Sony PHA-1 Manual

You can enjoy listening to audio devices, including smartphones and 
portable music players, with the unit. Before connecting, turn down the 
volume on the device and turn off the unit.

Other device

This unit

Audio cable (stereo mini) (supplied)

  If you connect the unit via a device with a built-in radio or tuner, broadcasts may not 

be received, or sensitivity may be reduced significantly.

  If there is noise in broadcasts, locate the unit farther away from the connected 

device and check whether reception improves.

  If you are listening to music too loudly, the battery may drain even if the unit is 

connected to a computer, or an AC outlet using the recommended USB AC adaptor 

(optional).

  If the battery level is too low, the unit may not turn on even when connected to a 

computer, or an AC outlet using the recommended USB AC adaptor (optional). In 

this case, charge the unit. For details, see 

“Charging the unit.”

  Connect the stereo mini plug to the unit.

  This unit does not support monaural headphones, headphones with a remote 

control, or headsets with a microphone.

For details, see 

“Connecting to the Audio Device.”

The POWER indicator lights up. Rotate the power/volume knob 
clockwise further to turn up the volume. The POWER indicator lights 
up green when the unit is turned on. When the battery level is low, 
the POWER indicator lights up orange.
Note

  When the unit is connected to a computer for the first time, it may take a while 

to recognize the unit.

Adjust the volume by the power/volume knob. Depending on the 
headphones, the volume may remain low, even if you turn the 
volume up to the max.
In this case, turn off the unit, set the GAIN select switch to HIGH, then 
turn on the unit. In normal use, the setting should be LOW. For 
details, see 

“To set the GAIN according to the headphones.”

  When connecting a device such as a smartphone or portable audio player, 

adjust the volume on the connected device beforehand. Depending on the 

device, audio output settings may be required.

You can set the GAIN select switch according to the connected 
headphones (default: LOW).
To change the GAIN setting, turn off the unit and set the GAIN select 
switch to HIGH.

You can fasten a connected device to the unit using the silicone belts 
(supplied).

Mount the connected device on the unit. Insert the lugs of the silicone 
belts into the slots on one side of the unit. Pull the belts over and insert 
the lugs in the slots on the other side, as shown below. (There are 4 
silicone belts supplied.)

  If the audio device does not mount on the rubber rails of the unit, insert the 

protection sheet (supplied) between this unit and the audio device, to reduce 

scratching.

  Sony is not liable for damage to an audio device caused by using the silicone belts.

  The silicone belts are not guaranteed to fasten all audio devices.

If you run into any problems using this unit, use the following checklist 
and read the product support information on our website. Should any 
problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.
No sound

 Check that the unit and the audio device are connected correctly.

 Check that the connected device is turned on.

 Check that the unit is turned on.

 Check that the input select switch is in the correct position for the 

connected audio device.

 Turn up the volume of the connected device.

 Turn up the volume of the unit.

 If the POWER indicator does not light up, charge the battery.

 Connect the headphone plug firmly to the unit.

 Check that the connected headphones are stereo, not monaural.

 The unit does not support the monaural headphones. Do not 

connect monaural headphones. It may cause a malfunction.

 Turn up the volume of your computer or software.

 If the unit was connected to the computer while using audio 

playback software, restart the audio playback software. 

 If the computer enters standby, sleep or hibernation mode, while 

the music is played back by using the audio playback software, 
restart the audio playback software.

 Check that the sound device settings of your computer are correct.

 For Windows 7/Windows Vista 

Click the [Start] menu, select [Control Panel], [Hardware and 
Sound], [Sound], [Playback] tab, select [PHA-1] for the playback 
device, then click [Set default]. 

 For Windows XP 

Click the [start] menu, select [Control Panel], [Sounds, Speech and 
Audio Devices], [Sounds and Audio Devices], [Audio] tab, then 
select [PHA-1] for [Default device] in the Sound playback menu.

 For Macintosh 

Click the [Apple] menu, select [System Preferences], [Sound], 
[Output] tab, then select [PHA-1] for [Select a device for sound 
output].

 The volume control of your computer or the audio playback 

software is set to suppress the sound. Cancel the setting.

 The computer does not recognize the unit as a USB device. Restart 

your computer.

 The CD-ROM drive does not support the digital reproduction 

function. Use a CD-ROM drive that supports the digital reproduction 
function.

 Digitally broadcast sound may not be output from a computer’s USB 

port. In this case, connect the AUDIO IN jack of the unit to the 
analog audio output of the computer.

 Turn up the volume of the connected device.

 Turn up the volume of the unit

 When using high-impedance headphones, set the GAIN select 

switch to HIGH.

 Use headphones that have a stereo mini plug. The unit supports 

headphones that have a stereo mini plug. If you use headphones/
headset with a remote control or microphone, there may be low 
sound or no sound.

 Charge the battery of the unit.

 When battery life reduces to half, the battery is approaching the end 

of its service life. Consult your nearest Sony dealer for replacement.

 If the audio device is connected to the AUDIO IN jack of the unit, 

turn down the volume of the connected device. 

 Set the equalizer setting of the connected device to off.

 Charge the battery of the unit.
The battery cannot be charged.

 Check that the unit and your computer are firmly connected using 

the micro-USB cable (supplied).

 Check that the computer is turned on and not in standby, sleep or 

hibernation mode.

 Check that the unit and the computer are directly connected, and 

not via a USB hub.

 Try the USB connection procedure again in cases other than those 

stated above.

 The USB port of the connected computer may have a problem. 

