Усилители для наушников — EarMen ST-Amp

The ST-Amp is a fully balanced headphone amplifier with a built-in DAC from EarMen, built as a compact desktop unit that also functions as a preamplifier. EarMen, a sister company to Auris Audio based in Chicago with manufacturing in Serbia, describes this as a back-to-basics audiophile hit, following a four-piece separates stack with this deliberately minimalist single-box alternative.

Key specs that matter

The integrated ESS ES9280PRO DAC chip handles PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz and double-rate DSD (DSD128). Output power reaches 1.85W into 32 ohms via the balanced connection, dropping to a more modest 0.5W single-ended- EarMen uses the identical circuit topology for both single-ended and balanced signals, so the SE output suffers almost no phase shift, additional noise or distortion penalty relative to balanced, meaning SE performance doesn't lag behind. The headphone output is powered by two Texas Instruments TPA6120 operational amplifiers, a chip with a strong reputation in the audiophile community, paired with a high-quality balanced ALPS potentiometer for genuine sound transparency. A noiseless linear power supply maintains excellent characteristics even at full output power, addressing a common shortcoming where rival amplifiers' published specifications are measured only at half power. Connectivity uses three 4.4mm jacks - input, balanced output and single-ended output - with rear-panel single-ended and balanced line-level inputs and pre-outs letting the unit double as either a headphone amplifier or a full preamplifier from either the built-in DAC or external analogue sources. Notably, there is no gain switch and volume cannot be bypassed for a fixed line output. The aluminium chassis keeps overall size compact.

Sound and use context

Expect an even-handed, clean presentation with great clarity and control - the low output impedance means low or variable-impedance headphones won't suffer meaningful frequency response variation, and the very low total harmonic distortion delivers higher power efficiency without introducing audible artefacts even at demanding volumes.

Pairing

The rear-panel line inputs and pre-outs let this unit serve as a preamplifier for a separate power amplifier and speaker system, not just a headphone amplifier, giving real flexibility for a compact desktop setup that might later expand.

Alternatives

EarMen's higher-tier CH-Amp and Tradutto DAC stack sits above this model for buyers wanting a more elaborate separates-based system, worth considering instead if this ST-Amp's already capable all-in-one functionality still leaves ambitions for EarMen's flagship-tier separates approach.