Oppo is using a 6-section sealed pot. No way to use a cleaner and improper to clean it. See this link for an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPS-6-gang-motorized-Potentiometer-RK16816MG-10K-Pot-Volume-Audio-rotary-Japan-/261901754380

Like you, an ex-drummer/percussionist and very critical to the highs. I once owned a Bifrost but found it grainy in the highs. Many factors getting the HA-1 to sound better in the highs:   1. S/PDIF sounds better than USB unless you are using a dedicated PC/Streamer and linear power supply...

I have gone through (3) Ha-1s due to the remote volume control issue. I figured it was the Alps motor drive pot. I tried your suggestion of "20 times" and it cleared it up for now. Thanks much!

IMO, the HA-1 is very revealing of the source. You will hear good and bad. Higher Rez recordings will sound better than 44k. Not a euphonic sounding box. Secondly, no reliability issues thus far after 9 months.

Thanks for your info. With just the (3) units I tested this indicates a production quality issue. I received other emails from HA-1 owners with the same volume pot problem. Oppo needs to step up.

There will be a slight backlash due to the gearbox (normal). My issue is with jerky volume display using the remote. The backlash may be the reason for this. Not impressed with the Alps pot and when you add 6 sections the tracking error is higher. I don't see this issue with the Auralic Vega...

IFI also looks good. I do not have direct testing experience but since USB is so dirty I recommend a filter.

I have been voicing my opinion about the volume/display issue here. It is a bad design and needs to be addressed (sorry Hastur but you need to go back to your engineering team).

USB Regen is a great idea. Since I have a dedicated Windows audio PC, I use the SOTM USB card connected to the HA-1 via a Cabledyne silver USB cable. The sound is far more "analog" in nature compared to the Motherboard USB port. My PC also uses a Linear power supply which also helps rid the...

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...

Compares to Auralic Vega DAC at $3500.

Yes, the volume display pops up randomly even when I have the brightness set to off. Seems like a firmware update could fix this anomaly.

I still don't like the squirrely volume display when using the remote. When I hold down the button at 9' o'clock, the display jumps back and forth between 11, 12, and 1 o'clock and then smooths out past 2 o'clock. I see this on HA-1 builds of May, August, and September 2014. My old Creek preamp...

I only see the Cabledyne Silver USB cable? How did you get a copper one?

I use the TRS headphone out direct to my 300-B amp. Sounds much better than the OP-Amp RCA outs.

I use the Cabledyne silver USB cable, 1.5 meters. Excellent sound and quality but more expensive than cheap USB cables. See this thread about USB cables: http://www.head-fi.org/t/703795/gah-audiophile-usb-cable.   As far as cooling you will need to have enough air space above the HA-1 for...

Just curious about build months on the HA-1. What is your build month (label on rear panel right side)???

I can run 32 bit, 384k with no issues on WIN7, JRiver MC20, and a Cabledyne 1.5m USB cable. Make sure your settings are correct in JRiver and Windows API. In Windows set the default sound driver to JRiver (WDM driver) and set for exclusive access. In JRiver Audio Device, set to the OPPO ASIO...

Has anyone experienced sonic differences between HA-1 units built in May and August 2014 (or later production). We appear to hear differences between the two units in test, May and August 2014). The May unit sounds brighter. Both units have at least 200 hours on them. Of course we could be...

I have noticed that when rotating the volume knob at around 11-12 o'clock the dB level jumps backwards one or two segments. If I go past 12 o'clock, no issue. Also happens with remote. I have firmware 1.3.2. Unit was built in May 2014.   Is this normal???

I would like to see larger text in the displays so that I can see it across the room especially on the status menu. Also better linearity on the pot when using the remote (no slow response or jumping back on the volume display).

Anyone know what firmware 1.3.3 updates compared to 1.3.2?

  Music Direct Return Policy:   "Also please note, if you received Free Shipping with your initial order and you returned the non-defective item, we will deduct the initial shipping fee from your refund."  ?????     I bought mine direct from Oppo. Shipping is $20 FedEx. Got it in 2 days...

Most tube equipment I have listened to tends to roll off the highs due to the output transformers. With OTL (tubes) I do hear a brighter sound. In my system the output of the HA-1 (for the BE tweeters) is a 300B SE amp. If the recording is bright I can easily hear it especially on 44k...

  Since I am using headphone out it won't work in bypass so a ran the volume up to max. I then used the J.River internal volume for comparison. Oppo analog sounds better, more analog-like musically.   Some other info:   i settled on the registry value in windows of 16 under Win32 Priority...