Audalytic HP70

[Norville]

Crossover distortion has become one of those audiophile myths. It's not a concern in modern class AB implementations and I have not seen any evidence it has ever been audible, even in old designs which still had relevant amounts. Distortion is easily measured: The Audalytic is a good amp as far as I can see. But simply comparing THD+N specs shows that while it performs well at -106 dB (32 Ω, 1 W), comparable class AB amps like the Atom Amp 2 will easily best it with below -110 dB under the same conditions. So clearly, a competent designer will produce an equal or better performing class AB amp which is also more efficient (and cheaper) than the class A one.


They are less efficient, but that notion of "most linear" is just an idealized goal with no practical advantage. You can use non-linear components to generate a linear response in a device if designed correctly and it's done all the time. Pretty much all electronic components are non-linear in some fraction of their operating range: Just look at capacitor charge curves or diode forward currents.

So essentially no advantage of Class A designs?

 

[Saponetto]

For sure those A Class amps contribute a lot to make the sound "warm"... and the listening room also.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

I pulled the trigger in the Audalytic HP70. Its going to arrive on Monday. I wonder why there are so few reviews out there of this seemingly excellent headphone amp.

Made by Gustard, fully balanced, it's discrete, R2R ladder volume control, 2 Watts at 32 ohms. 349 bucks. Value seems incredible for that price.

They have published their own measurements and it sure looks good. Comes with a remote and balanced/unbalanced outputs and can act as a preamp since it got lots of inputs.

I see very few reviews. I will certainly get back and write a few words about once I get it. Anyone else has it? If so, is there any point at all in using the 12V input rather than the internal PSU?

View attachment 523950

Looks neat! This reminds me of my Gustard H10 headphone amplifier. Hope you enjoy the HP 70!

 

[RandomEar]

So essentially no advantage of Class A designs?

In theory: Yes. In practice: Not anymore to my knowledge and as supported by the measurements.

But just to repeat: That doesn't mean the Audalytic is a bad amp in any way. It's gonna run hotter than other designs, but according to the specs it looks quite competent. Ideally, we would have some independent measurements to confirm the specs, but I couldn't find any.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Mine feels warm after running overnight, but not hot. Certainly nothing to be concerned about, and not even something that I would describe as a room heater. This is a solid state headphone amp, not a vacuum tube speaker amp.

 

[Chanur]

Do you guys still like these ? What are you using as a DAC?

 

[Norville]

Do you guys still like these ? What are you using as a DAC?

Yes, I enjoy mine quite a lot. I use a Matrix Element-i as DAC.

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Love my HP70. Feeding it from DR70, driving Arya Organic.

 

[Chanur]

Tempted to get both later this year. They look pretty sweet. Love the class A and R2R style, even if it sounds exactly the same as everything else.

 

[Hapo]

I don't see a reason to choose this over the Topping L70.

Both have a resistor ladder volume control, Preamp function and a remote control, but the Audalytic plays 33% quieter at maximum volume, has some 20dB more THD+N, and costs 90 bucks more.

multiple RCA inputs

RCA pre‑out

independent switching

clean enough that distortion is still far below audibility