Tom Christiansen Audio HPA-1

Equipment / Electronics / Gear / Accessories Headphone Amps
42

I did a pros and cons based upon my thoughts of the HPA-1 amp:

After several days with the HPA-1 and having a really GREAT time with it over a wide variety of headhones and dacs…(just got thru using that great measuring Topping D90!) I can say the amp is about as perfect as one could engineer and build.

But like all things there are things I do not like about it, which IMO may or may not be of a concern to you?

So here is “my” pro and con list:

PRO: Great Specifications, Transparent, Ample Power. Balanced and SE Inputs, Easy to understand and use front panel layout. A nicely visable mark on the volume knob to help see where the actual position is…some amps dont have this !!

CONS: PRICE, less than desireable case…like an advanced DIY case IMO. No XLR output for XLR balanced headphones. 2 yr warranty, even the sappy verbiage manufacturers have a 5 yr warranty on their “good” stuff and even Monoprice has a 3 yr warranty on there $400 THX AAA amp?

Even though an amp has spectacular measurements there are a few more things to look at other than the numbers!

Alex

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43

So, similar to a THX amp, but less power, no XLR and double the price?

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44

Yup thats the story…and compare this with a $99 Schiit Hersey!

45

Wow. That would require a master salesman. :laughing:

46

When it comes to THX, I would always say just look at the JDS Labs Atom.

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47

Or the heresy, that’s just an atom with more power essentially lol

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