Manley Laboratories Absolute Headphone Amplifier Copper

The Manley Absolute headphone amp represents the culmination of over thirty years of vacuum tube design, engineered to deliver uncompromising performance for critical listening. This all-tube amplifier provides comprehensive control over sonic detail, allowing precise optimization for any headphone. Combining exceptional audio performance with a unique industrial design, the Absolute serves as both, a professional reference tool and a statement piece.

Switchable topologies for complete sonic flexibility
The Absolute offers selectable output tube configurations: Single-Ended topology emphasizing even-order harmonic content for rich, warm tonality, and Push-Pull topology delivering higher output power with controlled odd-order harmonics for dynamic precision. A continuously variable feedback control adjusts damping factor and transient response from tight, controlled bass to relaxed, open presentation, providing unprecedented command over the amplifier's sonic signature.

Optimized impedance matching for all headphone types
Custom hand-wound Manley IRON® output transformers feature a three-position impedance selector for optimal matching with any headphone. Selectable settings accommodate Low (12-50 Ohm), Mid (50-200 Ohm), and High (200-600 Ohm) impedance loads, ensuring maximum power transfer and exceptional transient accuracy across all driver types. Proper impedance matching delivers superior damping and dynamics regardless of headphone design.

Professional-grade control with versatile connectivity
Volume adjustment is achieved through a precision stepped relay ladder attenuator with half-dB resolution, providing perfect channel balance and accurate level recall. A defeatable Baxandall bass and treble shelving EQ offers gentle frequency contouring, while the center-detented balance control is fully bypassed at the center position. Dual headphone outputs—standard 1/4" TRS and 4-pin balanced XLR—plus RCA line-level outputs allow the Absolute to function as a premium preamplifier in any reference system.

• All-tube output stage with switchable Single-Ended and Push-Pull topologies
• Custom hand-wound Manley IRON® output transformers with switchable impedance matching
• Precision stepped relay ladder attenuator for channel accuracy
• Tonal control via Variable Feedback and shelving EQs

• Tubes: 2 x 12AX7, 4 x 6AQ5A (EL90)
• Volume Control: Stepped Relay Attenuator (0.5 dB per step)
• Topology: Switchable Push-Pull or Single-Ended
• Output Impedance: Switchable (Low, Mid, High)
• Max Output Power: 1W into 12 Ohms
• Max Input Level: +20 dBu (7.7 VAC RMS)