Images of USB DAC Headphone Amplifier
Images of USB DAC Headphone Amplifier
Images of USB DAC Headphone Amplifier
The Way The Artists Truly Intended

Enjoy the subtlest nuances of studio-quality sound in higher-than-CD quality with High-Resolution Audio. Passion for music unites every component from signal to speaker, so it feels like the artist is performing right in front of you.

Enhance the quality of everything you listen to

Enjoy more authentic sound from your High-Resolution Audio and MP3 music

Hear sound that’s closer to the original recording. This USB digital-to-analogue 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. 

Pulse Code Modulation
Pulse Code Modulation

Listen in the best possible sound quality through a variety of devices – PC, iPhone/iPad and Xperia™ smartphone – with up to 384 kHz/32-bit PCM encoding.

Direct Stream Digital
Direct Stream Digital

Hear the authentic, intimate detail of analogue sound from your digital audio with Double DSD (5.6MHz) and DSD (2.8MHz) high-quality digital audio coding.

Ultra high frequencies
Ultra high frequencies

Feel sound beyond natural hearing with exceptionally high frequencies up to 100kHz.

Superior conversion, purer sound

Most portable devices include a simplified DAC converter, resulting in slightly compromised sound quality. This dedicated USB DAC amplifier takes over processing from your device, then amplifies sound for headphone listening using a custom-tuned, precision analog amplifier.

Image of PHA-3 showing design of the top with Hi-Res Audio logo in gold
Image of PHA-3 showing normal and balanced connections, and volume dial
Made for High-Resolution Audio 

With this separate USB DAC amp linking your headphones and a compatible PC, smartphone or Walkman®, you’ll enjoy higher quality High-Resolution Audio sound. The amp supports the very latest 384kHz/32-bit PCM and 5.6MHz Double DSD formats.

Two Micro USB ports
Two micro USB inputs and charge port

Get connected. Hook up your PC, selected smartphones, or Apple iOS device with two Micro USB inputs, and charge while you listen with a dedicated micro USB port.

Stereo and Balanced audio jacks
Stereo and balanced audio output

Listen through the stereo jack, or connect with a balanced audio cable – left and right outputs ensure authentic, even sound.

Optical connector
Optical input

Connect to HDD and SACD players with an optical connecter, supporting up to 192Hz/24bit PCM input.

What is High-Resolution Audio?

High Resolution Audio refers to a collection of digital processes allowing the capture and playback of music using higher sampling rates than those used in CDs.

High frequency recording
Record at a higher frequency than CD

High-Resolution Audio typically records at 96kHz/24-bit or even 192kHz/24-bit – much higher than CD.

Ultra wide frequency range
Hear more realistic, emotive sound

While CDs and MP3s top out around 20kHz, High-Resolution Audio supports frequencies above 24kHz (as high as 100kHz on this model) and a wider dynamic range.

Go beyond CD quality

Upscale MP3, ACC, ATRAC, and WMA music files

DSEE HX upscales compressed digital music by restoring the subtleties lost in compression. The result is rich sound, closer to the quality of High-Resolution Audio.

DSEE HX
Balanced audio

Superior sound from a balanced audio output

Enjoy clear, precise, dynamic sound with a balanced cable. Two audio channels, each with an independent ground wire, use an inverted phase signal to reduce unwanted noise that is picked up as the signal passes through the wire from source to amplifier. The result — superior sound, delivered with clarity.

Sony Design
Negative Space

Showing what's behind premium audio. Discover inside stories on design inspiration.

Specifications & Features

Hear sound that’s closer to the original recording. This USB digital-to-analogue 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.
  • High-Resolution Audio compatible

  • DSEE HX upscales music to near High Resolution sound quality

  • Drive headphones with more power than portable devices

  • Compatible with USB Audio, PCM 384 kHz/32-bit, DSD

  • Balanced audio output for clear, precise sound

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