Fostex HP-A8 DAC/Amp and other Fostex gear

[khaos974]

HP-A8 32-bit DAC Headphone Amplifier

Model HP-A8 is a Fostex’s flagship DAC Headphone Amplifier offering finely built analog and digital circuitry designs as well as epoch-making DSD file reproduction function.
 

 
•High quality 32-bit DAC (AK4399) and all discrete analog circuitry headphone amplifier for maximum sound quality
•USB High Speed up to 32bit*/192kHz (*24bit on Windows)
•Asynchronous mode using high precision TCXO clock
•Audiophile quality electronic volume
•Large capacity toroidal power transformer for ample power supply
•Built-in SD card drive to reproduce DSD (dsf) and WAV file.
•Internal Clock or External Clock mode selectable
•Up-sampling function (x2, x4 and OFF)
•Selectable digital filter; sharp roll-off or short-delay
•24-step gain control for headphone out
•Headphone direct out mode bypassing the volume circuit for line output
•Comes with a handy dedicated remote controller
•Inputs: USB, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical x 2, Analog RCA
•Outputs: Phones x 2, Analog RCA, Optical

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Does this dac have a release date?
 
Biggie.

 

[lonebear27]

Quote:

Does this dac have a release date?
 
Biggie.

 
Well according to the Fostex website (http://www.fostex.jp/news/208), it will be released on the 31st of January next year. Really interested in this DAC/amp!

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

I wonder if that will apply to North America as well. Guess we will have to wait and see.
 
Biggie.

 

[lonebear27]

Quote:

I wonder if that will apply to North America as well. Guess we will have to wait and see.
 
Biggie.

I'm not even sure if the HP-A8 will enter the overseas market. The older HP-A7 was only limited to the Japanese market, so everyone else had to pay an inflated price to import the A7. I'm guessing it will be the same for the A8.
 
 

 

[khaos974]

Quote:

Quote:

I'm not even sure if the HP-A8 will enter the overseas market. The older HP-A7 was only limited to the Japanese market, so everyone else had to pay an inflated price to import the A7. I'm guessing it will be the same for the A8.
 

I think it will considering it was presented at the RMAF.
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/latest_news/EFElkkEEkppFPnXLFH.shtml
 
 

 

[lonebear27]

Quote:

I think it will considering it was presented at the RMAF.
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/latest_news/EFElkkEEkppFPnXLFH.shtml
 
 

Hmm you've got a point, hopefully you're right. Wonder why the A7 never made it to the international market since both the A3 and the P1 did (and possibly the A8 as well).
 
 

 

[CraigB]

Hey! How much is it?

 

[CraigB]

I was talking about the fostex DAC HP A8

 

[grokit]

This has analog inputs and an optical out, does that mean it will do ADC as well?

 

[MuppetFace]

I'm really looking forward to this DAC. Any word on the expected retail price yet? I'm guessing around $1500?
 
Edit: Checked the news link on Fostex's site. Looks like it will be about $1400, so I was close.

 

[TheOtus]

Damnit, I might need to wait for this too... =D Basicly it has features I'm not going to need, and the DAC chip apparently isn't noticeably better than the AKM4396 which is available in few DACs at the moment. (I'm in the progress of buying an ORB Audio JADE-1 LTD which uses the AKM4396 mentioned, but Kaneda has not replied anything...) In any case, this is great looking device and I might end up buying it after all, depending on how things go.

 

[lonebear27]

Can i join in the fun too? Really really interested in this DAC/amp combo!

 

[MuppetFace]

Quote:

I'm in the progress of buying an ORB Audio JADE-1 LTD which uses the AKM4396 mentioned

Looks like an interesting piece of kit. You'll have to let us know how it sounds!

 

[TheOtus]

 

Looks like an interesting piece of kit. You'll have to let us know how it sounds!

Sorry for the off-topic... Got my order done, now it's waiting time again! = ) Money keeps flowing away from me. xD