Vincent KHV-200 Headphone Amplifier Stereo Pre-Amplifier

Vincent KHV-200 Hybrid Headphone Amplifier

It's common knowledge among hi-fi enthusiasts that if you want to get the best sound quality out of your headphones, a dedicated headphone amplifier is required. In collaboration with degreed engineer Frank Blöhbau (who is also responsible for the SV-237MK, SV-737 & SA-T7), German manufacturer Vincent have developed the brand-new KHV-200. This amplifier is designed in such a way that almost any set of headphones available today can be driven and deliver the best sound quality they are capable of offering. In addition to the expected 1/4" (6.3mm) headphone jack, the KHV-200 also features a 4-pin XLR socket for connecting high-end headphones.

The KHV-200 is both a headphone amp and a high-quality stereo preamplifier for two high-level sources, so plug in your CD player, tuner, or another source device, and hear what you've been missing!

Key Features:

- Do your favourite pair of headphones justice and get the best sound from them
- Supports headphones with impedance from 16 to 600 ohms without quality tradeoffs
- 2x Stereo RCA Inputs
- Also functions as a stereo pre-amplifier
- Hybrid circuitry combines the benefits of tube and transistor amplifier technology
- Warm tube amplification sound
- Gain switch on the rear reduces the gain level by 8dB
- Switchable lamp provides a warm glow consistent with the tubeLine range
- Compact design for versatile system integration and portability

Hear what you've been missing in your cans

Most music and entertainment lovers will know that headphone jacks can be found on most devices and amplifiers, however, these internal headphone amplifier modules are often added in as an afterthought, and the quality available from these devices rarely meets the demands of high-end headphones.

The technical parameters of headphones vary enormously: the impedance of high-quality headphones ranges from 16 ohms to 600 ohms. With the same performance - even reproduction with the same power input - a low impedance means a greater current and lower voltage requirement. In the case of headphones with a relatively high impedance of 300 to 600 ohms, the opposite is true: for their harmonious control, the headphone amplifier must deliver a comparatively high voltage and therefore a lower current. Devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets, for example, only provide low output voltages, which is why headphones with higher impedances on such devices are often too quiet.

The solution is a dedicated headphone amplifier with high-quality, discrete amplifier circuitry. The KHV-200 has plenty of power on tap thanks to its smart combination of tube and solid-state amplification. So plug in, crank the volume, and hear your headphones sing!

Stereo pre-amplifier

In addition to the excellent headphone amplification circuitry, the KHV-200 also functions as a compact stereo pre-amplifier, ready to fit right into a pre-amp + main amp combination. Two stereo preamplifier outputs allow connection to a main integrated amplifier or stereo power amplifier. Include the KHV-200 into your Hi-Fi system between your source device and power amplifier, and hear the difference this vacuum tube preamp delivers. The best quality in workmanship and an outstanding price-performance ratio go without saying.

Hybrid amplification technology

With its technically mature hybrid circuitry technology, the KHV-200 offers the pleasant sound of tube amplifiers, combined with the stability and power of transistor amplifiers. Whether you're using the KHV-200 as a headphone amp or a preamplifier, you'll notice a difference, both visually and in sound, from the uniformity of common hi-fi components. Two low-noise E180F pentodes, supplemented by a double ECC82 triode operate at the KHV-200 input.

Consistent with the rest of the tubeLine range, the KHV-200 features a round window on the front panel where you can see one of the valves in action. Switch the lamp on to make the tube glow with warm light, giving your system an elegant appearance that is sure to impress before you even play anything through it!

The KHV-200 is both technically and visually designed to fit right in alongside Vincent’s successful tubeLine range. For a usage example, this preamplifier is especially suitable for connecting Vincent’s CD players and tuners, and feeding signal to mono power amplifiers. Paired with luxurious hi-fi furniture, speakers and cables of our product line in this way a perfectly harmonious system can be set up.

Simple where it matters

On the front panel, the KHV-200 is minimalistic in design. In line with the rest of the Vincent range, the exterior of this unit is aesthetically sleek. An input switch selects between two Stereo RCA inputs. A 1/4" jack on the front for your headphones, and of course the power switch and an easy volume knob. The entire design of the KHV-200 is simplistic and easy to use because hi-fi should be all about the listening experience.

It's what's on the inside that makes the KHV-200 the high-end headphone amp it is. The internal power supply enables a pure, noise-free sound, free from interference. This is what makes the high amount of gain possible. Drive even the most demanding studio headphones without trouble, and without introducing distracting noise. A real plus to this versatile unit is the compact design, meaning this universal device can easily fit on your already busy hi-fi rack, or on your desktop if you're using it with a computer system.

About Vincent tubeLine

A wonderful spring day! The soft green leaves flutter gently in the breeze and the air is filled with wild bird song, the buzzing of the bees and a flowery scent... It could always be like that! The tubeLine embraces you like a warm, soft, fresh and musical day in spring. Filled with ever new sound nuances that are waiting to be discovered. Just an ideal day.

Vincent is committed to 2-channel stereo for its high-end products using two different design approaches. The first is a completely solid-state approach, using pure transistor technology in the solidLine series for a precise, light, and dynamic sound quality. The second design approach uses hybrid technology. Vacuum tubes deliver the classic “tube sound,” but solid-state circuitry in the output stage provides enough power to drive even difficult speakers. The tonal character is both airy and dynamic, and the hybrid design offers its own special charm using tubes to add warmth to the sound.

Vincent is a German brand and manufacturer of Class-A Hi-Fi equipment. SInce 1995, Vincent has stood for continual development to 2-channel stereo in the high-end class.