EarMen ST-Amp Fully Balanced DAC / Headphone Amp / Preamp

The ST-Amp by EarMen is a fully balanced desktop headphone amplifier, featuring a pre-amp option plus integrated DAC.

ST-Amp has an extraordinary sound, whether it is listened to from an integrated DAC or an external, which is great news for all those who want to have everything in one device. The amplifier is carefully made for headphones, so you won’t experience unpleasant pop-and-click phenomena when switching it on or off.

The amplifier is fully balanced, so every sound from the inputs will become even cleaner and better. EarMen use the exact same topology for SE signals, so they become Balanced in a special way with almost no phase shift, additional noise or THD. This is excellent because the sound from the SE output does not lag behind the sound from the balanced output.

The headphones output is powered by two TPA6120 operational amplifiers, which have proven to be excellent in the audiophile world. To make the experience complete, EarMen use a high-quality balanced ALPS potentiometer that contributes to the sound remaining unchanged, and all users are satisfied during use.

ST-Amp delivers the sound so that your DAC can be heard better. Although many DACs have excellent specifications, it is not enough for the sound to fully express itself. ST-AMP fully utilizes the maximum dynamics provided by the sound source, so you will not be deprived of any detail. In addition, it very easily controls various headphone drivers, thus improving accuracy, neutrality and transparency.

Featuring a dynamic range greater than 126 dB will guarantee liveliness and musicality, allowing you to never have the feeling that you are missing something. With perfectly balanced sound and incredible dynamics, you will have the feeling of being in a concert hall.

On the back panel are SE and BAL Pre-Out outputs. This option allows the user to use the ST-Amp as a DAC and preamplifier for a much more powerful system. Analogue input or Digital / Integrated DAC gives you the freedom to listen to your favourite music from any source.

Very low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) is an important feature and as such EarMen take it very seriously. ST-Amp has extremely low THD which will allow you higher power factor, lower peak currents, and higher efficiency without distortions.

At the heart of the ST-Amp itself is a noiseless linear power supply with great stability, so it can easily provide enough power even for the most demanding headphones. Apart from the special topology of the amplifier, the power supply is worthy of excellent characteristics even at full power, which is often not the case with most amplifiers, so in their specifications you can find measurements but at half power.

Features

• Integrated DAC.
• Provides up to 1.85W of power.
• Fully balanced architecture.
• Low noise and distortion values.
• Twin TPA6120 audiophile op-amps.
• Balanced ALPS control for consistency.
• Aluminium chassis.
• Dedicated preamp output.

Specifications

• Inputs: RCA / 4.4 mm balanced / USB digital
• Outputs: 6.35 mm / 4.4 mm balanced
• THD: 0.0025 % (0.003 % balanced) @ 2 V
• Dynamic Range: >117.9 dB unbalanced / >121 dB balanced / @ 2V
• Frequency Response: ±0.003 dB unbalanced / ±0.007 dB balanced / @ 2 V
• DSD: 64 / 128 DoP
• DXD: 384 / 352.5 kHz
• PCM: Up to 384 kHz
• Dimensions: 170 x 30 x 150 mm
• Weight: 1.1 kg

More Information

• ST-Amp Desktop Headphone Amplifier, by EarMen