Oppo HA-1 Headphone Amplifier

It was possibly Standard that establish a style by equipping its streamlined, high-worth DACs with a headphone that is competent amplifier. They became, in effect, headphone amplifier, an amalgam of DAC and preamp that was straightforward, as well as the HA1 is from exactly the same mould.

Much of its own electronic equipment derives from Oppo's BDP-95EU and BDP-105 universal disc players. The HA-1 uses exactly the same ESS 9018 Sabre DAC and the identical output signal circuitry but preamplifier periods and the headphone amp are not old. Output impedance is not high, therefore the frequency response designed right into a headphone is only what you will get through the HA-1 - whether its impedance changes broadly.

Headphone amps that are classic might have modern units such as the HA although just offered analogue input signals - digital options are additionally provided by 1.

Toslink digital input signals, balanced and the unbalanced support up to 192kHz/24-bit resolution while the input signal that is USB stretches out to 384kHz/32-bit. In addition, it provides for DSD replay utilizing the DoP interface at speeds up to DSD128, as well as supports DSD256 in 'native' mode.

The back panel is finished with a set of XLR and phono output outlets, trigger outlets in and out, and the standard IEC mains outlet. Round the front a USB input signal that was additional is supplied for iPhone or iPad the connection of an iPod, as well as the HA-1 additionally includes a Bluetooth wireless input signal using somewhat stub aerial that was attachable.

Front-panel controls supply electricity on/off and source collection to headphone output outlets, XLR the left above the 1/4in jack outlet and with a substantial volume control knob to the right.

So how can it seem? Via the back-panel USB input signal and listening over Sony's excellent MDR-MA900 headset, we achieved results that were quite good. The sound was neutral and smooth, but having a reserved quality that offered well for prolonged listening even though it did not quite mine vivacity and all the detail to be had from a record that is great.

But the HA-1's headphone amplifier phase has a clean, clear, explicit sound quality providing you with enjoyment and understanding on an extensive selection of music.

The HA-1 lapped it all up, using a forthright saxophone sound but nicely developed awareness of its own long reverberation time and the church acoustic guitar. The HA-1 majored on explicitness but did a great job of carrying the contagious dancing beat that grows in the backdrop.

We found the HA-1 to sound a little diffuse - the Daft Punk track, for example, lost a number of its own urgency heard. Via S/PDIF the high jitter at lower sampling rates complicates the scenario. Along with the result was, truly, a setting for the S/PDIF input signal, which restored some colour that is missing.

Verdict

The HA-1 is meticulously engineered product in a competitive cost and a well-planned. Its headphone amplifier period is up there with the finest, as well as on high sampling rate stuff delivered via S/PDIF you hear it best.