Specifications
Input impedance 47 kohms
Maximum gain setting 12 dB with maximum potentiometer setting
Analogue frequency response 10 Hz (-0,3 dB) to 35 kHz (-1 dB)
Analogue S/N ratio > 85 dB at +0 dB gain
Analogue THD < 0,006 % at 18 mW/330 ohms
Channel separation > 80 dB at 10 kHz
Power output ≠ 330 ohms/110 mW ≠ 33 ohms/180 mW
Output impedance ≠ Line out 105 ohms ≠ Phones out 5 ohms
Audio Connections ≠ Neutrik headphone sockets with gold-plated contacts ≠ 1 x switching line out, 1 x non-switching line out ≠ Line in/line out: RCA
Power consumption in operation app. 4 W through external wide range wall power supply (without any optional pc board)
Enclosure dimensions W x D x H 160 mm x 120 mm x 43 mm (audio section)
Weight 0,5 kg (1.1 lbs.) net (audio section)
Kenneth Louw
So basically….another good review, Lieven?
Lieven
Really really nice, if not it wouldn’t have gone on the recommended amp list.
Why would I choose crappy gear to review? Just so I can say it sucks and write something bad about it? I’d rather invest my valuable time in good sounding gear. Within that group there are enough levels already
dale thorn
With a DC input, I wonder if it would perform better in the deep bass if you switched the power supply, like maybe a car battery with a voltage splitter.
Mark
Am i missing something, I can’t find the HD660s review? I could have sworn that Lieven posted a review but i can’t find it anywhere now.
Lieven
It was a Sunday preview to the review which will be up I think next week or the week after.
James Ng
How does it compare to Lehmann audio BCL? What are your thoughts on it?
Lieven
I might find out soon
dale thorn
I have the Lehmann Traveler amp, which despite its small size (slightly smaller than this one) is a good performer. I think it outperforms most of the amp sections of the small DAC/amp combos today. The Portaphile Micro that was reviewed here that I purchased was another good small amp (no DAC, just amp).
I haven’t heard other Lehmann amps, but I’ve heard a lot about the Black Cube and how well it drives the big Sennheisers.
Marius S
Great, great review Lieven. Nice to discover new gear with “high ambitions”.
Now, the obvious question: How does it compares to Bottlehead Crack (BH) with HD650 ?
Is this Champion reaching the hights of BH ? Or, still the BH has the sweet spot with the HD650?
Lieven
It’s different. I still place the BHC very high. But ss amps like the Violectric, Lakepeople, A20 and Drachenfels are also really good. If you can, go OT with BHC, 339 or even the HA2-SE though
Carcara
are these indications in descending order?
Lieven
No no, they’re random
Caruryn
Great review,Lieven and it might convince me to buy this amp for the HD 660S which i enjoy a lot.Thinking of using mojo as a dac and Drachenfels as amp but can you connect them in stock form or do you have to order the coax or usb version of the amp?
Lieven
thanks!
All you need is a 3.5mm to RCA cable, and then set mojo to line out. That’s it. Great combo
Tim
I like your reciew!
How do you compare it to the Graham Slee Solo?
Lieven
I don’t have that one I’m afraid
chorilias
Hello Lieven! Congrats for your great and accurate reviews! I’d like to ask what you would choose for use with Sennheiser HD660: the Lehmann Audio Drachenfelt or the Lake People HPA RS 02 which is also on your recommendation list? I live in Greece and the end price (including shipping costs) is quite similar for both amps. The problem is we have no chance to demo them!
Lieven
Well, they’re both excellent, can’t go wrong with either. The Lakepeople has the advantage of the gain setting on the back.
CHORILIAS
Lieven one last question: I found yesterday a deal for a used Violectric V200 amp for the same price. Would this amp be more future proove and a step up soundwise compared to the previously mentioned Lehmann Audio Drachenfels & Lake People HPA RS 02? I would appreciate your subjective opinion. Thanks.
Lieven
I would say so yes, it’s one hell of an amp!
vignelli
hey lieven
please review HeadAmp Gilmore Lite Mk2 please
i tend to buy it for my afo
Lieven
hi! If you send me one I’ll think about it 😉
Thomas Köhler
Hi,
is the Aune X7S as good as the Drachenfels?
Best regards
Thomas
Lieven
I have not had the opportunity to compare them. Sorry
Wills
Hi Lieven, is it possible to use an iem with this amp? Will there be too much hissing? Thanks
Lieven
Oh yes, by all means
Ken
Is this still worth buying in 2021? The bare essentials model. Or has it been superseded. One barely finds any reviews on this – yours is definitely the most detailed.
How does it compare to the ifi Zen? Or the Lindemann Limetree? Or any others you know. Very keen on your reply as there really isn’t much out there on this amp, apart from the marketing info.
Thanks!
John
I’m thinking about buying this headphone amp, but i am confused about the 2 6.3mm headphone jacks in the front, how exactly does that work with only 1 input and no way of switching between the 2? Does it power both headphones connected simultaneously or does one output differ from the other in some way? I’m unsure what you mean by “One line switching line out and one non switching”, what exactly does this mean?
Thanks!
Lieven
no, it’s 2 outputs with the same source. So You can connect 2 headphones simultaneously, with the same music