AudioCircle
Industry Circles => NuPrime Audio => Topic started by: rustydoglim on 29 Oct 2015, 05:42 pm
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[information updated Nov 10]
MSRP $649, shipping Dec 7
The NuPrime HPA-9, a pure Class-A headphone amp and preamp with a non-feedback output stage for low temporal distortion and lifelike sound, supports headphone impedances from 8 ohm to 1K ohm.
Feature & Specification
• Single End JFET input stage circuitry design provides the very good second harmonics. And provide high input impedance and ultralow input bias currents. As well as high S/R.
• Non feedback output stage design provides low Temporal Distortion. Given natural sound.
• Pure Class A headphone amp design.
• Phono (RIAA) input module: Internal setting to MM or MC.
• Supporting up to 3 headphones simultaneously.
• Maximum headphone impedance support range from 8ohm and up to 1k ohm. Although many headphones state that the nominal impedance is at 300 Ohms, however, during some frequency (100Hz for instance) the peak impedance is actually at around 700 ~ 800 ohm.
• DC off set protection.
Inputs:
• 1 x Phono Input
• 2 x Analog Stereo RCA
Outputs:
• 1 x 3.5mm headphone/earphone output
• 2 x 6.3mm headphone/earphone output
• 2 x Analog RCA Line out
• THD+N: < -110 dB (1 kHz / maximum gain)
• Frequency Response: 0 Hz to 200KHz (-3dB)
• Dimensions: (W x H x D): approx. 235 mm x 55 mm x 281 mm
• Worldwide AC voltage: (90VAC~130VAC // 210VAC~ 250VAC) With Voltage Select Switch
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Is this replacing the HPA-8?
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We changed the "8" to "9" as we got "carry away" with performance improvement.
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....thin film resistor volume control?
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We changed the "8" to "9" as we got "carry away" with performance improvement.
Very interesting... any teaser pictures for us?
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This is the corrected link: https://picasaweb.google.com/106836432394752820607 (https://picasaweb.google.com/106836432394752820607)
I am tempted to offer a 6 month full return guarantee if user ended up buying something better (price from $400 to $5000). We think this will be THE headphone amp to get for the foreseeable future. :thumb:
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Nothing on that link
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Nothing on that link
Will PM you a link to try.
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Very interesting... any teaser pictures for us?
FRONT VIEW
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zPusnA1WXl8/Vi6hF2xzr-I/AAAAAAAACnY/B_Ewjyqp0N8/s800-Ic42/HPA-9-SILVER_1.png)
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REAR VIEW
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--LOZq8Ehu2c/Vi6hXJxzF_I/AAAAAAAACnk/G2QnONe1lLQ/s800-Ic42/HPA-9-BLACK_5.png)
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Here's the correct link: https://picasaweb.google.com/106836432394752820607 (https://picasaweb.google.com/106836432394752820607)
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There's a bunch of products there, but no hpa-9... ?
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There's a bunch of products there, but no hpa-9... ?
https://picasaweb.google.com/106836432394752820607/HPA9 (https://picasaweb.google.com/106836432394752820607/HPA9)
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Thanks Mervin, that link worked for me. Also looks to be some shots of the DAC-9 (guessing name change for DAC-8) :thumb:. This is probably a dumb question but type of product is the STA-9?
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Thanks Mervin, that link worked for me. Also looks to be some shots of the DAC-9 (guessing name change for DAC-8) :thumb:. This is probably a dumb question but type of product is the STA-9?
I will hazard a guess that it is a stereo power amplifier based on their current naming convention. And I would guess it is based on the power amplifier section of the IDA-8 integrated (which I own) but improved. And if that is the case, I most likely will be picking one up. :thumb:
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:duh:.
Thanks. No idea why I didn't see that.
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:duh:.
Thanks. No idea why I didn't see that.
I'm just guessing here TBH. And very hopeful. :)
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I'd say your hopes will be well met. From John post on the pre-order thread:
the ST-10 at 150wpc x 2, or the soon to arrive ST-8 100wpc x 2 or 200wpc x 1
I am really happy with my ST-10 and how it preforms with my Harbeths and look forward to more info from Jason on how he sees it in comparison to the STA-9 in a dual mono setup.
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I'd say your hopes will be well met. From John post on the pre-order thread:
I am really happy with my ST-10 and how it preforms with my Harbeths and look forward to more info from Jason on how he sees it in comparison to the STA-9 in a dual mono setup.
I am not yet at liberty to post numbers, but let me just say, that Jason's suggestion, that the STA-9 and well as the DAC-9 (that they got "carried away" with improvements) is correct.
