Product Comparison: Sony PHA-2A vs Sony PHA-3

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Sony PHA-2A Portable Headphone Amplifier

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Sony PHA-3 Headphone Amp, Black

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General Specifications

Brand

Sony

Model

PHA-2A

PHA-3

Origin

China

About the Product

Breathe new life into your music collection with the PHA-2A headphone amplifier. Just plug in your amp and discover the difference of balanced sound and High-Resolution Audio. Sit back, relax and hear sound that’s closer to the original recording.

This USB digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier takes over from your PC or mobile device’s built-in amp. Original digital audio – including High-Resolution Audio – is processed by the PHA-3, creating a dramatically superior soundstage for enhanced listening.

Key Specs

Built-in DAC

ES9018K2M

ES9018S

Type

Portable

Sample Resolution/Rate

32-bit / 192kHz

32-bit / 384kHz

Type
Sample Resolution/Rate

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Sony PHA-2A Portable Headphone Amplifier

This amp does a great job of amplifying without distorting. If you start with hi-def files you'll be very pleased with the output quality.
Quite powerful, sound stage is great and has kicked some bass into my HD700.
The sound deserves five, but switching the wire in back between use and charging, usb connections do not lend themselves to this handily.
I'm using the Senny 700, in balanced mode, sounds very good.
Good sounding DAC. Highly recommended.

Sony PHA-3 Headphone Amp, Black

Superior sound excellence, flexibility, and feature usability. Pairs perfectly with high impedance ER-4S IEM and Sennheiser HD-800.
There are many fine headphone amplifiers with an integrated DAC, but the PHA-3 is surely one of the best and likely unmatched in flexibility and user features.
The PHA3 is very sleek and stylish. I don't have the other iteration of the line so I can't comment on the sound quality or ergonomics of each version.
The stereo separation is excellent. Bass is clear and strong. Subtle, delicate nuances are distinctly reproduced.
Great audio quality. I'm so happy with it. I love this thing. I bought Sony MDRZ7 and the sound quality is simply amazing!

Size & Weight

Color

Silver

Black

Height

0.91 in.

1.14 in.

Width

5.24 in.

5.53 in.

Depth

3.15 in.

Weight

10.23 oz.

10.58 oz.

Sony PHA-2A

Sony PHA-3

Sony PHA-2A

Sony PHA-3

Sony PHA-2A

Sony PHA-3

Sony PHA-2A

Sony PHA-3

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Sony PHA-2A Portable Headphone Amplifier

It's solid portable amplifier. Feel good to handle and listen.
The sound is outstanding! Good weight and size!
I like its portable size and nice sound. Great build.
The sound exceeded all my expectations. Great build and great size.
It's heavy DAC/AMP and battery life is not that great.

Sony PHA-3 Headphone Amp, Black

Awesome product with amazing quality built. Perfect size for me.
Everything was perfect and I love this product. Portable and handy dac/amp.
Small size in a very convenient and attractive form factor.
I like the compact size of the amp, which I can plug in anywhere inside the house or on the back patio.
It is small and transportable but I wouldn't use it as a portable.

Features

Enclosure Material

Aluminium

Max. Frequency Response

100 kHz

Min. Frequency Response

10 Hz

Controls

Power / Volume, Gain

Gain, DSEE HX switch, Power / Volume, Input Selector, Output select switch

OS Compatibility

Apple OS, Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Android, Linux

Apple OS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Apple iOS, Android

Wireless Connection

Interfaces

USB, Phones, Balanced Phones Jack, Jack for Walkman Xperia

Jack for Walkman Xperia, Line Out, Optical Input, USB, Balanced Phones Jack, Phones

Extras

High-Resolution Audio, Balanced audio cuts cross-talk, Clock generator, Built-in Lithium-ion battery

High-Resolution Audio, Upscale MP3 tracks, Balanced audio cuts cross-talk, Built-in Lithium-ion battery

Min. Frequency Response
Max. Frequency Response

Sony PHA-2A

Sony PHA-3

Sony PHA-2A

Sony PHA-3

What customers say about "Features"

Sony PHA-2A Portable Headphone Amplifier

Balanced output will give you better left/right separation and a sharper image.
Got this dac/amp for the balanced connection. Works very well with my XBA-Z5 together with the MUC-M12SB1 cable.
This has no problem with driving high impedance headphones.
Very clean sound, paring with sony MDR-EX 1000 in balanced connector.
DAC itself is great however it does not compatible with iphone 7.

Sony PHA-3 Headphone Amp, Black

I like single ended output for regular devices and balanced output for specially cabled headphones.
It works on Windows, Mac and Chromebook Pixel. On Windows, you will need to install drivers and it worked on Windows 10. I carry it with me all the time.
That sound is awesome and worth the money especially if you plan on using it with Tidal HiFi.
The only drawback is the battery time. It runs for 4 to 5 hours on a charge, and you cant charge it while its playing.
The sound of the PHA-2 seems fuller, richer and less veiled than the 3.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications