As mentioned here are the headline specs of the unit:
Total harmonic distortion + noise (SINAD)
1 kHz, POUT = 10 mW, RL = 128 Ω, 0.000071% –123 dB
1 kHz, POUT = 10 mW, RL = 32 Ω, 0.000158% –116 dB
1 kHz, POUT = 10 mW, RL = 16 Ω, 0.000224% –113 dB
IMD Intermodulation distortion
SMPTE/DIN two-tone, 4:1 (60 Hz and 7 kHz), G = 1, VO = 3 VRMS, RL = 2 kΩ, 0.000018% –135 dB
CCIF twin-tone (19 kHz and 20 kHz), G = 1, VO = 3 VRMS, RL = 2 kΩ, 0.000032% –130 dB
The amplifier achieves a very low, 2.8-nV/√Hz noise density with an ultra-low THD+N of –119 dB at 1 kHz and drives a 32-Ω load at 150- mW output power. That will drive insensitive HE560 to about 108dB, but further with a little more distortion (-119dB is practically non existent distortion
).
Note that I do have my own measurements but the performance of the unit exceeds that of my measurement equipment. Amir will be independently measuring the first production unit.
There will be changes to the casework, such as flush headphone socket and balanced inputs as well as the RCAs (this may be a combined XLR / TRS or just balanced TRS. Also possibly a standby button on the front panel. This standby button completely eliminates any power on/off pops and clicks, even though they are negligible at the moment. Cosmetics will change, powder coat and different colour options possibly (when I see the samples come back in the next couple of weeks).
Now, the controversial bit - I am not planning any type of volume control unless there is
overwhelming feedback to to do so. Analogue volume pots are horrid, they introduce noise, and have poor balance tracking. Switched resistors are much better, but still in my view an unnecessary complication and still degrade performance. Volume control performed digitally at 32 or 64 bit resolution is better. Probably still a lot of "angst" out there against this, but I have zero issues with my media software, Roon or J River performing volume control.
