[XERO1]

https://www.tomchr.com/products/hpa-1
__________

This is Tom Christiansen's (of Neurochrome) newest headphone amp.

Looks pretty sweet!

$749 (first 40 units pre-order price)
$899 (regular price)

Expected to ship in January 2020

- Specs -
Output Power = 1.0 W 20 Ω
Output Power = 1.0 W 32 Ω
Output Power = 250 mW 300 Ω
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) < -130 dB (300 Ω, 100 mW, 1 kHz)
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise (THD+N) = 0.0003 % (-110 dB) (300 Ω, 100 mW, 1 kHz)
Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) < -112 dB (18+19 kHz @ 1:1, 300 Ω, 100 mW)
Multi-Tone Intermodulation Residual < -140 dBr (AP 32-tone, 300 Ω, 100 mW)
Gain = 0 dB (1x) or +12 dB (4x)
Input Sensitivity = 2.8/0.7 V RMS (Low/High Gain, 32 Ω, 200 mW)
Output Impedance = 35 mΩ (1 kHz)
Channel Separation = 95 dB (1 kHz)
Dynamic Range (AES17) = 130 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio = 132 dB
Residual Mains Hum & Noise = 1.25 µV RMS (A-weighted)
Mains Voltage Requirements = 80–264 V AC / 47–440 Hz
Size = 140 x 55 x 210 mm (W x H x D) = 5.5" x 2.2" x 8.25" (W x H x D)
Weight = 850 g = 1.9 lbs
Designed and Manufactured in Canada

 

[escalibur]

Looks solid but I think the price will put off a lot of potential buyers. Especially with so many options (Archel 2/2.5, THX 789, THX 887, SMSL SP200, Topping DX7 Pro (has a balanced DAC included)), in sub $700 category (or even $800 with shipping and customs included). Yes this might have more power but it would still be hard to justify the 30-40% extra price especially if you dont own such power demanding headphones.

At sub $400 this would be an excellent option.


Just my 2 cents..

 

[XERO1]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ansen-audio-hpa-1-headphone-amp-review.10416/

 

[PaganDL]

Just my 2 cents,

I looked at this a while back, was very tempted as design specs are among the best I've seen for a potentially simple & affordable, especially when the early adopt price was $595 inc Shipping but given where I am, the exchange rate is average 1.8 x so had to make a hard pass as the price in local currency was even harder to swallow.
Hope those who swing for this enjoy it.

Hope everyone has a great day !

 

[elira]

@tomchr what is the slew rate of the HPA-1?

 

[tomchr]

@tomchr what is the slew rate of the HPA-1?

±17 V/µs (symmetric). The slew rate is mainly limited by the RFI/EMI filter on the input.

Tom

 

[K3cT]

$899 and not even a line out or pre out?

 

[Jon L]

FYI, as one can plainly see, all the photo links here appear broken.

 

[adydula]

After several days with the HPA-1 and having a really GREAT time with it over a wide variety of headhones and dacs....(just got thru using that great measuring Topping D90!) I can say the amp is about as perfect as one could engineer and build.

But like all things there are things I do not like about it, which IMO may or may not be of a concern to you?

So here is "my" pro and con list:

PRO: Great Specifications, Transparent, Ample Power. Balanced and SE Inputs, Easy to understand and use front panel layout. A nicely visable mark on the volume knob to help see where the actual position is....some amps dont have this !!

CONS: PRICE, less than desireable case...like an advanced DIY case IMO. No XLR output for XLR balanced headphones. 2 yr warranty, even the sappy verbiage manufacturers have a 5 yr warranty on their "good" stuff and even Monoprice has a 3 yr warranty on there $400 THX AAA amp?

Even though an amp has spectacular measurements there are a few more things to look at other than the numbers!

Alex

 

[adydula]

Looks like TCA has changed its warranty!!

This is a good thing a step in the right direction.

Almost as good as some other amp makers that have a 5 yr warranty on stuff thats less than $500:

Schitt Lyr $499 - 5 yr warranty
Hagerman Labs - Tuba amp $649 - 10 year warranty
Schitt Jotenheim - $399 - 5 years.

Even a $400 Monprice THX AAA has a 3 year warranty

When vendors make good stuff, which the HPA-1 is.....and claim superior parts....then I would hope they would step up to the plate
with a equal or better warranty.

Alex

 

[paradoxper]

You could have definitely increased your price to $2299 with the 4-pin XLR.

 

[adydula]

But really is there that much of a difference between SE over XLR???

Some think so..

 

[paradoxper]

But really is there that much of a difference between SE over XLR???

Some think so..

Oh, just a difference of $1400 more in sales.

 

[willywill]

Really, Rupert Neve is a living legend no way you can compare and this might be the last amp that he will get to test and approve before he gone.
$900 for a amp you can buy find in the $100-$200 rang is way over price and you still need a source to match

 

[adydula]

To be frank looking at the THX AAA amp from Monoprice for $400 compared to the $899 HPA-1 its hard for me to justify the $599 difference. Even with the claims that the HPA-1 is a better built amp and has better parts. Made in Canada vs a Chinese made unit. But as always the race to the bottom can not be ignored, its a reality. So us consumers have many choices and IMO this is great for us out here in headphone land.

To some paying $899 for an amp over a similar spec amp for $400 is indeed worth it. But many will look at the missing features, good or bad, as a determining factor in purchasing one or the other.

The HPA-1 as noted does not have a balanced headphone jack, while the Monoprice THX AAA has one, only 2 gain switches on the HPA-1 vs 3 settings on the Monoprice one. Until recently the HPA-1 only had a 12 month warranty while the THX Monoprice amp had a 3 yr warranty right out of the box. But recently TCA updated its warranty into a 3 tier warranty based on price, and the HPA-1 now has a similar 3 yr warranty, this is a good thing!

Even when I compared the Schitt Magni 3 (not the new better measuring versions ie the Magni 3+ or Magni Hersey) listening and AB'ing both amps provided a wonderful listening experience and this is with a $99 amp compared to a $899 amp!

My hats off to TCA with their HPA-1, but IMO for that price you really should have the features and connectivity that a $400 amp has and explanations as to why the amp is what it is, is great but people will vote with their wallets as to which one they would purchase.

Alex