The new Oppo HA-1 is a headphone amp designed for use on the go, or for you easily bring from place to place (home to office, say). It’s got a high-end ESS Sabre Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and a 300 mW amp to get the most out of your headphones.
Here are all the details.
Before we get going, if you’re curious about the value of high-end headphones, or have questions about headphones in general, first check out Are Expensive Headphones Worth It? and What Are The Best Headphones?.
The HA-2 is the latest in Oppo’s push into the high-end headphone market. First was the PM-1 headphones, then the HA-1 headphone amp. The cheaper PM-2 and -3 (due soon) followed.
The HA-2 is roughly the size of an Apple iPhone 6+, the aluminum chassis is 2.5-inches wide, 6.2 long, and a half an inch thick. It’s wrapped in real leather.
Inside there’s lots of audiophile goodness. The ESS Sabre ES9018-K2M asynchronous DAC is the mobile version of the one found in the desktop HA-1. It’s capable of PCM decoding CD-quality tracks (44.1 kHz/16-bit) up to 384 kHz at 24-bit (and lower sampling rates up to 32-bits), and everywhere in between. It can even decode DSD64, DSD128, and even DSD256.
To get these files to the HA-2, there are three inputs: Analog (3.5mm), and two USBs. One USB for iOS gear, and the other for everything else (including computers and Google Android gear as long as it has USB OTG).
To get it the audio out again, there are two 3.5mm outputs: one for headphones, the other a line out so you can connect to desktop speaker or any other audio gear (using the HA-2 as a straight DAC).
Power-wise, there should be enough for any headphone you’d want to bring with you anywhere. Into 16 Ohms the Class AB amp puts out 300 milliwatts. Into 32 Ohms, 220 mW. Into 300 Ohms, 30 mW.
The rechargeable battery stores 3000 mAh, which Oppo claims is good for 13 hours if you’re using the analog input (probably not how most people will use this), and 7 hours if decoding digital sources (far more likely). Using fast charging tech, Oppo claims the HA-2 can recharge to 75% capacity in 30 minutes, or 90 minutes to go from empty to full charge. You can also use the HA-2 to recharge your smartphone or iPod.
The HA-2 is available now.