The Saros Audio Systems Europa Headphone Amplifier
and more…
$8,995
Let’s pretend for a minute you don’t have a pair of headphones. Let’s pretend for a minute this isn’t one of the finest headphone amplifiers (if not the finest) I’ve ever heard. Bias admitted, I enjoy tube headphone amps more than solid-state ones, even though I have a couple of really good solid-state headphone amps at my disposal. (the dCS Lina and the Pass HPA-1c. Both are excellent, but I always enjoy that little bit of extra warmth that tubes bring to the table, because most headphones always sound a little tipped up to me.
However, what makes the Europa so incredible in my book, is what a great linestage it is. Fully balanced with three inputs (1 XLR, 2 RCA) and two outputs (1 XLR, 1 RCA), I’d buy the Europa as an end game tube linestage, whether I had headphones or not. It’s that good. I also like the compact chassis size too – this stout headphone amplifier doesn’t take up much room, nor does it command a lot of attention. Again, personal bias – those are the kind of components I prefer.
What’s really impressive is what’s inside. Big choke power supply, premium Lundahl transformers, VPG Z foil resistors, and Mundorf capacitors. The best parts. Along with tube rectification, the Europa uses a pair of 6922 tubes in the first stage, and 6H30s in the second. Interestingly enough, part of the secret to this preamplifier’s success is the way the 6922s are biased – with individual, manual fine tuning. They even supply an adapter that goes from the circuit board to your multimeter. The manual shows you how to change the tubes and reset the bias.
As someone who loves build quality and execution, whether you lift the top yourself or look at the pictures, the attention to detail here is incredible. This preamplifier looks like it should cost what it does. It’s obvious it was built by people that care. That means a lot these days.
One more bias admitted, I’m not a huge headphone guy. Yet the sonics delivered by the Europa pulls me back into the game. “Hmmm, maybe I should go buy five more pairs of headphones. Aaaaah.
An incredible two-channel preamplifier
So my journey begins with the Saros in the middle of system two as a line level preamplifier; driving a pair of Klipschorns via a pair of ampsandsound Bryce monoblocks. The result is fantastic. As is the case with other headphone amplifiers I’ve heard at this quality level, it’s a welcome option to be able to use it as a line preamplifier for nine grand.
Moving it to the main system, with the Clarisys Auditorium Plus speakers and Pass XS300 monoblocks, offers a good way to compare the balanced and unbalanced outputs. Splitting hairs, the balanced connections deliver a slightly warmer presentation, but not by a ton. If you have two sets of the same interconnects, I suggest trying both to see which you prefer.
What I really noticed on both systems is the level of dynamics and drive this preamplifier is capable of. It’s truly at its best when listening to music with wide dynamic swings. Playing a fair amount of hip hop and electronica, the Europa delivers extension, grip, and detail in the lowest registers. You won’t mistake the rest of the presentation through the frequency range for a solid-state piece, but you won’t mistake it for having vintage tube sound either. The balance of combining all the airiness of tubes, with the punch you might have only thought was possible with a solid-state pre is here in full effect.
Whether you look at it as an incredible 9k linestage that just happens to be able to be a headphone amplifier, or a no cost way to turn your mega head-fi system into a two channel system with speakers and a power amplifier, the Saros wins on both fronts. As I said, not being a big headphone listener, I’d suggest buying the Saros as a preamplifier even if you never plug a set of headphones in. It’s that good. However, to be fair, I spent plenty of time with it as a headphone amplifier and was equally excited.
Between the ears
Europa does not disappoint the serious headphone listener. Tracking through RUN-DMC’s “Is it Live,” which usually sounds harsh and flat with my Focal Clear Mg phones, sounds technicolor now. All the percussion effects are smooth, the image painted between my ears is large, but not so overblown it sounds fake. It sounds more like listening to speakers in the room, with the same spatial characteristics. Only the world’s finest headphone amplifiers pull this off.
While I hate to use that “b-word,” my Focals have never sounded this natural. Some headphone amplifiers almost sound like a pair of vintage Magnepans, where everything sounds 20 feet wide, whether it’s a piccolo or a grand piano. The Europa keeps musical size relationships in place – another hallmark of a top component.
Can’t be an audiophile review without some female vocals, right? You didn’t really think I was going to lay some Patricia Barber on you, did you? Never gonna happen. Listening to Debby Harry’s Once More Into the Bleach, a 1988 remix of some her most popular tracks is absolutely lovely. Going straight for the signature “Call Me,” Harry’s voice has never sounded more dreamy.
Going gravely with Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders is equally exciting. The layered vocals, percussion, rapid drum beats, all awash in some major echo is a delight. This is what separates a top tier component – the ability to deliver maximum detail everywhere in the musical spectrum. The Europa reviews so much music, it’s a true treat no matter what kind of music you love.
This has to be one of the smoothest, yet highly resolving tube preamplifiers employing the 6H30s that I’ve heard since my conrad-johnson ACT II. Unless you happen to have a lot of spare cash for some NOS 6H30s, or have a set in your toolbox (yep…) there’s no real point in trying to roll the 6H30. Suffice to say the Saros sounds great with current stock 6H30s, but if you felt like dropping $600-ish on a pair of NOS ones, there is even more to be had in terms of smoothness and imaging. Please keep in mind this already takes a product that’s at 11 to 12.
Final bits
It’s also worth mentioning that Moon offers a 50-step attenuator for an additional $500, which may or may not make sense for you. I’m assuming the sonics are exactly the same.
They also offer their own line of Dragon cables, which I suggest checking out. The supplied Dragon headphone cable was the most sonically beautiful match I’ve ever used with my Focal Clear Mg phones. Resolving and dynamic, but neither harsh nor warm, rolled off, and syrupy. Do I dare use the word perfection?
At the end of the day, the Saros Europa is so good, it might not grab you right away because it’s excellence on every level is so subtle. All you need to come back to Earth and remind yourself you made the right choice is to plug back in to your favorite $1,000 – $2,500 headphone amp. Where did all the music go? Ha. It’s that audiophile cliché, you can’t unhear it.
