Headphone Amps

A good headphone amp will make a modest headphone soar, by improving dynamics and revealing details as they exist in the recording. I'm very lucky to have several very musical headphone amps.

Why would you even want a headphone amp?

If you’ve invested in a high end set of phones, these can be very demanding. They will reveal every fault in the headphone circuit of your amp or CD player, and they may be an electrical mismatch in terms of impedance or sensitivity for the headphones. With a mismatch, there will be an uneven frequency response, poor dynamics or an inability to drive the phones to realistic levels. You’ll also hear a very flat sound stage, with sounds at each ear rather than appearing solid in space as with the best equipment. A headphone amp can remedy these deficiencies by providing better dynamics, smoother frequency extension, and improved soundstage imaging. I'm very lucky to have enjoyed several musical headphone amps.

From Canada:

Bryston Headphone Amplifier, BHA-1 (20-yr warranty)

Manual:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/631496/Bryston-Bha-1.html

For my unit: Nicknamed, "Shogun".

Intermodulation Distortion SMPTE was 0.00093% (Left), 0.00156% (Right)

Unweighted S/N (0.5W @ 22 Hz-22 KHz; dB below rated output): -108 dB L/R

Power (continuous):

Max: 2 W/chan into 32 ohms @ 1% THD

Rated: 500 mW/chan into 32 ohms @ 0.005% THD

Reviews:

http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/bryston_bha1.htm

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showpost.php?p=882893&postcount=1

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1212/headphone_amplifier_shootout.htm

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/bryston-bha-1-fully-balanced-headphone-amplifier

http://hometheaterreview.com/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amppreamp-reviewed/

http://canadahifi.com/bryston-bha-1-headphone-amplifier-review/

http://everythingaudionetwork.blogspot.ca/2012/12/audiophile-review-bryston-bha-1.html

My opinion: Absolute headphone heaven!

This has it all. A differential amp with a signal/noise of >105dB! Balanced in/out (unbalanced too), gain adjustment, and even a 3.5mm input jack for an iPod. Uncolored and transparent to the source; drives many headphones with authority. Spacious sound with high clarity, and excellent dynamics. A keeper. IMO, this is the world's finest headphone amp. Pair this with the balanced out of my DAC, to enjoy CDs and digital files played through the sublime BCD-1 or BDP-2. Note: This can authoritatively drive THREE headphones. Two from the SE jack using a Y-cable, one from the XLRs. Power prolificus. So bring friends over! Headphones: HE560, HD650

Bryston's Customer Service: Top Guns

A few years ago, I wanted the gain reduced on my BHA-1, so that I may use the volume knob nearer to its full range. James Tanner referred me to Mike Pickett at Bryston, who then provided circuit adjustment details (a single resistor needed to be changed) to my local dealer. I brought my BHA-1 in for modding. Done within hours. That's fast and effective servicing, all gratis. Thanks!

Bryston BHA-1

Inputs: Balanced XLR Pair, Single Ended Pair (RCA), 3.5mm Stereo Mini Jack

Outputs: Balanced XLR (4 Pin), Bal XLR Pair (3 Pin), 6.3mm SE Jack

Preamp Outputs: Balanced XLR Pair

Control: Remote Trigger Input (5 - 12V AC/DC @10mA)

IM distortion: <.001%

Harmonic Distortion: <.003% at 32 Ohms at 100 mW (20Hz -20kHz)

S/N: >105dB

Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz ± .1dB

Balance control: Included

Analog Output: Six fully discrete Class A Bryston operational amplifiers

Gain: 14dB or 20dB switchable

Input impedance: 10 kOhms

Volume control: High quality Noble stereo volume control (laser trimmed)

Connectors: All gold plated

Finish: Available with Silver or Black Faceplate (2U)

Faceplate: 17" or 19" Faceplate available

Dimesions: 3⅛" x 17" x 11¼" (HWD) or 3⅛" x 19" x 11¼" (HWD)

Weight: 3.63 kg

Rack Mounting: Available only in 19" Black

XLR Output connectors: Locking mechanisms, Female or Male Balanced XLR available