Epiphany Acoustics EHP-O2Di Headphone Amplifier/DAC
There's definitely demand to get a little footprint DAC. Too often, in our day-to-day music listening, it's space that's the dominant issue so Epiphany's tiny chassis, spanning 108.5x30x82mm and available in any colour so long as it is black, is particularly flexible in these terms. The EHP-O2Di, powered by an external wall-wart, is not only a DAC, though, additionally, it includes a headphone amplifier that adds to its inherent usability.
The EHP-O2Di is based on the older EHP-O2D but the power input was moved to the back of the unit and there are back-mounted RCA outlets which double up as the line output signal in the DAC section and also the line input signal for the headphone amplifier circuitry.
As MD, Oliver Freeborn remarked, "The original amplifier board design catered for portable use and so the power socket (and all sockets) were put on the front. However when it comes to desktop use, it is certainly more convenient to have rear entry power to keep everything tidier in your desk. It is a thing that customers remarked on so looked a legitimate and natural improvement to create. Additionally, RCAs are a natural development to ensure it is more suited to its new desktop environment."
The DAC, which is clocked by means of a crystal controlled oscillator, uses a TE7022L UACI engine and ES9023 processor offering functionality up to 24bit/96kHz (according to Freeborn, a higher specification to 24bit/192kHz might have required a price hike). On board filtering for the power supply is comprised while added outlets include a 3.5mm headphone connection and a plug'n'play, mini-USB digital interface.
SOUND QUALITY
To start the sound tests I focused on the headphone section of the Epiphany and brought in, the Furutech X1 headphone amp that is streamlined, for comparison.
Playing a WAV of Billy Joel's 'My Life' through the USB port and the audiophile applications player, Decibel, via my SSD-powered MacBook, I proceeded in the cultured, open X1 to the EHP-O2Di and, for the cost, was pleasantly surprised at its performance. The headphone amplifier stage offered a sense of actual enjoyment, however, on occasion, the group was exposed by piano on the Epiphany, which seemed to be on the verge of shouting at higher volumes taking you in amongst the musicians. The more high-priced X1 easily isolated the somewhat subtle accompanying acoustic guitar and amazing bass right from the off. Astonishingly, so did the Epiphany. Detail, on both these instruments, was incisive from the latter. The acoustic guitar offered finely plucked strings while the rhythmic bounce of the bass was easily in evidence. Treble was rather recessed on this trail but, what there was of it, was not relatively rough through the Epiphany.
Immediately, an inherent honesty was exhibited by Kent's vocals. While lots of space encompassed the fine percussion and guitar backing she stood alone, an airy body, high in the sound stage. Yes, the treble and upper mids lacked the complexity and diversity of information heard by more expensive DACs but the Epiphany, for the price, offered exceptional all round performance, enabling the piano to glide through the piece while plucked guitar strings were exact and resonant.
The dearth of clouding or slurring during crescendos, together with measured management over piano gave the performance a way of command.
CONCLUSION
It may simply offer a somewhat prosaic design - and the layout and controls are 'functional', but where the Epiphany EHP-O2Di scores is underneath the hood. This really is where the budget was spent and, if you're an audiophile looking for bargain, for that you just will be grateful.
