Results 1 to 11 of 11
-
December 21, 2016, 10:21 AM #1
Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
A Pass Labs HPA-1 headphone amplifier arrived here in the Hudson Valley yesterday -- thanks to Mike's help.
Spoiler: Even just warmed up but not broken-in, the HPA-1 offers richer and deeper music than any other headphone amp I've used.
While I listen to Devore Fidelity Gibbon 88 speakers for my music about 80% of the time, I'm increasingly listening to headphones. And while the Chord DAVE also has an excellent headphone amp built-in, I had bought that (again, Mike's help!) several months ago mainly for its DAC capabilities.
So while in a way the Pass Labs headphone amp is an extra, my curiosity drives me to try more audio toys. And in this case, the Pass unit edges out the Chord unit for a ever-so-slightly fuller sound. Perhaps my ears just prefer a volume control that's analog (Pass) rather than digital (Chord).
My main system in headphone mode:
- Aurender N10, with 2600 albums on its internal drives
- Chord DAVE feeding the Pass HPA-1
- Focal Elear headphones
- Audience Au24 SE cables all around, mainly
More perspectives to come, but if you're attracted to high-end headphone music-listening, you might want to put the Pass HPA-1 on your radar.
Dave, who finds that excellent audio components are like good shoes since they're fine from the start even before they're broken-in and just become better as they do break-in which is an analogy his Brilliant SO suggested this morning while listening to music++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aurender N10 > Audience Au24 SE AES/EBU digital cable > Chord DAVE DAC > Audience Au24 SE XLR interconnects > Luxman L-505uX integrated amplifier > Audience Au24 SE speaker cables > DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 88 speakers
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
-
December 21, 2016, 10:47 AM #2
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
Fantastic setup Dave!
2 Channel Stereo :
Custom Win10 Transport | Mutec MC-3+ USB | Lampizator Amber | Acoustic Portrait Thiyaga | ATC SCM20PSL + JL Audio E-Sub e110
-
December 23, 2016, 10:46 PM #3
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
It perplexes me that it does not also have a balanced out for the headphones, correct?
Larry
Lumin U1
Chord Dave Dac
Vac Master Preamp
Vac 200IQ Amp
Magico S3 Mk2 in Mcast Pewter
Denali 6000S
Ansuz and MIT cabling
Timbernation walnut racks
-
December 24, 2016, 02:21 AM #4
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
Great setup, congrats! How would you describe the Elears soundwise?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk“Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”
Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.
Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.
HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.
-
December 24, 2016, 07:12 AM #5
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
Devialet 200
Melco N1A
Sonus Faber Olympica 2
Auralic Taurus MK2 Headphone amp
Hifiman HE1000 Headphones
-
December 24, 2016, 08:28 AM #6
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
I think it's a grave error. I doubt it will ever fly with the purists over at Head-Fi.
LarryLarry
Lumin U1
Chord Dave Dac
Vac Master Preamp
Vac 200IQ Amp
Magico S3 Mk2 in Mcast Pewter
Denali 6000S
Ansuz and MIT cabling
Timbernation walnut racks
-
December 25, 2016, 05:00 PM #7
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
Larry, don't think that's accurate.
Take the Chord DAVE, for example. There are currently 424 pages over at Head-Fi devoted to that combo DAC and headphone amp, focusing on the latter function and mainly saying how wonderful the DAVE is for headphones -- even though it, like the Pass unit, has only a single-ended connection.
Now, if you want only a balanced connection for headphones, yes, neither the Pass Labs HPA-1 or the Chord DAVE will be good for you. But both are really really good for sound quality...at least for me.
Dave
-
December 25, 2016, 05:05 PM #8
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
I love the holographic and rich sound of the Focal Elear headphones. It's one of the reasons I'm spending more of my music-listening time with headphones instead of speakers.
I've had several other high-end headphones, such as the Sennheiser HD800s, and the Elears offer more detail and toe-tapping.
That said, I love the Elears so much that I have their big brother, the Utopia headphones, arriving here this week. (Again, thanks to Mike for helping with that!)
Dave, who will likely keep both the Utopia and Elear headphones for several reasons including times he and his Brilliant Significant Other listen to music via headphones at the same time
-
December 25, 2016, 06:02 PM #9
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
Eager to hear which you like better Elear or utopia. I want to pick up one not both. I just bought the audeze sine. Love them. I have Beyer t1, audeze LCD-x and xc, senn 650, and akg 7xx.
We need a headphone forum.
Mike I will be buying one of the focals.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
December 25, 2016, 07:28 PM #10
Re: Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amplifier
My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481
"We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."
Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.
https://suncoastaudio.com/
Phone: 941-932-0282
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/
-
December 26, 2016, 01:31 AM #11
AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.
The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.
At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.
We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!
Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com
Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.
Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team
After 1 year of tremendous enjoyment with my new gear, I have been so lucky to audition a Gryphon Antileon EVO. Being dazzled by the sheer control through unlimited power and resulting vividness and...
Upgrade on the way...