BTW if you connect ZX1 with PHA-2 through the walkman port (charger port) sound quality will be better than 3.5mm jack. But you have to find the special cable for that.
I didn't get the Pha-2...As the commenter said it doesn't make much difference in sound...plus the Zx1 sounds great already. I recommend Neutron app...which sounds a little better than the Sonys built in app. I use the Zx1 on the go too...so carrying the Pha-2 around...say at the gym...would be impractical because of the bulk. Just get good quality earphones/headphones and the zx1 solo should be fine.
so how do you use that shit? do you simply plug your normal headphones in and it will work? or it needs a special kind of wiring or what exactly but it looks enticing
You only mention iPhones, how about on android devices? Is it advisable especially on Xperia Z / Galaxy devices or Nexus phones? Maybe on your next review of this, I suggest you elaborate more functionality of this device other than using it on iPhone. Because this is not cheap and I want to see more uses of it. I don't have idevice and want to consider buying this if I can see if it's worth the buy with it's overall functionality. Thanks man!
Your paying a premium for the compatibility with idevices, if you want android compatibility, check out the much much cheaper line of the Fiio rather than this.
Sony phones is android base hence their amps must be compatible too. Can't wait for this anymore so end up buying the fiio x3. Maybe I just wait for the next PHA-x series.
For those who feel that Fiio (or iBasso or whoever) is a better fit for their needs, great, but *let's not slap Sony for getting products like the PHA-1 / PHA-2 off the ground*. If you look at US-made portable headphone amps which do nothing other than amplification - RSA, Headamp etc - they are up around this price : to have something which will decode the digital stream from several different sources in a relatively small package for $600 is a dream come true for many of us. Google Cypher Labs Solo for an idea of how painful it was to get hi-res audio from an iDevice as little as 2 years ago ...
How does this sound different with PHA-1? The output power seems even a tad smaller than PHA-1, 165mW for 8 Ohms headphones vs. 175mW on PHA-1. 192KHz doesn't really sound that much different against 96KHz
I don't understand why so many reviews involving Hi-Res products show using an iPhone or complain it doesn't have the controls for it. Who would use a hi end amp, or headphones in other cases, on a cheap low end iPhone product? It can't support or play anywhere near the quality or frequencies needed even for the basic Hi-Res.
***** I was being sarcastic because I know that you think you hear a difference. It has been shown time and time again that there is a certain threshold where there are no perceivable differences in audio quality. When it comes to DACs, there are few on the market that do such a poor job as to be audible. Also, if I were to switch between the same track at 24/192 and 16/44.1 you would have no idea when the switch took place or if it did at all.
***** I mention only DAC because you refer to specs that concern only a DAC. Boutique (even though this is not boutique) and high quality components does not equal better performance; while it certainly can be said that horrible components will yield a horrible product. This is what I mean when I say threshold. There is not only a point of diminishing returns but a point where, even if you have better specifications, it will not produce and audible difference. The only time a more expensive product is "worth" the money is if it's features and aesthetics are something you put that much value on but again, I'm talking pure audible performance which is very easy to attain. Also, the Fiio E17 has excellent specifications and you would not be able to hear a difference at matched volume with the same source and not knowing if and when the devices are switched. It's science vs. perception and science is going to win here. If there really is an audible difference then there is a defect in one of the devices.
@Deke1, I'm guessing you wouldnt like iRiver's AK240 DAP - 2500USD. Or the CEntrance Hi-FIM8 at 800USD. Then we have the HiFiMan HM-901 at 900USD. No idea how good the sound quality is on any of those, but by comparison Sony has actually priced the PHA-2 very reasonably, at least IMO - cant wait to hear one for myself.
Sony Walkman even lost to Fiio in sound reproduction department. I will never buy a sony. I recently bought Acoustic Research .the sound is better than those China made. I don't think Sony can come near.
All hobby or enthusiast grade products are overpriced but this is a new record in how much you can rip off a bunch of snobs. 600$ ?!?!?! Seriously, this thing comes with some rubber straps to hold down your already overpriced Iphone! I don't know who said this: "It is immoral not to part fools from their cash" but Sony is really taking this rule to heart.
I have seen headphone amps which cost much much more than this, $600 for these things, shockingly, is considered mid-range or even entry-level by some. It's all about calibration of expectations
Duy Le Nguyen I know... 1400$ for headphones! I just wish that the people that sell this things would be more ethical not take advantage of a bunch of dreamers and enthusiasts. It's sad really.
It's not really got anything to do with ethics. They (Sony) created a products, which they priced based on how much engineering and development they put into it, and how much they think their target demographic value said products. Ethics has no real business being in this discussion here. As far as I know, they created a top notch product and they are charging accordingly (I don't really know, but I'm sure there are audio engineers out there who are more qualified than me to assess the merits of this amp). You see this in just about every product you see in everyday life. Nobody needs a gaming computer, but I do have one, because it's important to me, and I put a higher value on it than, say, professional grade headphone amps. I'm sure you have hobbies/things you care about, and you probably would place much more value in those products than I would. All it boils down is that, if you think $600 is way too much for a headphone amp, you're clearly not the target demographic of this product.