I can also let slip out a "teaser", the STA-9's numbers are projected to EXCEED those that I posted in that other thread. :o
In fact, they might be some of the best price/performance specs in High End.
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I am not yet at liberty to post numbers, but let me just say, that Jason's suggestion, that the STA-9 and well as the DAC-9 (that they got "carried away" with improvements) is correct.
I can also let slip out a "teaser", the STA-9's numbers are projected to EXCEED those that I posted in that other thread. :o
In fact, they might be some of the best price/performance specs in High End.
I can't wait to hear more! I have my sights on the DAC-10H/ST10 combo, but finances will prevent that from happening any time soon. This sounds very tempting....
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This headphone amp looks pretty interesting . I do have a question about the "L --- H" slider on the front panel . Is this meant to be used for "gain" or "Impedance" ?
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Gain.
Oh, I should mention that the impedance handling of HPA-9 is astounding.
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He,he,he.... After thinking about my question yesterday, I really couldn't think of any Headphone amp that
I've used that this "wasn't" for gain .
(thanks for answering my "half awake, should have had some coffee" question)
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I've actually seen a few headamps with switchable output impedances... Centrance Hifi-M8 and Teac HA-501 come to mind.
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I'm surprised the HPA-9 does not have a balanced headphone output. Even if not truly balanced, many high end headphones and cables are coming balanced now, so having an XLR-4 port up front is highly convenient.
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he he he, you have to buy DAC-10H.
May be in the future, but today's cost doesn't allow us to offer true balance out at this price.
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For some reason,I've never felt any of my headphones (including my HE6) displayed any weaknesses running
them single-ended.
Now that I think of it ,though, more than likely having an Equitech 1.5 Q line conditioner in front of everything
may be responsible for this. In the long run running the headphones balanced may be the less expensive proposition, so as they say "You picks your Poison" I guess !
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he he he, you have to buy DAC-10H.
May be in the future, but today's cost doesn't allow us to offer true balance out at this price.
The HPA-9 has dual headphone outputs correct? Are they individual outputs or are they simply paralleled?
Silly bootstrap idea is for one of the outputs to be phase inverted from the other, which allows us crazy headphone enthusiasts to build an adapter that provides bridged balanced outputs. It's not an altogether new idea; I've seen similar things done in the past.
Any plans to release a fully balanced headphone amp? (perhaps the HPA-9.5 haha!)
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Gain.
Oh, I should mention that the impedance handling of HPA-9 is astounding.
Not sure what "impedance handling" is unless it is a sideways reference to output impedance, which is a spec I would like to know.
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Normally headphone amp is designed to work well for a limited range of headphones impedance but HPA-9 supports 16 to 1000 ohms.
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Hi. HPA-9 looking very tasty... :D
Q: Are the two RCA outputs fixed volume, or after the vol control?
REgards,
Matt Walker
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I think one RCA output is fixed volume.
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Looks like a fabulous product. Sorry if this has been answered and I missed it, but does it have remote volume control?
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I think one RCA output is fixed volume.
I am wrong about this, both RCA outputs are controlled by volume.
There is no remote control.
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Today I had the chance to discuss with the engineer about HPA-9 and what he has told me made me believe that HPA-9 is the best headphone amp on the market, at any price. He said that he can show plots of HPA-9 against a $30,000 single ended pure class A headphone amp.
We have been too busy getting these new products out the door, now we have time to provide more technical info.
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Hmmm.
I can't see the purpose of two RCA outputs both after the volume control?
What's the thinking here?
If one of fixed, then the HPA-9 could be used as a phono pre for the DAC-9 (which has no phono input)...
But this is compromised, somewhat by the HPA-9 output being after the Vol control.
All food for thought...
Regards,
Matt
I am wrong about this, both RCA outputs are controlled by volume.
There is no remote control.
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I was thinking the same thing. I am trying to figure out the logistics of running a TT with the DAC-9/HPA-9 combo. If you want to hear the TT through speakers, you have to either unhook the DAC-9 from the power amp and hook up the HPA-9 to the power amp, or run the HPA-9 through the DAC-9 if you want remote control. However, if you want to listen to the DAC-9 through headphones, you then have to disconnect the outputs of the DAC-9 and run them to the HPA-9 instead of to the power amp.
Seems like a bit of a cluster.....
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HPA-9 can be used with STA-9 (besides having THREE simultaneous headphone amp outputs):
Stereo to STA-9 (stereo)
Stereo to 2 x STA-9 (mono mode)
Bi-amp 2 X Stereo to 2 X STA-9 (stereo)
Bi-amp 4 X STA-9 (mono mode) Wow 4 X 290W
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HPA-9 is the best headphone amp in the world, feel free to compare it against anything at any price.
