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

I've been wanting the Micca OriGen for many years . First saw it on Z's reviews. Than Fossi Audio did an update of sorts and put out there version (SK02).I have it as well.Both perform very well,have near identical features,both will power Fostex T60rp and Beyerdynamic DT800 edition 600 ohm with no signs of distortion.Fossi SK02 offers 4.4 balanced and 3.5 single ended where OriGen gen 3 offers 6.5 and 3.5 single ended.As I mentioned above,,,they have plenty of output power.I prefer the analog volume control on the OriGen over the digital one on the Fossi,,,it's a feel kinda of thing.The OriGen is noticeably more compact,both are fine but I do prefer the OriGen.The OriGen uses small mechanical selector switches witch are more old-school and I do like that over the Fossi push button type.Sound quality is equal,both are smooth with plenty of detail.To pick 1 over the other will be a particular taste thing.Fossi SK02 is more modern but I still prefer the slightly more old-school Micca OriGen gen 3.Cost wise both are around $100.00 so they won't break the bank.

This micca origen+ is probably my favorite new audio component in a very long time, and it has certainly proven its worth.Now for some background, I have always been a headphone guy (speakers are far less mobile/convenient). Well Micca is primarily a speaker company (far as I know), and the Origen was designed with speakers in mind.So with that in mind, what am I doing buying a portable amplifier designed by a speaker company? It did'nt make sense, at least not until I had seen the review by Zeos of Z Reviews (you should know who I am talking about).A few years back, I started a mobile audio setup. I purchased a Fiio E10k amp/dac as well as a Nad HP50. Fast forward to today, my amount of audio gear has grown a fair amount since then.As my collection of gear grew, I began wanting a more powerful mobile amp, I sold the E10k. Following zeo's recommendation as well as being a stickler for design choice, I picked up the Origen.Turns out, this little thing is perfect for a mobile headphone setup. FWIW, by mobile I mean travelling with laptop/music/headphones in tow.I'll get to the point on this review. You're paying just north of $100 to get this Origen and getting an all in one solution that is on par with my Schiit Uber Stack at less than half the cost.It can drive the Mr Speakers Alpha Prime (a power hungry planar) to more than needed volume. The sound quality next to the magni 2 uber is indistinguishable, same for the dac compared to the modi 2.High/Low gain switching is an absolute positive. The volume knob on the Origen is wonderful and VISIBLE.Bottom line, this is the headphone amp/dac to get if you're a first time buyer of such gear. It has literally zero flaws to me. Easy 5 stars.Note: According to Micca, some of the new origen+ units did not ship with a usb cable. Well, mine did not have a usb cable as well. Fortunately, it needs an otg usb cable (I have a spare one that was for my android phone). It works fine with the Origen+.UPDATE 6/24/2018: My Modi 2 Uber suddenly stopped being recognized by windows 10. I tried EVERYTHING; bought a powered usb hub, disabled usb power management, tried every schiit driver (including the outdated 1.03 driver, ASIO drivers, rebooting, uninstalling drivers. Apparently the Modi, Modi 2 and Uber can all have random chronic issues being recognized by windows 10. This started after the 6/12 WIN10 update and my Modi 2 Uber has been a useless brick ever since..time to sell it!For now, I still own and use the Origen+. In fact, it has become my main desktop DAC with my windows 10 laptop. It was quite a pain to get it going, but have had no problems since installing it a week ago.My install process was as follows (be sure your Origen+ is off):1-download the origen+ driver 1.2.5 from the micca website2-proceed to the windows device manager3-power on the Origen+, it should appear in ''other devices'' or in ''sound, video and game controllers'' tab. When it does, hold down Shift and reboot your pc.4-continue holding shift until the advanced boot options menu appears, then click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings, then click Reset. One more menu with options 1-9 will appear, you want 7) Disable Driver Signature Enforcement, press F75-After the reboot completes, get into the Device Manager again and turn the Origen+ off, then on again. If you see it (VIA USB Device) in 'other devices' or in 'sound, video and game controllers' tab:--right-click it and update driver, then browse for the 1.2.5 driver manually and force install it (update driver anyway).Done(?)6-If your Origen+ does not work at this point, reboot in F7 Unsigned Driver Mode again. After reboot go into Device Manager--right-click VIA USB Device and uninstall, then go into Action > 'Scan for hardware changes' OR update driver, then browse for the 1.2.5 driver manually and force install it (update driver anyway).In my case, I had to repeat step 6 twice, but it has worked ever since; even turning the Origen+ off and on and/or restarting does not require a re-install.

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.