I've used my HPA-1 with Audeze LCD-X and Diana TC headphones and it runs as pre-amp feeding a PS Audio S300/Magnepan system with stellar results, my favorite piece of gear. For Absolute Sound to review the Pass HPA-1 eight years after release, says it all about this very versatile Pass amp. Two thumps up
May I ask which Magnepan model you are using and how the HPA-1 compared to other preamps you may have tried? I currently have a Schiit Kara into a Pass Labs A25, driving a pair of Magnepan 2.7i's and was wondering if this might be an upgrade? Thank you in advance :).
Right. And I think Steve Guttenberg actually still uses it as his reference preamp first, and then uses it only as an awesome and unassailable headphone amp more of as a secondary bonus or backup for his occasional headphone reviews (less easy to know what any reviewer does or uses when listening just for pleasure).
You compared the HPA-1 to many headphones amplifiers. Which ones? Thanks for the video. I am using the Moon 230HAD and the headphone amplifier from my Luxman integrated Class A. It depends of my mood or music style. One day I prefer one, the next day I prefer the other one.
Awesome fridges if mid is that price (compared to europe). This will drive easily 2 phonostages into HP or PA+LS? Great, all covered, price is fine, too.
@@GiancarloBenzina Yeah, in the U.S. high-end refrigerator-freezers are $15k to $25k. So, $3.6k seems to be “mid”. Not that I’m a refrigerator expert! Phono output may be too low to go straight to headphone (I didn’t test this). HPA-1 has 8 db gain which was adequate for DAC input (2v max).
This amp measures very badly in objective data reviews. Depending on your philosophical preconceptions you can think anything about this. I’m just providing the info.
It measured well in a Stereophile review. The the HPA-1 reviewed by ASR may have been defective (compare the objective data between the ASR and Stereophile for yourself).
Apple dongle has great measurements, sounds good too. But even the measurement guys feel the need to spend more money. It's not objectivity that makes them get their wallets out, so take that for what you will
The lack of a balanced output is a dealbreaker for me. My hp cables are very long, because I don't sit close to my rack, and running long unbalanced cables from an amp of this quality seems like a waste.
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I've used my HPA-1 with Audeze LCD-X and Diana TC headphones and it runs as pre-amp feeding a PS Audio S300/Magnepan system with stellar results, my favorite piece of gear. For Absolute Sound to review the Pass HPA-1 eight years after release, says it all about this very versatile Pass amp. Two thumps up
Thanks for sharing 👍
May I ask which Magnepan model you are using and how the HPA-1 compared to other preamps you may have tried? I currently have a Schiit Kara into a Pass Labs A25, driving a pair of Magnepan 2.7i's and was wondering if this might be an upgrade? Thank you in advance :).
@@kimk895 Second system, 25 yr old Magnepan 10.1's
Right. And I think Steve Guttenberg actually still uses it as his reference preamp first, and then uses it only as an awesome and unassailable headphone amp more of as a secondary bonus or backup for his occasional headphone reviews (less easy to know what any reviewer does or uses when listening just for pleasure).
A lot of the people with negative comments either never heard one or simply can’t afford one, or both ofcorse…it’s a fantastic amp
A small matching power amp would be interesting as it is a very good preamp.
You compared the HPA-1 to many headphones amplifiers. Which ones? Thanks for the video. I am using the Moon 230HAD and the headphone amplifier from my Luxman integrated Class A. It depends of my mood or music style. One day I prefer one, the next day I prefer the other one.
@@alaincayer8999 Topping A70 Pro, dCS Lina, Icon HP8 as mentioned and the T+A HA200, Centrance Amp Mini, Naim Uniti Atom.
I’d be adjusting the Philips screws on the front to align with each other
That black patch on the front looks horrendous! Cmon PASS LABS😮
no way it looks great!!
Nagra Tube DAC is at the top of this list.
Is it class A?
Yes.
no remote control is a deal breaker for me 😓
Awesome fridges if mid is that price (compared to europe).
This will drive easily 2 phonostages into HP or PA+LS?
Great, all covered, price is fine, too.
@@GiancarloBenzina Yeah, in the U.S. high-end refrigerator-freezers are $15k to $25k. So, $3.6k seems to be “mid”. Not that I’m a refrigerator expert! Phono output may be too low to go straight to headphone (I didn’t test this). HPA-1 has 8 db gain which was adequate for DAC input (2v max).
Not inexpensive, but not really outrageous for hardcore headphone users. Although I don't use headphones very often, I'd like to play with this one.
This amp measures very badly in objective data reviews. Depending on your philosophical preconceptions you can think anything about this. I’m just providing the info.
It measured well in a Stereophile review. The the HPA-1 reviewed by ASR may have been defective (compare the objective data between the ASR and Stereophile for yourself).
I care how it sounds now how it is measured by some geeks
Apple dongle has great measurements, sounds good too. But even the measurement guys feel the need to spend more money. It's not objectivity that makes them get their wallets out, so take that for what you will
@@misterzero8667 Good that you informed us about your philosophical stance, though nobody asked about it. Are you a vegan by any chance?
Beyound measurements??? eh no such thing...meaningless.
The lack of a balanced output is a dealbreaker for me. My hp cables are very long, because I don't sit close to my rack, and running long unbalanced cables from an amp of this quality seems like a waste.