Fostex HP-A4
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TheMiddleSky
Headphoneus Supremus
Just wondering if it works well if I use the A4 as a DAC pre-amp while connecting the headphone out of the A4 to the input of the ALO PanAm
Using a pair of Fostex TH600.
HP-A4 has a switch button to chose either you want to use the HO or the RCA out, but you can't use both of them at the same time.
Anyway, adding the pic:
Soundwave76
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I just got mine today! This might be a stupid question, but is there supposed to be a 'dedicated USB driver' for HP-A4 for Win7 as the manual says, because I can't find anything in Fostex website? My PC didn't install USB correctly. It does work via SPDIF though.
It's only available on the Fostex Japanese website.
Here's the link for the Fostex USB driver:
http://www.fostex.jp/utility/242
Click on the link that says "FOSTEX USB Audio Driver Ver2.03"
If you're looking for the Fostex Audio Player:
http://www.fostex.jp/products/FOSTEXAudioPlayer
Soundwave76
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Wow, what incompetence from Fostex. 
Thanks lbbef!
Thanks lbbef!
Soundwave76
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I got USB working with the drivers from the Fostex Japan website, BUT... there are small breaks in the music every ten seconds or so when using USB. No breaks via optical. Any ideas what causes this?
alucard177
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The driver is also available in the HP-A8 product page, here:
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/HP-A8C.shtml
Direct Link:
No idea about those breaks while playing music. Try another usb cable or usb port.
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/HP-A8C.shtml
Direct Link:
No idea about those breaks while playing music. Try another usb cable or usb port.
Robson85
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Hello everybody, I am also considering buying one for my DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm). Has anyone else tried to couple the Fostex with comparable cans? Is there any sound signature (brighter or warmer or neutral).
Thanks for any help. Robert
Thanks for any help. Robert
OddJobs
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Anyone have an opinion HP-A4 and TH900 pair up?
Saw it at Jaben's Mook Festival back in December where I pre-ordered my HP-A4.
Sadly didn't try the setup.
Maybe you can try asking for some impressions over at the TH900 thread.
plakat
Headphoneus Supremus
At last: mine came today
It has no problem driving my T1 to respectable volume even at low gain, though I prefer the pairing with my Meier Audio components (Daccord / Classic) which sound a bit smoother and more authoritative , though with a tad too much mid-bass: the A4 seems a bit clearer there.
Compared to its big brother using the TH900 it seems to emphasize bass a bit more but has less control, treble is more present but again less smooth. The A8 gives me a wider stage and the overall more natural impression. Female voices seem to be a bit backgrounded with the A4, but show an emphasis on 's' -- don't want to call that sibilance as that would exaggerate my impression.
Caveat: first impressions after only an hour of listening... Plus I use the TH900 much less than my T1.
Regarding build quality: if looks and feels very nice. The headphone jack feels good when connecting/disconnecting the plug. There is some difference to the A8 though... clearance is not on the same level, the micro SD slot protrudes from the back panel, the volume pot is not rasterized and feels like... well, a pot of miniscule size, i.e. moves without weight. Plus its position is rather hard to see, obviously because they did not want to break the A8 design language.
Overall an impressive little thing given that it operates on USB bus power. Nice looking, quite capable and very transportable.
It has no problem driving my T1 to respectable volume even at low gain, though I prefer the pairing with my Meier Audio components (Daccord / Classic) which sound a bit smoother and more authoritative , though with a tad too much mid-bass: the A4 seems a bit clearer there.
Compared to its big brother using the TH900 it seems to emphasize bass a bit more but has less control, treble is more present but again less smooth. The A8 gives me a wider stage and the overall more natural impression. Female voices seem to be a bit backgrounded with the A4, but show an emphasis on 's' -- don't want to call that sibilance as that would exaggerate my impression.
Caveat: first impressions after only an hour of listening... Plus I use the TH900 much less than my T1.
Regarding build quality: if looks and feels very nice. The headphone jack feels good when connecting/disconnecting the plug. There is some difference to the A8 though... clearance is not on the same level, the micro SD slot protrudes from the back panel, the volume pot is not rasterized and feels like... well, a pot of miniscule size, i.e. moves without weight. Plus its position is rather hard to see, obviously because they did not want to break the A8 design language.
Overall an impressive little thing given that it operates on USB bus power. Nice looking, quite capable and very transportable.
Excellent comparison to the big brother. Thank you!
Would you say the two share a similar "house-sound"? The HP-A3 is best describe as clean with a hint of sweetness (a bit laid back). The A8 is pretty much the same with a bigger scale (from the reviews; never heard it personally). Both share an AKM DAC chip (different) that, more often than not, are described as sweet and soft sounding.
The A4 features a Sabre DAC now and I would love to know if that translate to a change of sound philosophy or if they retain the tradional recipe.
Would you say the two share a similar "house-sound"? The HP-A3 is best describe as clean with a hint of sweetness (a bit laid back). The A8 is pretty much the same with a bigger scale (from the reviews; never heard it personally). Both share an AKM DAC chip (different) that, more often than not, are described as sweet and soft sounding.
The A4 features a Sabre DAC now and I would love to know if that translate to a change of sound philosophy or if they retain the tradional recipe.
plakat
Headphoneus Supremus
To my ears the A4 sounds a bit less elegant than the A8, one could describe the A8 as a bit softer I guess.
Never heard the A3 though, so I can't say whether its due to differences in the analog layout (which is quite different from the A8 for sure) or if the DAC chips play a major role in the differences I believe to hear.
Brought it back to the office today to pair with my TH600. I always found the TH600 to be a bit more tamed in the lower registers than the TH900, so it fits quite well with the A4's slightly more present bass. Nice setup for that use case
Never heard the A3 though, so I can't say whether its due to differences in the analog layout (which is quite different from the A8 for sure) or if the DAC chips play a major role in the differences I believe to hear.
Brought it back to the office today to pair with my TH600. I always found the TH600 to be a bit more tamed in the lower registers than the TH900, so it fits quite well with the A4's slightly more present bass. Nice setup for that use case
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