Saeq Astraeus - Reference Hybrid headphone amplifier
Saeq Astraeus - Reference Hybrid headphone amplifier
Saeq Astraeus - Reference Hybrid headphone amplifier
Saeq Astraeus - Reference Hybrid headphone amplifier

Saeq Astraeus - Reference Hybrid headphone amplifier
CHF 9,499.00
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Delivery time upon request. Each Astraeus is manufactured to customer specifications.

Overcoming boundaries

The Astreus represents a structural leap towards tubes, with the intention of exploiting 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 in terms of adaptability to a wide range of different headphone impedances.

This carefully designed hybrid overcomes this with ease.

Unrivaled sound and dynamics

The result is a very sophisticated presentation full of details with impressive microdynamics that brings subtleties to the stage that we have not noticed in well-known titles.

Input buffer with tube

The first step in the design is the input buffer, which features an ECC 88/6922 tube, which determines the fundamental character of the sound. The tube buffer input is directly exposed to the source, without volume control. Note that the maximum input voltage of the tube buffer is approximately 5 V (peak-to-peak). Avoid DACs without output regulation and with a voltage exceeding 6 V (peak-to-peak). High source output voltages 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 allows for flawless control regardless of the headphone sensitivity, thus avoiding input and output attenuation with the goal of good volume control.

Advanced two-stage volume memory functions make it easy to compare with headphones that vary significantly in sensitivity.

The tube sound is transmitted via germanium transistors in the input stage of the power amplifier. The simple and effective use of germanium preserves the overall character of the tube sound.

Powerful amplifier - up to 4 headphones simultaneously


The power amplifier operates in Class A up to a power of 5 W. 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 that 4 headphones can be operated simultaneously without any loss of playback quality.

Technical data

Load Impedance headphones out - direct

direct output: 4-600 ohms

Load Impedance speakers out

4-16 ohms

Output Power:

30/4 ohms, 20W/8 ohms, 8W/16 ohms, 4W/32ohms, 2W/64ohms, 1/120 ohms, 0.5W/300 ohms, 0.25W/600 ohms at 1khz/sine

Frequency Response:

Out 10V sin. 10hz – 100 kHz (-0.5dB/ +/-1dB)

Power bandwidth:

Better than 10-80kHz (-0.5db) at 5W/16ohm )

Distortion:

Better than 0.15% at 1 kHz

Signal-to-noise ratio:

Better than 93dB

Input impedance:

47kΩ

Input Sensitivity for full OUT:

2V (peak to peak) for full output power

Input Connections:

INPUT 1- 2 RCA Single-Ended and INPUT 3 - 2 XLR 3-pin balanced (female)

Output Connections:

1 x XLR 4-pin female +6.3mm stereo jack-direct,

1 x XLR 4-pin female + 6.3mm stereo jack direct/attenuation 5-10db (balanced Planar & Dynamic headphones)

Maximum power consumption:

150W, without signal 40W

Working voltage:

115V/230VAC (selector switch)

Dimensions:

Height 130mm, Width 385mm, D 250mm

Weight:

NET- 9.5kg, PACK 10kg

Remote control

YES – type RC-1

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