Delivery time on request. Each Astraeus SE is custom-made to customer specifications.

Astraeus SE: Precision and musicality redefined

The Special Edition (SE) of the Astraeus elevates performance to a new level. By using exclusive components and an optimized signal architecture, it offers a sonic experience that sets standards in articulation and dynamics.

The highlights of the SE version

• Symmetrical perfection: Thanks to top-quality input transformers, you enjoy an almost identical, consistent sound character at the RCA and XLR inputs.

• Superior transformer technology: We rely on custom-made transformers of the highest class, which clearly outperform conventional solutions (such as those from Lundahl) in sound quality.

• Highest level tolerance: The Astraeus SE effortlessly processes signals up to 8 VRMS (approx. 25 V peak-to-peak). Combined with the switchable 10 dB attenuation, overloads are a thing of the past – even with extremely powerful sources.

Signal path comparison

The Astraeus SE uses a purist and sound-optimized sequence to fully bring out the details of your music:

The advantage of the SE architecture: Through direct transformer coupling and repositioning of the volume control, the sound image gains massively in structure, detail, and spatial depth.

Flexibility for every source

While the standard version with an input overload limit of 5.6 V RMS already handles most DACs effortlessly, the SE version offers additional headroom. If a source device still delivers an extremely high output level, the integrated -10 dB attenuation stage solves any potential overload issue in no time.

Conclusion: The Astraeus SE is not just an upgrade – it is a statement for audiophiles who do not want to compromise on signal purity and component quality.

Overcoming limits

The Astraeus represents a structural leap towards tube technology, with the intention of harnessing the physiological advantages of tube sound, but also bypassing the negative structural limitations imposed on tube amplifiers by output transformers, as well as a number of other shortcomings of tubes regarding adaptability to a wide range of different headphone impedances.

This carefully designed hybrid overcomes this with ease.

Reviews

"Astraeus speaks to the mind and heart of the listener at the same time, its technical proficiency acting as a supporting framework for the eloquence of emotional communication.

This amplifier deserves a prominent place in the highest tier of headphone electronics regardless of price and can be a splendid multi-tasker within systems including reasonably sensitive speakers. For all these reasons, I give Astraeus my warmest recommendation."

SAEQ Astraeus Review - Six Moons

tone.texture.soul

A King Is Born

"The new flagship headphone amplifier from SAEQ Audio: Astraeus. With an all new tube hybrid design, 99 step volume attenuator, germanium resistors, powered by a massive solid state output capable of running four headphones at the same time, the Astraeus is quite possibly the best headphone amplifier on the planet."

SAEQ Astraeus Amplifier Review - A King Is Born

Unmatched sound and dynamics

The result is a very refined presentation full of details with impressive microdynamics that bring out nuances on stage that we did not perceive in familiar tracks.

Input buffer with tube

The first step in the design is the input buffer with an ECC 88 /6922 tube, which defines the basic character of the sound. The input of the tube buffer is directly exposed to the source, without volume control. It should be noted that the maximum input voltage of the tube buffer is about 5 V (peak-to-peak). Avoid DACs without output control and with a voltage of more than 6 V (peak-to-peak). High output voltages from the source are unnecessary and undesirable in this case, as the tube input is sensitive.

Sophisticated volume control

The next step in this hybrid topology is the 99-step volume control, which enables flawless control regardless of headphone sensitivity and thus avoids input and output attenuation aimed at good volume control.

Advanced two-stage volume memory functions make it easier to compare headphones that differ significantly in sensitivity.

The tube sound is transmitted via germanium transistors in the input stage of the amplifier. Through the simple and effective use of germanium, the general character of the tube sound has been preserved.

Powerful amplifier - up to 4 headphones simultaneously

The amplifier operates up to a power of 5 W in Class A. At higher output levels, it switches to Class AB, thus avoiding unnecessary power loss.

The powerful output stage is insensitive to headphone impedance and the number of connected headphones, so 4 headphones can be operated simultaneously without any loss in playback quality.

Technical Data