£16,500

The Premier Headphone Amplifier

Uncompromising headphone performance meets the refined elegance of MSB design.

After years of headphone amp design experience, listener feedback and numerous prototypes, we’re proud to introduce the Premier Headphone Amplifier. Guided by our design principles, we achieved a perfect balance of quality, functionality and beauty. When paired with our world-class Premier or Discrete DAC, you can experience the finest digital audio on a widely supported variety of dynamic headphones.

Dynamic Performance.

High-resolution audio sources shine with our fully balanced architecture, ultra-low noise floor and impedance matched circuit topology. The Premier Headphone amplifier maintains this balanced topology from the input’s origin all the way to its 4-pin XLR output. If single-ended headphones are being used, it automatically reconfigures itself when the ¼” jack is inserted. Experience balanced or single-ended headphones without compromising either one’s performance.

Your headphones. Your system. Your choice.

The rugged class A amplifier utilizes a unique Zero Negative feedback, high-voltage, current mode circuit that is load independent. The amplifier automatically adjusts to the load that it’s driving without affecting its stability or sound quality. The amp supports headphones that are spec’d from Mega-Ohms down to a fraction of an ohm. From power hungry planar magnetics to efficient IEM’s, nearly all dynamic headphones are optimally driven. Boasting 134dBA of dynamic range and a high-power class A design, the Premier Headphone Amp easily performs the softest background ambiance to the most explosive crescendos.

CNC billet chassis.

Machined in-house, the sleek unibody chassis allowed us to evenly dissipate heat with an astounding 12,000 in2 (7.75 m2) of heatsink area. With powerful class A amplification, advanced thermal design becomes critical for component longevity and long-term performance.

Power and Shielding.

The Premier Headphone Amp is powered by a custom wound, ultra low-noise, and shielded transformer. To mitigate the effects of residual stray magnetic fields, it’s housed in a CNC machined pocket lined with additional mu-metal shielding. The custom made Lundahl output transformers are also installed in individual machined cavities and located as far from any sensitive input circuitry as possible. Everything is measured, shielded and optimized for this compact yet functional layout.

Fully equipped.

Daily headphone use needs to be easy and comforting to use. With the included 12-Volt trigger connected to your Premier Powerbase, the Headphone amp will automatically turn on and off with your system. Forward facing jacks make it easy to plug in and switch headphones, making it simpler to dive into your music.

Analog bypass.

After a long session of headphone listening, simply switch to the included Bypass Mode to send your music to your desk monitors or home system to share music with friends and family.

Anodized finishes.

Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize. Our products include our in-house designed viton feet, but any audiophile M6X1 foot can be installed to personalize your system.

Specifications

The Premier Headphone Amplifier

The Premier Headphone Amp can ONLY be used with MSB DACs.
Supported FormatsAnalog Only
XLR Analog InputsOptimized for 75Ω or 150Ω Balanced Source
XLR Analog OutputsDirect connection to input when enabled or unit powered off. When listening to headphones, output is muted with 75Ω output impedance
Headphone Output Impedance40Ω
Dynamic Range 20Hz-20kHz (Max Power at 45Ω)>125dB >134dBA
Frequency Response20Hz-20kHz ±0.3dB
Common Mode Rejection Ratio> 82dB CMRR @ 60Hz > 82dB CMRR @ 1kHz > 80dB CMRR @ 20kHz
Crosstalk<-110dB Crosstalk @ 1kHz <-90dB Crosstalk @ 20kHz
Max Power @ 1% THD+N8Ω @ 4.5Vrms (2.53W) 16Ω @ 7.5Vrms (3.51W) 32Ω @ 11.4Vrms (4.06W) 45Ω @ 13.2Vrms (3.87W) 150Ω @ 13.8Vrms (1.27W)
Headphone Output Connectors1x 4 Pin XLR 2x 1/4" Stereo Jack (Single-ended)
DisplayPower LED
ControlsRear panel power switch Front panel passthrough/Headphone toggle switch 1x MSB 12V Trigger
Power Consumption82 Watts (8Watts in passthrough mode)
AC Voltage100V (Fixed) 120/240V (User switch on bottom of unit)
TopologyInput/Gain Stage - Class A - Double balanced - Impedance matched - Fully discrete Output Stage - Class A - Balanced or Single-ended* *Only in single-ended mode when 1/4" jack is used
Chassis DimensionsWidth: 17 in (432 mm) Depth: 12 in (305 mm) Chassis Height (Without Feet): 2.45 in (62 mm) Stack height: 3.05 in (77 mm) Weight: 31 lbs (14 kg) Product Feet: The Viton Foot (M6X1 Thread)
Shipping DimensionsWidth: 22 in (558.8 mm) Depth: 18 in (457.2 mm) Height: 7 in (177.8 mm) Weight: 40 lbs (18.2 kg)
Included AccessoriesProduct manual Grounding cable