Introduction

Fostex, known by many for their T50RP orthodynamic headphones recently released an innovative i-devices accessory. The HP-P1 unit allows for extraction of digital out from any modern Apple i-device. Unlike the analog line-out from the i-dock, the digital does not have to pass through the unit's internal DAC and therefore leaves the unit completely untouched. The HP-P1 can then via its own elaborate DAC setup convert the digital out to an analogue signal, and the trick here is that the HP-P1 uses a high quality DAC and amplification stage unlike anything ever incorporated into an i-device.

The HP-P1 can effectively turn any i-device into a high-performance headphone source or DAC. Fostex have graciously provided the HP-P1 with both analogue out and optical S/P-DIF.

Specifications

• Digital connection from iPod iPhone to HP-P1 via 30-pin dock connector
• High quality 32-bit DAC (AKM4480) and headphone amp for maximum sound quality
• Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (approx 7 hours)
• USB powered operation also available
• Hi/Mid/Low 3-step gain control on the headphone out drives all headphone types
• Auxiliary analog Line Input for other MP3 players
• S/PDIF Digital Out for professional recording
• Analog Line Out for connection to an analog amplifier or a recorder
• Unique Digital Filter - use regular filter or unique “minimum delay filter” without pre-echo
• Housed in a rigid aluminum alloy chassis
• Compatible with the following iPod/iPhones: iPod Touch (2nd, 3rd, 4th generation), iPod classic, iPod nano (4th, 5th, and 6th generation), iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS

The specifications look good except for when it comes to battery life.