Sabaj A10h Review (Headphone Amplifier)

[amirm]

This function is very interesting:

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Yes, I should have noted that. My RME ADI-2 DAC has this dual volume feature which I find immensely useful.

 

[PeteL]

This function is very interesting:

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Don't worry about the deafening volume?

 

[restorer-john]

It actually looks to be a flawless little device. Response out to 500kHz, large swing, no distortion, perfect channel balance and a very high performance headphone stage.

And inexpensive.

 

[norcalscott]

$120 for this kind of performance and features. What a time to be alive.

 

[bahamot]

Be aware though, prof @WolfX-700 measurement shows some power frequency interference: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/sabaj-a10h/

 

[NTK]

Be aware though, prof @WolfX-700 measurement shows some power frequency interference: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/sabaj-a10h/

5 μV is -112 dB down from 2 V. Nothing to obsess about.

 

[Doodski]

 

[amirm]

Be aware though, prof @WolfX-700 measurement shows some power frequency interference: https://www.l7audiolab.com/f/sabaj-a10h/

I addressed that in my review. If he grounds the Audio Precision outputs to the A10h, almost all of that goes away resulting in the measurements I have.

 

[Kachda]

I’m always worried about Golden samples when the company sends it in directly. Much better for them to provide a coupon so that Amir can buy one himself and then return to company.

 

[Tatteredmidnight]

Looks like an amazing little device. High fidelity, remote controlled, volume controls for active monitors are surprisingly hard to find. In my perfect world, this would be balanced in/out, but that doesn’t diminish what this device delivers. Having a fast and glitch free stepped attenuator and instrument grade headphone amplifier at this price is unbelievable. We live in a golden age of headphone amplifiers for sure.

 

[GWolfman]

I addressed that in my review. If he grounds the Audio Precision outputs to the A10h, almost all of that goes away resulting in the measurements I have.

What would the comsuer need to do, if anything, to resolve this flaw/issue at home?

Connect a wire somewhere on the DAC to the RCA ground on the HPA side?

 

[Ismapics]

I addressed that in my review. If he grounds the Audio Precision outputs to the A10h, almost all of that goes away resulting in the measurements I have.

How didi you attached the ground? Curious to see.

 

[PeteL]

What would the comsuer need to do, if anything, to resolve this flaw/issue at home?

Connect a wire somewhere on the DAC to the RCA ground on the HPA side?

I believe this is specific to the audio Precision, to have floating ground, but it does show that balanced connection has it's benefit when upstream you can potentially have all kind of configurations.

 

[Doodski]

Connect a wire somewhere on the DAC to the RCA ground on the HPA side?

They are already grounded to each other through the RCA cable. The issue is only with a floating ground like the AP analyzer uses. You won't have the issue at home.

 

[peniku8]

This would make for an excellent, compact and versatile rig paired with the Topping D10. I wish it bad balanced I/O thou, RCA kinda always looks to me like a disease I can't get rid of.

 

[HammerSandwich]

This function is very interesting:

Nice, indeed. OTOH, "Pr0" versus "Pr1"? You get used to it, if you use it all the time. If that doesn't happen - or you need to tell somebody else what setting to use - less ideal. How much more effort would it have been to use "HP" & "RCA" or "LO" (line out), Sabaj?

Seems like these affordable DACs & headphone amps sure have spoiled us. Most everything is so good, even in absolute terms, that we do a lot of nitpicking. As above. Or: I'd seriously consider a Pro version with internal PSU, XLRs, and amber display at $150.

 

[Doodski]

I wish it bad balanced I/O thou, RCA kinda always looks to me like a disease I can't get rid of.

Single ended has clean output if designed properly like in this case.

 

[Music1969]

Is the designer here?

What size is the DC plug?

A 15Vdc 2A power supply is sufficient "headroom" for this amp?

 

[amirm]

What would the comsuer need to do, if anything, to resolve this flaw/issue at home?

There is nothing you can do. If you get ground loops, then you are mostly hosed. Best to then use optical connection to your DAC or step up and get a balanced input headphone amplifier.

 

[Joe Smith]

My biggest gripe with my Schiit Magni 3 is the volume pot, which despite numerous gentle de-ox attempts, remains scratchy when changing volume. Sounds like this volume control is a big step up. Overkill, though, as I really have no need for a remote with a headphone amp. I'm very interested in Sabaj stuff, seems like it is good overall...