OPPO Digital has announced an exciting update to its award-winning HA-2 portable headphone amplifier and DAC. While the new HA-2SE looks practically the same as its elder sibling (featuring an aluminum shell with beveled edges and a stitched leather surround), its guts are vastly improved.
The HA-2SE is a slender (2.7-inches wide x 5.375-in high x 0.5-in deep) multifunctional DAC and headphone amplifier that enhances music playback from a variety of sources including mobile phones (iPhone and Android), music players, and home computers. When paired with a phone, the HA-2SE uses a USB input to bypass the phone’s less than stellar DAC converter, giving it direct access to the digital audio signal. Digital-to-audio conversion is then handled internally by ESS Technology’s new flagship Sabre-32 DAC (ES9028-Q2M) that’s laced with ESS’s patented 32-bit Hyperstream DAC architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator; audio output is through a standard 3.5mm jack. This means your ears are treated to an audio performance with significantly less noise and distortion.
The HA-2SE’s USB connection can also bypass sound cards on PC and Mac computers, supporting Hi-Res audio playback with PCM up to 384 kHz 32-bit and DSD up to 12 MHz.
As a bonus, the HA-2SE functions as an external battery charger when connected via USB to mobile devices. Its internal battery uses a patented VOOC rapid charge technology to re-charge itself to 70-percent capacity in roughly 30 minutes (providing hours of operation time). In addition, owners of the new iPhone 7 will appreciate the HA-2SE’s ability to serve as a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone adapter (eliminating the need to ditch older headphones).
The HA-2SE features a Class AB amp that gives owners access to two gain settings. A “High Gain” mode can drive power hungry headphones (up to 30 mW into 16 Ohm), while a “Low Gain” mode handles more sensitive earbud style earphones. Those users looking for a bit more low-end will love the HA-2SE’s “Bass Boost” feature that alters the amp’s normally flat frequency response to one that delivers more impactful sub-sonics.
The HA-2SE would be a great mate to the stellar OPPO PM-2 Planar Magnetic Headphone HTS is currently featuring in a special Giveaway promotion. Click here for more information!
The new HA-2SE, priced at $299, is available for purchase now at oppodigital.com.
Specifications
General
Dimensions: (W x H x D) 2.7 x 5.375 x 0.5 inches, 68 x 137 x 12 mm
Weight: 6.2 oz, 175 grams
Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 200 kHz
Audio-in Level: 1 Vrms
Line-out Level: 1 Vrms
Recommended Headphone Impedance: 16 Ohm - 300 Ohm
Maximum Headphone Output Power (Per Channel): 300 mW into 16 Ohm; 220 mW into 32 Ohm; 30 mW into 300 Ohm
Headphone Amplifier Output Impedance: 0.5 Ohm
Output Jacks: 3.5 mm stereo headphone; 3.5 mm stereo line-out
Analog Input Ports: 3.5 mm stereo audio-in
Digital Input Ports: USB A for iPod / iPhone / iPad; USB micro-B for smartphones with USB OTG feature and computers.
DAC Chip: ESS Sabre32 Reference ES9028-Q2M
Input Format: Stereo PCM, Stereo DSD (DoP v1.1 or native)
PCM Sampling Frequencies: 44.1 kHz - 384 kHz, 16 / 24 / 32-bit
DSD Sampling Frequencies: 2.8224 MHz (DSD64), 5.6448 MHz (DSD128), 11.2896 MHz (DSD256, native mode only)
Profile: USB 2.0, USB Audio 2.0
Included Accessories
Power Supply Unit (Rapid Charging Charger)
USB A - USB micro-B data and rapid charging cable
USB A - Lightning data cable (for Apple devices)
USB micro-B to micro-B data cable (for Android and other smartphones)
3.5 mm - 3.5 mm stereo audio cable
Silicone rubber band (2 pieces)
User guide and warranty documents
Battery
Built-in Battery type: 3000 mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery
Battery Operation Time: Approx. 13 hours for analog source via Audio-in; approx. 7 hours for digital sources via USB
Charging Time: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes
Image Credits: OPPO Digital