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Each unit is custom-made to order.

Reference headphone amplifier, DAC & preamplifier

“The best of both worlds: the finest sonic details of a high-end headphone combined with the three-dimensional stage and depth of a true stereo speaker system.”

The Audma Maestro HPA1 is an uncompromising all-in-one headphone amplifier from the Italian high-end manufacturer AUDMA. The device targets the most demanding audiophiles and combines a highly advanced analog amplifier core with an integrated premium DAC and the world-exclusive, patented ELISA technology for precise reconstruction of the speaker soundstage over headphones.

ELISA in all its glory 

ELISA is AUDMA’s patented system designed to replicate the primary interaural time difference of speaker listening on headphones.

It enables exact spatial control over the parameters STAGE and ANGLE, allowing the spatial perception to be precisely adapted to the source material and the listener’s preferences.

Discover ELISA

ELISA is fully integrated into the MAESTRO HPA1 – AUDMA’s reference headphone amplifier – providing maximum spatial precision with complete real-time control over every single parameter.

Performance 

The MAESTRO HPA1 delivers precise and stable amplification for a wide range of headphones, from dynamic to magnetostatic (planar magnetic) models.

The selectable gain ensures optimal matching between source output and headphone sensitivity: this allows maintaining the full dynamic range while minimizing background noise.

Analog inputs remain fully analog within the amplifier architecture, preserving signal integrity throughout the entire path. The integrated digital section is based on the AKM AK4490REQ DAC and processes USB, coaxial, and optical sources within the same system.

User Interface 

The controls on the front provide direct access to the ELISA parameters, with two independent knobs for "Stage" and "Angle" to shape the spatial sound image in real time.

Additional controls manage input selection, channel phase, mono/stereo balance, and output routing, making all primary functions immediately accessible both via the front panel and the remote control.

Two analog VU meters offer a clear overview for each channel. The direct signal is displayed as VU, while the signal processed by ELISA appears as EL. This setup allows you to monitor the original and delayed signals simultaneously.

Headphone outputs include XLR 4-pin, Pentaconn, and 6.3 mm, while line and direct outputs are provided for integration into external systems.

Construction

The housing features a solid aluminum front panel with precision-crafted full aluminum knobs. The MAESTRO HPA1 is available in titanium or black finishes.

Mechanical tolerances and surface treatments are defined to ensure structural rigidity and long-term stability. The overall weight of the device reflects the internal architecture and power supply structure.

Discover the MAESTRO HPA1 in the luxury version with a fully milled aluminum housing featuring side ventilation grilles and an engraved AUDMA logo on the top.

MAESTRO HPA1 LUXURY

Solid aluminum, an engraving on the top, and distinctive details: the Luxury version represents the most noble expression of the MAESTRO HPA1.

The design is refined by the AUDMA logo on the top and the embossed side grilles. The latter ensure a faster warm-up phase, allowing the system to reach its peak performance in even less time.

Elegance and advanced performance for the most demanding listeners.

Technical highlights MAESTRO HPA1 

• Dual-mono power supply with audio transformers

• Alps Alpine motorized potentiometers

• Nichicon electrolytic capacitors

• Alpha rotary switches

• Wima Red Series audio capacitors
  
  

Architecture

The MAESTRO HPA1 is based on a dual-mono power supply architecture with custom audio transformers and dedicated sections that preserve channel separation and integrity.

Signal stability and noise suppression are ensured by carefully selected components such as Nichicon electrolytic capacitors and Wima Red Series capacitors.

A motorized ALPS Alpine potentiometer controls the volume and is complemented by precise rotary switches that ensure mechanical consistency and long-term reliability.

The result is an amplifier platform that delivers controlled spatiality and low noise – with precise and coherent sound under all listening conditions.

Main Features & Technologies

• ELISA Technology (Patented): The Electronic Loudspeaker Imaging Simulating Amplifier circuit solves the classic problem of "in-head localization" with headphones. Through psychoacoustic real-time analysis of physical spatial values, it simulates the time difference (ITD) of a true stereo speaker setup. Stage, spatiality, and depth can be continuously adjusted via controls for distance (STAGE) and angle (ANGLE).

• Dual-Mono Power Supply: Separate, custom audio transformers for each channel guarantee maximum channel separation, extreme signal stability, and virtually no noise.

• High-Res VELVET SOUND™ DAC: Equipped with the high-end converter chip Asahi Kasei AKM AK4490REQ, the system supports resolutions up to PCM 768 kHz / 32-bit and native DSD256.

• Premium Components: Motorized potentiometers from Alps Alpine for analog volume control, audiophile Wima Red Series capacitors, Nichicon electrolytic capacitors, and durable mechanical Alpha rotary switches.

• Global Flexibility: An integrated automatic voltage adjustment (110V to 230V) ensures maximum performance and safety worldwide.

Connectivity & Functions

The Maestro HPA1 acts as a complete control center for high-end headphone systems and also offers excellent functionality as a high-end preamplifier (preamp) for active speakers or power amplifiers through its analog outputs.

• Input section (Inputs):

  • Analog: XLR stereo (balanced), RCA stereo (unbalanced)

  • Digital: USB-B 2.0, coaxial (RCA), optical (TOSLINK)

• Output section (Outputs):

  • Headphones balanced: 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm Pentaconn

  • Headphones unbalanced: 6.35 mm jack

  • Line-Out (Preamp mode): XLR stereo, RCA stereo

Technical data

International expert press reviews

“The Audma Maestro HPA1 is the best headphone amplifier we currently know: It sounds outstanding and even masters true front-staging.”

— Andreas Günther, LowBeats

“It is an elite hi-fi device and sounds fantastic. An extremely neutral reproduction combined with a very dynamic, powerful sound.”

— WaveTheory