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Computer Audio Asylum: REVIEW: Blue Circle Audio Thingee DAC Processors by Mark_Cherrington

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REVIEW: Blue Circle Audio Thingee DAC Processors

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Model: Thingee
Category: DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price: $169
Description: USB DAC
Manufacturer URL: Blue Circle Audio

Review by Mark_Cherrington on March 12, 2010 at 09:06:22
IP Address: 76.118.2.53
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for the Thingee


I've been listening to the Thingee for about two weeks now, and I have to say I'm amazed at the quality of sound I'm getting from it. As I'm writing this, I'm using it as a DAC, running it through my Wheatfield preamp, Dared 845 SET amp, and Odeon Tosca speakers, and the sound is flawless. Instrumental timbres are absolutely natural, and the music just flows. The soundstage is broad and deep, and the Thingee is exceptional at sorting out musical lines and parts (I'm comparing it to my modded Shanling CDT100).

It's also a prime example of how clarity does not have to mean exaggerated or etched top end. It seems that most of the time I have to choose between either mushy transients or overly bright sound, but the Thingee avoids that problem. On first listen I thought it might be dull on the top end, but after extended listening, I'm finding that in fact I can distinguish details that were buried before; it's just that there's no nastiness attached to those leading edges the way so much equipment does. Even 80s-era digital reverb is tolerable--something that usually is painful to listen to for me.

In the same way, the Thingee does not shout its other virtues. You might on first hearing conclude that it's unimpressive (I almost did), because it doesn't do the razzle-dazzle tricks that lots of other gear does, but extended listening shows it to be a top-drawer piece of kit that will satisfy long after other components' fireworks have become annoying. And the headphone output is outstanding. I've listened to a huge number of headphone amps, and this one compares well to several that I've heard in the $500-$800 range. Again, it's exceptionally quiet, with a vanishingly low noise floor (and this with Etymotic in-ear phones, on which you can hear an ant breathing).

I can't compare it to other USB DACs, because I haven't heard others, but I can say that the claims in UHF magazine about the Thingee being the equal of most $2,000 CD players is not hype. I can also say that this is the biggest bargain I've ever encountered in 30 years of high end adventures. And one final thing about its looks: I actually like the design. I find the cylindrical enclosure attractive, and I like the rough-and-ready look of the silicon fill. No, it doesn't have the high style of the Shanling, but it isn't trying to. On the contrary, it seems to be thumbing its nose at pretension, and that appeals to me. And it fits nicely into my laptop case so I can get all this great sound at work.

All in all an outstanding component. Very highly recommended.


Product Weakness: The cylindrical case can roll off your desk if you aren't careful about where you put it, and its design probably won't impress your friends at the country club.
Product Strengths: Clarity, musical ease, dead quiet backgrounds, immersive soundstage, excellent ability to sort out musical lines and instrument textures.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Dared VP845
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Wheatfield Audio
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Shanling CDT100
Speakers: Odeon Toscas
Cables/Interconnects: home brew
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything but the kitchen sink
Room Size (LxWxH): 26 feet x 25 x 12 feet
Room Comments/Treatments: wood floors with rug and record cases
Time Period/Length of Audition: two weeks
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Blue Circle Audio Thingee DAC Processors - Mark_Cherrington 09:06:22 03/12/10 ( 3)