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Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B Balanced Headphone Amp
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Matrix M-Stage HPA-3B Balanced Headphone Amp
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26 Sold
Product Description
From Matrix’s highly regarded M-Stage series, the HPA-3B is a Class A balanced headphone amplifier that supports both single-ended and differential outputs, maximizing your headphones’ performance. It has two XLR inputs for a balanced input, and in case you don’t have a balanced DAC, it comes with two XLR-to-RCA adapters for a standard unbalanced input Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downelau
81
Jul 24, 2017
So has anyone ever compared this to the Jotenheim? That still seems like a better value with all the features; however, I would still go with the better sounding one.
Brosefstalin42
260
Aug 12, 2018
elauI didn't get the integrated DAC for the Jot and with a Topping D30 and SMSL SU-8 I haven't found it terribly bright. I think it's the DAC more than the amp. I've found Xduoo and other SMSL DACs and amps brighter in comparison to my two main DACs using the cirrus logic and sabre chips along with a Topping A30, a Magni 3, and the Jot.
badheinz1985
34
Jul 14, 2018
I have no intentions to join this drop since I bought it directly from Matrix (did not want to wait for the drop).
It's a nice amp providing plenty of power.
How powerful it is? Well... at the moment I'm sitting down with my Fostex T60-RP (absolutely awesome headphones, by the way) on my head with a balanced cable plugged into the amp, and the volume nob is at 10 o'clock, on lowest gain setting (yes lowest gain setting of the available three), and the music is quite loud.
Some notes on build quality: 1. Volume knob could definitely improve to be more indicative. 2. Blue led indicating the power is on (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I know some people out there are very picky about LED indicator colors). 3. Gain switch on the back is too tiny in my opinion. It feels like you could break it. 4. Power switch in the back as well (as you all can see). 5. Class A - gets hot as hell!
Sound: I have no issues with the sound at all. I guess I'm not very picky. Probably more "serious" audiophiles with better ears can share more useful opinions here.
Here is a pic of my setup for you...
Some notes on build quality: 1. Volume knob could definitely improve to be more indicative. 2. Blue led indicating the power is on (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone, but I know some people out there are very picky about LED indicator colors). 3. Gain switch on the back is too tiny in my opinion. It feels like you could break it. 4. Power switch in the back as well (as you all can see). 5. Class A - gets hot as hell!
Sound: I have no issues with the sound at all. I guess I'm not very picky. Probably more "serious" audiophiles with better ears can share more useful opinions here.
Here is a pic of my setup for you...
DareToBe
214
Aug 14, 2018
This looks nice, but the specs are quite behind the THX 789. Any other reasons to choose it?
rslatara
287
May 4, 2020
DareToBeTwice the power @ 300/600 ohm. I upgraded the opamp to an opa1656 and truth be told I listen to it more than my 789. It just has a less metallic or less cold sound and as some would say a class-A sweetness.
AltCtrl
1
Oct 29, 2017
I have the old Matrix-M-Stage 2010 v.2 -- is it worth upgrading to this? My sound card is the Asus Essence STX. My headphones are: Beyer 1990 Pro, Beyer DT880 and soon to come HD6XX and Hifiman 4XX. How do I run these in balanced mode, is it a big difference? What are some other good solid state amp choices for these headphones? Thanks!
lugnut
103
Jul 17, 2018
I own this amp and it is great amp. I also agree with everything you wrote. I like much better than the Jot. Its a shame this amp does not get more attention. I guess it boils down to the Chifi thing.
fjrabon
456
Jul 29, 2016
I liked it a lot. One of the better solid state amps for the HD800. I tried it with the HD800, HE1000 and HE400i. All of those are fairly easy to drive power needs wise, so I never ran into any distortion problems. Ultimately I decided to go tube SE for my HD800, but if I had decided to go balanced solid state this was a contender. Great value for the money. I think it stands toe to toe with the Liquid Carbon.
Shireman5
9
Sep 12, 2018
So, I was searching for a headphone amp for what seems like four years. With so much stuff coming out in the past decade the options have become near ludicrous. My needs were "fairly" simple: Neutral sound signature, class A circuit topology and the one aspect that kept me waiting so long, fully differential in and out, meaning a true balanced signal from input to my headphones. I heard about this little amp about two years ago and put off buying it until now.
