Delivery time: approximately 1–2 weeks

ARIADNE

The Ariadne by FangSound is an extremely powerful headphone and preamplifier that delivers up to 20 W of output power with minimal distortion (0.001%) and a signal-to-noise ratio of 130 dB, thanks to its proprietary Kunlun architecture.

Thanks to its three-stage gain adjustment and versatile connectivity options, the device is suitable for both sensitive in-ear monitors and extremely demanding over-ear headphones and high-end HiFi systems.

Technical specifications

Extremely high output power

32 Ω: 20 W, 32 Vrms

With a remarkable output voltage of 32 Vrms and 90 Vpp, the Αριάδνη delivers unprecedented performance for a headphone amplifier, providing 20 W per channel at 32 Ω and 1.7 W at 600 Ω. Its drive capability for 600 Ω headphones even surpasses that of a 250 W power amplifier with a 4 Ω load.

Low noise floor, high signal-to-noise ratio, wide dynamic range

• Noise floor: Only 10 µVrms (A-weighted), significantly better than that of typical high-power headphone amplifiers and power amplifiers. This extremely low noise floor ensures that no background noise is audible with almost all full-size headphones and most in-ear monitors (measured at low gain).

• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): Up to 130 dB.

• Dynamic range: Also reaches 130 dB (A-weighted).

Low distortion

• Distortion: As low as 0.001% (8 Vrms, 600 Ω, A-weighted), substantially lower than that of ordinary headphone amplifiers.

Kunlun architecture

Most headphone amplifiers use a simple gain and current-amplification design that can be divided into two sections: the first section amplifies the signal voltage for high-impedance headphones, while the second increases the current for low-impedance headphones. The circuit's total distortion is the sum of these two components.

Most manufacturers use negative feedback to reduce distortion.

High-power devices use nested feedback to further reduce distortion.

Since high-power devices generally exhibit higher distortion levels, stronger feedback is required to keep these distortions under control. For this reason, we chose the highly complex “Kunlun Architecture” to maintain circuit stability and successfully reduce total harmonic distortion (THD+N) to 0.001% in unbalanced operation—far lower than that of most unbalanced amplifiers, achieving the distortion levels of high-end headphone amplifiers.

We called this technology the “Kunlun Architecture”.

Unleash the full potential of your earphones and headphones

• Low Gain: Suitable for all types of in-ear monitors.

• Medium Gain: Easily drives the majority of over-ear headphones.

• High Gain: Capable of driving even the world's most demanding planar magnetic and dynamic headphones.

Powerful preamplifier

Among audiophiles, there is a widely shared saying: “The preamp shapes the sound, while the power amplifier provides the drive.” This underscores the crucial role of the preamp in an audio system.

The preamplifier in Αριάδνη far exceeds its price class, enriching your audio system with more detailed resolution, a wider dynamic range, and a more engaging musical experience. Choosing an excellent preamplifier is essential to improving your system's overall performance. 

All specifications

• Brand: FangSound

• Model: Ariadne

• Product type: Headphone amplifier with preamp

• Output voltage: 32 Vrms, 90 Vpp

• Output power: 20 W into 32 Ω; 1.7 W into 600 Ω

• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): 0.001% (under test conditions of 8 Vrms into a 600 Ω load, A-weighted)

• Noise floor: 10 µVrms (A-weighted)

• Dynamic range: 130 dB (A-weighted)

• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): 130 dB

• Power supply: 100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz or 60 Hz

• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm, 4.4 mm, 6.35 mm, 4-pin balanced (XLR)

• Preamp outputs: RCA (XLR adaptable)

• Signal inputs: RCA, XLR

• Gain: Adjustable to High, Medium, or Low

• Warranty: One year for the entire device

• Net weight: 4.2 kg