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New OPPO DAC/Headphone AMP looks impressive

Just got an email from OPPO that their new HA-1 headphone amp is now shipping.

Looks almost too good to be true for $1200.

Does PCM 384K, DSD 128
Preamp, headphone amp
Pure analog section
Sabre32 ESS 9018 DAC
Blu-tooth, USB etc interface
Remote control and remote control app
Fully balanced design

You knew it would be good from OPPO but wow!
larrybou
mgattmch
576 posts
 
If it uses the same DAC as the OPPO 105, why not buy the 105? After all the 105 has a headphone amp built in and a CD/DVD/Blu-ray player included.
mgattmch
576 posts
 
Forgot to add SACD player as well.
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,611 posts
 
.
I called Oppo about this. The tech said that the HA-1 is much better on hard to drive headphones. Also, the HA-1 has digital and analog inputs, rca and XLR....the 105 only has digital inputs.
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larrybou OP
130 posts
 
The fully balanced design should add substantially to the SQ as I would image simpler signal paths. Not sure if the 105 does the highest DSD and PCM rates either.

But it's true, there's probably too much feature overlap not to muddy the waters. If the only real distinction is analog and balanced inputs and more juice for certain headphones, this would have a very narrow audience.

I seriously doubt this is true and expect some major sound benefits over the 105 once the reviews hit. Ok maybe hoping more than expecting...lol
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
It does look impressive on paper particularly for such low price. I wonder how it compares to the Benchmark DAC-1 or DAC-2. Has anyone actually listened to the Oppo?
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