The build of this amp is as solid as it is sturdy(oh my God I fear for that tiny gain switch) and well vented as this little thing could adequately heat a drink sitting on the top plate. The volume is not indicated well in low light, but using the volume knob itself feels like a quality volume pot, so smooth and linear. My DAC is also a recently purchased SMSL SU-8 which includes balanced outs and a dynamic range of 120 db with a respectable SNR of 116 db. I have only driven my headphones through the single ended output as I am saving again to buy balanced cables for each set I have: HD 600, HD800 and M1060. With the DAC and amp paired together via xlr cables, the overall noise floor is virtually undetectable. Dead silent. Not even the highly sensitive HD 800 can be heard over this pairing.
Here comes the honesty. Normally, I have driven my headphones out of my vintage receiver. The benefit of doing that was I had all the power to drive the M1060's with a built in graphic equalizer to help tame the treble on the HD 800's. My receiver also has a loudness control feature which basically amplifies the lowest and highest frequencies, to my ears, about 8-10 db. When this is off and the equalizer is leveled out the sound is dead neutral. Upon listening to my first set of tracks on the HPA-3B I noticed the amount of bass was on par with the receiver with the aforementioned features turned off. The bass is lean overall but present. The midrange, to me, sounds forward and at times a bit shouty but is smooth and resolving with the right music. Treble decay is airy and natural but more so when compared to my receiver. Class A topology allows for that extra bit of fidelity that class A/B(the receiver) just can't reach.
I use foobar2000 with an equalizer(when you own HD 800's or you're a nit picker in general it's a must) and so far I'd say the dac and amp sound great together. Until I get some balanced cables I can only enjoy single ended for now. I hope to add some updates in the future.
The build of this amp is as solid as it is sturdy(oh my God I fear for that tiny gain switch) and well vented as this little thing could adequately heat a drink sitting on the top plate. The volume is not indicated well in low light, but using the volume knob itself feels like a quality volume pot, so smooth and linear. My DAC is also a recently purchased SMSL SU-8 which includes balanced outs and a dynamic range of 120 db with a respectable SNR of 116 db. I have only driven my headphones through the single ended output as I am saving again to buy balanced cables for each set I have: HD 600, HD800 and M1060. With the DAC and amp paired together via xlr cables, the overall noise floor is virtually undetectable. Dead silent. Not even the highly sensitive HD 800 can be heard over this pairing.
Here comes the honesty. Normally, I have driven my headphones out of my vintage receiver. The benefit of doing that was I had all the power to drive the M1060's with a built in graphic equalizer to help tame the treble on the HD 800's. My receiver also has a loudness control feature which basically amplifies the lowest and highest frequencies, to my ears, about 8-10 db. When this is off and the equalizer is leveled out the sound is dead neutral. Upon listening to my first set of tracks on the HPA-3B I noticed the amount of bass was on par with the receiver with the aforementioned features turned off. The bass is lean overall but present. The midrange, to me, sounds forward and at times a bit shouty but is smooth and resolving with the right music. Treble decay is airy and natural but more so when compared to my receiver. Class A topology allows for that extra bit of fidelity that class A/B(the receiver) just can't reach.
I use foobar2000 with an equalizer(when you own HD 800's or you're a nit picker in general it's a must) and so far I'd say the dac and amp sound great together. Until I get some balanced cables I can only enjoy single ended for now. I hope to add some updates in the future.
FairDinkum
57
Sep 7, 2016
Schiit released the Jotunheim balanced DAC/amp a week ago. Good reviews so far. Not sure how it compares with M-Stage though.
Maete
0
Jul 29, 2016
Does anyone know if there will be taxes added when ordering from/shipping to Sweden?
No_username_available
47
Jul 30, 2016
MaeteThere won't be taxes added when it is shipped to you in Sweden but most likely there will be taxes and handling fees added to the price you've paid at check-out once the product has arrived in Sweden. Before you add the product to the cart please check the website of the Swedish tax office how imports are handled. I assume the price you have paid in USD at check-out will be converted to SEK. Add 25% of tax to it plus handling fees and you'll have a rough idea what it is going to cost you. Once you know this, find out how much this product cost in Sweden or neighboring countries.
elau
81
Jul 29, 2016
I wish these desktop balanced amps have xlr outputs for speakers for those that switch back and forth--without dropping several grand for top line violectric or Bryston headphone amps.
Tsar_Bomba
228
Aug 2, 2016
Holy shit... you people waiting on amps that long. It's SinglePower Audio all over again.
pwnerman
453
Aug 4, 2016
I bought the Geek Pulse Infinity off of a guy on Head-Fi and wasn't impressed. The screen was cheap and dim and the knob was crappy as well. I also hated how it took forever to change the volume.
Sold it and wen't and bought a Oppo HA-1. It is such a beautiful device and it sounds amazing.
Sold it and wen't and bought a Oppo HA-1. It is such a beautiful device and it sounds amazing.
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