But it can also be used as a class A preamp. If you have very good analog source, and want to bypass the A2D of DAC-9, then follow this setup where the HPA-9 RCA outputs go to STA-9 RCA inputs.
And the DAC-9 balanced outputs go to STA-9 balanced inputs.
It is a little inconvenient to use the balance/unbal switch of the STA-9 but if you want the ultimate purest phono to amp solution and still combine your best digital source, this is the only way, and may be only one in the world that can do it.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=133611)
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I don't want to sound negative on what looks to be a great product, but that arrangement doesn't work for me.
Having to reach around to the back of the STA-9 to flick the Bal/Unbal switch.
IMHO it would have been nice to have included a headphone amp in the DAC-9.
I'm assuming the DAC-9 is a IMA-8 with the amplifier section removed. So there should be space in there?
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They already have a single unit that does what you are asking for.
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They already have a single unit that does what you are asking for.
That is true.
Matt, take a look at the DAC-10H, which would also give you the "remote" you were interested in too.
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It certainly does sound like a great product !
Do be careful what you say about it, lest someone will start talking about how it may be "Overbuilt"
(This has to be one of the silliest terms I've come across to describe "high intentioned" audio equipment . It's almost like saying certain foods are "too delicious"; If something appears to be better than it need be, it only means that it has the potential to more easily compensate for a deficiency that exists elsewhere . Excellence isn't normally the rule, but the exception for mid priced products)
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The DAC-10H has all the bells and whistles in one unit and it deserved its Product Of The Year award.
The DAC-9, HPA-9, STA-9 are not, repeat, NOT simply taking from the IDA-8 or part of DAC-10H. It was the original intent but as R&D progresses, we ended up with pretty much new products, therefore they ended up with the -9 model numbers to indicate where they stand in terms of performance.
DAC-9 was designed using a different DAC chip and objectives. The -9 series allow you to mix and match however you want.
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What is this???? ! I have been wanting to upgrade from my faithful HAP-100 and have been futzing around in searches. I need answers, please! :D
What's at the heart of the preamp's amplification? Is it chips? Discrete?
The volume control? I am assuming that is the same excellent thin film resistor volume control?
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I will try to provide info on HPA-9 by mid Jan, currently too busy.
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Today I had the chance to discuss with the engineer about HPA-9 and what he has told me made me believe that HPA-9 is the best headphone amp on the market, at any price. He said that he can show plots of HPA-9 against a $30,000 single ended pure class A headphone amp.
We have been too busy getting these new products out the door, now we have time to provide more technical info.
Any more on this? I'm not familiar with any $30,000 headphone amp on the market.
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Hello guys.
I have been looking for two answers regarding HPA-9.
Do you know what is it's line out impedance and if line out circuit also runs in class A ?
Thank you.
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Will the rca output be disconnected when I connect a head phone?
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Will the rca output be disconnected when I connect a head phone?
No, my biggest complaint with this product.
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No, my biggest complaint with this product.
Thanks, then I have to look for another preamp to my MCH-K38.
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Yeah, I can't imagine why they didn't include this feature since they tout it as a headphone amp / preamp. Why include a phono preamp, extra inputs, and make it severely hampered as a preamp by not muting the output when you connect a headphone? Although I like the sound quality of the HPA-9, I think I'm selling mine and looking for another option.
Eduardo, I looked for the output impedance in my manual and it's not listed. I can only guess that it runs in class A throughout, only the Hitachi transistors are mentioned and they are biased class A.
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Jason can explain why "muting" circuitry was not added, but I might think it was a "sound quality" issue.
Might the solution be something simple like powering down your external amp, when you plug in your phones?
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Yes John, that's what I have to do when I want to listen to headphones and is the crux of the problem, I don't wanna turn off my power amp when I listen to headphones. Thus I'm listening less and less to my headphones and waiting until it's okay to play the main rig, (others sleep schedule etc.). It seems like a small issue, but it really bothers me as I like to keep everything on 24/7.
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Doesn't the amp have a mute switch / remote option?
Its not ideal, but it could work. Also, lowering the volume to 0 if it has a nice knob that can be moved quickly (and if it doesn't require a thousand turns like some I know :) LOL!)
Yeah, its not ideal, I agree. Best regards,
Rafa.
