[jude]

NOTE:  If you can't see the embedded video above, please CLICK HERE to see the video.​

 
 
In Episode 011 of Head-Fi TV, we take a look at the Fostex HP-P1, a portable DAC (based on the AKM4480 32-bit DAC chip) for iDevices (iPhone / iPod / iPad), that has its own built-in headphone amp.  You may recall in Head-Fi TV Episode 003 we looked at another portable iDevice DAC--the Cypher Labs Algorhythm Solo--and we do discuss the Fostex HP-P1 relative to the Algorhythm Solo in this episode.
 

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This episode is brought to you by CanJam @ Rocky Mountain Audiofest and Rocky Mountain Audiofest.  Find out more about the best high-end headphone show in the world by visiting http://www.canjam.org
 

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Products mentioned in the video:

 

1. Fostex HP-P1 portable digital iPod/iPhone/iPad DAC and headphone amplifier
2. Cypher Labs Algorhythm Solo portable digital iPod/iPhone/iPad DAC
3. Apple iPod 160GB portable media player
4. Apple iPhone mobile phone and portable media player
5. Apple iPad tablet computer and media player
6. HiFiMAN HM-801 portable media player, DAC and headphone amp
7. JH Audio JH-16 Pro custom in-ear monitors
8. Westone ES5 custom in-ear monitors
9. Ray Samuels Audio Shadow headphone amplifier
10. TTVJ Slim portable headphone amplifier
11. HeadAmp Pico Slim portable headphone amplifier
12. Audeze LCD-2 planar magnetic headphones
13. AKG K 340 hybrid electret / dynamic headphones (discontinued)
14. Sennheiser HD 800 headphones
15. HiFiMAN HE-6 headphones
16. Ray Samuels Audio SR-71B fully balanced portable headphone amp
17. Sennheiser HD 558 headphones
18. Sennheiser HD 598 headphones
19. Grado HF-1 (Grado Head-Fi Series) headphonest
20. V-MODA Crossfade M-80 headphones
21. Sennheiser / adidas HD 25-1 II Originals headphones
22. beyerdynamic DT 1350 headphones

 

 

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Head-Fi TV Episode 011 produced by Joseph Cwik and Jude Mansilla

 

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We will occasionally post Q&A episodes of Head-Fi TV.  If you want to submit any questions (or comments), you can do so via email to tv@head-fi.org.

 

[DigitalFreak]

650 to 800 bananas, wow what a price tag.

 

[Austin Morrow]

Gotta love the episodes! That is a very hefty price tag though.

 

[cifani090]

Nice review Jude! Im always looking forward to your video reviews.

 

[Il Mostro]

$650.00 street price -- worth every bit of it.  

 

[vlach]

Good to know the DACs are more similar than different, however i wish Jude would've compared the amp section of the HP-P1 against the others he hand on hand...

 

[vlach]

Quote:

$650.00 street price -- worth every bit of it.  

Have you heard it?
 

 

[vlach]

Post removed.

 

[Il Mostro]

Quote:

Have you heard it?
 

Bought it -- Moon Audio.  Drew throws in a Silver Dragon LOD/USB, so IMO this is the best deal out there.  
 

 

[keanex]

Doesn't look portable by any means.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

Doesn't look portable by any means.

Looks far more portable then lugging around a CLAS plus amp combo

 

[keanex]

That doesn't make it portable though. I don't think many people could fit that and an iPod in their pocket comfortably.

 

[DigitalFreak]

Quote:

That doesn't make it portable though. I don't think many people could fit that and an iPod in their pocket comfortably.

You know now that I think about it it's a real shame the CLAS and Fostex stuff doesn't work with any DAP. If it did a nice clip+ combo would make it quite a nice portable option. As it is the only more portable option remaining is a iPod Nano which carries quite a premium price.

 

[Il Mostro]

 
Quote:

That doesn't make it portable though. I don't think many people could fit that and an iPod in their pocket comfortably.

 
Since when does being able to put a device(s) in your pocket define portability?   This is no less portable than an iPod plus competent portable amp.  Compared to my previous go-to portable set-up, 160GB Classic/RSA SR 71-A, the HP P-1 is slightly bigger than the RSA but the total footprint feels pretty much the same.  SQ is exponentially better.  Mind blowingly so.  If I want to minimalist, yes I will go with IEMs/iPod and still have a good time.  Heck, I have a good time with the Nano and IEM's.  The sound from a stacked setup, whether CLAS or HP P-1 and with resolving enough 'phones, is whole different ballgame.

 

[AudioRook]

Nice review!