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 on request. Each Astraeus is made to customer order.

Overcome limits

The Astraeus represents a structural leap towards tubes, 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."


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."




Unmatched sound and dynamics

The result is a very sophisticated presentation full of details with impressive microdynamics, bringing nuances to the stage that we did not perceive in well-known tracks.

Input buffer with tube

The first step in the construction is the input buffer with an ECC 88 /6922 tube, which defines the fundamental 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 aiming for good volume control.

Advanced two-stage volume memory functions facilitate comparison with headphones that differ significantly in their 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

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 ohm, 4W/32ohm, 2W/64ohms, 1/120 ohms, 0.5W/300 ohms, 0.25W/600 ohms at 1kHz/sine

Frequency Response:

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

Power Bandwidth:

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

Distortion:

Better than 0.15% at 1kHz

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)

Max Power Consumption:

150W, without signal 40W

Working voltage:

115V/230VAC (selector switch)

Dimensions:

Height 130mm, Width 385mm, D 250mm

Weight:

NET- 9.5kg, PACK 10 kg

Remote control

YES –type RC-1

 

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