[tuckers]

I don't have a lot of current knowledge on which software players sound best.  But the Fostex Player definitely sounds better than iTunes on my Windows 8 PC.  IT's also pretty darn cool looking, though it doesn't have a lot of functionality. 

 

[plakat]

The Fostex player is there to facilitate the use of high-res audio files, so try it out if it simplifies your music listening. I for one prefer iTunes due to many applications reading from its library: I don't want to curate another one set of playlists and audio files. Plus I don't really care for anything beyond CD-quality...

 

[HiFiRobot]

 

[Yanaka]

@HiFiRobot Very shiny gear! 

@All
How well do you think would the Fostex HP-A4 work together with active speakers, like the Adam Audio ARTist A5s?
Afaik the pre-amp in the Fostex would allow me to control the volume of both speakers at the same time. (?)

At some point I'd also like to explore the world of headphones.

Mid-Range, that are also portable: V-Moda XS
High-Range: TH600 (the talk about annoying trebble scares me slightly, but could always return it)
??

Would these work well with the Fostex, any other suggestions?
Thanks, and sorry for all the question.

Music: EDM, Trance, Electronic (examples: Germany Germany, Neon Shudder), Instrumental/Acoustic (Jesse Cook)

 

[Schopenhauer]

I wanted to add a quick follow-up to my previous posts in this thread. Recently I acquired the rosewood LCD-2s. To my n00b ear, the pairing with the HP-A4 is impressive. The HP-A4 usually functions as my DAC with the RCA output to a WA6 with the Sophia Princess and 6GL7 upgrades. The HE-500s are brilliant in this setup.
 
However, the LCD-2s work better, I think, right out of the HP-A4’s native amplifier. There’s an increase in bass impact, clarity in the mids and highs, and overall punchiness. When I connect the LCD-2s to the WA6 with the Sophia Princess and 6GL7 upgrades, the sound is a bit out of focus, almost impressionistic.

 

[mariowar]

  I don't have a lot of current knowledge on which software players sound best.  But the Fostex Player definitely sounds better than iTunes on my Windows 8 PC.  IT's also pretty darn cool looking, though it doesn't have a lot of functionality. 

I agree.....  I thought that players like this were just snake oil with regular music files but high resolution ones.
 
I was wrong, I started playing 320mbps mp3s using itunes..... and the bass was muddy on the Fostex 900s.......
 
I hated the overall presentation.... to the point that I was blaming the HP-A4.
 
Now playing the same files with the Fostex Player everything sounds properly.... tighter bass, and the music sounds clearer overall.
 
Unfortunately, I does not support AAC
 
Now it is time for looking for HR files !

 

[Dave 12]

how does this compare to o2+DAC combo?

 

[fengwei007]

  how does this compare to o2+DAC combo?

Never had the ODAC, but I'd prefer the A4 for its DSD capability and filters. The Amp part of A4 is definitely not as powerful as the O2, but it's good enough for easy to drive headphones. Overall I like A4's one box solution. 

 

[vaibhavp]

how much fostex hp a4 costs in Singapore?
 
i am planning to get one from jaben this weekend.

 

[Yanaka]

I am a happy new owner of the HP-A4!

The volume control works just fine to control my powered speakers. So far I prefer the fast roll-off filter.
Still undecided on what full-size headphones to get. So many options!

To test the DSD capabilities I've played some samples from http://www.2l.no/hires/index.html using the Fostex Audio Player configured to Native DSD.
Stereo DFF DSD 64 2.8224Mbit/s and Stereo FLAC 24BIT/192kHz play just fine. But with the Stereo DFF DSD 128 5.6448Mbit/s samples I get rare random low-volume popping sounds on both the RCA and headphone out.

Is anyone else getting that? Not a deal breaker for me, but still..

I also tried to setup Foobar2000 to play DSD files. But I must have missed something; not managed to get it working. Doesn't help that the setup tutorials are all (?) for older versions of Foobar.

 

[nicodunord]

Hello,
 
I'm planning to buy an hp-a4 soon.
Did someone here really test the hp-a4 with high impedancy headphones (i mean real test with for example sennheiser HD6XX series) ?
I found a plenty of review, none of them used such headphones in real conditions.
 
Thanks for answers

 

[Otheronek]

Hello,

I'm planning to buy an hp-a4 soon.
Did someone here really test the hp-a4 with high impedancy headphones (i mean real test with for example sennheiser HD6XX series) ?
I found a plenty of review, none of them used such headphones in real conditions.

Thanks for answers

I have been trying to find out the same since its release. I currently use the DT-990 pros 250ohm version. Seems like all the reviews I have seen were 32 ohm HP's.

 

[mariowar]

  Hello,
 
I'm planning to buy an hp-a4 soon.
Did someone here really test the hp-a4 with high impedancy headphones (i mean real test with for example sennheiser HD6XX series) ?
I found a plenty of review, none of them used such headphones in real conditions.
 
Thanks for answers

I tried it with my brand new TH900s, which are  about 25 ohm and I had to use them in High Gain mode, unless I wanted to dial it at 3 or 4 pm.....therefore, I do not think it will drive them properly.
Keep in mind that I do not listen at high volume.

 

[plakat]

I use the A4 with a TH600 at my office at about 10-11 o'clock at low gain... sounds to me like your source material is really quiet or some kind of system master volume turned down. Of course loud is a very subjective feeling...

 

[mariowar]

Asio Driver = bypassing volume  + Fostex Player or JRiver.....
 
Jazz/Blues and Rock
 
The cause probably lies on the recordings since I do not enjoy music with heavy compression added to boost the volume.
 
Again, this is just a personal opinion....
 
TH600 and TH900 have the same impedance. however, Fostex releases two amps tuned for each pair of headphones.  The  HPA4  fires 100mw 35 ohm. and the  HPA8  boosts 700mw 35 ohm ....
 
Therefore, the reason behind the difference in power of these amps lead me to believe that the TH900s might be harder to drive properly.