link

 

$500 street for portable DSD.  Color me intrigued.

I actually like the styling a lot.

I hope most of that $500 goes to good DAC performance.

 

I see quite a few posts here about DSD playback.  Is it that inconvenient to convert files to 88.2/24 PCM?  DSD just seems like a pain in the ass format with no clear benefit over PCM.

For me -- it's not so much that it's inconvenient, as I just don't know yet until I've heard it for myself (the difference between DSD files played straight vs. converted).

 

I should add -- I've always liked the performance of Sony headphone jacks on the MDR-7506/-V6.  So I'm sure it'll sound good at least on the MDR-7506/-V6.  I keep wanting to say, "...on Sony headphones", but I keep forgetting to try the CD3000s on anything, so if I get this, I'll definitely try that combination as well.  But I'm sure some of it is spent on branding and style as well.

I understand that.  Even if you do set up that comparison, you have to trust your own perception in that moment.  Then you have to wonder if a particular DAC might be better at one format or the other.  Then you have to set up a tightly controlled blind test.  

 

Eventually, you realize it's all too much trouble, buy a DAC that does it all, and enjoy.  

 

If you do end up getting one, let us know how it is.

I have one of this and it is pretty nice portable amp/DAC combo. Don't expect stellar performance as a hirez/DSD DAC tho. The downfall of this particular Sony is its rather short battery life and inability to charge while playing. The pha-2 is especially great when paired with my Sony nwz-zx1 & JH13pro. Beside the battery issue, the pha-2 is a very well designed unit.

And there's no way to run it off an external power source?  Yeah, that might get inconveniently timed..

Nope unless someone can modify it to do so. In analog line in mode, the pha2 can get over 15 hours tho. Sadly, I take the pico power over the pha2 as a portable amp alone.