Geek Out solves two annoying audio problems with music playback using laptop or home computers: the quality of the computer's built-in DAC and the wimpy-sounding, built-in headphone amplifier.

Geek Out utilizes a version of the Da Vinci three-layer buffer 32-bit/384kHz and DSD 2 decoding engine and a Class-A high current output stage with two headphone jacks. Geek Out will decode either PCM or DSD audio streams and also sufficiently drive any set(s) of headphones or in-ear monitors to maximum volume and fidelity with sufficient bass.

Geek Out supports PCM audio from 44.1 to 384kHz sample rates in 16, 24, 32-bit depths and also DSD audio. If you have the requisite software in your computer, Geek Out decodes and plays DSD64--2.8224MHz sample rate SACD audio standard; that's 64 times the CD audio sample rate and also DSD128 or 5.6448 MHz or 128 times.

I've been trying out this small (1 3/8 W x 1/2 H x 2 5/8-inches D) DAC in both my Mac Pro and laptop by auditioning music mixes I know well.

I also downloaded high-resolution audio files from Web sites such as www.hdtracks.com. I tried different sets of headphones such as the Audio-Technica ATM-M50X or Shure's SRH940 Professional.

There are two, 3.5mm headphone output jacks: one with an impedance of 47-ohms for driving most small headphones and ear buds and another rated at 0.47-ohms for larger and lower impedance pro-level headphones. My ATM-M50X's sounded fine plugged into either--suffice it to say that having two jacks is an awesome feature in itself--especially when traveling with a friend. Geek Out's Class-A headphone amplifier is rated at 1-watt maximum output level into 16-ohms and goes louder than safe.

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USB 2.0 class compliant, Geek Out plugs right into your computer's USB jack and shows up in the Mac's Sound Preference window ready to be selected. PC users will need to download a driver. I would recommend setting the volume of your music using the up/down buttons on the side of the Geek Out DAC. I left the volume fader in the Mac's Sound full up because changing volume within the Mac causes the Geek to go full volume!

Features I also liked were: the LED indicators on the top of Geek Out that show what the sample rate, rate multiplier (2X, 4X or 8X) and if the 3D Awesomifier is engaged (the key is listed underneath the unit).

As near as I can tell from listening, the oddly named 3D Awesomifier narrows or compromises the stereo width. Designed to alleviate the "inside your head" feeling of headphone listening, I found it useful to increase the level of center-panned lead vocals--especially vocals mixed with a stereo spreading effect.

I would recommend Geek Out for all laptop music producers to bypass the computer's built-in headphone amp. It has no trouble driving any set of phone(s). Now you can rely on critical mix decisions made on headphones because music mixes sound as they should and are not constrained by any inherent built-in computer limitations.