[YooperAudio]

Hi - I'm currently evaluating a Benchmark HPA4 headphone amp.

I like a lot. A LOT. I'm driving it via a Benchmark DAC3 HGC, and it sits in front of a Benchmark AHB2 power amp. Senn HD800S HPs complete that picture.

But the HPA4 costs a LOT - $3K (at least that's a lot for me). That part I don't like. But the HPA4 has some pretty impressive performance numbers, and it delivers some amazing sound.

I would love to hear some suggestions for higher-end headphone amp alternatives that you think I should be considering in the "up to $3K" price range - alternatives that you think would offer comparable performance/value compared to the HPA4. I don't need a DAC in the HP amp. Balanced audio inputs/outputs are required, and I'd prefer a balanced headphone output as well. Remote control is a definite want as well. Not looking for tube amp solutions - I want to keep the audio chain as uncolored and clean as possible all the way to the AHB2 and speakers.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Rhamnetin]

Definitely consider the Mjolnir Audio Pure BiPolar. It is much less costly, and also in the very top tier for solid state headphone amplification. Not only that but it is fully balanced, and converts single ended input into balanced without extra circuitry (super symmetry inputs).

It has a no compromise build quality and uses one of the best headphone amp circuits AND linear power supplies ever designed, the Dynalo and Golden Reference Low Voltage respectively. The amps are fully discrete and incredibly linear and delivers lots of pure class A power (no class AB here), so this is an amp that does not color the sound, and the PSU delivers under 1 microvolt of noise. Build quality is perfection too, and conveniently assembled thanks to its use of connectors and the spacing of components.

​

At this price range I'd only consider the Pure BiPolar, HeadAmp GS-X Mk2 (which is also a balanced Dynalo but requires a balanced source in order to operate balanced), and maybe the Benchmark HPA4 but I believe that is only a class AB amp.

 

[SalR406]

Violectric HPA V281
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/violectric-hpa-v281-vorsprung-durch-balanced.705318/

I don't own one and haven't even auditioned one, but it seems like an option worth considering, in this category, at a slightly lower price point.

 

[hontored]

I own both the v281 and HPA 4. I think the hpa 4 has more details but it is very subtle. The v281 is on the warm side.
All in all I prefer the HPA4

 

[someguyontheinternet]

Monolith THX 887 has the same SINAD as the HPA4. With both being THX amps you can expect similar performance for close to 1/10th of the price.

 

[sarudia]

Hi - I'm currently evaluating a Benchmark HPA4 headphone amp.

I like a lot. A LOT. I'm driving it via a Benchmark DAC3 HGC, and it sits in front of a Benchmark AHB2 power amp. Senn HD800S HPs complete that picture.

But the HPA4 costs a LOT - $3K (at least that's a lot for me). That part I don't like. But the HPA4 has some pretty impressive performance numbers, and it delivers some amazing sound.

I would love to hear some suggestions for higher-end headphone amp alternatives that you think I should be considering in the "up to $3K" price range - alternatives that you think would offer comparable performance/value compared to the HPA4. I don't need a DAC in the HP amp. Balanced audio inputs/outputs are required, and I'd prefer a balanced headphone output as well. Remote control is a definite want as well. Not looking for tube amp solutions - I want to keep the audio chain as uncolored and clean as possible all the way to the AHB2 and speakers.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Hello, there. I know it's been a while, but I would like to ask: how big is the diference between the dac 3 hgc and the hpa4 as headphone amplifier? Did you find the dac 3 hgc much inferior? Thank you! All the best.

 

[tesarpa]

I own DAC3 DX, which unfortunately has no analogue input, so I can't bypass the DAC section there, but my impression is that this combo is not at the level of HPA4. It might be only because of the DAC section, who knows. When I had HPA4 on loan, it performed as proverbial wire with gain. No coloration, just amplifies the signal. So, perfect amplifier I guess.