Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Audio Technica AT-HA20 Headphone Amplifier Review

Aloha!

I avoid doing reviews on stuff that I cannot find any research material for, but I am going to make an exception for a neat headphone amplifier that I picked up in a secondhand store in Japan. Today we are looking at an Audio Technica AT-HA20, which I believe was never sold in the States.

I did not have a chance to try out this unit in the store, and have to admit I was initially puzzled by its appearance. Why stick a clear top on this thing if there is so much empty space inside, with nothing much to see? Then I plugged it in and had a moment of clarity. It turns out that the factory put a bad-ass blue LED inside so it lights up the cavernous interior and entertains the user. ‘Nuff said.

This amplifier has a clean appearance, with a machined aluminum case and the aforementioned clear top. The user interfaces on the front are kept to a minimum, with a power switch, ¼-inch and 1/8-inch outputs, and a volume control. On the back are stereo RCA inputs and outputs. The whole thing is powered by a hefty AC adaptor, and there is no battery option for this baby. It is really easy to set-up -- just find a 1/8-inch to RCA adaptor and you are good to go.

Beside not having a battery compartment, the size of the AT-HA20 keeps this from being a portable unit. It measures in around 1 ¾ x 4 1/8 x 6 inches, and it weighs a little under a pound. This is a good size for the desk, as it does not take up too much real estate, and Audio Technica put rubber feet on the side too so you can stand it on end if you want to.

The amp requires 500mA of power at 12 V, so it is not a real power hog. It has a maximum rated power stereo output of 100mW per channel at 32Ω with a total harmonic distortion of 0.5%. During normal usage at a more reasonably 20mW output, the THD drops down to less than 0.08%. The rated frequency response is 10 to 100,000Hz.

One of the reasons I use a headphone amplifier is to increase the volume when using high-impedance headphones with my laptop or iPod. The AT-HA20 does an admirable job of this, and the 64-ohm Sennheiser HD280 Pro cans that I use at work have plenty of output when running them with this amplifier.

The other reason I prefer to use a headphone amp is to improve the overall tone that I hear, and this is a lot harder to quantify and describe. But, with the added headroom, a lot more detail becomes evident, and to some degree the circuits will alter the overall sound of the source music. I find that theAT-HA20 is amazingly neutral and does not add much color to the sound, with a mild boost in mids and perhaps a slight increase in sibilance.

So, this amplifier also spruces up the sound of headphones that are maybe not too great, like my cheap-o Sennheiser HD 201s. It enhances the weaker registers, and gives the phones a more balanced overall tone. Overall, this was one of my better secondhand store finds, and it has taken up permanent residence on my desk.

After doing a search online, I am pretty sure that the Audio Technica AT-HA20 has been discontinued, but there is still some old stock out there, and a guy in Hong Kong is selling them $116 on eBay (with free shipping). If you have been jonesing for a headphone amp, this might be a good place to start.

Mahalo!

27 comments:

  1. If you're into music in a serious way, then you want to get the best sound quality that you can. In addition, you want to be able to listen to your music on the move and look good whilst you're doing it, right? If this sounds like you, then you'll want to know more about jbl headphones.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome article! I want people to know just how good this information is in your article. It’s interesting, compelling content. Your views are much like my own concerning this subject. top integrated amplifiers

    ReplyDelete
  3. The headphone products are best closed headphones getting mature from the first two small speakers in your ears over time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is my first time i visit here and I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially it's discussion, thank you. Ear Muffs for Sleeping

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super-Duper site! I am Loving it!! Will come back again, Im taking your feed also, Thanks. Musica de fondo para videos

    ReplyDelete
  6. This particular papers fabulous, and My spouse and i enjoy each of the perform that you have placed into this. I’m sure that you will be making a really useful place. I has been additionally pleased. Good perform! 台北音響店

    ReplyDelete
  7. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. 擴大機

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome article! I want people to know just how good this information is in your article. It’s interesting, compelling content. Your views are much like my own concerning this subject. Wireless Charger

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative.. Tech with Gadgets

    ReplyDelete
  10. Awesome article! I want people to know just how good this information is in your article. It’s interesting, compelling content. Your views are much like my own concerning this subject. 新竹音響店

    ReplyDelete
  11. I was looking at some of your posts on this website and I conceive this web site is really instructive! Keep putting up.. 家庭劇院

    ReplyDelete
  12. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. Thanks a million and please keep up the effective work. soundcloud to mp3

    ReplyDelete
  13. This blog is really great. The information here will surely be of some help to me. Thanks!. soundcloud to mp3

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am very enjoyed for this blog. Its an informative topic. It help me very much to solve some problems. Its opportunity are so fantastic and working style so speedy. 音響店

    ReplyDelete
  15. I was looking at some of your posts on this website and I conceive this web site is really instructive! Keep putting up.. 音響店

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for. 台北音響

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am happy to find this post very useful for me, as it contains lot of information. I always prefer to read the quality content and this thing I found in you post. Thanks for sharing. 竹北 音響店

    ReplyDelete
  18. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. 新竹 音響店

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts. 新竹音響店

    ReplyDelete
  20. Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. 竹北 音響店

    ReplyDelete
  21. Clearly YouTube is the largest video sharing site in the world.  And since being purchased by Google late in 2006, there has been much speculation as to the direction that Google would take with YouTube.  For years, many marketers (myself included) have been using YouTube very successfully to generate a lot of traffic. https://www.buyyoutubeviewsindia.in/youtube-marketing/

    ReplyDelete
  22. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative.. หนังไทย

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards, 音響店

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for this great post, i find it very interesting and very well thought out and put together. I look forward to reading your work in the future. hp 2600 driver download

    ReplyDelete
  25. it was a wonderful chance to visit this kind of site and I am happy to know. thank you so much for giving us a chance to have this opportunity.. 台北音響店

    ReplyDelete
  26. Very nice article, I enjoyed reading your post, very nice share, I want to twit this to my followers. Thanks!. 音響店推薦

    ReplyDelete