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RRP: £525.00
With the introduction of the Linear in 2004, Lehmannaudio raised the sound quality of headphone amplifiers to a new level. The Drachenfels now represents a new generation of headphone amps: a champion with an entry-level price tag scores with leading-edge technology and, owing to its modular options, can be matched to ever new situations.
With the introduction of the Linear in 2004, Lehmannaudio raised the sound quality of headphone amplifiers to a new level. The Drachenfels now represents a new generation of headphone amps: our champion with an entry-level price tag scores with leading-edge technology and, owing to its modular options, can be matched to ever new situations. With regard to sound it’s particularly the tremendous wealth of detail that strikes the ear, together with a perfect control of what’s going on. Even in the thickest musical hurly-burly the structure remains discernible at any time and every detail clear-cut.
The Drachenfels is fully equipped with Neutrik headphone sockets with gold-plated contacts and Line in/pre-out: RCA.
The Sabre DAC from ESS on the quad-layer circuit board, which is optimised against RF interference, offers both digital S/PDIF and TOSLINK inputs. Low-loss mica caps on the mainboard and in the analogue filter of the converter as well as ultra fast amplifier stages on the converter board guarantee reference quality in transient reproduction.
Operating as an analogue headphone amplifier, the Drachenfels offers 12dB of practice-oriented gain which, due to the smooth running ALPS Blue Velvet potentiometer with excellent synchronism and the ultra-low-noise circuit, dispenses with the need for a gain switch. The advanced technical knowledge that has gone into the circuitry means that the sound performance offers a tremendous wealth of detail and pin-point timing, all captured within a highly engaging musical envelope.
However, where Drachenfels finds its niche is in its modular design. The back panel is designed to come away from the structure so more input options can be added with upgrade modules (available from late-2017), bringing with them more advanced features. The idea for the future is that even when new standards and listening preferences come to market, Drachenfels can be modified to suit rather than discarded and replaced.
The Drachenfels is built using the finest components available for the price. From the Neutrik headphone sockets to the low-loss MKP precision capacitors, the audio path is clear and unaffected by unnecessary devices. The clever design also allows it to be used either as a headphone amplifier with two outputs, or as a single-input pre-amp for a power amplifier or set of powered speakers. The small footprint makes placement in or near a system very easy, and operation is as simple as pushing the power switch and adjusting the volume dial.
When you buy Drachenfels, you are purchasing a high-quality analogue headphone amplifier. But more than that, you're opening up a gateway to future product developments, all of which can be added with an easy module upgrade, rather than needing to entirely replace your beloved headphone amplifier.
Henley Says...
Even the biggest Lehmann headphone amp has a very small footprint, and the more compact ones are just impressively tiny, given the high-quality sound that they can create. These bits of kit really raise the bar in sound performance and reliability, sitting at home as part of bigger systems or as desktop units where they 'just work'. No muss, no fuss - immerse yourself in a bubble of your music at the push of a button.
The two headphone inputs are the same quality, and allow for two people to listen to the same music through two sets of headphones. However, one port is designed to switch off the RCA audio outputs when a headphone is connected. The other port keeps the output active when a set of headphones are connected. This suits Lehmannaudio amplifiers to multiple applications.
Module upgrades for the Drachenfels can be easily installed by your local Lehmannaudio dealer, or by Henley Audio. Use our Where to Buy tool to find your local retailer, or Contact Us for more information.