Connect the unit to another USB port of the computer if available.

 A USB AC adaptor that is not recommended is being used.

 The unit is turned on.

 Charging methods that are not supported may not be possible.

 The battery is fully charged. 

If the battery is fully charged, the CHG (charge) indicator (red) may 
blink and go off, and the charging may not be started. This is not a 
malfunction. For details, see 

“Charging the Unit.”

 If the unit is not used for a long time, the CHG (charge) indicator 

may take a while to light up red when you connect it to your 
computer. In this case, do not disconnect the micro-USB cable from 
the unit, and wait until the CHG (charge) indicator lights up red.

 Check that the unit and the computer are directly connected, not 

via a USB hub.

 The cable which is not supplied is used.

 A USB AC adaptor that is not recommended is being used.
Noise is generated.

 When connecting an audio device to the AUDIO IN jack of the unit, 

adjust the volume of the connected device, then turn up the 
volume of the unit.

 Keep the computer away from the unit.

 Restart the audio playback software.

 Turn off the connected audio device, then turn on it again.
Sound is interrupted when connecting to the computer.

 The CPU of your computer is overloaded. Exit other applications.

 Other USB devices are connected to your computer and being used 

simultaneously. Quit operating other USB devices.

 Remote control operation is not supported by this unit.
The microphone of the headset does not work.

 Headset microphones are not supported by this unit.
A connected radio or TV cannot receive a signal/ Noise is generated.

 Keep the connected device away from the unit.

  Do not put weight or pressure on this unit as it may cause the unit to deform during 

long storage.

  Do not drop the unit or subject it to external shock, as it may cause a malfunction.

  Clean the unit with a soft dry cloth.

  If there is noise while listening to the radio, etc., move the unit farther away from the 

connected device.

  Do not place the unit in a location where it is:

Subject to extreme high temperature (such as in a car with its windows closed).

Subject to direct sunlight or near a heat source.

Subject to mechanical vibration or shock.

Subject to a magnetic field. 

(such as near a magnet, speaker or TV).

Subject to excessive dust.

10 Hz – 100 kHz (AUDIO IN input)

Distortion 0.01% or less (1 kHz)

8 Ω - 600 Ω

1 Vrms (AUDIO IN)

Approx. 175 mW + 175 mW

 (8 Ω, 10 % distortion)

Approx. 26 mW + 26 mW

 (300 Ω, 10 % distortion)

Stereo mini jack

(Only a 3-pole stereo mini plug is 

supported. Other plugs, including 2-pole 

mini plug or 4-pole stereo mini plug, are 

not supported.)

Stereo mini jack

Micro-USB (type B)

Dedicated connector for iPod/iPhone/iPad

0 °C to 40 °C

5 °C to 35 °C

DC 3.7 V built-in lithium-ion rechargeable 

battery

AUDIO IN: Approx. 10 hours*

1

iPod/iPhone/iPad: Approx. 5 hours*

1

Approx. 4.5 hours*

2

*

1

 when using the unit at 1 mW + 1 mW 

output (24 Ω). Time may vary, 

depending on the immediate 

environment or conditions of use.

*

2

 Time required for empty battery to 

recharge.

Approx. 67 mm × 26 mm × 130 mm  

(2 

3

/

4

 × 1 

1

/

16

 × 5 

1

/

8

 in) 

(w/h/d, projecting parts are not included)

Approx. 220 g (8 oz)

USB input: Maximum 96 kHz/24 bit

PHA-1 (this unit) (1)

30pin-USB cable (1)

Audio cable for 

“WALKMAN” (1)

Micro-USB cable (1)

Stereo mini cable (1)

Silicone belt (4)

Protection sheet (1)

Operating Instructions (this manual) (1)

USB AC adaptor: AC-UD20 (optional)

Compliant OS:

Windows 7

Starter (SP1 or later)/Home Basic (SP1 or 

later)/Home Premium (SP1 or later)/

Professional (SP1 or later)/Ultimate (SP1 or 

later)

Windows Vista

Home Basic (SP2 or later)/Home Premium 

(SP2 or later)/Business (SP2 or later)/

Ultimate (SP2 or later)

Windows XP

Home Edition (SP3 or later)/ Professional 

(SP3 or later)/Media Center Edition 2004 

(SP3 or later)/ Media Center Edition 2005 

(SP3 or later)

Mac OS X (10.5.8 or later)

CPU: Pentium II 266 MHz or better

USB port (USB 2.0 Full Speed).
  The unit is not guaranteed to operate 

with all computers.

  The unit is not guaranteed to operate 

with home built computers, operating 

systems that are personally upgraded, 

or multiple operating systems.

  The unit is not guaranteed to operate 

with functions such as system suspend, 

sleep, or hibernation, on any computer.

Design and specifications are subject to 

change without notice.

 

“WALKMAN” and “WALKMAN” logo are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

  iPad, iPhone, iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple 

Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

 

“Made for iPod,” “Made for iPhone,” and “Made for iPad” mean that an electronic  

accessory has been designed to connect specifically to iPod, iPhone or iPad, 

respectively, and has been certified by the developer to meet Apple performance 

standards. Apple is not responsible for the operation of this device or its compliance 

with safety and regulatory standards. Please note that the use of this accessory with 

iPod, iPhone or iPad may affect wireless performance.

  Macintosh and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other 

countries.

  Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are registered trademarks or trademarks of 

Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are trademarks or registered 

trademarks of their respective holders. In this manual, TM and ® marks are not 

specified.

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