The HA540 MK2 is an honest and true tube headphone amplifier. While it is not inexpensive by most standards it is truly an audio bargain for its build and sound quality. It has the lowest amount of ear fatigue of any headphone amp we have heard at any price.
The Bellari HA540 MK2 is a lush sounding 12AX7 tube headphone amp running 150 regulated volts to the tube plates. With plenty of gain that is uniquely capable of driving headphones rated from 8-2000 Ohms. Having two separate inputs, it’s brilliantly designed to work equally well with different source components. It will produce superb clarity when connected directly to a CD player, computer, phone or DAC. A zero-feedback design guarantees a smooth natural analog response. It will be the thing that kicks your music up a notch, and gets you addicted to this hobby. There is a definite weight to the audio quality, in the sense that everything felt like it had some genuine power driving it.
In a world where headphone amps can cost anywhere from $99 to $1999 and some even $7000. It is hard to find honesty in what is a real true improvement in build quality or sound. How can you read through the online reviews to get a good idea of what to buy when it is clear that some reviews are paid for or that other reviews are not taking into account the full story, in personal experience or knowledge. The HA540 is hand built in Salt Lake City, UT by people who have been in the industry for a few decades and have seen it all, from companies selling the equivalent of snake oil and charging outrageously for it, to honest companies that have unfortunately fallen by the wayside.