The Emotiva Big Ego is a USB DAC and headphone amplifier designed to bring high-resolution audio to computers and compatible smartphones without requiring an external power supply. It sits above the Little Ego in Emotiva's portable DAC range, adding dedicated line-level analogue outputs and a Toslink optical output that the headphone-only Little Ego lacks. The Big Ego connects via asynchronous USB Audio Class 2, supporting PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz, and draws power entirely from the USB bus.
DAC & Analogue Stage
At the heart of the Big Ego is a Texas Instruments/Burr Brown PCM5142 DAC chip — one step up from the PCM5141 used in the Little Ego. The analogue output stage uses LME49860MA op-amps throughout. The headphone amplifier is built around the TPA6130A2 DirectPath stereo headphone amplifier IC, which operates from a ground-referenced output architecture that eliminates the need for output coupling capacitors, avoiding the low-frequency roll-off those components introduce.
Outputs & Connectivity
The Big Ego provides three simultaneous outputs: a 3.5mm headphone jack, a 3.5mm stereo line-level output, and a Toslink optical digital output. The line-level output operates independently of the headphone output, allowing the unit to remain connected to a stereo preamplifier or integrated amplifier at the same time as headphones. The Toslink optical output mirrors the incoming digital signal, making it straightforward to feed a surround-sound receiver or a second external DAC.
Digital Filters & Headphone Blend
Three selectable digital oversampling filters allow the user to adjust the character of the conversion. A switchable headphone blend mode introduces a controlled degree of crossfeed between left and right channels, reducing the exaggerated stereo separation inherent to headphone listening and producing a more natural, speaker-like presentation.
USB Compatibility
The asynchronous USB Audio Class 2 connection supports high-resolution PCM audio up to 32-bit/384kHz on most current computers and many modern smartphones without requiring additional drivers. A UAC1 compatibility mode is also available, enabling playback of PCM audio up to 24-bit/96kHz on older devices that do not support USB Audio Class 2. An LED display indicates the current sample rate during playback.
| DAC Chip | Texas Instruments / Burr Brown PCM5142 |
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| Headphone Amplifier | TPA6130A2 DirectPath |
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| Op-Amps | LME49860MA |
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| Maximum Resolution | 32-bit / 384kHz PCM (USB Audio Class 2); 24-bit / 96kHz (UAC1 compatibility mode) |
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| Frequency Response | 8Hz – 20kHz (+0 / −0.3dB) at 44.1k/48k; 8Hz – 40kHz (+0 / −1.5dB) at 88.2k/96k; 8Hz – 60kHz (+0 / −3dB) at 176k/192k |
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| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | >106dB A-weighted (headphone); >113dB A-weighted (line) |
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| THD+N | <0.006% (headphone); <0.004% (line) |
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| Maximum Output Level | 1.8VRMS (headphone); 2.1VRMS (line) |
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| Outputs | 3.5mm headphone, 3.5mm stereo line-level, Toslink optical |
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| Digital Filters | 3 selectable oversampling filters; switchable headphone blend mode |
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| Power | USB bus-powered (no external supply required) |
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| Dimensions | 135 × 51 × 16mm (5.32” × 2” × 0.63”) |
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| Weight | 130g (4.6oz) |
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