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AMP Performance
The HO150X is a linear amplifier that promises ample power in exchange for a small space on your desk. The main goal here is to amplify the signal without introducing coloration or saturation with the lowest possible distortion. I paired it with a couple of DACs, headphones, and active speakers, and I must say that I am impressed by this small unit. The amp reflects the source and the pairing as-is without any unwanted saturation. It has a neutral signature that does not manipulate the DAC or the headphones you pair it with. It can drive my Hifimans (XS & Nano) to unbearably high volume without introducing distortion into the equation.
My listening impressions were quite positive with the HO150X. The HO150X sounds immensely clean with the Ananda Nano, paired with the E30 II DAC from Topping. The stage was wide and relatively deep, with sharp and definitive instrument positioning. Tonality felt accurate, and the instruments and their note weight felt natural. I also listened to my active reference monitors (Alpha 80s) via HO150X as the preamplifier. Setting them up and controlling the volume using the pot was straightforward.
Let’s clash it against some of today’s popular amps.
Comparison
vs. Topping L30 II ($149 USD)
The L30 II is Topping’s budget desktop amplifier that has been priced similarly to the HO150X. Both amplifiers use a similar approach as NFCA and PLFC are more alike than different; both amplifiers are powerful, linear, and true to the source.
The HO150X is capable of dishing out 3W into a 32-ohm load, whereas the L30 II can do 2.5W. Frankly, I don’t have any can that requires that much power, and I don’t really know anyone who does, but more power headroom means less distortion if implemented correctly, so I’m not complaining!
Both amplifiers provide distortion-free amplification for my Edition XS and Nano, two planars in my inventory that I listen to regularly. Using K9 Pro ESS as the DAC in pure DAC mode (4vrms), hearing the difference between the mentioned amplifiers was hard. To my ears, the L30 II felt slightly more neutral with a somewhat more linear low-end, whereas the HO150X felt a tad meatier in the mid-bass section of the spectrum.
Feature-wise, L30 II does not have a fake balanced headphone output for convenience and does not come with XLR inputs, so I/O-wise, HO150X is the winner. Both amplifiers have similar build quality with aluminum chassis and similar anodized finish. Long story short, you can’t go wrong with any of the two, so decide based on which cables you currently have!
vs. JDS Labs Atom 2 Amp ($129 USD)
JDS recently introduced the Atom Amp 2, boasting refinements and upgrades while maintaining the core transparency and value that made the originals popular.
According to JDS, the Atom Amp 2 is the best Atom you can own, built in an all-metal chassis with an easier-to-grip knob, featuring both 4.4mm and 6.35mm SE outputs, DC protection, and stereo octo-buffers delivering 2.6W into a 32-ohm load. As you can see, all of these amplifiers have similar performance on paper, occupy similar space, and have similar feature sets, which makes it all harder to choose.
Well, SQ-wise, my favorite out of the three is the Atom 2 Amp, and the reason is that it feels most linear and neutral to my ears. It has relatively the biggest soundstage and best stereo separation out of the three; however, the difference is quite subtle, and I can only hear it with my custom in-ear monitors. It is extremely hard and nearly imperceptible through my headphones and reference monitors.
If I were you, I would confidently choose based on the I/O options and pricing. If you don’t need XLR, go for the Atom as it is cheaper than the HO150X. If you need XLR, an extra 20-30 bucks is not gonna render you bankrupt, as you are already looking at three top-value amplifiers that you can buy, and you can’t really get a better deal than this. I am extremely confident in saying this.
Last Words
The Drop + SMSL HO150X offers remarkable value for its $169 price tag. This compact, well-designed amplifier packs a powerful punch with a neutral signature that faithfully amplifies your source without coloration. With a wide range of I/O options, including XLRs and RCAs, it offers excellent versatility for its size. The HO150X stands up remarkably well to stiff competition from the likes of the Topping L30 II and JDS Labs Atom 2, delivering comparable performance in a competitive package. Whether you are looking for a powerful, transparent headphone amplifier or a compact pre-amp for your active monitors, the HO150X is a strong contender worthy of your time.
Summary
Pros
+ Excellent Price-to-Performance Ratio
+ Excellent Sound
+ Great I/O
Cons
– None at this price
Page 1: Drop + SMSL, HO150X, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality, Features
Page 2: JDS Labs Atom 2 DAC & AMP Stack Performance, Pairings & Comparison, Last Words
