From Arcam, a company long known for its class-leading integrated amplifiers, the rHead is a compact, solidly built headphone amplifier with a truly linear class-A design. This results in absolutely no crossover distortion, allowing the rHead to cleanly drive high-end—and often power-hungry—headphones and deliver pure, natural, and engaging sound. The circuitry has been optimized with multiple ultra-low-noise power supplies and a fully direct-coupled signal path, and the ultra-linear analog volume control eliminates the tracking errors often found in other potentiometer-based volume controls. For listening flexibility, it features both RCA and XLR inputs and 3.5- and 6.35-millimeter sockets.

Here’s what InnerFidelity’s John Grandberg had to say: “First, and most obvious, are its sonic properties, which I find quite satisfying across the board. It's a clean, neutral sound with excellent resolution that avoids any faux-HiFi shenanigans. This comes in a well-built, attractive, and relatively compact presentation suitable for integration into most any system.”

• Audiophile class-A headphone amplifier
• ⅛ in (3.5 mm) and ¼ in (6.35 mm) headphones supported
• RCA and XLR inputs supported
• Ultra-linear analog volume control
• High-end audio circuitry
• Comprehensive protection systems
• Stylish cast-aluminum casework
• Designed in the UK