Duy Le Nguyen But I want one! I would like a law that will force the maker of the product to state near the price the profit margin. Not to force a certain price but to reveal how decent or indecent the profit margin is. And yes... My hobby is RC Helis and I spend a shit load of money on that. Now I am in the market for a good pair of headphones and man!!! Never imagined how high those things go! Amp/DAC/Headphones 1500-2000$!!!! Just ranting a little...Cheers!
qntt2002 It is expensive, yes. It is overpriced, maybe. It depends on the user's expectation. But it is not ethical at all. This is not the only DAC / Amp product on the market and they do not try to trick you or anything. I don't think it should be called "unethical."
sorry but i bought a lot of products that hifiguy reviewed too, just cuz YOU cant afford it, doenst mean other ppl cant. by the way, go find a part time job to earn money
MarshMellowChronic no i dont know, because my pay is higher than the pay of both ur jobs, maybe u should figure out how to earn money before wanting to listen to high end audio
![Retro Meets Modern Tech. NEW! KOSS Porta Pro Wireless 2 0 [Unboxing/Overview]](/img/n.gif)
I just heard about High Resolution, wanted to see and I got it. Thank you so much for the review ! Its great to see such a great portable device.
I have the Hi-Res walkman ZX1. It sounds great already. Do you think acquiring the PHA - 2 will make that much difference in sound? Let me know thx.
u wont see the difference.
I did try ZX1 and PHA-2 sound signature didn't change much but quite disappoint with new PHA-3
BTW if you connect ZX1 with PHA-2 through the walkman port (charger port) sound quality will be better than 3.5mm jack. But you have to find the special cable for that.
I didn't get the Pha-2...As the commenter said it doesn't make much difference in sound...plus the Zx1 sounds great already. I recommend Neutron app...which sounds a little better than the Sonys built in app. I use the Zx1 on the go too...so carrying the Pha-2 around...say at the gym...would be impractical because of the bulk. Just get good quality earphones/headphones and the zx1 solo should be fine.
which one is better, ADL A1 or SONY PHA-2, ??personally I am more focused on vocal
would you have to buy a extra cable to connect it to an ipod classic?
Does it work well with pioneer hdj 2000 headphones?need advice from audiophiles out there.thank u
so how do you use that shit? do you simply plug your normal headphones in and it will work? or it needs a special kind of wiring or what exactly but it looks enticing
JohnReviewer112 thx man
got my pioneer hdj 2000 mk2 going to get this amp to use with my headphones
You only mention iPhones, how about on android devices? Is it advisable especially on Xperia Z / Galaxy devices or Nexus phones? Maybe on your next review of this, I suggest you elaborate more functionality of this device other than using it on iPhone. Because this is not cheap and I want to see more uses of it. I don't have idevice and want to consider buying this if I can see if it's worth the buy with it's overall functionality. Thanks man!
Your paying a premium for the compatibility with idevices, if you want android compatibility, check out the much much cheaper line of the Fiio rather than this.
Sony phones is android base hence their amps must be compatible too. Can't wait for this anymore so end up buying the fiio x3. Maybe I just wait for the next PHA-x series.
For those who feel that Fiio (or iBasso or whoever) is a better fit for their needs, great, but *let's not slap Sony for getting products like the PHA-1 / PHA-2 off the ground*. If you look at US-made portable headphone amps which do nothing other than amplification - RSA, Headamp etc - they are up around this price : to have something which will decode the digital stream from several different sources in a relatively small package for $600 is a dream come true for many of us. Google Cypher Labs Solo for an idea of how painful it was to get hi-res audio from an iDevice as little as 2 years ago ...
How does this sound different with PHA-1? The output power seems even a tad smaller than PHA-1, 165mW for 8 Ohms headphones vs. 175mW on PHA-1. 192KHz doesn't really sound that much different against 96KHz
in a nutshell, what is the difference between PHA-1 and PHA-2?
That looks solid but with the price tag that much is it really made FiiO devices looks like toy in term of audio quality?
I don't understand why so many reviews involving Hi-Res products show using an iPhone or complain it doesn't have the controls for it. Who would use a hi end amp, or headphones in other cases, on a cheap low end iPhone product? It can't support or play anywhere near the quality or frequencies needed even for the basic Hi-Res.
will i be able to play dsd audio files from my mac to this dac/amp?
What is your job
This is so exciting ....... You're the best Mike :)
fiio 12 montblanc과 비교하면 다소 힘이 좀 없는듯 ...하여간 2%부족합니다.
