[x RELIC x]

No worries Golden, just keeping it straight. I agree on the looks of it. I'm also in money's position wanting to test more gear.

 

[goldendarko]

No worries Golden, just keeping it straight. I agree on the looks of it. I'm also in money's position wanting to test more gear.

 


Yeah, I'm the same way I've got the HA-1 with the Carbon on order, looking to try tubes next (probably ALO Audio Studio Six), just sold my Ragnarok too. Helps to give you a good baseline when you are able to try a bunch of different gear. So far the HA-1 has been one of the best values I've yet experienced.

 

[x RELIC x]

Studio Six has been on my radar for a while. Solid choice IMO. Should compliment the HA-1 well.

 

[goldendarko]

That's my hope anyway, I'm hoping it will make a good pairing with the HE1000. I like the synergy of the HA-1 and LCD-3F for desktop use. The LCD's need a more neutral amp IMO since they are already a colored headphone, and the HA-1 has plenty of power to drive them.

 

[money4me247]

I'm slightly regretting it now but not enough to stress about it. Now the site says available for reservation (at the same price)......... What does that mean? Anyway, a swap would be hella expensive for shipping the HA-1 cross boarder but might be worth it. Or meet me at the West Coast border at the arranged time! Lol!

Fantastic review of the HE-1000 btw.

hahah i wld totally be down for something like that!! i just live wayyy too far away from canada to do it right now. if im ever in that area w audio goodies though, ill give you a holla!

thank you for the kudos & kind words on my review. rly glad u enjoyed it!!!

 

[hodgjy]

That's my hope anyway, I'm hoping it will make a good pairing with the HE1000. I like the synergy of the HA-1 and LCD-3F for desktop use. The LCD's need a more neutral amp IMO since they are already a colored headphone, and the HA-1 has plenty of power to drive them.

Do you run your LCD-3F balanced or unbalanced? Can you hear a difference between them? I'm considering the HA-1 for my LCD-2F.

 

[goldendarko]

Balanced. I think the sound quality is probably the same but there's more power on tap via the balanced output.

 

[hodgjy]

Another question for the HA-1 owners:
 
I live in a thunderstorm prone region, so I always unplug my gear when not it use. Does the HA-1 remember its current settings after being unplugged, or does it revert to factory defaults every time?

 

[goldendarko]

it remembers the last previous settings (input, volume, etc.)

 

[hodgjy]

  it remembers the last previous settings (input, volume, etc.)

Thanks! You're my go-to person in this thread!

 

[kawaivpc1]

I'm still unable to afford this.

 

[goldendarko]

Just keep saving. We all gotta make sacrifices to enjoy our hobby. You'll get there and it will be worth it

 

[HI-BIT]

I went through (3) HA-1 dacs. Build date of May 2014 sounded brighter than August or September builds. I find the HA-1 to be a very naked sounding dac in the highs. If the recording is bright you will hear it compared to lesser dacs. I use J.River and I upped the sampling rate from 44k to 352k. This smoothed the treble but sucked the life out of the music. This is to be expected.
 
The HA-1 is a fine dac but I still have an issue with the display tracking on the the volume control. This problem happened on all (3) dacs. The segment jumping only occurs when using the remote. As an EE by trade I believe this can be fixed and should be since it is very annoying. Even my Wife said, "WTH."

 

[AudioMan2013]

I went through (3) HA-1 dacs. Build date of May 2014 sounded brighter than August or September builds. I find the HA-1 to be a very naked sounding dac in the highs. If the recording is bright you will hear it compared to lesser dacs. I use J.River and I upped the sampling rate from 44k to 352k. This smoothed the treble but sucked the life out of the music. This is to be expected.

The HA-1 is a fine dac but I still have an issue with the display tracking on the the volume control. This problem happened on all (3) dacs. The segment jumping only occurs when using the remote. As an EE by trade I believe this can be fixed and should be since it is very annoying. Even my Wife said, "WTH."

I have 2 HA-1 and I also think there are volume control issues using the remote. The android app works perfectly though making me think it is an IR issue - perhaps to fast of a loop for that control?

 

[occamsrazor]

Could someone kindly clarify some questions for me about the HA-1 that I've been unable to find a solid answer to....I don't have one yet but have been considering it...

1. Are both the balanced and unbalanced outputs variable i.e. Volume-controllable?

2. Can both of these outputs be used simultaneously?

My Audiolab MDAC works this way - you can for example use the XLR balanced outputs running direct to monoblock power amps and main speakers, and at the same time use the unbalanced RCA outputs running to the line-level inputs of an active subwoofer.

Is anyone using the HA-1 in this way? Has anyone done comparisons to the MDAC? Would love to hear from someone who has.... Thanks