Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Stereo Headphone Power Amplifier
reviews
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Output Power: 1W
- Input Sensitivity: 2V
- For: Low impedance headphones
Description
Stereo Headphone Power Amplifier for low impedance headphones with 1W output power and input sensitivity 2V for use with external preamplifier or volume control. Features EL55 tubes in Single Ended Operation and tube rectified power supply in 1 chassis.
for low impedance headphones 1W output power input sensitivity 2V for use with external preamplifier or volume control EL55 tubes in Single Ended Operation tube rectified power supply 1 chassis
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- VinylSavor specializes in creating fully customized, hand-wired audio amplifiers and preamplifiers, built to order according to individual customer specs.
- The brand is known for its use of directly heated triodes and silver-wound transformers in the signal path, aiming for a capacitor-less design and optimized signal transfer.
- They offer extensive tube rolling options within their designs, often supporting a wide range of tube types and offering a generous warranty on tubes supplied by them.
Select products
Select product comparisons
300B Integrated Stereo Power Amplifier
- Positioning: The entry-level integrated amplifier offering basic stereo power in a compact design.
- Description: Comes with 5W per channel, headphone and speaker outputs, and multiple inputs, making it ideal for small rooms and those on a budget. Compared with higher models that feature interstage transformer coupling or dual chassis designs, it provides straightforward functionality without additional circuitry complexity.
300B Single Ended Stereo Power Amplifier
- Positioning: A mid-tier stereo amplifier designed to deliver slightly higher power and improved sonic clarity.
- Description: Offers 8W per channel with interstage transformer coupling and a 6SN7 driver tube, making it better suited for users needing more performance than the integrated version. Compared to the entry-level model's simplicity, its design brings enhanced power handling and sound reproduction without resorting to separate mono chassis modules.
300B Single Ended Mono Power Amplifiers (2 chassis)
- Positioning: A pair of mono amplifiers in a dual chassis setup aimed at providing focused, balanced sound.
- Description: Delivers 8W per channel using interstage transformer coupling and the 801A directly heated driver tube. Relative to the stereo units, their dual chassis design offers improved channel separation while keeping costs lower than more complex assemblies.
300B Single Ended Mono Power Amplifiers (4 chassis)
- Positioning: A refined pair of mono amplifiers featuring a four chassis design with external power supplies for enhanced stability.
- Description: Provides 8W per channel with the same high-quality tube and transformer coupling but adds improved thermal management for greater reliability in larger or critical listening settings. When compared with the 2 chassis model, the extra chassis and external supplies deliver better performance consistency.
300B Single Ended Mono Power Amplifiers - Silver
- Positioning: The flagship mono amplifier pair engineered with silver wound transformers for premium performance.
- Description: Uses silver wound transformer technology to reduce distortion and achieve tighter sound control. Compared to all other models in the lineup, its enhanced build quality and precise transformer design set it apart as the top choice.
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Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
0
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
551
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
38
Founding Year
2008
Our take on the brand
VinylSavor stands out for its unique use of transformer coupling and transformer volume control in preamps, along with vacuum tube rectified high voltage supplies and low impedance circuits. The brand's equipment, personally built and tested by Thomas Mayer, is engineered with custom-made transformers and multiple chokes for excellent power supply performance, eliminating the need for expensive power conditioners or exotic cables.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Fully transformer coupled designs. The use of directly heated triodes not only as output tube but also as drive rand preamp tube. 600 Ohm LCR RIAA EQ in phono stages. Custom triodes for the Intrepid series (Thomas Mayer ONE, TWO and THREE). Possibility to customise each product to specific needs.
What's your approach to customer support?
I sell directly to end customers. I used to have very few resellers but due to the steep increase of production and material costs I exclusive do direct sales now to avoid price increases of the products which would otherwise be necessary. My goal is that every customer is happy and I am always available for any questions even years after the sale. When necessary I do repairs or assist in set up at the customer site.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
I don’t have any favourite tracks, but use whatever I am in the mood for. Equipment should not be designed to work with specific music. People should use music they like for testing
What other products pair best with yours?
Admire Audio speakers.
From our interview with
Thomas Mayer
.
Brand Page
Used
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What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
Feliks Audio
Envy
7345
/
Released
2022
Class A Single-ended transformer coupled, balanced amplifier, powered by the legendary 300B tubes
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceptional build quality with a blend of expertly crafted wood and metal, creating a visually striking and durable statement piece
- Dynamic, rich, and effortless sound with excellent detail, texture, and the right amount of tube magic
- Powerful output capable of driving demanding headphones while maintaining clarity and control
- Versatile performance with a variety of headphones (dynamic and planar) due to its output transformer design, often improving sound for warm or neutral headphones
- Value added by its ability to be used as a pre-amplifier in a stereo system
Product Considerations
- Large size and weight (around 15kg) require ample desk space and sturdy furniture
- Generates heat, which could be a concern in warmer environments without adequate ventilation
- Accidental switching of 'On/Off' is possible due to the touch-sensitive bar in the front not being intuitive, so use with care around pets
- Too powerful for some very sensitive IEMs, potentially resulting in overwhelming sound or audible hiss, though this is not the intended design for the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HIFIMAN Susvara, Envy empowers Susvara's natural presentation while giving it all the dynamics and slam needed
- Vs Cayin HA-300MkII, Envy exhibits more linear mid-to-high frequencies and offers a more transparent sound, while HA-300MkII has a warmer—more engaging midrange
- Vs AURIS Headonia 2A3, Envy performs at the same level, with technically incredibly strong aspects
- Vs Octave V 16, Envy completely demolishes the V 16 when it comes to energy, control, timbre, and resolution
- Vs Ferrum OOR, Envy is more powerful sounding, while also being more detailed with better tonality
Takeaway:
The Felix Audio Envy is a high-end headphone amplifier for audio enthusiasts who want the best quality sound to bring out the magic in their favorite headphones. Its stunning design and versatile performance make it a worthwhile addition to any serious audiophile setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Feliks Audio is a Polish brand that handcrafts tube amplifiers, including their flagship Envy model which features single-crystal copper wiring and 300B tubes known for their linearity and low distortion. Their amplifiers stand out for their ability to drive both high-impedance dynamic and planar magnetic headphones, which is uncommon among tube amplifiers, while maintaining a low noise floor and delivering natural, warm sound.
