Headphones amplifiers — Lehmann Audio Linear D

The Linear D is a headphone amplifier from Lehmann Audio, built with switchable gain settings and substantially more power than the compact Drachenfels. This model represents a genuine step up within Lehmann Audio's headphone amplifier catalogue, offering meaningfully more output and flexibility for a wider range of headphone types than the brand's entry model.

Position in line

It sits above the Drachenfels in Lehmann Audio's range with more modest power, alongside the Linear SE as a closely related design sharing near-identical specifications in a different chassis. The relationship between the Linear D and Linear SE suggests Lehmann Audio offers essentially the same core circuit in two different physical formats, letting buyers choose based on chassis preference rather than expecting a meaningful performance difference between the two.

Key specs that matter

Maximum power is 400 mW into 60 ohms, dropping to 200 mW into 300 ohms - considerably more than the Drachenfels' modest figures, broadening the range of headphones this amplifier can comfortably drive. Rated bandwidth is 10 Hz to 35 kHz. Gain is switchable across 0, 10, 18 and 20 dB settings. Distortion is under 0.001% at 1V RMS into 300 ohms, an order of magnitude lower than the Drachenfels. Signal-to-noise exceeds 100 dB. At 110 x 280 x 44 mm and 1.5 kg it is a substantial chassis relative to the compact Drachenfels.

Sound and use context

Expect a clean, low-distortion presentation with the switchable gain covering headphones of varying sensitivity - the considerably lower distortion figure compared with the Drachenfels suggests a more refined output stage design, not merely a scaled-up version of the entry model's circuit.

Pairing

The switchable gain settings suit both efficient and less sensitive headphones without an external attenuator, a useful feature for a buyer who owns more than one headphone with differing sensitivity requirements.

Alternatives

The Drachenfels sits below this model in Lehmann Audio's range with more modest power; the Linear SE sits alongside it as a closely related design, worth comparing on chassis preference alone given how similarly the two measure on paper. Lehmann Audio focused specialisation in headphone amplification, rather than treating this as a secondary product line alongside speakers or other electronics, gives buyers confidence in the brand specific engineering priorities. A dealer demonstration with the specific headphone already owned remains the most reliable way to judge whether 400 mW suffices for a particular listening level and impedance.