Fostex HP-A4

Advantages: + Complete absence of noise on audio outputs; + Wide range of reproducible frequencies; + High-quality output over the entire frequency range; + Omnivorous - PCM audio 16, 24 bit from 44.1 to 192kHz. DSD audio 2.8 and 5.6 MHz (thanks to this DAC I got acquainted with this format - a thing!) + Drivers from the manufacturer's website for Windows, from there a player for playing DSD. + Solid assembly - nice to hold in your hands, weighty - 0.5 kg; + Possibility of power supply and data transmission via USB cable, high-quality is included: covered with transparent plastic, so you can see the braid that protects against interference, white plugs with gold-plated connectors at the ends, 1 meter long.

Disadvantages: - If for any reason the computer's CPU is loaded at 100%, then there may be delays (pauses) during playback. The DAC itself has nothing to do with it. He would be happy to play, but he is given data with a delay).

Comment: The most mysterious button - "FILTER", changes the settings of the DAC. In PCM, I did not hear the audio difference, but in DSD, the sound became larger, richer, brighter. Therefore, I left it in the 2 (squeezed) position. There is a point that needs to be clarified. The stated headphone output power of 100 mW is based on a 32 Ohm load. It was to such ears that he undertook - Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (version with 32 Ohm impedance). And with them he perfectly copes. But there are quiet recordings, the same films, and you have to switch the "GAIN" mode from "LO" to "HI". What does the instruction tell us about this: Headphone output - load of 16 Ohm or more, 100mW at 32 Ohm, 20mW at 300 Ohm. Something tells me that 20 mW is not enough - you need a separate amplifier, and Fostex will play the role of a DAC and a high-quality preamplifier. RCA output (L, R), they are also for "tulips" - load of 10 kOhm or more. Bottom line: FOSTEX HP-4A guarantees high-quality sound from a PC. An excellent DAC / amplifier for Low-Ohm headphones or a DAC / preamplifier for supplying a high-quality analog signal to more serious equipment. IHMO =). P.s. For Foobar2000, my favorite theme is "Tech". * Update after 5 years: The 250 Ohm version of the Beyerdynamic DT 880 coped well. The manufacturer wrote the truth: headphones with an impedance of 16 - 300 Ohm are supported. Even the volume control remained the same. I'm 150% satisfied with the device !!! =)

Advantages: USB powered, small size, good software, neutral sound, native DSD128.

Disadvantages: There is a possibility of overdriving the amplifier in hight amplification mode under certain conditions

Comment: Has a neutral sound, which is a plus for me. The software is available for Windows (including 8.1) and Mac. The device has a Fostex player (somewhat reminiscent of the stripped-down Foobar2000) which allows you to play from a Hires and DSD128 PC. The native or convert PCM playback mode is selected in the player settings. DSD is output ONLY to analog output. The difference in favor of native dsd is heard well. DSD filtering has two modes, Soft is better in my ear. Foobar2000 works through asio, sees the DAC perfectly. If Fostex player is active, then foobar2000 does not play sound through Asio. Perfect bug-free software and drivers. Before Fostex there was M-audio Firewire Audiophile, RME Multiface. I consider the most convenient and adequate device for playing HiRes via a PC.

Advantages: Great sound. Easy to install on any OS. Nice design, convenient controls, clear indication of operating modes. Quite compact body. You can take it with you on trips. Powered by USB - so you don't need another extra power supply and 220V outlet.

Disadvantages: I haven't found it yet.

Comment: Although many speakers here are critical of the design of this model, but, in my opinion, the design of the HP-A4 is quite at the level of its "classmates". The front panel is glossy, so it is easy to scratch. I really liked the hassle-free installation in any OS. Under GNU / Linux (Ubuntu) I didn't notice any unnecessary questions at all. Everything plays right after connecting. The same story with the "little brother" - the HP-A3 also connects and works "transparently". Pleases a simple and clear indication of operating modes and a soft volume control. By the way, if we compare it with the HP-A3, then the output power of the HP-A4 is equal to the HP-A3 only in the "Gain" mode. I run HP-A3 and HP-A4 in PCM mode on Sennheiser HD 280 Pro and Audio Technica ATC-m70x - I'm happy as an elephant.

Advantages: In short: an excellent amplifier for a quite adequate price with a fairly powerful filling and convenient control.

Disadvantages: A bit bulky.

