FiiO launches CLASS A desktop headphone amp and preamp

FiiO has released a new desktop headphone amplifier and preamplifier. The FiiO CLASS A is priced at £379.99 in the UK and has a rated maximum balanced headphone output of 4,000mW per channel into 32 ohms.

The amplifier uses fully discrete analogue circuitry, with individual transistors, resistors and capacitors forming the amplifier rather than a single integrated amplifier chip. Its output stage operates in Class A, keeping the output devices active throughout the signal cycle. The components of each channel are matched and adjusted during manufacture.

Five gain settings are available, alongside separate bass and treble controls that each provide adjustment of up to ±10dB. Headphone connections comprise a 6.35mm socket, a balanced 4.4mm socket and a four-pin XLR socket.

Analogue sources connect through 3.5mm and RCA inputs, as well as balanced 4.4mm and XLR inputs. For use with active speakers or a separate power amplifier, the unit provides volume-controlled RCA and XLR line outputs. A computer using USB audio requires an external DAC between the computer and the CLASS A's analogue inputs.

FiiO positions the amplifier alongside its DP11 CD player and WARMER R2R DAC as separately purchased components for a system. The CLASS A comes in black and silver finishes. Overseas shipments are being arranged progressively.