Edd Harris's Pro Audio Web Blog's review of the Lynx Studio Technology Hilo Reference Converter is long - as it should be: Hilo is packed with features too numerous to cover in less than a doctoral thesis. I am now trying to suss a small fraction of them for a full review at Headfonia. My unit is on loan from Lynx's Japanese distributor, Hook Up. Yes, Hook Up.
Read moreXBA-H3/H2/H1, PHA-2: Sony are on a portable audio roll!
Fujiya-Avic released the details and pre-order info for three new large-driver hybrid earphones: XBA-H3/H2/H1 as well as the new PHA-2 portable headphone amp/DAC which will support 24/192 PCM and 2,8/5,6MHz DSD. Yes, DSD audio.
Sony EU have more details about the new XBA series.
Here is the PHA-2's page.
PHA-2 should retail for 55.000¥. Its predecessor, the PHA-1, bookmarked the entry of mainstream audio companies into a market that, largely, has been controlled by a number of feisty boutique manufacturers. I was ecstatic about the PHA-1. If Sony has addressed the so-so performance with low-Ω earphones, the PHA-2 should kill its target market.
PHA-2: 55.000¥
XBA-H3: 16mm dynamic driver + 2-way balanced armature unit
37.000¥
XBA-H2: 13,5mm dynamic driver + single balanced armature unit
26.000¥
XBA-H1: 9mm dynamic driver + single balanced armature unit
16.000¥
This new line of portable products will debut and be ready for purchase in time for Fujiya-Avic's 2013 Fall Headphone Festival.
Sony is back.