Headphones amplifiers — Lehmann Audio Linear USB II

The Linear USB II is a headphone amplifier with built-in USB DAC from Lehmann Audio, sharing the Linear II Pro's power specifications with near-immeasurable distortion. The Linear USB II brings Lehmann's considered engineering to a complete, feature-rich headphone amplification format.

Key specs that matter

Maximum power is 400mW at 60 ohms or 200mW at 300 ohms, matching the Linear II Pro. Frequency response spans a wide 10Hz to 35,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB, also matching. Gain is selectable across four positions - 0, 10, 18, or 20dBu, also matching. Total harmonic distortion is under a near-immeasurable 0.001% at 1V RMS into 300 ohms - considerably lower than the Linear II Pro's 0.003%. Signal-to-noise ratio exceeds 100dB. Output impedance is 50 ohms at the pre-out or a remarkably low 5 ohms at the phones output. At 110 x 280 x 44mm and 1.5kg, the Linear USB II shares the Linear II Pro's footprint with a slightly slimmer chassis.

Sound and use context

Expect exceptionally clean, dependable headphone amplification reflecting the near-immeasurable 0.001% distortion figure, with the built-in USB DAC covering digital sources directly.

Pairing

The built-in USB DAC covers digital sources directly without needing a separate outboard converter.

Alternatives

Lehmann's own Linear II Pro offers a DAC-free alternative within the same broader headphone amplifier catalogue.