Lehmann Drachenfels Headphone Amplifier
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With the introduction of the Linear in 2004, Lehmannaudio raised the sound quality of headphone amplifiers to a new level. The Drachenfels now represents a new generation of headphone amps: our champion with an entry-level price tag scores with leading-edge technology and, owing to its modular options, can be matched to ever new situations. With regard to sound it’s particularly the tremendous wealth of detail that strikes the ear, together with a perfect control of what’s going on. Even in the thickest musical hurly-burly the structure remains discernible at any time and every detail clear-cut.
The modular design with cutting-edge components opens long-term perspectives for quality-minded music lovers who have demands on sustainability. No matter if streaming via WLAN or ethernet, linking Bluetooth sources or conventional digital players – owing to modular pc boards, which are available at short notice, the Drachenfels gives the right answer to all of these requirements. Even with the advent of new digital standards, a simple swapping of both module and rear panel will enable an upgrade!
The Drachenfels offers 12dB of practice-oriented gain which, due to the smooth running ALPS Blue Velvet potentiometer with excellent synchronism and the ultra low-noise circuit, dispenses with the need for a gain switch. The power switch located on the front reduces the power consumption in standby mode to an eco-friendly value of less than 1 W. Moreover, its space-saving dimensions offer you plenty of placing options for the Drachenfels. Use it as a headphone amplifier or preamp and discover the happiness of intense music listening.
Drachenfels D
The Drachenfels D complements the detailed, light-footed sound of the analogue model by a digital-analogue converter of the latest generation. The Sabre DAC from ESS on the quad-layer circuit board, which is optimised against RF interference, offers both digital S/PDIF and TOSLINK inputs. Low-loss mica caps on the mainboard and in the analogue filter of the converter as well as ultra fast amplifier stages on the converter board guarantee reference quality in transient reproduction. Enjoy your digital musical treasures from a streamer or CD player in full Lehmannaudio quality!
Drachenfels USB
A new way of hearing digital music: the USB version of the Drachenfels plays back your music files from PC, Mac or even mobile phone in audiophile quality. The Drachenfels USB automatically recognises an incoming USB audio data stream and needs no input selector switch. Whether from a digital or analogue source – our compact local hero lets you experience your favourite music with a wealth of details in a fatigue-free, thrilling manner. Never again will you regard your headphones as a makeshift solution.
Features
- High-end quality at an entry-level price
- Modular concept to adjust to ever changing configurations
- ALPS Blue Velvet potentiometer
- Neutrik headphone socket with goldplated contacts
- Low-loss MKP precision capacitors for the audio path
- Configurable either as a single source preamplifier or as a dual-input headphone amplifier
- Aluminium face plate available in silver, black or chrome
- Made in Germany
Specifications
| Input impedance | 47 kohms |
| Maximum gain | 12 dB with maximum potentiometer setting |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz (-0.3 dB) to 35 kHz (-1 dB) |
| Signal to noise ratio | > 85 dB at gain 0 dB |
| THD | < 0,006 % at 18 mW/330 ohms |
| Channel separation | > 80 dB at 10 kHz |
| Output power | 330 ohms/110 mW 33 ohms/180 mW |
| Output impedance | pre-out 105 ohms phones out 5 ohms |
| Connectors audio | Neutrik headphone sockets with gold-plated contacts 1 x pre-out 2 x phones out Line in/pre-out: RCA |
| Power consumption | app. 4 W through external wide range wall power supply (without any optional pc board) |
| Outer dimensions W x D x H | 160 mm x 120 mm x 43 mm (audio section) |
| Weight | 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs.) net (audio section) |
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About
Lehmannaudio Vertriebs GmbH was originally founded in 1988 by Norbert Lehmann, a young audio engineering student, in Cologne, Germany. Through those early days, Norbert developed a deep understanding of how the quality of certain electrical devices affected the end sound-performance of an amplifier. The cumulative result of this formative period was manifest in 1995, when Lehmannaudio released the Black Cube phono stage.
The Black Cube is now a cult object in the audiophile market. Still available today in almost the same form as the original model, the Black Cube took components more commonly found in studio mixing desks and brought them to a hi-fi product. The result was an affordable phono stage that sounded truly sublime. In 2004, the next icon was born; the Linear Headphone Amplifier (originally called Black Cube Linear) again took studio principles and brought them to the hi-fi sector, allowing hi-fi fans to experience the true engineering ability of Norbert Lehmann.
Since 2004 the phono stage and headphone amplifier sectors have been happy homes for Lehmannaudio products, and now the company can boast a range of products in each sector that are suitable for all budgets and technical requirements.