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The Apos x ES Lab Hydra is an integrated amplifier built to drive almost any headphone from one box: electrostatic 5-pin Pro Bias sets, planars, dynamic headphones and passive speakers. Its electrostatic stage uses a low-noise 580V DC bias generator and Japanese-made step-up transformers, and a Class AB speaker stage delivers 20W per channel into 8Ω. A 4-pin XLR Direct output feeds hard-to-drive headphones from the power amp section. It suits listeners who own several headphone types, especially electrostatic owners who would otherwise need a separate energizer, and it replaces a stack of single-purpose amps with one unit.
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The Hydra is an integrated amplifier that drives electrostatic, planar and dynamic headphones as well as passive speakers. It has a dedicated high-voltage stage for electrostatic headphones. A low-noise generator supplies the 580V DC bias that compatible 5-pin Pro Bias headphones need. A pair of Japanese-made step-up transformers provides the voltage swing.
A Class AB power stage delivers 20W per channel into 8Ω. The composite amplifier circuit uses Vishay MELF resistors and selected premium audio capacitors. A 4-pin XLR Direct output connects straight to the power amplifier, giving low-sensitivity headphones more power. A built-in L-pad attenuator is included for high-sensitivity headphones.
It has one balanced XLR input and two single-ended RCA inputs. The front-panel volume control can be bypassed so that the source component, such as a DAC or preamp, controls the level. A protection circuit watches for DC voltage at the output and for excessive power output. If it detects either one, it mutes the output.
