DACS HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS

DACS HeadLite 4 is a headphone amplifier that shares the overall configuration of the HeadLite 3+ range, however there are several performance improvements and component updates giving added clarity, detail and flexibility.

Whatever the headphone task the quality of the end-product begins with what the artist hears. Accurate, clear and detailed reproduction of the whole audible frequency range is essential; any shortcomings will inevitably affect both the overdub and the overview. HeadLite 4 'maintains the HeadLite series’ worldwide reputation for Clarity and detail.' The metering on the four busses that feed the amplifiers allows the user to set the input levels to optimum, making sure the input to the amplifier gives the best output to headphones.

HeadLite 4 employs '+Power', which is an analogue plug-in module that provides all the ultra-clean drive the most power-hungry headphones need. +Power provides drive to spare for taking low-impedance high-power headphones to the peak of their performance. It will also allow the driving of multiple higher impedance phones.

Fitted as standard in Channel 1, +Power can be added to the other channels at the time of ordering or retrofitted later. Amplifier power is not just about level (sound pressure level) it is about clean level (sonically pure level). Some headphone amplifiers, when pushed beyond its limits, can begin to distort before your headphones or your ears. This not only compromises the sound, but it can also damage your hearing. A headphone amp which has enough power should be 'cruising' for the whole of its useable range, therefore allowing the output signal to always be as clean as the technical specifications indicate it should be. The power of the output on the standard channels is more than sufficient to drive 'virtually any headphone' of any impedance clean and loud.

Noise floor: less than -90dBu, 110dB below peak. Dynamic range: Greater than114dB. THD+N: 0.002%, 20Hz to 22kHz, +10dBu into 150R. Input Impedance: 10k ohms. Output Impedance: 0ohms. Frequency response: 5Hz to 40kHz, +/- 0.5dB. CMRR: Greater than 84dB, 50Hz to 20kHz. Slew rate: Greater than required for 40kHz. Max phase rotation (inter channel phase difference): 100Hz, 0.01 deg; 1kHz, 0.03 deg; 10kHz, 0.36 deg; 20kHz, 0.72 deg. Crosstalk: Less than -90dB. Power output: Greater than 200mW/ch into 600R, standard channel; greater than 4W/ch, +Power channel. Dimensions (WxHxD): 480 x 45 x 200mm. Weight 4.65kg.