A new solid-state headphone amp from The Audio Guild, the EMAC 535SE is drawing rave reviews from those who have listened to sample units at Head-Fi meets—some are even declaring it the best headphone amp they’ve ever heard. It aims to achieve the warmth and detail of a classic SET tube amplifier, but without the heat of vacuum tube amps or the need to replace tubes. The studio-grade input transformers provide ultra-quiet, low-distortion signal amplification, along with ground isolation and high common mode rejection. Meanwhile, the unique single-ended JFET/bipolar output stage delivers a low-impedance, high-current output. It’s all wrapped in a solid wood case with an engraved Traffolyte front panel and genuine Daka-Ware bakelite knobs—a vintage industrial design inspired by classic radios of the 1920s.

Learn more about the sound, design, and development process in The Audio Guild Journal and this Headfonics review.