Sabaj A20h Balanced Headphone Amp Review

[Sprint]

Thanks @amirm for measuring this one. I was almost about to buy it 2 days back from Amazon.de based on @staticV3 spoiler alert in one of his thread to be sufficient for my Sundaras. After seeing this review today morning, I went directly to Amazon to buy the last 1 unit. Oops it was gone. Not sure if Amazon will get more units. A similar feature Amp is more costly than this one. I am not a big fan of Topping amps due to not so satisfying performance with L50 (Sundara needed 2'0 clock in High gain). I returned L50.

 

[Roland68]

Thanks @amirm for measuring this one. I was almost about to buy it 2 days back from Amazon.de based on @staticV3 spoiler alert in one of his thread to be sufficient for my Sundaras. After seeing this review today morning, I went directly to Amazon to buy the last 1 unit. Oops it was gone. Not sure if Amazon will get more units. A similar feature Amp is more costly than this one. I am not a big fan of Topping amps due to not so satisfying performance with L50 (Sundara needed 2'0 clock in High gain). I returned L50.

But you have to operate the Sundara symmetrically to get the performance.

 

[cryptout]

I own two, when the price halved I got the 2nd one as a spare. Tested it for noise issues and put it back in the box. It's safe to say I really like it.

 

[Sprint]

I own two, when the price halved I got the 2nd one as a spare. Tested it for noise issues and put it back in the box. It's safe to say I really like it.

If you want to sell the 2nd, dont forget - I am there .

 

[Sprint]

But you have to operate the Sundara symmetrically to get the performance.

Do you mean using the balanced output or also using the TRS balanced input from the DAC? I used only SE output and a simple RCA input from my BTR5 into L50.

 

[Roland68]

Do you mean using the balanced output or also using the TRS balanced input from the DAC? I used only SE output and a simple RCA input from my BTR5 into L50.

The headphones must be connected symmetrically to the HPA, otherwise you will have a maximum of half the power, or much less.
If the headphones are only connected SE, the A20h will probably only have 1.1 watts like the A10h, instead of 4.7 watts in balanced mode.
SE connection = 2 power amplifiers, 1 x right + 1 x left.
Balanced connection = 4 power amplifiers, 2 x right + 2 x left.
The L50 only has one SE output anyway.

 

[GPJ]

Thanks for the review and to whoever sent it in (Veri?) I have the amp and matching DAC and they perform very well. Still to this day, fabulous units! Nice to be able to control both devices from one of the supplied remotes. Supreme bang for buck.

 

[kelesh]

Thanks @amirm for measuring this one. I was almost about to buy it 2 days back from Amazon.de based on @staticV3 spoiler alert in one of his thread to be sufficient for my Sundaras. After seeing this review today morning, I went directly to Amazon to buy the last 1 unit. Oops it was gone. Not sure if Amazon will get more units. A similar feature Amp is more costly than this one. I am not a big fan of Topping amps due to not so satisfying performance with L50 (Sundara needed 2'0 clock in High gain). I returned L50.

I can confirm I've just received mine from HIFI EXPRESS to the US, delivery was about 10 days and it was packaged better than anything Amazon ever does. Deal (US$ 108) is still there and they can also ship from the EU:

www.hifi-express.com/products/sabaj-a20h-headphone-amplifier

 

[Sprint]

I can confirm I've just received mine from HIFI EXPRESS to the US, delivery was about 10 days and it was packaged better than anything Amazon ever does. Deal (US$ 108) is still there and they can also ship from the EU:

www.hifi-express.com/products/sabaj-a20h-headphone-amplifier

Thanks a lot for this info! I managed to get one via Amazon for 90 Euros. Received it last week and Sundara A20h combo is amazing. Medium gain already has lots of juice.

 

[rsqt]

What is the min. impedance the A20h will drive?

 

[Corvuscorone]

What is the min. impedance the A20h will drive?

Can drive my 6 Ohm Verum One mk2 headphones great.

What is the min. impedance the A20h will drive?

 

[WalterW]

Very nice tiny device.

 

[jimmyjames8]

Available on Amazon as of 7/20/24

 

[3ller]

The headphones must be connected symmetrically to the HPA, otherwise you will have a maximum of half the power, or much less.
If the headphones are only connected SE, the A20h will probably only have 1.1 watts like the A10h, instead of 4.7 watts in balanced mode.
SE connection = 2 power amplifiers, 1 x right + 1 x left.
Balanced connection = 4 power amplifiers, 2 x right + 2 x left.
The L50 only has one SE output anyway.

Do you need also a balanced DAC to have all the power or just a balanced headphone cable?

Could you go from SE DAC to SE input and then Balanced HP and have all the power?

 

[vins555]

Do you need also a balanced DAC to have all the power or just a balanced headphone cable?

Could you go from SE DAC to SE input and then Balanced HP and have all the power?

For all the power you need balanced dac. When you use balanced dac(XLR input to A20h) you have more power even on SE output from A20h

 

[Roland68]

For all the power you need balanced dac. When you use balanced dac(XLR input to A20h) you have more power even on SE output from A20h

Theoretically correct, but not important in practice.

Do you need also a balanced DAC to have all the power or just a balanced headphone cable?

Could you go from SE DAC to SE input and then Balanced HP and have all the power?

For the full power of the device you need the balanced HP output, as all 4 power amplifiers are then used. With SE only 2.
On most DACs there is only 2 volts at the SE input, compared to 4 volts, or more, on XLR.
But in practice this is not important, because the A20h has 3 gain levels up to 15 dB and so even with a Hifiman HE6se you have more power at the SE input than your ears can handle.
With most HPs you will not need more than low gain or the 2nd gain level at the SE input.