[Sonyvores]

As I said earlier, the issue is europeen electrical regulation rules. PHA-3 with battery doesnt match it.

My personnal guess is they didnt want to waste time to find a work around for such a niche market so they just removed the battery to solve the local law issue..... They better have not made it available here like PHA-1 & PHA-2 :S

 

[motto]

  Price dropping < $900

 
 
you mean globally or just for europe because of battery incompatibility?

 

[johangrb]

Globally - e.g. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONY-PHA-3-USB-Portable-Audio-Headphone-Amplifier-for-High-Resolution-Audio-/251712375325?pt=US_Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a9b3a0a1d

 

[warrior1975]

Anyone have any idea if this would stack well with an AK240 and how it would sound?

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

It would only make sense if PHA-3 DAC/AMP are both superior sounding than the AK240...a big bulk of stuff to carry around nonetheless

 

[warrior1975]

Very, very true. I'm not sure at all... I do know I love the sound of my 240 and don't want it changed by another device. Just a bit louder would be nice at times. I should just stop and rwak it...

 

[CosmicHolyGhost]

Very, very true. I'm not sure at all... I do know I love the sound of my 240 and don't want it changed by another device. Just a bit louder would be nice at times. I should just stop and rwak it...

As a fellow headfier, i certainly hope this sounds ways better... Look after your hearing, my friend.

 

[warrior1975]

I get obsessive about things. I should really just be enjoying my 240... Plus, with Vinnie, that should be the icing on the cake.

 

[motto]

have anyone tried wit in-ear monitor, does it has hiss issues as with other DACs? could it be used by someone who only wears IEM?

 

[Bina]

No hiss at all on my unit. I think its great for iems. Output impedance is around 3 ohm, so it should work all right with most of them.

 

[purk]

It would only make sense if PHA-3 DAC/AMP are both superior sounding than the AK240...a big bulk of stuff to carry around nonetheless

 
I don't have the AK240 but my PHA3 is pretty much on par with my Burson Conductor 1793 SL using a ZX-1 as a source (digital out to both DAC/AMP units).  I personally think that Sony did a really good job on this unit.  However, I still don't think the PHA-3 can drive a more difficult to drive phones such as my HD800 as good as a really good & more powerful home amps.  I doubt that the AK240 will be able to drive the HD800 that well either.  For easier drive phones such as my Qualia 010 & JH13pro, the PHA-3 does a wonderful job without any glaring shortcomings.  I reckon that the A17/ZX-1 should be at least as good as he AK240 if not better.  

 

[motto]

   
I don't have the AK240 but my PHA3 is pretty much on par with my Burson Conductor 1793 SL using a ZX-1 as a source (digital out to both DAC/AMP units).  I personally think that Sony did a really good job on this unit.  However, I still don't think the PHA-3 can drive a more difficult to drive phones such as my HD800 as good as a really good & more powerful home amps.  I doubt that the AK240 will be able to drive the HD800 that well either.  For easier drive phones such as my Qualia 010 & JH13pro, the PHA-3 does a wonderful job without any glaring shortcomings.  I reckon that the A17/ZX-1 should be at least as good as he AK240 if not better.  

 I have grado PS500 and westone UM3x would it be ok with drive and hiss?

 

[motto]

No hiss at all on my unit. I think its great for iems. Output impedance is around 3 ohm, so it should work all right with most of them.

what output are you using balanced or single ended.  i mostly considering DAC for my iem. since i think i m more into IEMs rather than headphone. I use headphones only at home. I think don't need for that portable DAC.
 
for the moment I am kind a going forth and back between Centrance mini-m8 and Sony PHA-3, though former one is cheaper.

 

[Bina]

Single ended

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

Single ended

 
I'm still a little bummed how Sony implemented balanced on this one.  I've already invested in Hirose/RSA and 4 pin XLR cables, and now comes yet another cable system....
 
I do have a Z7, which includes a basic cable, but I keep hearing all this fuss about the improvement with the Kimber Kable options.  I guess I just wish Sony was more a "follower" in this regard...