Turntable and audio brand Pro-Ject has announced the Head Box E, a micro-sized headphone amplifier that’s able to drive even the most demanding pair of headphones. The Austria-based manufacturer has made the Head Box E as small as possible and it’ pocket-size design has a pocket-sized price of £89.
Weighing just 390 grams, the Head Box E is an easy way to add wired headphone capabilities. With a power output of 665mW into 32Ω, the Head Box E has sufficient muscle to drive wired headphones, including those with more complicated loads.
The Head Box E can also integrate into traditional two-channel audio setups such as CD or vinyl-based hi-fi systems. Pro-Ject claims the dedicated amplification outperforms the headphone stages found in many stereo amplifiers.
Bucking the trend of integrated chip-based designs at this price point, the Head Box E features fully discrete electronics. This approach, says Pro-Ject, gave the designers of the Head Box E greater control over the device’s signal path, enabling more robust power handling, cleaner performance and improved long-term reliability thanks to easier servicing and repair.
The Head Box E has a pair of RCA sockets at the rear that handles inputs, while a bypass RCA loop output allows the unaltered signal to be passed on to another amplifier or audio device, which makes tit suitable for integrating the Head Box E into a broader hi-fi system without losing connectivity or flexibility.
On the front panel there are two headphone outputs: one 6.3mm and one 3.5mm. Both outputs can be used simultaneously, making it suitable for shared listening. Measuring just 103 x 37 x 120mm, the Head Box E has a solid metal housing and is available with a black body and a choice of silver or black front panel.
Pricing and Availability:
The new Pro-Ject Head Box E launches in July and is priced at £89 / €119. Henley Audio is the exclusive distributor for Pro-Ject in the UK.
Tech Specs:
- Analogue inputs: 1 pair RCA/Cinch sockets (line-level).
- Analog loop outputs: 1 pair RCA/Cinch (bypass).
- Crosstalk: 65dB.
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 80kHz (±0.2dB).
- Gain: 11dB
- Headphone impedance support: 8 – 600Ω.
- Headphone outputs: 1 x 6.3mm jack, 1 x 3.5mm jack (both usable simultaneously).
- Output impedance (headphone): < 1Ω.
- Power output: 665 mW (into 32Ω).
- Power supply: 5V / 0.5A DC
- Signal-to-noise ratio: -105 dBV.
- Standby power consumption: < 0.5W.
- THD +N: < 0.005%.
- Weight: 390 g (without power supply).
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 103 x 37 x 120mm.
- Finish: Solid metal housing with black body and choice of silver or black front panel.
