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Like many technology companies in Silicon Valley, OPPO Digital is continuously working on bringing new ideas and new products to customers. Over the past 8 years, OPPO has developed and released a series of award-winning universal DVD and Blu-ray players. We have built a team with experience and expertise in designing high performance audio and video products. Just as video has entered an Ultra HD era, audio is evolving with the rise of high-resolution music and a renewed interest in personal audio. We believe that our knowledge in high performance product design and quality manufacturing can bring benefits to customers in the personal audio space. The first two products in this category will be our PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphone and HA-1 Headphone Amplifier.
PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones
The OPPO PM-1 Planar Magnetic headphone offers a different way of thinking about planar magnetic technology. The PM-1 is characterized by a marriage of natural, dynamic, and engaging sound with an emphasis on comfort and reduced weight. It is a result of many years of R&D led by a team of passionate audio and acoustics engineers, chemical and material scientists, and audiophiles. The technology encompasses a wide range of innovative solutions that deliver exceptional performance.
The advantages of planar magnetic technology are based on the fact that in a planar driver, sound is generated by a very thin and light diaphragm that is driven evenly over the entire radiating area. Sound, entering our ear, has a planar wave front at the so called ear reference point (ERP), with all spectrum components in phase. A typical dynamic headphone driver, due to its phase irregularity, disrupts that coherence, resulting in less than perfect signal peak reconstruction, especially of very short impulses. A planar magnetic driver has another advantage that relates to its purely resistive impedance. It has a flat conductor pattern that does not have any inductive component, which eliminates inductance related IM distortion, common in dynamic headphones. A resistive load also ensures that any amplifier will drive the headphones without any changes in spectral balance.
OPPO uniquely integrates many innovations and proprietary methods developed over the years with the latest breakthroughs in materials and manufacturing techniques. Results of this research, focused on eliminating issues affecting many planar magnetic headphones, such as low sensitivity, weight, insufficient diaphragm stability, consistency and reliability, have been implemented in this new technology. The OPPO planar magnetic headphone uses an FEM optimized magnet system with very high energy Neodymium magnets. A large oval planar diaphragm is positioned in an evenly distributed symmetric magnetic field. The diaphragm has a spiraling pattern of flat conductors etched on both sides of a very thin polymer film. The magnetic system and conductor patterns are optimized for maximum driving force (sensitivity) and consistency of the applied force over the radiating area. The double-sided diaphragm has 7 layers of extremely thin materials, each doing a specific job for best performance, reliability and longevity.
These advantages of OPPO's high resolution planar magnetic technology and advanced headphone design provide for a very open, transparent, and highly dynamic sound that exhibits well-balanced tonal qualities with vanishingly low distortion, resulting in a headphone that communicates every nuance of your favorite music and ensures a high level of emotional engagement. With its classy, industrial fit and finish, the PM-1 is equally at home in an audiophile hi-fi system or on the go with a high resolution portable device.
HA-1 Headphone Amplifier
The OPPO HA-1 Headphone Amplifier builds upon the success of our BDP-95 and BPD-105 audiophile universal Blu-ray Disc players. The BDP-95 and 105 have been selected as "Recommended Components" by prestigious publications such as Stereophile and The Absolute Sound. Discerning listeners describe the players' DAC and analog output stage as very detailed, transparent and engaging. Bench tests indicate the players' performance approaching the measurable limit of audio analyzing instruments. Drawing upon the proven circuit design of these award-winning players, the HA-1 combines an uncompromising Class A balanced power amplifier section with the performance of the ESS 9018 Sabre32 Reference DAC.
OPPO designs the HA-1 headphone amplifier with the same universal approach as our Blu-ray players. The HA-1 is a high performance headphone amplifier, and it doubles as an asynchronous USB DAC, a stereo pre-amplifier, a digital audio dock for mobile devices, and a Bluetooth audio transport. Its fully balanced design and numerous inputs ensure the best in fidelity and versatility.
The analog audio section of the HA-1 is a fully balanced design with an emphasis on keeping the audio signal in the analog domain once it leaves the DAC. The HA-1 is anchored by a beefy toroidal power transformer. Linear power regulators and filters with custom made capacitors ensure that the headphone amplifier has a clean power source with plenty of reserve energy. The power amplification section uses hand-picked and paired discrete components to ensure symmetry. A motor-driven precision volume control knob enables both hand adjustment and remote control while keeping the audio in a pure analog audio path. Users have a choice of using the 4-pin balanced XLR or the traditional quarter-inch headphone jack. Line level analog inputs and outputs are provided with both RCA and balanced XLR sockets. Built-in monitoring and protection circuitry guards against any mishaps such as short-circuiting, overloading, and DC offset that could lead to degraded performance.
The HA-1 is especially suitable for high-resolution digital audio. Its digital inputs include coaxial, optical, balanced AES/EBU, and an asynchronous USB DAC that supports both PCM and DSD formats. The same ESS 9018 Sabre32 Reference DAC and output driving stage used in our audiophile Blu-ray players ensures extremely low noise and low distortion performance. It is easy to connect the HA-1 to a computer via USB and enjoy jitter-free music using your favorite playback software. OPPO is also working with a leading smartphone and tablet manufacturer to certify the HA-1 so it can pass the required authentication and take digital audio from those popular mobile devices. For additional convenience, the Bluetooth audio transport with high quality Apt-X CODEC sets music in your mobile phones free with a performance boost.
The HA-1 sports a classic design with contemporary elements. It is a desktop component housed in an aluminum chassis, and the familiar volume and source selection knobs are aided by a 4.3-inch screen for easy operation. Depending on your preference or even the mood of the music being played, you can choose between a classic VU meter, a modern spectrum display, or a simple informational summary on the screen. A supplied IR remote and a smartphone app via Bluetooth provide complete control and convenience.
