Thanks for the review. Just literally acquired one of these HO100 for a second system and concur with most of Ichos observations, so far overall IMHO an excellent amp all round.


I was similarly impressed with the SMSL sApII a few years ago but the HO100 is even better.
https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/sm...ereo-headphone-amplifier-golden.14675/reviews

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Compared the HO with the resident Bryston BHA-1 hooked up to the balanced outputs of a Cambridge Audio CXN V2 . With the gain set to medium spent time listening with the AKG K872s and also with the Focal Elegia, highs were pristine with no distortion, imaging and layering was distinct, HO100 may have slightly less base and harmonic complexities but may be cleaner overall without sounding clinical. Have yet to try the HD800S (need to dig out the single ended cable and although a pseudo balanced output on the HO100 I have a 4 pin XLR to 4.4 balanced adapter on the way).

Thank you. I am glad that your own impressions are close to my findings.
The case here is the same as with the HO200, the amplifier is slightly better from the DAC.
What an achievement for a humble amplifier to withstand the comparison with the mighty Bryston!

Can someone confirm the 4.4mm output on the HO100 is truly a Balanced output. Read another reviewer who mentioned this is not the case and it is the same as the 6.3 SE.

As far as I know, it is not a true balanced output, rather it is a convenience feature.

In the review it was mentioned by a mistake that the amplifier is balanced.
Now it is edited appropriately.