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Sony PHA-1 portable DAC/amp
Nov 10, 2013 at 10:18 PM Post #451 of 626
Well the PHA-1 just arrived. I am at work so after giving it a quick charge I gave it a go with the UM Merlin. Given the impedance hazard here I had prepared myself for a car crash, however the improvement using the PHA-1 out of an iphone 4 with the Merlins is very significant - not small at all. I have only had 20 minutes to play with this, so did some quick a/b/c'ing with one track. I used James Blake's Retrograde tune. Using the audio in (only using the amp feature not the PHA-1 DAC) there was a noticable improvement in clarity across the spectrum and bass impact - very pleased so far. Then used the LOD to USB to use both the DAC and AMP and WOW!! Lots of clarity and Retrograde sounded very ethereal - beautiful. Then took the PHA-1 out of the picture and went back to iphone 4-UM Merlin and there is a distinct loss of detail and seperation. So first impressions are very positive and thus far no negatives, so no impedance issues yet. Very glad I took the plunge on the PHA-1 and I look forward to exploring further with both the Merlin and the IE80's - as my Merlin's are about to go back for a light mod. For $370 AU delivered this looks to be very good ROI. Thanks for nudging me over the edge on this DrSheep.
 
Nov 10, 2013 at 10:21 PM Post #452 of 626
Also - the above is using FLAC and Tuneshell.
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 3:04 AM Post #456 of 626
nogi replicant said:
Has anyone else used the pha-1 with low impedance iems, other than the Westone 4r which others have said in this thread sounds great - I think the 4r is 16 ohm. I am keen to pick one up as they are very cheap at the moment, and I would like a dac/amp that will work with iphone 5. Most of the competing products also have an impedance of 10ohm and are more expensive - except for the m8 (as low as 1ohm), but I cannot stretch the $ that far. I want to use the pha-1 with my ie80's (16ohm) and UM Merlins (12 ohm). I am far from a hifi expert so not sure of the degree of actual risk in buying this product to run these iem's. I am OK with taking a small risk here but if matching the hpa-1 with the ie80 and Merlin is definately going to result in a poor outcome please let me know.

thanks!
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The w4r is 31 ohm.
 
I'm really on the fence about getting this used to use with my ip5 for about ~$280. Seems nicely priced and is compatible with the ip5.
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 3:06 AM Post #457 of 626
i can say that 280 bucks is definitely a respectable price for the PHA1 and i would have no problem putting that money down for it!
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 1:08 PM Post #458 of 626
cotnijoe said:
i can say that 280 bucks is definitely a respectable price for the PHA1 and i would have no problem putting that money down for it!
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Welp, I went ahead and ordered it used and picked up a v moda lightning cable as well. :) can't wait! It's gonna be my first dedicated dac/amp ever!
 
Nov 20, 2013 at 1:39 PM Post #459 of 626
ohaider said:
Welp, I went ahead and ordered it used and picked up a v moda lightning cable as well.
smily_headphones1.gif
can't wait! It's gonna be my first dedicated dac/amp ever!
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Congrats.
 
Nov 27, 2013 at 9:31 PM Post #461 of 626
tradyblix said:
   
Don't turn it up too loud when you first get it. 
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Ah yeah. Thanks for the warning.
 
It actually just got delivered like 20 minutes ago. I was extra careful when I was first turning it on hahaha.
 
I immediately noticed the bass response got better. Seems like the soundstage got a little wider and taller aswell. Separation also improved - everything sounds a little more layered. I'll update my impressions after I get some hours on this :).
 
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:05 PM Post #463 of 626
t-jays one said:
  hey guys
have u tried the pha-1 with hd650?
what do u think aboat the sound?
tnx
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The PHA-1 is my main rig for listening to music on headphones, I can't say that the HD 650's were a bad combination but it just didn't really work for me, I bought the HD 650's after reading so many positive reviews here on Head-Fi, Not sure what to think really as I just don't have the equipment to put the HD 650's to proper testing, Once I had bought the Ultrasone Signature DJ's the HD 650's went straight back in the box.
 
Dec 10, 2013 at 3:14 PM Post #464 of 626
varyv said:
Can anyone try this with a harder to drive phone (I'm looking at a Mad Dog/pha-1 combo, perhaps even he-400/pha-1) and post results? According to the touchmyapps review, these babies are powerful enough for the beyer 880 600ohm. Are they powerful enough for the hifiman line?
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I'm also looking to some comments about a Mad Dog with PHA-1 combo. Anyone have any experience with this setup? Thanks
 
Dec 12, 2013 at 7:49 AM Post #465 of 626
In the PHA-1 documentation there is this mention :
"
Digitally broadcast sound may not be output from a computer’s USB port. In this 
case, connect the AUDIO IN jack of the unit to the analog audio output of the 
computer.
"
So if I listen Grooveshark from my desktop with PHA-1 connected with USB
it will output the music using PHA-1 ?
Thanks.
 
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