[RafaPolit]

Well, I'm also not a native English speaker, but this one is a no-brainer:
- Two forces fight for "Balance" (noun)
- Once the conflict is resolved, you end up with a "Balanced" scenario (adjective).  Not a "Balance" solution.
- The connector uses two signals that try to "Balance" the audio signals (noun), and you end up with a "Balanced" connector (adjective describing the connector).

But grammar and spelling aside, can you Jason please comment on the decision to go for 3.5mm instead of 1/4"?  It strikes me (and apparently others) as a weird decision.

Thanks,
Rafa.

[rustydoglim]

The decision for 3.5mm is because many newer and popular headphones and earphones are in that format.
See all the newest entry to mid price (for example, Sennheiser HD1 edition Pink Floyd) headphones.
The high end headphones use balanced connector.

[hlhsbrian]

I have HPA-9, was thinking about getting DAC-9 to pair with it.
Since DAC-9H is out. I can't decide to get HPA-9/DAC-9 combo or just get DAC-9H and sell the HPA-9 instead.
How does the headphone amp in the DAC-9H compare to HPA-9?
Is the 3.5mm out of DAC-9H designed only for low impedance headphone?
Will it drive 250 ohm headphone, such as beyer DT1990, properly?

[rustydoglim]

I think you should keep the HPA-9. It is under appreciated.