With its exemplary sound quality, versatile connectivity, and energetic driving power, the HA-1 headphone amplifier is a good match to any high performance headphone or stereo sound system.
View at TechPowerUp Main Site
PM-1 Planar Magnetic Headphones
The OPPO PM-1 Planar Magnetic headphone offers a different way of thinking about planar magnetic technology. The PM-1 is characterized by a marriage of natural, dynamic, and engaging sound with an emphasis on comfort and reduced weight. It is a result of many years of R&D led by a team of passionate audio and acoustics engineers, chemical and material scientists, and audiophiles. The technology encompasses a wide range of innovative solutions that deliver exceptional performance.
The advantages of planar magnetic technology are based on the fact that in a planar driver, sound is generated by a very thin and light diaphragm that is driven evenly over the entire radiating area. Sound, entering our ear, has a planar wave front at the so called ear reference point (ERP), with all spectrum components in phase. A typical dynamic headphone driver, due to its phase irregularity, disrupts that coherence, resulting in less than perfect signal peak reconstruction, especially of very short impulses. A planar magnetic driver has another advantage that relates to its purely resistive impedance. It has a flat conductor pattern that does not have any inductive component, which eliminates inductance related IM distortion, common in dynamic headphones. A resistive load also ensures that any amplifier will drive the headphones without any changes in spectral balance.
OPPO uniquely integrates many innovations and proprietary methods developed over the years with the latest breakthroughs in materials and manufacturing techniques. Results of this research, focused on eliminating issues affecting many planar magnetic headphones, such as low sensitivity, weight, insufficient diaphragm stability, consistency and reliability, have been implemented in this new technology. The OPPO planar magnetic headphone uses an FEM optimized magnet system with very high energy Neodymium magnets. A large oval planar diaphragm is positioned in an evenly distributed symmetric magnetic field. The diaphragm has a spiraling pattern of flat conductors etched on both sides of a very thin polymer film. The magnetic system and conductor patterns are optimized for maximum driving force (sensitivity) and consistency of the applied force over the radiating area. The double-sided diaphragm has 7 layers of extremely thin materials, each doing a specific job for best performance, reliability and longevity.
These advantages of OPPO's high resolution planar magnetic technology and advanced headphone design provide for a very open, transparent, and highly dynamic sound that exhibits well-balanced tonal qualities with vanishingly low distortion, resulting in a headphone that communicates every nuance of your favorite music and ensures a high level of emotional engagement. With its classy, industrial fit and finish, the PM-1 is equally at home in an audiophile hi-fi system or on the go with a high resolution portable device.
HA-1 Headphone Amplifier
The OPPO HA-1 Headphone Amplifier builds upon the success of our BDP-95 and BPD-105 audiophile universal Blu-ray Disc players. The BDP-95 and 105 have been selected as "Recommended Components" by prestigious publications such as Stereophile and The Absolute Sound. Discerning listeners describe the players' DAC and analog output stage as very detailed, transparent and engaging. Bench tests indicate the players' performance approaching the measurable limit of audio analyzing instruments. Drawing upon the proven circuit design of these award-winning players, the HA-1 combines an uncompromising Class A balanced power amplifier section with the performance of the ESS 9018 Sabre32 Reference DAC.
OPPO designs the HA-1 headphone amplifier with the same universal approach as our Blu-ray players. The HA-1 is a high performance headphone amplifier, and it doubles as an asynchronous USB DAC, a stereo pre-amplifier, a digital audio dock for mobile devices, and a Bluetooth audio transport. Its fully balanced design and numerous inputs ensure the best in fidelity and versatility.
The analog audio section of the HA-1 is a fully balanced design with an emphasis on keeping the audio signal in the analog domain once it leaves the DAC. The HA-1 is anchored by a beefy toroidal power transformer. Linear power regulators and filters with custom made capacitors ensure that the headphone amplifier has a clean power source with plenty of reserve energy. The power amplification section uses hand-picked and paired discrete components to ensure symmetry. A motor-driven precision volume control knob enables both hand adjustment and remote control while keeping the audio in a pure analog audio path. Users have a choice of using the 4-pin balanced XLR or the traditional quarter-inch headphone jack. Line level analog inputs and outputs are provided with both RCA and balanced XLR sockets. Built-in monitoring and protection circuitry guards against any mishaps such as short-circuiting, overloading, and DC offset that could lead to degraded performance.
The HA-1 is especially suitable for high-resolution digital audio. Its digital inputs include coaxial, optical, balanced AES/EBU, and an asynchronous USB DAC that supports both PCM and DSD formats. The same ESS 9018 Sabre32 Reference DAC and output driving stage used in our audiophile Blu-ray players ensures extremely low noise and low distortion performance. It is easy to connect the HA-1 to a computer via USB and enjoy jitter-free music using your favorite playback software. OPPO is also working with a leading smartphone and tablet manufacturer to certify the HA-1 so it can pass the required authentication and take digital audio from those popular mobile devices. For additional convenience, the Bluetooth audio transport with high quality Apt-X CODEC sets music in your mobile phones free with a performance boost.
The HA-1 sports a classic design with contemporary elements. It is a desktop component housed in an aluminum chassis, and the familiar volume and source selection knobs are aided by a 4.3-inch screen for easy operation. Depending on your preference or even the mood of the music being played, you can choose between a classic VU meter, a modern spectrum display, or a simple informational summary on the screen. A supplied IR remote and a smartphone app via Bluetooth provide complete control and convenience.
With its exemplary sound quality, versatile connectivity, and energetic driving power, the HA-1 headphone amplifier is a good match to any high performance headphone or stereo sound system.
View at TechPowerUp Main Site
