Very interesting device.

Still too clunky to pair with my iPhone 4 in my pocket while I dance.

Le sigh..  DX100 it is...

Naotaka Tsunoda (he goes by the nickname "Nao") from Sony's Tokyo product nerve center visited my office yesterday, and it was a very fun, interesting day. He left one of everything from the new Sony lineup, and I was surprised the PHA-1 was one of them (especially because I'm not quite sure yet if/when it's coming to the U.S. market).

Nao showed me some PowerPoint slides related to the PHA-1's development (in addition to sharing additional stories about it), and anyone thinking this thing was just thrown together would be mistaken.

I've briefly tried the PHA-1 as an iDevice DAC, and it works very well, and my first impressions are that it sounds very good in that role. Right now I'm using it as a USB DAC from my MacBook Pro, and, again, it's off to an impressive start there, too. (I'll try it with Amarra later.) How it compares to any other such devices else is something I can't yet answer, as I've only just started using it.

In terms of noise floor, with the full-size headphones I've used with it so far, the PHA-1 seems very quiet (dead quiet so far). I haven't tried it with sensitive in-ear monitors yet, so that'll be a better assessment of its noise floor.

Its chassis is gorgeous, and feels very solidly built. The strap-and-rail system is simple and brilliant. The PHA-1 I have here came with four of the straps, and I'm using two of them to lash my iPod Classic to the PHA-1. The metal guards on the front panel seem very strong and seem rigidly affixed, and are functional, helping to protect the headphone plug and volume knob from impact.

I'm going to have some questions for Nao about the PHA-1, as the only instructions I have are Japanese language. For example, I'm unclear whether the PHA-1 is draining its battery while used as a USB DAC. Is it charging the battery in this mode? At the very least, is it using bus power to avoid draining the battery in this mode? I imagine the instructions probably detail this, but, again, I'm unable to read them.

This early on, I can say there's no denying its appeal (to me) as a dual-role device--USB DAC and iDevice DAC.

Thanks judge, any chance of you trying this with XBA-4?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jude 

Naotaka Tsunoda (he goes by the nickname "Nao") from Sony's Tokyo product nerve center visited my office yesterday, and it was a very fun, interesting day. He left one of everything from the new Sony lineup, and I was surprised the PHA-1 was one of them (especially because I'm not quite sure yet if/when it's coming to the U.S. market).

 

Nao showed me some PowerPoint slides related to the PHA-1's development (in addition to sharing additional stories about it), and anyone thinking this thing was just thrown together would be mistaken.

 

I've briefly tried the PHA-1 as an iDevice DAC, and it works very well, and my first impressions are that it sounds very good in that role. Right now I'm using it as a USB DAC from my MacBook Pro, and, again, it's off to an impressive start there, too. (I'll try it with Amarra later.) How it compares to any other such devices else is something I can't yet answer, as I've only just started using it.

 

In terms of noise floor, with the full-size headphones I've used with it so far, the PHA-1 seems very quiet (dead quiet so far). I haven't tried it with sensitive in-ear monitors yet, so that'll be a better assessment of its noise floor.

 

Its chassis is gorgeous, and feels very solidly built. The strap-and-rail system is simple and brilliant. The PHA-1 I have here came with four of the straps, and I'm using two of them to lash my iPod Classic to the PHA-1. The metal guards on the front panel seem very strong and seem rigidly affixed, and are functional, helping to protect the headphone plug and volume knob from impact.

 

I'm going to have some questions for Nao about the PHA-1, as the only instructions I have are Japanese language. For example, I'm unclear whether the PHA-1 is draining its battery while used as a USB DAC. Is it charging the battery in this mode? At the very least, is it using bus power to avoid draining the battery in this mode? I imagine the instructions probably detail this, but, again, I'm unable to read them.

 

This early on, I can say there's no denying its appeal (to me) as a dual-role device--USB DAC and iDevice DAC.

Are you going to do a full review or head-fi tv episode on it?

PHA-1 is expected to be shipped 10th of next month, right when the new ipods are expected to be released. I wonder whether that is the reason why sony avoided early release simply because they knew about the new ipod connection. 

I wonder if the WM-Z can be hacked to do USB Audio out to the Sony DAC, or others in that case.

WOW

This thing looks VERY cool. 

Jude:

How's it sound????

What's the battery life???

Quote:

Originally Posted by zChan 

:Shock:
Now watch Apple change the doc connector to render it useless in a months time. I'm rather interested, so hopefully it won't though.

You called it

I'm actually loling in my office when i read this, saw "Posted 3 weeks ago" nearly spat my chinese food on the screen

Any more thoughts Jude? Just saw your UE900 unboxing photos. Gorgeous. How does the PHA-1 compare to the HP-P1 and CLAS in terms of sonics? How about the amp section vs the HP-P1? Do we have a release date yet?

Sorry to pepper you with questions but I do love my Sonys...

Why would it matter if it requires a USB cable anyway? Same digital signal as before no matter what connector is. Shouldn't matter whether it's and old or new iDevice.

EDIT: If they give me a good price point I want one to pair with my new iPhone 5.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apo0th3karY 

You called it

I'm actually loling in my office when i read this, saw "Posted 3 weeks ago" nearly spat my chinese food on the screen

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanBa 

 

 

Does the PHA-1 interwork with the (Linux) Android-powered smartphone Samsung Galaxy S III?

 

The Galaxy S III can interwork with the dual-role VentureCraft Go-Dap X:

 

 

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

:

 

Interesting you mentioned about the Go-DAP X. I met up and talked to the VentureCraft guys earlier this week and we did briefly talk about the PHA-1 naturally since it may well be a direct competing product. A few pros 'n cons were discussed but I can't really mention until the product's released and points verified. Will be looking forward to comparing & contrasting these two devices more in the upcoming weeks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorbidToaster 

Why would it matter if it requires a USB cable anyway? Same digital signal as before no matter what connector is. Shouldn't matter whether it's and old or new iDevice.

 

EDIT: If they give me a good price point I want one to pair with my new iPhone 5.

 

it shouldnt however digital signal can be encrypted. meaning they could have a new digital out alogorithm for their new port which renders the old algorithm used in the older idevices DAC useless.