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View Full Version : Boy was I wrong....sony hpa2 rocks


starbucksboss
02-03-2014, 04:19
A couple of weeks ago I posted that I swapped my 'on the go' set up by selling my Ray Samuels headphone amp and bought the new Sony HPA2 dac/ Amp.
After my first trip with this my iPod and my QC15 headphones I posted that it was the most detailed , accurate , spacious sound I have ever head through an iPod and that it was so impressive in so many ways compared to the highly thought of and very expensive Ray Samuels amp but...It was just not musical somehow?...it lost my attention...it was not involving being too clinical. I WAS SO WRONG.

I swapped the Bose QC15s with my AKG 701s...So now I have the same set up just different headphones ( iPod , iTunes lossless , Sony HPA2)...WOW! I have searched for decades for great mobile HiFi...Now its arrived.Stunning!

This has confirmed two things 1. Bose headphones really are a very ordinary set of phones from a sonic point of view (sorry but true) and 2. This Sony dac / amp is simply superb! It extracts detail I thought impossible from and iPod and on the move...the bass is tight and deep , there is space and separation that again I thought unachievable through headphones and the overall sound is just creamy and totally involving now...this long flight just flew by ( pun sorry). I now , with no hesitation say this Sony amp/dac combo' is the best iPod companion I have ever heard...and folks thats saying a lot.(its built like a brick outhouse too)

This year so far has been a revelation. I am the last convert to computer audio. I have stuck with my LP12, Krell amps , Krell CD . Monitor Audio Gold series speakers for a long time. In Jan I skeptically added a lap top loaded with iTunes lossless , an off board dac in the MF Clic and piped this through the Krell amp. It has been a revelation. So this and my mobile set up have totally convinced me that digital HiFi has arrived in my life. I never thought I would be able to say this but , yes...it does sound better than my LP12 and my Krell CD.

I'm converted! (The Sony HPA arrives in UK in March...try it you'll love it - I live in US.)
nat8808
02-03-2014, 20:35
Excellent to hear!

So does the PHA2 connect digitally to the ipod so the ipod becomes just a transport? Can the ipod be hacked to play higher-rez files too?

Shame the new Sony player is so expensive.

Interesting that a portable device uses proper-sized electrolitic output caps, Nichicon FG series, rather than SMD parts:

http://www.head-fi.org/content/type/61/id/947051/
roob
02-03-2014, 21:15
If it was sub £200 it would sell like hot cakes.
nat8808
02-03-2014, 22:43
Nothing DSD and good quality build is likely to be at that low a price.

Still, the 50,000Y (not sure if that's RRP or the going rate) makes it £290, but UK prices are always pumped up for stuff like this.
starbucksboss
04-03-2014, 04:08
Excellent to hear!

So does the PHA2 connect digitally to the ipod so the ipod becomes just a transport? Can the ipod be hacked to play higher-rez files too?

Shame the new Sony player is so expensive.

Interesting that a portable device uses proper-sized electrolitic output caps, Nichicon FG series, rather than SMD parts:

http://www.head-fi.org/content/type/61/id/947051/

Yes...the HPA2 dac bypasses the iPods cheapy one. Ref the cost
I would say it is solid!...its built like a real pro piece of kit. Its expensive but I have never heard anything better on the move.
starbucksboss
04-03-2014, 04:09
Ps...I really wanted one so I bought direct from Japan...saved a lot.
orbscure
04-03-2014, 10:13
Where did you source yours direct from Japan John? Do you have any seller links?
roob
05-03-2014, 20:25
From Japan
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00FKIRR4O/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new :eek:
orbscure
06-03-2014, 09:03
:) Thanks Andrew... just not sure if the increase in quality from my iBasso D2+Hj Boa is worth the £358+ (plus possible import duties too)...

Cheers
Pete
nat8808
07-03-2014, 01:17
If you can handle the Japanese language though, there are Japanese websites selling for around 44,000 Y which is more like £255. The Amazon thing looks like an import service charging high prices and still doesn't include import duty.

The language barrier is probably the biggest problem.

There are some though who aren't so into them and you might find some early adoptors selling theirs in the UK or Europe after already having imported them...

For eXample : US based ad on head-fi.org 30hrs use $515 or offers (~ £307). http://www.head-fi.org/t/707360/fs-sony-pha-2-japanese-version-us-location-mint-practically-brand-new-price-drop-shipping-incl
starbucksboss
07-03-2014, 03:42
The language barrier is absolutely no problem...the unit is no different only the manual is in Japanese. I simply googled the sony manual resources and printed the. 1 page English instructions.
I love this thing!
If any of you need the instructions let me know and I'll post em.
nat8808
07-03-2014, 09:01
Oh, I meant in buying it from a regular retailer in Japan..