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Manley Labs

Absolute Headphone Amplifier

Volume uses a stepped relay ladder attenuator in 0.5 dB steps, with defeatable Baxandall bass and treble shelving controls.

Type
Valve headphone amplifier
Output
1 W into 12 ohms
Weight
Not published
List
$5,499

Output into any load

The line is what the Absolute Headphone Amplifier delivers, estimated from its published ratings. Each square is a headphone in the catalog at the power it needs for a loud 110 dB peak.

Grado Signature HP100 SE: needs 0.20 mW at 38 ohmsFocal Stellia: needs 2.51 mW at 35 ohmsAudeze MM-520: needs 6.31 mW at 18 ohmsFocal Clear MG: needs 3.98 mW at 55 ohmsFostex TH900mk2: needs 10.0 mW at 25 ohmsMeze Audio Elite: needs 7.94 mW at 32 ohmsFocal Utopia (2022): needs 3.98 mW at 80 ohmsRosson Audio Design RAD-0: needs 15.8 mW at 29 ohmsYamaha YH-5000SE: needs 15.8 mW at 34 ohmsSony MDR-Z1R: needs 10.0 mW at 64 ohmsHIFIMAN HE1000se: needs 25.1 mW at 35 ohmsFinal D8000 Pro Edition: needs 15.8 mW at 60 ohmsZMF Caldera: needs 31.6 mW at 60 ohmsDan Clark Audio Stealth: needs 100 mW at 23 ohmsDan Clark Audio Expanse: needs 100 mW at 26 ohmsMeze Audio Empyrean II: needs 100 mW at 32 ohmsAudeze LCD-5s: needs 100 mW at 35 ohmsMeze Audio ARTA: needs 15.8 mW at 225 ohmsZMF Vérité Closed: needs 12.6 mW at 300 ohmsAudio-Technica ATH-ADX5000: needs 10.0 mW at 420 ohmsSennheiser HD 820: needs 16.6 mW at 300 ohmsSennheiser HD 800 S: needs 20.9 mW at 300 ohmsAbyss Diana TC Signature: needs 100 mW at 72 ohmsAbyss AB-1266 Phi TC: needs 158 mW at 50 ohmsHIFIMAN Susvara: needs 501 mW at 60 ohms, more than this amplifier deliversPublished: 1 W into 12 ohms
Output into each loadPublished ratingHeadphone it drives at 110 dB (24)Needs more (1)Load in ohms across, power up, both on log scales

Build a setup with it

Start with the HIFIMAN HE1000se, the hardest headphone here it drives with power in reserve.

Open in the setup builder →

Where to buy

$5,499

Price: MSRP.

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Title block

Maker
Manley Labs
Model
Absolute Headphone Amplifier
Type
Valve headphone amplifier
Made in
Not published
Output impedance
Not published
Weight
Not published
List price
$5,499 USD
Output power
1 W into 12 ohms
Topology
All-tube, switchable single-ended or push-pull output stage; custom hand-wound Manley IRON output transformers with Low/Mid/High impedance taps; variable negative feedback 0 to 10 dB; 2x 12AX7 and 4x 6AQ5A (EL90)
Finish
Black, copper or silver (Moon Audio variants)

What it drives

How the matching works

Runs out early

Clips before loud 110 dB peaks. Fine at moderate volume.

1

Other valve amplifiers

Sources