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jlobdell1944
14
Feb 25, 2018
Anyone who immediately dismisses a headphone amplifier because it is not balanced should read this monograph: https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/application_notes/audio-myth-balanced-headphone-outputs-are-better The argument made by the author is that, far from improving performance, balanced headphone amplifiers actually degrade it. This amp is true dual mono, single ended and definitely tube without being "tubey", and it's only $630.00 including shipping from China. If you buy one from Yuking Audio-Video Lab (the manufacturer), it will cost you $730-750 plus $120 shipping. As a bonus, because it's an OTL, it works best with high impedance phones that don't work well with most solid state headphone amps.
TheHun
102
Feb 26, 2018
jlobdell1944the posted power output is only 600mw but doesn't say into what resistance, if it's into 600ohms I would say that's pretty good, if it's into 32ohms, then fuggeraboutit.
jlobdell1944
14
Feb 26, 2018
TheHunThere is an extensive review of an early version of the amp in Headfonia found here: https://www.headfonia.com/lafigaro-339-my-fav-otl-amp/ Newer version uses some better quality parts like Mundorf caps, "USA" RCA inputs and a Neutric headphone jack. The amp does well driving high impedance headphones like the Beyerdynamic T1 (600 ohm) and the Sennheiser HD 650 (300 ohm). I don't know (or care) how it would fare driving 32 ohm cans. LaFigaro claims the amp delivers 800mw - 1w/channel into loads from 250-600 ohms. In this price range, the Audeze Deckard handles low impedance phones very well (output is 4W @ 20 ohms), sounds excellent and includes a 32 bit DAC. Both are superb amps, but aimed at very different end users.
TheHun
102
Feb 26, 2018
jlobdell1944Yeah my point was if it was rated at 32 ohms than the rating for 600 ohms would much lower, so I'm simply try to establish it's true objective power not hear say like it drives so and so headphone well etc... or even MFR's unverified claims. This hobby needs more third party measurements as we have plenty of subjective opinions.
jlobdell1944
14
Feb 26, 2018
TheHunOTL amps don't develop their highest output at low impedences, but at high impedences. So, the LaFigaro is perfectly happy driving 600 ohm loads. As an example, the Schiit Valhalla 2, also an OTL amp, delivers 800mw into a 300 ohm load and 450 mw into 600 ohms, but only 180mw into 50 ohms. Schiit doesn't even rate it at 32 ohms, but I suspect its output is "schiit". If you have 32 ohm cans, look elsewhere; this amp isn't for you. If you have 250-600 ohm headphones, you may be in the right place. If you want objective measurements, why not Google this amp and read one or two. This amplifier has been around since 2012; by now, there are probably a lot of them. Incidently, your comment "if it was rated at 32 ohms than (sic) the rating for 600 ohms would (be) much lower" is dead wrong. For OTL amps, exactly the opposite is true.
MarcSpence
180
Apr 13, 2018
TheHunFrom what I have read, this will drive low impedance planars without issue
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