Singxer SA-1 Class-A Headphone Amplifier
The Singxer SA1 is an analogue Class A Headphone & Pre-amplifer with a fully balanced circuitry. The unit is small but hefty , the build quality feels
excellent when taking it out of the cardboard box. The unboxing experience is very minimalist, the SA1 comes with just a power cord and a small
user manual that's it, no remote or any other accessories. Anyway The SA-1 is meant to be used in a desktop or nearfield set-up so a remote is not a
must have in my opinion.
On the front of the unit there are three switches, the first one from left to right is the power switch and selection for either preamp or
headphone output, the second one lets you choose between balanced or single ended input and a third switch is to toggle between
High & Low Impedance, this can be useful if headphone or IEM is very sensitive the switch should be set to Hi-Z.
Next to the switches the headphone outputs can be found balanced 4.4 & XLR and in the middle the SE 6.35.
On the far left there is a vey nice analogue ALPS volume knob.
On the back connections from left to right, Analogue Inputs and Outputs in both XLR and single ended are available. On the right the main power switch & power socket
Wonder where the Gain switches are located? Well they have been placed at the bottom of the unit. Not very convenient if
both IEMS and hard to drive Headphones are being used as every time you want turn the unit around to access the gain switches.
Other than that the Singxer SA-1 is a fantastic Headphone Amp and Preamp. It's sounds great with all IEMS and Headphones i listened to and
also in my Speaker setup using it as a preamp with the Matrix Audio mini i-4 Streamer, the Atoll MA100 power amp & Wharfedale Denton 85 A.E.
The sound is very clean, detailed and without any audible background noise. The SA-1 is very neutral, good soundstage with a slight hint of warmth
to it. It drove everything i trough at it even the difficult to drive Hifiman HE-6 SE V2 although at hight gain & volume nearly maxed out.
Final word:
At a retail price around 499€ this is as good as it gets, you get a full medal chassis, simple to use unit except for the gain switches located at the bottom,
top notch sound performance, has great synergy with a wide range of IEMS and Headphones. A great choice in the 500€ price category and even to up 1000€
Used listening components:
Singxer Sa-1
Questyle CMA-400i (DAC)
Ifi Zen Dac V2 (DAC)
Eversolo DMPA-6 MA Edition (STR-DAC)
Matrix Audio Mini I4 Streamer(STR-DAC)
Atoll Ma-100 (Power AMP)
Wharfedale Denton 85th Anniversary Ed. (Bookshelf Speakers)
Hifman HE-6 SE V2 (Planar Open Back)
Aune AR-5000 (Dynamic Open Back)
Fiio FT3 (Dynamic Open Back)
Hifiman HE-1000 Stealth V3 (Planar Open Back)
Sennheiser HD660s2 (Dynamic Open Back)
Dan Clark Audio Ether C Flow v1.1 (Planar Closed Back)
Fiio FT1 (Dynamic Closed Back)
Letshuoer S12 (In Ears)
Meze Alba (In Ears)
ThieAudio Hype 4 (In Ears)
Theaudio Monarch Mk2 (In Ears)
Hart Modular Cables
Audioquest Evergreen Cinch/RCA Cables
Mogami XLR Cables