[FS] Fostex HP-V1 prototype porta-amp ($100+shipping)

This sale is going to hurt because I'm fond of this amp, but eh. Up for grabs is a Fostex HP-V1 hybrid tube porta-amp.

Spoiler: Listening Impressions

To paint a quick picture of how it sounds: you get comfy warmth and smooshed-down, smooth treble alongside better-than-most-portable-amps-that-I've-tried soundstage and decent layering for a hybrid. Gave me spooks compared to an iFi Micro iDSD used as an AIO. Excellent body at risk of bloominess depending on gear/music, and macrodetail and dynamics that's definitely mid-fi.

I liked pairing it with the TH-X00 Ebony save for the fact that it had way too much gain for me even on Low setting, and I was running into channel imbalance issues until around 10 o'clock which was just about tolerable. Do note that I'm a low-volume listener, you might not have this problem. I liked it more with the DT880 before I ended up selling them. I am not commenting on microdetail or microdynamics because I don't trust myself to comment on those aspects. The amp is great for high-impedance dynamics that have too much zing, e.g. just about every Beyerdynamic.

Doesn't like the HD650 much but is listenable with the HD800, even better with the HD600.

I got the amp off @Bill-P for $200 plus ~$50 shipping and customs to the Philippines (ugh) around April 2017, but you can have it for $100+shipping; you're looking at maybe $40-50 shipping via fancy courier because I do not trust local post. The tube maybe has another thousand+ hours left on it, if literature on the longevity of these tiny tubes is to be trusted. You can get replacement 6N16b-Q tubes on Alibaba for $42/10pcs— that might last you until your next upgrade. Maybe.

Only entertaining Friends and Contributors until next Friday (10 May 2019), then I open the gates to all. Those who offer to let me buy it back eventually may get priority

NOTES: One of the screws on the back plate fell out some time ago. Never bothered replacing it since it's more a tiny desktop amp than a pocketable one. Pretty standard-looking though, should be easy to replace. Moderate cosmetic wear noticeable after five seconds' staring. Battery still seems to last me a solid day of on-and-off listening. This is a show prototype with a 6.35mm jack instead of the 3.5mm one on the retail version. Pics to follow once I take a few.

 

Commencing buy-back...

Actually, I'll pass the deal on to someone else. This is a pretty good tube amp. I'd rate it a bit higher than the old Continental line-up. Would probably sound really good when paired with one of the recent EMU, Fostex, etc... biocellulose headphones. I think they tuned the amp toward those.

Good luck, brother!

 

+1 comparison to the Continental stuff. Was unimpressed with the ALO V4 compared to this, but decided not to say that because I'm obviously biased and my impressions cannot be trusted.

Plus the Continental stuff costs more so how the eff, yeah?

Thanks man! It's served me well but I've found something that suits the Klipsches better. Want to hold onto it for sentimental reasons, but the money would be nice.

 

Right, photos. Forgot. Will likely rain soon so some quick shots before I demonstrate why audio gear should not get soaked.


Also tossing in a short Fiio cable cuz I'll have no real use for it with the porta-amp gone.


Note the single missing screw. Back plate stays in place well enough even without:


And the charging cable. Infamously humid place means wiring doesn't usually fare well, so the sheath is a bit stiff. Needed a patchwork job:



Extra shots here: http://imgur.com/a/GDFlBKC

 

You know what, f**k it. Might as well try doing something nice for once.

Letting this go for cost of shipping to Friends (and Contributors that I get along with), provided they write impressions v. other gear they have lying around. This amp was my baseline so impressions will be useful to me when eventually buying new gear

(I'd cover shipping but sorry I can't quite manage that atm).

 

Very generous of you, but how about an alternative - supply it for the upcoming (or is it already under way?) SBAF cheap multi-amp loaner? That way you'll get multiple impressions and make a number of your Friends happy too.

 

.... You're a much smarter person than I am. Or it could be that I've been awake for about 17 hours now and shortly need sleep.

Pretty sure someone's gonna be mentally cursing you out for that but sounds like a plan! It's OOP and to my knowledge wasn't cheap to begin with, but I'll roll with it. @purr1n @zerodeefex @ChaChaRealSmooth + whomever else, will this qualify for a loaner? No obligation to me etc.

 

^ Great idea. Gives a different life to the item that more folks will get to try.

But, @Lyer25 is right, someone is probably cussing you under their breath for missing out on a free amp, lol.

 

Free amp that pairs really well with Denon and Fostex biodynas, which loads of people adore )

Mm, I don't really mind where it ends up though, so long as it's a good home. I've benefitted a lot from the forum, knowledge and deals alike. Just felt guilty not doing something in return yet, and I don't use it as much nowadays.

 

Please close, the amp's headed to @Sqveak, who will in turn owe me listening impressions v. every other amp they have