Comment: Great for low to medium ohm headphones. Tight (under 150-200 ohms) are given to him with difficulty. I work with him mainly through a computer - the program for a computer is very, very convenient.

Advantages: - Balanced and dynamic sound delivery, good texture and outline of images, full-bodied bass, copes well with high-speed and loaded music - Intimate and expressive reproduction of the middle, vocals, quite natural sounding of live instruments - Convenient switching between inputs and outputs by pressing buttons, analog control volume - Compactness, nice appearance and materials, good USB cable included - Proprietary player, support for almost all formats, DSD, decent amplifier for not very tight headphones

Disadvantages: - Not a very large-scale and free rendering of the sound space, but this is more a feature of the presentation than a disadvantage - Sound lag in Windows (youtube, games) via USB with native drivers (solved by using optics, and USB only for listening to music) - A good linear connection is required power supply to unleash its full potential

Comment: I have been using it for over two years. Connecting with a linear power supply gives a tangible increase in full-weight, bodily LF-MF, smooth HF. I tried different modern DACs on new chips: Sabaj D5 (ES9038PRO), Topping D70 (AK4497), Topping D90 (AK4499), Gustard A18 (AK4499). Each DAC with its own characteristics is somewhat better, but in some ways even worse than Fostex. As a result, I returned to Fostex again, now with good linear power supply. It doesn’t sound as wide and free as modern DACs, but it’s quite balanced and natural (without a hint of analyticism or detachment), dynamic, more versatile, suitable for many genres of music.The closest ones in naturalness are Topping D70 and Gustard A18, but both are inferior in terms of working out the lower frequencies and outlines on the midrange, they cannot give out the same drive on rock. The built-in amplifier is quite good, but the external AT-HA22TUBE amplifier makes the sound even more pleasant and interesting, so Fostex is almost always in DAC mode. I listened to Fostex X00, ATH-ESW11LTD, Sennheiser HD660S headphones, it goes well with all headphones. For the sake of interest, I tried to change the op-amp several times, but the standard OPA2134PA turned out to be the best. The Fostex HP-A4 DAC is almost identical to the balanced version A4BL, and it can also be connected via a special forked USB cable to a linear power supply, and get the same sound quality as the older model. For use with headphones and for lovers of intimate and dynamic sound, I highly recommend it; at an adequate price, it will compete with many remakes.

Advantages: Pleased as a DAC, DSD on it is just a fairy tale. The sound is even at all frequencies, there is a normal amount of bass, the volume is enough. So far, I have just tried the USB connection, perhaps it will show worse in other inclusions. When Gain is pressed, the bass is in bulk, sometimes even too much, so I turn it off periodically. I mainly listen to rock, metal, acoustics and sometimes jazz.

Disadvantages: While everything is fine.

Comment:

Advantages: Sound, nice appearance

Disadvantages: Doesn't play DSD 256

Comment: I listen through Audio-technica AT-M50x and Sennheiser 598. On Sennheiser, the more distant location of the speakers from the ear is clearly felt. There is no gilding. Cheap yellow coating

Advantages: Low price, good size of the case, there is a built-in sound card inside, easily takes tight headphones. There is no noise at all, installation and updating of drivers is just elementary.

Disadvantages: -

Comment: Nice, neutral amplifier with easy control. We are happy with the purchase.

Advantages: I liked everything. I bought the first external DAC, I decided to trust the Japanese, after all, Made in Japan, and the company doesn’t drink it :) Yes, there are a lot of Chinese who are cheaper and more sophisticated - with separate toroidal transformers, etc. but that there they will solder to you one audiophile Gd knows. Lottery, if I'm not in the subject myself - well, I don't have datasheets for opamp and there is no oscilloscope :) There are risks of getting something not very high quality. Everything about this product is fair. For me, at least at the start of my passion for high-quality sound, this is an excellent safe option. Recommend.

Comment:

Advantages: Sound of DSD !!

Disadvantages: Worked for only 4 years

Comment: I took it to try JSD because my ear was unhappy with everything else. All this Hi-Rez is m. Suffering. I can’t listen to anything except JSD. I listened to it on it until the computer announced to me that he did not see such a YUSB device anymore. Now I am sad .. Well, I will buy it again, because I am afraid to take something else, even the same A8! What if something is wrong? And if broken, where can I fix it? Maybe someone will write? PS I was listening not through headphones (I can't stand them) but through JVC WoodCone A15. Again, I don't want to experiment with anything else. What for? I found my sound. I was looking for a long time among other things.