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Playback Designs
Merlot
8811
/
Released
2023
Integrated DAC / Headphone Amp Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD USB, AES, Coax, PLink inputs USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux Headphone output with separate volume control Balanced and unbalanced line level outputs Differential discrete DAC (standard "Playback Designs" architecture)
Playback Designs, founded by DSD pioneer Andreas Koch, stands out for using custom-programmable FPGA chips instead of standard DAC chips, and for converting all digital inputs to DSD format to reduce distortion. The brand's 1-bit DACs feature their proprietary PLINK optical connection system to isolate from electrical noise, along with separate power supplies for each channel, helping make even lower-resolution files sound exceptionally good.
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Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Playback Designs, founded by DSD pioneer Andreas Koch, stands out for using custom-programmable FPGA chips instead of standard DAC chips, and for converting all digital inputs to DSD format to reduce distortion. The brand's 1-bit DACs feature their proprietary PLINK optical connection system to isolate from electrical noise, along with separate power supplies for each channel, helping make even lower-resolution files sound exceptionally good.
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Trilogy
H1Energiser
5462
/
Released
Trilogy has opted to fittingly make the first Special Products Division a component where nuance and tangibility is etched in fine detail - the electrostatic headphone energiser. A fitting first statement product for Trilogy Audio Systems SPD range, built with meticulous sonic craftsmanship.
Trilogy Audio is a UK-based hifi brand known for its hybrid amplifier designs that combine valve and solid-state technologies, with their products featuring CNC-milled aluminum construction and microprocessor control for customization. Their amplifiers use virtually feedback-free valve-based amplification and true choke input power supplies, setting them apart from conventional designs in the industry.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Possesses the transparency, resolution, detail retrieval, and coherency of an electrostatic rig combined with the musicality of a single-ended triode amplifier
- Tone and timbre are natural, beautiful, rich, and edible
- Exceptional volumetric cube (soundstage) and ability to render depth and width
- Reveals space via endless microdynamic details, nuance, and spatial cues, creating a 'you-are-there' experience
- Svelte and aesthetically clean design, available in black or silver, with a minimalist front facade
Product Considerations
- Sub-bass reach is a limitation; it expertly handles mid and upper bass, and even the initial steps of the deep bass regions remarkably well, though not the deepest bass
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Viva Egoista STX: The Trilogy H1 did not offer the incredible clarity or openness of the Viva Egoista STX, but it was closer in quality than expected
Takeaway: The Trilogy H1 Energizer combines electrostatic capabilities with single-ended triode qualities, resulting in a sublime musical experience. It brings forth music with exceptional detail and a delicious tonality, making it a remarkable first electrostatic product from Trilogy.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Trilogy Audio is a UK-based hifi brand known for its hybrid amplifier designs that combine valve and solid-state technologies, with their products featuring CNC-milled aluminum construction and microprocessor control for customization. Their amplifiers use virtually feedback-free valve-based amplification and true choke input power supplies, setting them apart from conventional designs in the industry.
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EAR Yoshino
EAR HP4
6043
/
Released
Designed for the highest fidelity in headphones. Using four 6SL7 valves for the clearest of sound. Developed for studio use with the ability to drive any headphones with one watt of power utilising an enhanced triode mode circuitry.
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Improves the performance of headphones, making them sound better
- Images become larger and more distinctly tactile
- Delivers credibility and immersivity, putting headphones into the same ballpark as a good stereo
- Elegant and compact design
- Considered by some to represent the pinnacle of headphone amplification in design and execution
- Placement of RCA's are so close that any high-end RCA cable that has any kind of larger jack assembly will simply not plug in over-and-under into the same-numbered set
Product Considerations
- Some softening of bass impact in comparison to others
- Least apparent power
- Balanced outputs were not included in the original design
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs HeadAmp GSX Mark II—the E.A.R. has better tone/timbre, imaging, and stereotypical tube benefits to soundstage; HeadAmp has 'blackest' backgrounds, with deepest apparent reach to the bass
- Vs Cavalli Audio Liquid Gold—the E.A.R. has better tone/timbre, imaging, and stereotypical tube benefits to soundstage; Cavalli has widest/tallest sound stage, with best specificity of placement
Takeaway: The EAR HP4 headphone amplifier is a top-tier product with elegant design that elevates the listening experience by improving headphone performance and creating immersive sound. It is an amplifier that inspires listening and immersion in music.
Video review
Our take on the brand
EAR Yoshino is a British hifi brand where each product is handmade from start to finish by a single engineer, with their amplifiers featuring a unique balanced bridge mode output stage design that assigns separate windings to each electrode on the output transformer. Their tube-based equipment, inspired by founder Tim de Paravicini's professional recording studio experience, is used by renowned artists like Pink Floyd and Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs.
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