크기도 생각보다크고....
한글댓글이 안보여 서 글 남깁니다.
대한민국 한글 화이팅....
$600???? I think I'm happy with my $28 Fiio E6 .-.
Oh..well I feel that that's still a lot of money :/ Looks nice though, just can't afford something like that :|
***** Because you can hear the difference eh?
***** I was being sarcastic because I know that you think you hear a difference. It has been shown time and time again that there is a certain threshold where there are no perceivable differences in audio quality. When it comes to DACs, there are few on the market that do such a poor job as to be audible. Also, if I were to switch between the same track at 24/192 and 16/44.1 you would have no idea when the switch took place or if it did at all.
***** I mention only DAC because you refer to specs that concern only a DAC. Boutique (even though this is not boutique) and high quality components does not equal better performance; while it certainly can be said that horrible components will yield a horrible product. This is what I mean when I say threshold. There is not only a point of diminishing returns but a point where, even if you have better specifications, it will not produce and audible difference. The only time a more expensive product is "worth" the money is if it's features and aesthetics are something you put that much value on but again, I'm talking pure audible performance which is very easy to attain.
Also, the Fiio E17 has excellent specifications and you would not be able to hear a difference at matched volume with the same source and not knowing if and when the devices are switched. It's science vs. perception and science is going to win here. If there really is an audible difference then there is a defect in one of the devices.
Looks like a brick and Sony's products are way over price and the last time Sony built a quality product was 1990
@Deke1, I'm guessing you wouldnt like iRiver's AK240 DAP - 2500USD. Or the CEntrance Hi-FIM8 at 800USD. Then we have the HiFiMan HM-901 at 900USD. No idea how good the sound quality is on any of those, but by comparison Sony has actually priced the PHA-2 very reasonably, at least IMO - cant wait to hear one for myself.
Very Nice :)
Sony Walkman even lost to Fiio in sound reproduction department. I will never buy a sony. I recently bought Acoustic Research .the sound is better than those China made. I don't think Sony can come near.
This is way to desirable, but way to expensive for me. It does give me something to dream about.
You have the iphone 5 not the 5s.
They're identical.
All hobby or enthusiast grade products are overpriced but this is a new record in how much you can rip off a bunch of snobs. 600$ ?!?!?! Seriously, this thing comes with some rubber straps to hold down your already overpriced Iphone! I don't know who said this: "It is immoral not to part fools from their cash" but Sony is really taking this rule to heart.
I have seen headphone amps which cost much much more than this, $600 for these things, shockingly, is considered mid-range or even entry-level by some. It's all about calibration of expectations
Duy Le Nguyen
I know... 1400$ for headphones! I just wish that the people that sell this things would be more ethical not take advantage of a bunch of dreamers and enthusiasts. It's sad really.
It's not really got anything to do with ethics. They (Sony) created a products, which they priced based on how much engineering and development they put into it, and how much they think their target demographic value said products. Ethics has no real business being in this discussion here. As far as I know, they created a top notch product and they are charging accordingly (I don't really know, but I'm sure there are audio engineers out there who are more qualified than me to assess the merits of this amp).
You see this in just about every product you see in everyday life. Nobody needs a gaming computer, but I do have one, because it's important to me, and I put a higher value on it than, say, professional grade headphone amps. I'm sure you have hobbies/things you care about, and you probably would place much more value in those products than I would.
All it boils down is that, if you think $600 is way too much for a headphone amp, you're clearly not the target demographic of this product.
Duy Le Nguyen
But I want one! I would like a law that will force the maker of the product to state near the price the profit margin. Not to force a certain price but to reveal how decent or indecent the profit margin is. And yes... My hobby is RC Helis and I spend a shit load of money on that. Now I am in the market for a good pair of headphones and man!!! Never imagined how high those things go! Amp/DAC/Headphones 1500-2000$!!!! Just ranting a little...Cheers!
qntt2002 It is expensive, yes. It is overpriced, maybe. It depends on the user's expectation. But it is not ethical at all. This is not the only DAC / Amp product on the market and they do not try to trick you or anything. I don't think it should be called "unethical."
Hahahaha $600 for this shit?
谷口一郎 If by target market you mean sensible person who can get equal performance for much less than yes, I would have to agree with that.
Why do you upload products that half of the people can't afford... That's not right man. With 600 I can buy 20 fio
Bought the Denon D7100 together with this recently, what you mean can't afford?
Fillekille123 ok calm down then show off.
600$ is a LOT of money to some people.
sorry but i bought a lot of products that hifiguy reviewed too, just cuz YOU cant afford it, doenst mean other ppl cant. by the way, go find a part time job to earn money
MarshMellowChronic no i dont know, because my pay is higher than the pay of both ur jobs, maybe u should figure out how to earn money before wanting to listen to high end audio