8289692000 (586260) Owner's Manual 32 bit/DAC Headphone amplifier HP-A8C Thank you very much for purchasing a Fostex product. This manual provides instructions for basic use of the unit. Read this before using the unit for the first time. Before connecting this product to a Windows computer with a USB cable, install the USB Audio Class 2.0 driver for HP-A8C. You can download the driver software from our website. http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/products/HP-A8C.
WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS Preparation • CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT. ATTENTION: POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, APAR DE LA FENTE LARGE, FOND. • WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture. AVIS: Pour réduire le risque d’incendie ou de choc électrique, ne pas exposer cet appareil sous la pluie et l’humidité.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tipover. Utilisez seulement avec la charrette, position, trépied, support ou table spécifiée par le fabricant, ou a vendu avec l’appareil .
FCC (U.S.A.) & ICES-003 (Canada) INFORMATION Preparation 1. IMPORTANT NOTICE This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained in this manual, meets FCC and ICES-003 requirements. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Fostex Company for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. DO NOT MODIFY THIS PRODUCT. 2.
Introductions Preparation HP-A8C is a DAC headphone amplifier with high efficiency, high-quality sound. You can enjoy high-quality digital audio signals from your computer or from a digital audio player. Features of the HP-A8C • Headphone amplifier equipped with high-quality sound 32bit-DAC (AK4399) and all discrete circuit. • Supports a sampling frequency of up to 32 bit/192 kHz through in house developed USB driver. In addition, supports DSD 2.8 MHz (DoP/ASIO).
Functions Preparation Front panel HPA8 32BIT DAC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER on volume off power output sel 1 Power indicator Lights in red when the power is on. Display Various information (page 11, 13) and menu screen (page 14) are displayed. volume knob Adjusts the volume of the headphones or the analog output. • You can not adjust the analog output volume when the "DIRECT" setting is set to "ON" (page 15) power switch Switches the power on/off.
Rear panel Preparation USB SD CARD 1 2 OPTICAL COAXIAL DIGITAL IN ANALOG OUT RIGHT LEFT OPTICAL COAXIAL DIGITAL OUT ANALOG IN RIGHT IN LEFT AES/EBU [DIGITAL IN - OPTICAL] terminals (1/2) Connect a digital audio device as an input source using a square optical cable. Up to 2 devices can be connected at the same time. [DIGITAL IN - COAXIAL] terminal Connect a digital audio device as an input source using a coaxial cable.
Remote controller Preparation • Read "Safety information for Fostex product using electricity" (attached sheet) and handle the battery correctly. • Dispose of the battery in the proper manner according to the local regulations. REC MENU INPUT SEL • The included battery is for checking operation. Replace it as soon as possible. MUTE RC-N1 key Playback stops when the input source is set to SD (SDHC) card ("SD").
Connecting external audio devices Connect a digital audio device as an input source to the digital audio input terminal, square optical terminals [OPTICAL 1]/[OPTICAL 2], the coaxial terminal [COAXIAL] or the AES/EBU terminal [AES/EBU]. Connect an analog audio device as an input source to the analog audio input terminal [ANALOG IN]. To listen to music files from a computer, connect the computer to the USB terminal [USB]. Connection To change the input source, turn the input sel knob on the front panel.
Connecting output devices Connect headphones to the headphone terminals [phones] (1/2) on the front panel, or connect an amplifier or active speaker to the analog output terminal [ANALOG OUT] to enjoy music. To change the output, use the output sel switch on the left side of the front panel. You can obtain S/PDIF format signals through the square optical terminal [OPTICAL] or coaxial terminal [COAXIAL] when connecting a digital audio device.
Listening to an external audio device You can enjoy music from the external audio device connected to the unit through headphone output or analog output. Connect the desired device before the operation. (page 9) Listening to the external device 1 Turn on the product. Push in the power switch. 3 Select the output source. Select headphones or analog output. The power indicator lights in red when the power is on.
Listening to the files on an SD card You can enjoy DSF files, WAV files and AIFF files. Playable files Listening • Format the card in FAT32. • The maximum number of folders you can create on an SD card is 15. • The maximum number of files you can copy in each folder is 30. • You can use up to 50 alphanumeric characters for folder names, 70 characters for file names. 2 byte characters are displayed as "". DSF files (extension: .dsf) Format: 2.8 MHz WAV files (extension: .
Ejecting the SD card 4 Select the output source. Select headphones or analog output. Unmount the SD card by the following procedure before ejection. Otherwise, the data may be damaged. HPA8 HPA8 32BIT DAC 32BIT DAC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER on on volume volume off off power power output sel output sel 1 1 phones phones 2 2 input sel input sel 1 Stop playback. Press the key on the remote controller.
Changing the settings You can change the settings according to your environment. 1 Press and hold the input sel switch on the main unit or press the MENU key on the remote controller. 4 Turn the input sel knob on the main unit or press the key on the remote controller to select the setting value. The menu screen is displayed. Listening 2 Turn the input sel knob on the main unit or press the key on the remote controller to select the item to change.
Setting item Setting value Default: "SHARP ROL-OF" "SHARP ROL-OF" Conventional digital filter "MINIMUM DELAY" Close to unprocessed, no pre-echo filter developed by Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) "MSCK SEL" Selects the master clock of the DAC. * The internal clock is always used when the input source is set to "USB" or "SD" regardless of this setting. Default: "DIR" "DIR" Uses the external clock of the digital input source. "XTAL" Uses the high precision internal TCXO clock.
Setting item Listening 16 Setting value "INPUT SEL MODE" Selects the function of the input sel switch on the main unit or the INPUT SEL key on the remote controller. Default: "INCREMENT" "INCREMENT" The input source will change at every operation of the input sel knob on the main unit or the INPUT SEL key on the remote controller.
Troubleshooting Common problems and solutions are listed below. Problem Solutions • Confirm that the product is connected properly (page 9). • Confirm that the input source is selected properly. (page 11) • Confirm that the output source is selected properly. (page 11) Cannot be recognized from a Windows PC. • Download the driver from our site and install. Cannot playback the SD card. • The files may not be played back if the transfer rate is insufficient. Use a Class 6 or higher SDHC card.
Updating the version An update file may be released to solve problems and provide a better listening environment. Update the product by the following procedure. 1 Save the obtained update file on an SD (SDHC) card. Save the file in the root directory. • Format the card in FAT32. • Do not save files other than the update file on the SD card. 2 Insert the card into the slot on the rear panel with the label side facing upward. Information 3 Turn on the product, and select "COX" as the input source.
Specifications
Declaration of EC Directive This equipment is compatible with the EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) - Directive on approximation of member nation's ordinance concerning the electromagnetic compatibility and with the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) - Directive on approximation of member nation's ordinance concerning electric equipment designed to be used within the specified voltage range.
