave it connected via USB and it's nice to not have to plug it into the wall. I was surprised how well this thing performs since it's powered by USB alone.The reason I wanted something like this was to hopefully cut down on heat output while also providing a large volume wheel without taking up a lot of space on the desk. The wheel isn't as large as a receiver but in terms of dedicated headphone amps it's relatively large. I would have picked up a JDSLABS "The Element" if I could afford it due to the massive volume wheel but I'm actually quite satisfied with the Micca Origen G2.The light indicators (orange) properly read the correct sample rate coming from the computer (it seems to stay set to whatever you set Windows to, regardless of if you set something else in a media player -- something which I believe is the fault of Window's terrible audio management UX).It also has a light indicator to let you know that the power is on (green) as well as another one which reacts in a unique way to the audio based on the channel(s) audio is output to. This light will light up blue for left channel, red for right channel and purple for both channels. The strength of the light depends on how loud the audio is coming through to the headphones.That green light I mentioned is red when you first power on the unit and wait for initialization, much like a receiver but much faster. It takes about a second to change the light from red to green where on a receiver it would take maybe 3-4 seconds for it to be ready to output a signal.The lights face upward so they can't really hit you in the face when you're trying to sleep and even if they faced you I don't believe they're the type that are blindingly and annoyingly strong.The unit doesn't get too warm which is very nice.As far as sound there's not really any issues on that front and it's difficult to compare to other things without a side-by-side comparison. Plus, sound is subjective so what I say isn't a huge deal anyways but I can at least say, in-case it helps anyone that I didn't notice any sound coloring from the device and yes, it can put out some real high volume levels... to the point that you'll not want to listen to it that loud for a long time because it will get irritating and probably help damage your hearing.I'm overall very satisfied with this purchase and it's nice to know that even if I travel I can easily pack this in my luggage or carry-on and have something with me wherever I go that can be paired with high or low impedance headphones.