Fostex HP-P1 Portable Amplifier and DAC for iPod/iPhone (Short REVIEW and Impressions Thread) - Page 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigotone 

Thanks! I posted this in a separate thread, but might as well ask here:
How would the Ultimate Ears Custom In-Ear Reference Monitors do with the HP-P1?

In the same ballpark, the Westone ES5's do brilliantly well with the HP-P1.  I enjoy a wide variety of genre's of music with them.  I can't speak for the UERM's, but they're reputed to be a more neutral CIEM in comparison.  

Considering Westone ES5 as my next upgrade, if I cannot afford a Fitear MH334 or TO GO 334 *drool*

Its been a year, are people still happy with their purchase of Fostex hp_p1?

How is the amp in general? People seemed disappointed with it on first release, Or was that just because it lacked the oomph of more expensive powerful amps?

From Lillees recent post it seems to open up after a few hundred hours, is that the same for others.

I have the Fostex hp_p1 or the ALO the National (and maybe, maybe the Continental) on my wish list.

I considered the fostex a year ago too.

I have the CLAS and the nameless Wolfson chip is bothering me...  Thinking if I should buy the hp-p1 as well.

I a/b them (solo and Fostex) at the last meet two or three weeks back and decided on the Fostex.  At first when i got it, the bass seemed a little lean, i am used to the HM-801 with an amp.  It has been about a week of intermittent use due to work but either it has broken in a bit or my ears have broken in because the bass sounds balanced now and at one point i had an aha moment-i got it.  Then yesterday i compared it to the HP out just for the heck of it, what a difference that was for me, in terms of dynamics, instrument separation  and air/soundstage in the Fostex-a different level.  After more time with it i may have more to add.  Went to use the 801 with my JH13s today, i hadn't used it since i got the new toy, but the battery was dead.  Think i left it running last week, so it's charging.

I bought some ATH-CK10 today and decided to retry the ALO Continental and Fostex hp_p1, I was really impressed with the Fostex this time around, very nice.

Very tempting - but will try the ALO The National first, then decide.

which firmware are you running?

1.1.1 I think is the latest. (was the Latest software  in March 2012 anyway).

Glad to hear you are happy, any others?

Firmware has two versions. Latest is

Software: V1.1.1

Hardware V1.1.2

I don't have it in front of me, but I know it's an earlier version. And I'm not even sure how to get it updated as I bought it on the used market. 

I'm still happy with mine. I do wish I could use it as a USB DAC on my laptop when on the road and that it would full charge my iPhone, but I'm otherwise very pleased with it.
 

Thanks for your replies.

*Further questions.

Which is your favorite filter - 1 or 2?

Do you use the gain at all?

Do you use the USB LOD that it came with, or a custom of some sort? If yes, how did it change the sound?

 (I have a custom USB LOD on order atm).

Even with the DX100 in my possession, I still use the HP-P1 quite frequently.  I only use filter 1.  It sounds cleaner to me.  For gain,  I usually keep it on lowest setting and crank up the volume as needed.  Some headphones do need that extra boost though.