A quick update on my drop out issue.   I have been exchanging emails with Oppo support and found them helpful. They have not been able to re-create the problem from their end and suggested returning the unit for testing however I thought I would experiment with some different software and...

Had a chance to run in the HD800s now and have to say that my initial impression has not changed. I have still not found any track to be anything other than well balanced.   My real surprise came when I listened to some heavy rock (WOW) (never heard Ted Nugent sound better) . I don't know why...

Good Luck with this. I do think their could be a small market for some better or inovative designs. Most of the ones I have seen are not perfect. I have blown all me budget on amp and Headphones so my solution has to be DIY.

I have no experience with your existing set up and have only just got my HD800s today (so not run in) In my opinion, so far and only running standard jack output, I would say it is a very natural and flat response. This can make them seem a bit unexciting compared to some less neutral...

Plugging into jack will not mute, but you can mute preamp/speakers with mute button from remote if you wish. (you have option of just muting preamp/speakers or headphones and preamp/speakers.

I am certainly noticing a lot more detail in my music library with the HA1. You can identify any bad recordings or bad musicians (drums being slightly out of time are now noticeable) very surprised by one track today, sounded so bad. 

I Have had 1 drop out with the replacement cable so that has much reduced the chance of the cable being the culprit. I am using iTunes from a Mac so there are very few settings to play with. Not like on a PC. Not doing anything demanding on the Mac so I do not believe it is a CPU overload issue...

I do not think the cable is the problem in this case as I have had another dropout with the replacement cable. I have had zero dropouts in the past with my old DAC and the one before it. Continuing to monitor today.

No repeat of any cutting out so far today.   I connected my Genelec near field monitors up today using XLR outs and they sounded very good.

Not yet, I have changed USB cable (now longer but possibly better quality) if I get any repeats I will probably return amp for a refund. Is there any other product similar i.e DAC/Headphone amp with balanced output and volume controlled XLR outs?

Do you have Silver Model? I would say not normal. I am not happy.

    Yes I am using USB. The sound just cuts out for about a second. (done it twice in 3-4 hours of listening)(not continuous) Using short USB cable. Never had this before ever so don't think it is my mac.

Big Crap, looks like I have a problem with cutting out. Only done it a couple of times but I have never had any problem with my previous system. Is this just the Silver models? Has any owner with a black model had a problem?

Just picked up my Silver HA1 about 2 hours ago (September 2014 build, so fingers crossed).   Dealer did not have my final choice of headphones (HD800) in stock so I am listening with my old HD485. They do not sound too bad.   I was previously using a Mackie Blackjack for my headphone...

Thanks but not quite in my price range. Seen in UK for £2,000

    I know what you mean, half the battle is deciding the type of sound I like. I found the PM2 to sound very musical but as I did not have a familiar source I could not decide if it was coloured. The HD700 I liked a lot for their comfor and clarity. HD800 sounded more like speakers with...

    Thanks, did take a quick look at LCD-2 but the weight put me off a bit, how are they for extended listening comfort?

Thanks, not familiar with those, will check them out.

Hi folks, took me so long to get to the end of this thread that I gave in and ordered a HA1 just before some of the posts about reliability issues in the silver model. I even changed my order from black to silver, oh no. Collecting it on Saturday, Fingers crossed!    I need to get headphones...