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Switching to non-planar magnetic, non Hifiman headphones, the Sennheiser HD 800S with its dynamic 300Ohm driver is up next. The Prelude as a high current amplifier of course works extremely well with orthodynamic headphones, but let’s find out how the 1W@300Ohm power delivery for dynamic driven headphones works out. Well, it actually does quite well, in a specific sense. If you like the super high technical level of the Sennheiser and its huge soundstage, but you feel that it can use some more weight, impact and smoothness in the delivery (mostly the top-end) then this is an amplifier/combo for you. The synergy is good between the both of them and many will love the sound it produces. For me personally this also is great, but I kind of miss the tube dynamics and liquidity here a bit. If you prefer solid state amplification with high-impedance headphones, then this setup will make your ears very happy.
The Dan Clark Audio Stealth and Expanse headphones are great, but their performance in my opinion strongly depends on the setup. In this one where they get body, weight and a good amount of dynamics they both perform at a very high level. The Expanse and Stealth in high-gain sound full, spacious and they have good impact as well as excellent bass presence. The tonality here is a bit smoother, but it sounds natural with impressive vocal rendering 9especially in the Expanse). The overall timbre, depth and layering here are impressive, and mostly so in the mid region. For me the synergy is the very best with the Expanse, but the Stealth also shines with this amplifier, especially if body, weight and impact are your thing. The clarity and energy levels here could be better, but the musicality makes up for that. I prefer high gain as both headphones get more energy in their delivery/presentation.
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The JPSLabs/Abyss Diana MR is another difficult to drive headphone and I often compare them to the DCA headphones when it comes to performance and drivability. The Prelude has the same effect on the MR as it has on the DCA headphones, but here I prefer the low gain setting as I find the body and bass impact to become a little bit too much in high gain. But that’s personal presence. The MR performs really well when driven by the Prelude, the only thing missing her for me is a bit of energy, clarity and speed. I find this combo to be really good, but not excellent.
Last up in this section is the RAAL 1995 Immanis ribbon headphone. Here I recommend using the high gain setting as the energy and speed really improve. While the Prelude certainly has enough power to drive the Immanis, I have to admit that the synergy here isn’t the best to my ears. I have been using the Immanis with the Auris 300b, SAEQ Armageddon, ZMF Aegis and many other high end amplifiers, and I find the Immanis to sound better with all of those. I in this setup still miss body, depth, layering and bass presence. What you do get here is energy and a wide and spacious sound stage, as well as top end extension. The focus on the vocals and higher frequencies here is what annoys me as well and it doesn’t let me enjoy the Immanis as much as with other amps. This might totally be your preferred signature however, but it’s not for me. It does improve when switching to the lower gain setting, but then is sounds rather lifeless.
Conclusion: the Prelude amplifier performs really well no matter what driver technology is being used in your headphones. That said, it does some things better with some units, and as such it’s always important to hook up and test your favorite headphone with it first. In general, if you like body, weight, dynamics and musicality with a smoother delivery, the Prelude amplifier will be your best pall.
If there are any other specific combos you want me to test, let me know in the comments section below and I’ll do my best to make it happen for you.
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Comparison
The Prelude’s biggest competitor to me is the Ferrum OOR which is similarly priced (depending on whether you take the Hypsos as well). For this comparison I am using the Hifiman Susvara, with the Aquarius as DAC, in a fully balanced configuration. Both amps are using the high gain setting.
Looking at their form factor these are two very different amplifiers, even though they more or less offer the same in- and outputs. The Prelude is larger in size and it has a more traditional design. The OOR is much smaller but when combined with the Hypsos, it will take up more room when stacked. Design wise the OOR is the fancier and more modern one of both.
Both the Prelude as well as the OOR are excellent amplifiers and they both offer a lot of power, excellent dynamics and a high level of precision/detail, not just with the Susvara. The difference here really lies in the individual tuning. The OOR is a bit lighter in body and it is more neutrally tuned, where the Prelude offers more weight and bass presence. The OOR has a higher clarity level and is has better PRaT compared to the Prelude. The top end of the OOR is also more energetic and livelier, where the Prelude is softer and easier on the ear.
The Prelude is the most spacious and wide sounding amplifier, with the largest sound stage. The OOR isn’t as refined in this regard, but it is the snappier one, with better note extension as well as decay.
Both are excellent amplifiers, and it basically comes down to how you like your favorite music to sound on your preferred headphone.
Conclusion
The Hifiman Prelude is a high-end amplifier that has a lot of things going for it. It is powerful, weighty, refined and very musical. The prelude at all times sounds full bodies and it has a smooth presentation with a natural tonality. The Prelude does everything effortless and the vocals and mid timbre are a pure pleasure to the ear. The top end is a little softer here but that makes listening to treble focused headphones a whole lot easier.
The Prelude has enough power to drive all headphones and it always does that with a natural and soft tonality, combining an excellent level of precision with a musical and addictive, engaging rendering.
Like the Serenade, it is very easy to recommend this unit. If you are in the market for a desktop-sized high-end amplifier that can fulfill all your musical wishes, the Hifiman Prelude should certainly be on your list of amplifiers to audition.
Summary
Pros:
- Natural timbre
- Smooth, musical and engaging
- Powerful and dynamic
- I/O
Cons:
- Gets warmer than most other solid state amps
Page 1: Hifiman, Prelude, Specifications, Box, Accessories, Design, Build quality
Page 2: Lay-out, Usability, Sound intro, Sound General, Sound Synergy Pt.1
Page 3: Sound Synergy Pt. 2, Comparison, Conclusion, Summary
