Sony PHA-1 Headphone Amp

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Price: $375.90 $320.00   

Product Feature

• USB Audio 96kHz/24bit compatible for high resolution music source
• High quality Digital Audio Converter (DAC) to achieve maximum sampling rate at 96kHz/24bit quantization
• PC jitter-free USB Audio with Asynchronous Transfer Mode
• GAIN switch allows headphones of a wide range of impedances to be used

Product Description

The PHA-1 is an ideal portable audio accessory for users on the move. In addition to multi-audio player support, the PHA-1 allows direct digital transfer from iPod, iPhone and iPad devices, enhancing the sound quality for music enjoyment when users are browsing the internet or watching films. The PHA-1 also features high quality DAC and PC jitter-free USB Audio with Asynchronous Transfer Mode to support up to a 96 kHz/24 bit high resolution audio signal. Using high quality parts normally associated with high-end audio components to enhance sound quality, the PHA-1 has isolated analogue and digital circuits to minimise unnecessary internal electrical noise as well as an aluminium shielded case to prevent external interference noise. Additionally, the PHA-1 features custom integrated circuits which are designed for generating high quality sound and an Operational Amplifier that offers low distortion, low noise and a high slew rate for analogue signals. Compatible with many music players, the portable headphone amplifier has a battery life of approximately 10 hours in analogue mode and five hours when used in digital mode with iPod, iPhone or iPad. The PHA-1 also comes with a GAIN select switch which allows for headphones of a wide range of impedances to be used.

Sony PHA-1 Headphone Amp Review

By -dm / FL

I started with a FiiO E6, then an E11 (the best of the three), then the E12 Mont Blanc (the worst). They all just boosted the signal coming out of the iPhone.
My current headphones are Grado RS1i's (up from SR225i), which sound real sweet on their own and don't really NEED an external amp. So much for needs. What I wanted was to bring out all that the Grado's had to offer, without having to rob a bank. That said, the other problem was the new Apple Lightning connector. Worldwide there are very few direct cable connection options, especially with the Lightning.

Enter the SONY PHA-1. It's made to work with the iPhone, including the iPhone 5. It can be used as a straight amp or better yet to bypass the internal Apple DAC/AMP by using the Lightning connection (out) to the PHA-1 USB (in) - one cable, no adapters. I'm using a Lightning to USB Digital Short Cable by VentureCraft, but Apple sells a similar less expensive one that I can confirm works just fine.

So how does it sound? In one word >DYNOMITE!
When you first plug in and go to music, sound comes out of the phone. Then you turn on the PHA-1, the volume bar on the phone disappears, and the sound flows out of the SONY and you instantly know you've struck gold. I'm not a die-hard Audiophile, and will spare you all the flowery audio speak. Anyone with two working ears will instantly hear the soundstage open up, the L/R separation expand, the overall dynamic range sonically improve, and the low end gain significant punch. Overall maybe the difference between being twenty rows back and right up onstage with the musicians.

Odds & ends - SONY has an unusual rubber strap (4) to hold your device to their unit as opposed to giant rubber bands. I was leery at first, but have come to appreciate their simple genius.

There are two thin narrow rubber strips that run the length of the top. They do a wonderful job of avoiding any slipping/shifting of one unit on top of the other.

Lastly if I HAD to nit-pick, it would be the silver metal protection brackets on the front. They limit access to the volume knob. That's the bad news, the good news is four screws will remove them.

Enough said. It's a great combo for any smart-phone / iPod / iPad etc. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for and the SONY PHA-1 is worth every nickel and then some.

Update - 5/27/13
The more I listen, the more I love it.

Undocumented tip - The Power LED is green when you turn it on. When the battery gets down to aprox. 30% the LED turns orange. When it's down below 10-15% it goes out, but you're still left with over an hour of playing time.

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