Atoll electronique HD120
Headphone amplifier, preamplifier and DAC made in France, fitted with a Burr-Brown DAC and a variety of digital and analogue inputs.
Comparison with the observed price of the same product new; this is not a reduction on a previous price.
Description
The Atoll HD120 is a device combining three functions: headphone amplifier, preamplifier and digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). Designed and hand-built in France, it is aimed at those who wish to centralise several digital and analogue sources around demanding headphone listening, whilst retaining the option of using it as a line preamplifier.
The conversion stage is built around a Burr-Brown PCM5102 chip, tasked with converting the digital signal into an analogue signal prior to amplification. On the digital connectivity side, the unit accepts a coaxial input up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, an optical input and an asynchronous USB-B input both at 24-bit / 192 kHz, as well as a Bluetooth link operating in direct i2S, allowing wireless connection of a compatible source without going through additional conversion. Two RCA analogue inputs round out the set, allowing the connection of conventional sources or the use of the HD120 as a line preamplifier.
The dedicated headphone stage is built on discrete components biased in Class A, an architecture that favours the linearity of the amplified signal. It delivers 1.4 W into 32 ohms, with a possible peak of 6.8 W, for an output impedance of 1 ohm, a low value that limits the amplifier's influence on the frequency response of the connected headphones. The bandwidth extends from 1 Hz to 150 kHz, and harmonic distortion remains below 0.01%.
This type of device suits a user wishing to bring together several digital sources (computer, network player, optical player) and analogue sources around a quality pair of headphones, without multiplying units. Its versatility also makes it a central piece for a small hi-fi system where the HD120 acts as preamplifier.
Technical specifications
| Converter (DAC) | Burr-Brown PCM5102 |
| Digital inputs | Coaxial (32-bit / 384 kHz), optical (24-bit / 192 kHz), USB-B (24-bit / 192 kHz), Bluetooth (i2S) |
| Analogue inputs | 2 RCA lines |
| Headphone power | 1.4 W / 32 Ω (6.8 W peak) |
| Output impedance | 1 Ω |
| Bandwidth | 1 Hz – 150 kHz |
| Distortion | < 0.01% |
| Manufacturing | France |
What to check before buying used
The Class A headphone stage relies on permanently biased transistors, a design that warms the casing even at low volume: check for background noise, crackling or a channel cutting out, a common sign of ageing discrete components. Test each input separately, in particular the Bluetooth i2S link and the asynchronous USB-B port, whose pairing or recognition can deteriorate over time. Also check the RCA sockets and digital connectors (coaxial, optical) for looseness or oxidation that could cause crackling.
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