Review: Fostex TH900 vs Denon D5000 - Page 2

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A new review of the HP-A3: http://noblehifi.blogspot.com/2012/12/fostex-hp-a3-review.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablobell 

A new review of the HP-A3: http://noblehifi.blogspot.com/2012/12/fostex-hp-a3-review.html

My impressions, exactly!

The author did not talk about the high gain of the unit though. I find it too high and I never use it past 12 o'clock (=5 on the dial) even with the HE-500. With my RE262 iems or my Emotiva Airmotiv-4 powered speakers, I keep it under 10 o'clock (=3) most of the time, which leaves a pretty restricted range for volume control. I have imbalance between 0 ~ 0.5 on the dial, which makes it even more restrictive.

Edit: he actually did, but not in a negative sense: "I was really quite blown away by how much volume is on tap here, considering where that power is coming from".

On a side note: the iBasso DX100 sounded similar to the HP-A3 (tonal balance, clean sound, ...) with a slightly better soundstage (more depth, when the HP-A3 is more left/right) and slightly more impact on the bass. This was with firmware 1.1.7, which, apparently is improved by the new 1.2.7 fw. The only complaint I had was a slightly (again) harsh upper treble, but the unit was brand new and I only kept it one week. The headphone used was HE-500.

Whether the DX100 is worth the extra $400 for a crappy touch screen, 8 hours battery life and a non-responsive UI is another call (the latter might be improved in the future, though).

Those who think (or hear) the DX100 has (very) good audio quality should consider this little DAC/amp combo, it is really, really good and makes for a nice desktop solution (for both headphone and studio monitors)!

The HP-A3 soundstage to my ears doesn't have much depth at all with the Denon D7000s. Width is good though. I guess it had to give something up at this price point and physical size.

My unit has the same level of channel imbalance but it's not an issue for me as I don't listen at very low levels with headphones. Not an issue with the A2's either, as I can set the volume on the back of them to match the HP-A3 nicely.

I was concerned that there wouldn't be enough gain with the HP-A3. The store demo I originally tried was connected to a Windows laptop running foobar (I think it was foobar) and Hotel California wasn't loud enough for me with either the TH900s or the D7000s. The sales guy said that I needed a bigger amp...

Knowing that the D7000's are easy to drive and based on advice in this thread, I ignored him, and bought it anyway. It turns out that it has slightly more than enough gain for me when connected to my own source. I certainly wouldn't buy another amp for the D7000s because this one isn't loud enough. Most of my headphone time is in the 11-1 o'clock region (4-6 on the dial).

I'm still forming an opinion on the tone with this combo. It is very very good though I think. Detailed, neutral, smooth but maybe lacking a touch of bass impact from my perspective.

The perfect size to sit under the screen next to the speaker. Since there is no off button/switch and it stays on even when the computer is in sleep mode, I covered the red LED in black electrical tape (and then pushed it back through then steel panel) to prevent it lighting up the room at night.

I have a similar impression regarding the soundstage: it is more left/right and lacks depth a bit. The DX100 adds the missing depth (that was the main difference between the 2).

I just got a pair of TH900's and have to say that I agree with pretty much everything the original review said (although my D5000's have been Black Dragon modified by Drew Baird so the treble is a little more under control than normal). Great review nonetheless!