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Yes John, that's what I have to do when I want to listen to headphones and is the crux of the problem, I don't wanna turn off my power amp when I listen to headphones. Thus I'm listening less and less to my headphones and waiting until it's okay to play the main rig, (others sleep schedule etc.). It seems like a small issue, but it really bothers me as I like to keep everything on 24/7.
Understood I am a 24/7 type too. :thumb:
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I think the line out and headphone out were influence by studio requirement. I recall there is also a performance issue. In order to turn off the line out, the headphone input connect is also a switch. That might work for 3.5mm stereo jack, but we also have the dual headphone out for XLR configuration.
We can't please everyone :duh:
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And I have to say it's a very nice headphone amp when used as such, it only matters if you use the unit as both preamp and headphone amp. Which fit my needs perfectly save for this one issue.
As far as sound quality goes it's a very dynamic and detailed amp. It's a tad rolled off in the extreme treble, just a tad, and has a slightly warm tone, both very much to the pleasurable degree if you're like me and appreciate just a little bit of both. This without losing an any detail or dynamics, it adds up to a quite pleasant presentation.
I imagine the phono section is better than that Pro-ject phono box mentioned previously, because it doesn't seem to change the character of the amp one bit. Both the positive and negative aspects of the sound come through the analog inputs from my DAC and the phono section equally, which tells me the phono amp side isn't adding or subtracting anything.
You might ask "What negative aspects are you talking about, you haven't mentioned any". Nor have I talked about soundstaging and imaging. Both are well done with caveats, soundstage and headstage are a little bit shallow in depth and height. It's a pleasant soundstage that's competitive with many head amps out there, just not as deep or high as my vintage PS Audio 4.6. Images are sharply drawn and easily delineated even in complex passages. They are however less "round" than with the 4.6, not so much that you would call them cardboard cut outs, just not as full. I could be completely convinced that that all these impressions are simply a result of a more detailed preamp, such is the minor magnitude of them.
And I've deviated a touch from the headlamp side in favor of the preamp because it just completely smoked my previous "headlamp", the headphone section of a NAD 3020b using only the amp side, preamp separated. This was a configuration that wasn't previously surpassed by anything I could afford. A slightly reduced depth of image doesn't seem to matter as much to me with headphones than it does with speakers. A versatile product that does a lot of things very well for not much disposable.
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The volume control? I am assuming that is the same excellent thin film resistor volume control?
Also waiting for the answer to this question.
(It has been asked twice in this thread.)
Does the HPA-9 use the same volume control as the DAC-9 & DAC-10 analogue section?
I.e. Muses 72320 thin film resistor chip.
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I'm looking into the HPA-9, but I find the lack of some information rather puzzling.
Since its marketed as a PRE, as well as heaphone amp, where are the details of the RCA outputs? Output impedance via RCA? Gain? Max Vrms output? Does the Gain switch affect the back RCA outputs as well? (Also, there is no mention as to what gain shift is accomplished by the switch, is it 2x, some value would be useful!).
These are important deciding factors when partnering with equipment. It's nice that they work together with the other nuPrime 9s, but what if I want only one of the components? Where is all the additional info?
Best,
Rafa.
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It's now a discontinued product so I don't think they'll be adding any specs to the ad copy.
I'm pretty sure it's not the same volume control as the DAC9 and DAC10.
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I wasn't aware it was discontinued.
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Jason just posted on another thread that they were discontinuing the unit, so not likely that the web site is updated yet.
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The demand for pure preamp/headphone amp is just too low to justify making another such product in the foreseeable future.
Our design engineer is probably "heart broken" as HPA-9 is a great achievement, especially at this price. Perhaps we should have double the price and sales would be better (no kidding). :cry:
Head-fi.org has some good user reviews of HPA-9.
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Just wanted to say that I feel fortunate to have picked up an HPA-9 while it was still in production. It’s really made my main stereo rig come alive, and the headphone amp section is just flat out awesome. Sorry the market wasn’t there.
To anyone looking for a headphone amp that can double as a pre, see if you can find one of these used.
Finally, someone asked whether the gain switch affects the RCA output. Based on my observation, no, just the headphone outs.
The demand for pure preamp/headphone amp is just too low to justify making another such product in the foreseeable future.
Our design engineer is probably "heart broken" as HPA-9 is a great achievement, especially at this price. Perhaps we should have double the price and sales would be better (no kidding). :cry:
Head-fi.org has some good user reviews of HPA-9.
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Check out Nuprime Alita https://nuprimeaudio.com/product/alita/ (https://nuprimeaudio.com/product/alita/)
It has a headphone amp that is much better than HPA-9. And it comes with a state of the art DAC & preamp. This is the one to get for headphone enthusiasts.