Audiobyte — Pre Amplifiers
SUPERHEAD
A refined analogue instrument engineered for absolute signal purity and control.
Twelve years of mastering digital audio has culminated in one decisive step into the analogue domain. The Audiobyte Superhead is a dedicated headphone amplifier and line preamplifier engineered with an absolute obsession for signal integrity.
As the natural conclusion to the brand's Super Series ecosystem, it is built to partner flawlessly with the Superhub and Supervox components. Rather than relying on brute-force amplification, it follows a deliberately minimal architecture. Every component between source and ear is treated as a potential source of colouration, leading to a design where the shortest path ensures the purest result.
Designed to reveal rather than flatter, the Superhead uncovers the subtlest details hidden within a recording. It preserves micro-dynamics, spatial cues, and harmonic textures across all volume levels, offering exceptional transparency while maintaining complete authority over everything from sensitive planar magnetic headphones to demanding dynamic drivers.
Key Features
01
Minimalist Signal Architecture
Engineered around the philosophy that the shortest path is the purest, reducing components in the signal chain to eliminate subtle smearing and colouration.
02
Precision Output Array
Instead of relying on single bulky power transistors, the output stage integrates a carefully matched array of smaller, high-precision devices for superior linearity.
03
Dual-Mode Flexibility
Operates seamlessly as a dedicated high-end headphone amplifier or as a high-quality line preamplifier for stereo systems.
04
Tactile Precision Control
Combines a clean, high-contrast capacitive touchscreen with a custom-weighted rotary encoder for satisfying, exact volume adjustments.
Chapter 01
Design & Philosophy
The Superhead was developed around a fundamental principle of simplicity in the signal path. Audiobyte engineers approached the analogue domain with the same rigour applied to their digital designs, selecting active components not just for individual excellence, but for their synergistic technical characteristics. This approach results in a circuit that performs well beyond what any single isolated element could achieve.
Chapter 02
Build & Materials
Machined from a solid block of premium aluminium, the chassis is milled to exacting tolerances to eliminate resonance and guarantee absolute structural rigidity. The surface undergoes a bead-blasting and anodising process, resulting in a highly durable, fingerprint-resistant matte finish. It shares the exact footprint and panel height as the rest of the Super Series, allowing for seamless integration into a unified system rack.
Chapter 03
Sonic Signature
The true engineering challenge of the Superhead was not simply achieving high output power, but preserving the delicate textures that transform listening into a genuine experience. It delivers a sound character defined by complete tonal neutrality and fine-grained resolution, acting as a flawless conduit for the source material. Listeners can expect a linear, highly controlled presentation that remains composed and authoritative regardless of the load it is driving.
Specifications
Frequency responseDC to 800 kHz (-3 dB at gain 1)
Power / output17 V RMS max output, >125 dB SNR, 0 to 20 dB adjustable gain
Inputs / outputsXLR and RCA line inputs; XLR and RCA line outputs; 4-pin XLR, 4.4 mm, and 6.3 mm headphone outputs
Dimensions (H × W × D)60 mm × 300 mm × 290 mm
Weight5.5 kg
Finish optionsMatte black or matte silver anodised aluminium
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (1 W / 32 Ω)> 125 dB
THD (1 V RMS, line out)−118 dB
Maximum Attenuation-90 db
Gain Range0 – 20 dB (adjustable in 0.5 dB steps)
Line InputsXLR balanced, RCA unbalanced
Line OutputsXLR balanced, RCA unbalanced
Headphone Outputs4-pin XLR balanced, 4.4 mm balanced, 6.3 mm unbalanced
DisplayIPS Capacitive Touchscreen
Volume ControlPrecision Rotary Encoder + Touchscreen
Power SupplyLinear, internal
Power Consumption40 VA