Micca OriGen G3 HiFi USB and Optical DAC Amp for Headphones and Powered Speakers, 24-Bit/192kHz, Earphone Amplifier, Preamp, Volume Control, for Desktop Computers and Laptops

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.

Pros:1 - The Origen+ is quite heavy for it's size and is larger than pictures suggest.2 - There are ample connections of different types for computer centric systems.3 - The single multicolored signal level LED is actually quite useful.Cons:1 - The supplied USB and RCA cables are both of extremely poor quality.2 - While it can be powered via either the USB port (sort of) or it's separate power jack, it comes with neither a power supply nor a power cable.3 - Powering it from USB results in the transmission of every buzz, click and whistle the computer can generate.4 - Despite an excellent manual, some of the connections are dual purpose so connecting it is not intuitive.Comments:The Micca OriGen+ arrived at 10am (thanks USPS) so I got to jump right in.WHAT A PAIN!! There were so many negatives that I almost sent it back.A slew of little things conspired to make it impossible to audition the Origen+ out of the box as I struggled to get the noise out of the signal.Sorting out the power noise issues consumed over an hour as the dedicated power jack uses a barrel type USB connector (and the manual makes no mention of what size it should be). By chance, I had 3 that fit. The first had reversed polarity but with the second, at long last success... almost. I borrowed the power supply from one of my Chromecasts and voila! Micca mercifully designed the Origen+ to prioritize power from the jack and cut off the noisy USB power.Though the digital noise was gone, some crackling remained... every time I touched it. I knew it was the audio cable. It had been a long incremental battle sorting out the power issues so I decided to use my existing high quality cables and adapters and... silence. There was no hum, no hiss... nothing but the darkness. Quite shocking especially since I was using my tube amplifier.With my adventure finally turning the corner, the only thing left to do was listen. With my test playlist at hand the listening began... as did the full frontal assault on my ears. Bright, brittle and harsh are the kindest words I can use to describe what I heard. To be sure I immediately switched over to my Emotiva XDA-2 which proceeded to give a stellar performance of the same material. Back to the OriGen+ and the assault continued. Twenty-one minutes later I'd had quite enough. I repackaged the OriGen-al (ha-ha) cables and began mentally preparing to return the unit.Being a strong advocate of break-in, I felt it only fair to put the unit through my break-in suite of varied music and test sweeps for a few days so I started them and left. Scattered showers prevented a joy ride in the car but working on my solar fountain in mostly good weather was quite refreshing. Three hours of outdoor fun beats messing around with audio hands down but that's not what this review is about.Back at it.For another two hours, I scoured the Internet for a replacement for the OriGen+. There were (are?) several candidates but all were missing one or another feature (generally a volume control). From all the DACs I reviewed, the S.M.S.L. Sanskrit 6th seemed most promising and the price was within five dollars of the Micca. I had made my decision to try it but needed to confirm that the OriGen+ was as bad as it had been at the outset.Using the Emotiva as my baseline, first up was Angela Bofill's "Under the Moon and Over the Sky". Her pitch perfect alto voice beautifully contrasts with her light and ever so slightly airy falsetto through the XDA-2... a tough act to follow. Next up, the OriGen+ -- I'll start getting the box ready so I can ship this thing back.I had matched the volume levels hours ago so I only need to reset the music and switch the cables.The music starts and immediately and Ms. Bofill's voice is magical. I hear the detail I'm accustomed to and while some elements seem slightly forward, moving my head slightly could account for that. Did I forget to switch the cables back from the Emotiva?This can't be! It's the Micca. Only five hours and the digital hash I heard before is gone replaced with a wide deep sound stage. I switched the cables back to the Emotiva and put on Teddy Pendergrass' "Somebody Told Me". While not generally regarded a sonic masterpiece, the chorus contains some of the best ambient information ever recorded. Only on an excellent sound system can you tell the number and location of background singers. The Emotiva easily places the singers so I switched to the Micca and... the Micca is better. You can easily hear that the background singers are individually mic'd (no, I won't tell you how many or where they are) and that clearly, only one of them has additional echo effects. This is truly amazing.I expect that with more time, the OriGen+ will improve a bit more and in anticipation, I mounted it to my audio rack so that I could use it as a preamp without it moving around (it's lighter than the cables that connect to it). In my opinion, it's well worth the asking price and probably a bit more.My one criticism is that Micca should not ship this unit with those horrible cables (the dirt). It would be better to ship it with a proper power supply. I thought about taking a point off of my review for all the inconvenience but this review is about the OriGen+ and not the accessories.I listened for another hour or so and the Origen+ did not disappoint. It is a definite keeper.