The new HP-A8C is Fostex's flagship 32bit DAC / Headphone Amplifier model and features finely designed Analog and Digital circuitries as well as the epoch-making DSD audio playback function.

Housed in a gorgeous enclosure featuring glass front panel and black side panel, the HP-A8C is set to spark the interest of both high-end headphone users as well as PC audio makers, professionals and enthusiasts.

Partner with the new TH-900, premium headphones for excellent results.

USB Driver for Windows (V.2.03)
Dedicated USB driver software is necessary to install on PC for Windows.  Mac OS (10.6.1 or later) works with its own USB driver. Please be sure to uninstall the old driver software before installing this software.

Caution about use of SD cards

• SD card higher than Class 6 is strongly recommended.

• Even SD card higher than Class 6 may cause playback jumps if the card is with slow random access speed.

• SDXC card should not be used.  Do not insert a SDXC card to prevent from malfunction.

• File name must be less than 53 characters including the extension.

• A SD card can contain up to 10 folders and a folder can contain 30 files.

Latest News - Nov 18 2013

Fostex has released the HP-A8C latest firmware V3.00 that supports DSD (2.8MHz) playback on ASIO 2.1(Windows only) and DoP (DSD over PCM Frames) in addition to the original DSD playback method using a SD card via the SD card slot on the rear panel.  Also this firmware update newly supports playback of WAV and AIFF files via a SD card.

• High fidelity 32bit D/A converter (Asahi Kasei's AK4399) and all discrete analog circuitry headphone amplifier.

• Complies with USB Audio Class 2.0 up to 32bit / 192kHz (24bit on Windows)

• Asynchronous mode by highly precise TCXO (Temperature Compensated Cristal Oscillator) clock.

• Highly precise level adjustment by an electronic volume designed for audio equipment.

• Large capacity toroidal power transformer.

• Built-in SD (SDHC) card drive for epoch-making DSD file (DSF format) reproduction in addition to the firmware update.

• Selectable between the internal clock and the external clock (except for USB and SD card)

• Built-in up-sampling function of x 2 and x4

• Digital Filter selection between the conventional "sharp roll-off" and the "minimum delay" developed by Asahi Kasei to eliminate pre-echo.

• Direct Out mode bypassing the volume control circuit.

• Variable headphone amplifier's gain from 0dB to -12dB by 0.5dB step for perfect match with any type of headphones.

• Various inputs including USB, AES/EBU, Coaxial, Optical (x2) and analog RCA.

• A dedicated Remote Controller is supplied.

• Beautiful white Organic LED for the display

Input
USB port    sampling frequency:    up to 32bit/192kHz (24bit on Windows)
    Interface:    USB high speed
Digital (Optical)    Connector x 2:    optical, square
    Format:    S/PDIF (44.1kHz – 192kHz)
Digital (Coaxial)    Connector:    RCA Pin
    Format:    S/PDIF (44.1kHz – 192kHz)
Analog    Connector:    RCA Pin (L, R)

Output
Phones 1,2    Connector:    Stereo phone
    Max Output:    700mW (32-ohm loaded)
    Opt load Impedance:    16 ohm – 600 ohm
    THD:    less than 0.002% at 1kHz, 32-ohm loaded, 100mW
    Frequency response:    10Hz - 80kHz +-0.3dB
Analog     Connector:    RCA Pin
    Opt load impedance:    more than 10k ohm
    THD:    less than 0.002% at 1kHz
    Frequency response:    10Hz - 80kHz +-0.3dB
Digital    Connector:    Optical, square
    Format    S/PDIF

General
    Power Consumption:    24 W
    Dimensions:    213mm(W) x 78mm(H) x 314mm(D)
    Weight:    approx. 3.75kgs
    Accessories:    1 x remote controller, Manual