Fostex HP-A3 24bit/96kHz USB Powered Stereo Desktop DAC and Headphone Amplifier - Black

I bought this DAC/amp for my modded Fostex T50RP's, these are orthodynamic headphones and very(very!) hard to drive, and needs a lot of power, but the amp in this little thing powers my headphones perfectly! the sound is nice and clean, the response-curve seems flat and very accurete, this dac does not have a warm sound, so if that's something you're looking for, this amp is not for you. But in my case this amp is just perfect. I also use the RCA's on the back for my speaker amp, and you just switch between the headphones or the RCA's with a single button whuch is very convinient! all in all, this DAC/amp combo is just great, so if you need a DAC with a powerful headphone amp, I stronly recomend this product ;)

What a little gem this DAC is! Read a review of higher model in whathifi and they have not been impressed, other reviews of this and fostex dacs in general are glowing so make your own cjoice. Surprised that at the price point this is not a instant go to. Sounds warm (not very usual for Japanese product) , build quality is up there with the best and you have rca/phones output switch thst' very convenient, also totally 5v usb powered bur can drive all my cans with ease. Very pleased!

Very good DAC, Well built, easy to use, doesn’t require a password lock and father cables as it connects with the computer simply with a USB cable which transmits both data and energy. Compared to the sand delivered by the computer it’s a big step forward in quality and in quantity. The Sun dance to be sharp not on the warm side, But I like it. It’s very good for classical and symphonic music as it delivers very accurate sound of the string section. I use it with Hifiman HE560 magnetic planar headphones, Which I read are quite demanding in terms of application and power required. I am no audiophile, But I consider this product excellent From many viewpoints, Building quality, sound quality, simplicity of use, connections and overall quality.

Works perfectly with optical input and headphone out. The choice of input switching is great and has no cross-over.

There is a lot of subjective point, if we talking about audio products. DAC/AMP is only one side, you have to find right partner on headphone side too.I'm using Fostex HP-A3 with an ATH-M40x and I feel this is not the best team, but not at all bad!Which was new for me, - after a NuForce uDAC3 -, EQ is not needed anymore, maybe still a bit for some bass heavy tracks, but HP-A3 have a neutral, absolutely likable sound.I got what I expected (fine finish and assembling, smooth-smooth input/output change with buttons, just a perfect pot-meter, which adjust line out too), maybe except one thing, and I know, this device USB powered only, and 5V is 5V in any galaxy, but according to manufacturer and independent reviews, this had to be more powerful, but not. Enough, but not "mind blowing", what sometimes would be good. --> ***this part I have to change, it's really-really depends on audio track and source quality. Enough strong!All in all, I'm satisfied with Fostex's mid range headphone DAC/AMP HP-A3.

I don't write review often... But I made an exception for this little box.First, it work WITHOUT power supply, and WITHOUT driver, no matter it is Linux or Windows (win10 at least).Second, the sound quality is nearly indistinguishable (with my HD800S) using this FOSTEX vs Audio-gd 28.38 (whcih is 6!!! times more expensive). On the latter one sound is more opened, though (due to sabre ES9038 chip, i presume, but HD800S do not allow the sound to be bright at the same time..).So, the high frequencies with AK chip is less vivid (actually that was the reason I have tried AK-based DAC).If you have some "piercing" recordings -- this Fostex, or an AK- chip in general, is the way to go.The only drawback of this DAC is: the sound level should be at about 7-8 mark to match sound mark 15-17 on Audio-gd (with Fast filter) with HD800S.So, the 300+ Ohm headphones is not the way to go. The sennheiser PX100, 200, 300, as well as Sennheiser (new) HD660 is the way to go, most likely. I have tried my OPPO PM-2 (nominal imp. = 32 Ohm) with Fostex, and still the sound knob should be on the mark 6-7, which may produce saturation. (NO WAY to use sound level in your PC sound control >100% - clipping is, of course, SOOOO evident!).The conclusion: It's a marvel for headphones with < 300 Ohm impedance. Sound is approaching the high-end standards (it will be indistinguishable in the office conditions, used with NOT-a-high-end-but-still-amazing Sony WH-1000X), begin colored differently though..

購入から数年たちますが、毎日の使用にも特に気になる劣化はありませんサラウンドシステムとヘッドホーンにて視聴してますがどちらも変な癖が無いのでスピーカーやヘッドホーンからので音が素直で機器疲れが無いのが良いですオーディオシステムもあるのですが、こちらで聞く事が多いですね

アクティブスピーカーとヘッドホンを併用するので便利でした。音量調整も、アンプ側で極端に絞ろうとすると鳴きがありましたが、PCからの出力をある程度下げることで問題なく使えています。