This range of headphone amplifiers from DACS have been designed to match the importance of headphone audio across many aspects of broadcast audio production. With the quality of headphone design and manufacture now being higher than it has ever been, the HeadLite 3+ range of headphone amps ensures the headphones can be driven by dedicated headphone amplification channels to obtain best output.
HeadLite 3+
DACS HeadLite 3+ is a range of 4-channel headphone amplifiers with differing number of +Power modules inserted during factory assembly or retrofit. +Power is an analogue plug-in module that provides all the ultra-clean drive the most power-hungry headphones need. Fitted as standard in Channel 1, but also available in 2, 3, and 4 channel options, +Power provides drive to spare for taking low-impedance high-power headphones to the peak of their performance – enabling a cleaner output signal that is less susceptible to distortion and therefore less likely to damage your hearing. It will also allow the driving of multiple higher impedance phones. A +Power channel can drive 6 or more high impedance headphones rated at 400 Ohm or more.
The front facing panel houses a backlit power on/off switch on the right side of four LEDs that signify input audio active. To the left of the LEDs are four channels of headphone outputs, with blue 6.35mm jack socket surrounds denoting standard outputs, and white surrounds denoting +Power module output. Each of the four channels has a dedicated rotary volume controller and a rotary input selection control. The input selection knob allows the user to select which inputs are to be routed to any particular outputs, with options of AB, AA, BB, CD, CC or DD.
The rear facing panel of the headphone amplifier houses a mains IEC input connection, secondary headphone outputs for channels 1-4, and 6.35mm jack input connections for A, B, C, and D. Inputs A and B give left and right output respectively, as do C and D inputs. A +4dBu/-10dBV sensitivity switch for inputs A and B allows the user to select the correct input level. This is duplicated for inputs C and D. Finally, an audio 0V isolation terminal connection is located on the rear panel.
Other important features include ‘InGenius’ balanced inputs with very low distortion and high CMRR; compatibility with input signals up to 21dBU; 48V protection in case of incorrect OB patching; and audio 0V isolation from chassis with terminal on rear.
Noise floor: <-90dBu (110dB below peak). Dynamic range: Greater than 114dB. THD+N: 20Hz to 22kHz, +10dBu into 600R: 0.00045%. Input Impedance: 10k ohms. Output Impedance: Zero ohms. Frequency response: 5Hz to 40kHz +/- 0.5dB. CMRR: Greater than 84dB, 50Hz to 20kHz. Slew rate: Greater than required for 40kHz. Max phase rotation (inter channel phase difference): 100Hz 0.01 deg, 1kHz 0.03 deg, 10kHz 0.36 deg, 20kHz 0.72 deg. Crosstalk: Less than -90dB. Power output: Greater than 200mW/ch into 600R, standard channel; Greater than 1.5W/ch, +Power Channel (TBC). Dimensions (WxHxD): 480mm x 45mm x 200mm, 1U.
This unit complies with UKCA, Radiated Emissions to Specification EN50081-1, Conducted Emissions to Specification EN50081-1, Electro Static Discharge to Specification EN50082-1, and Fast Burst Transients to Specification EN50082-1 standards.