RNHP
Precision Headphone Amplifier
OVERVIEW / MEDIA / FEATURES / REVIEWS / SPECS & RESOURCES
Give your headphones the power and clarity they deserve.
Whether you’re tracking, mixing, or just listening to music, your headphone amplifier is as important to the final sound quality as your headphones – yet the world is full of headphone amps with compromised sonics, headroom, and power. To address these shortcomings, Rupert and his team at Rupert Neve Designs developed the RNHP.
“It brings out detail that will make you want to listen to every recording you’ve ever loved all over again.”
Based on the headphone output circuit in the 5060 Centerpiece Desktop Mixer, the RNHP is a dedicated 24V reference-quality headphone amplifier with +4dBu balanced line, unbalanced RCA and 3.5mm (1/8”) inputs – each specifically calibrated for optimum level and impedance – and housed in a rugged, VESA-mountable steel chassis.
Dedicated vs Integrated Amplifiers
For much equipment, the headphone output is an afterthought. Most products with integrated headphone amps have large feature sets, small footprints, and relatively low price points. This leads to compromised power and audio quality of the headphone amplifier itself, which can lead to a number of issues in real world usage such as low headroom, unreliable performance, and a lack of focus.
The RNHP was made to accomplish one simple purpose: making any headphones sound their best. As a dedicated design, the RNHP is tailored to deliver extremely high quality, powerful amplification, with precise calibration for any source input. This exceptional level of quality can be the difference that inspires an artist to give their best performance, lets an engineer make better choices in mic placement, gives a mix engineer reliable translation of EQ and dynamics adjustments, or lets a music listener appreciate the full depth and detail of a recording.
With effortless, wide-open sonic performance and the ability to drive any pair of headphones without compromise, the RNHP allows you to perform, mix and enjoy your music with a new level of clarity.
3 SPECIALLY CALIBRATED INPUTS
A: Professional Line Input
Calibrated +4dBu line input. The combo jack accepts either XLR or TRS inputs from balanced professional devices.
B: RCA Input
The unbalanced RCA input is calibrated for -10dBV signals. The RCA jack is commonly used with home stereo devices or Prosumer equipment.
C: 3.5mm Input
Stereo 3.5mm input specifically calibrated to work with mobile devices like phones, computers and digital cameras.
FEATURES
Precision Sound
Wide-open, extremely detailed sound quality allows you to get the most out of your headphones.
Dedicated Power
High-power, high-headroom design can effortlessly drive high-impedance (up to 600 Ohm) headphones even during the loudest, most dynamic tracking sessions.
Reliable Translation
The near-zero output impedance (.01 Ohm at 1kHz), direct-coupled amplifier design provides for excellent translation with any pair of headphones.
Precision Stereo Potentiometer
The highly damped stereo potentiometer is designed to give you precise level control and maintain perfect left-right balance.
VESA Mountable
The VESA 100 compatible mount enables you to mount the RNHP wherever it needs to be. Common mounts are pole-mount arm for mic stands, pivoting multi-arm desk mount, and wall / surface mount for securing upside-down under a table, music stand or other studio furniture.
Steel Clamshell Chassis
The RNHP’s rugged, solid-steel chassis is built to a high industrial standard with an overhang to protect the connectors and main level control from glancing blows, as well as shock-absorbing rubberized feet.
24V DC Input
The RNHP can be powered using either the included 6 watt power supply or a 24V, 0.25A min battery (not sold by RND).
REVIEWS
“Whilst a seemingly endless amount of choices exist in the headphone amplification world, the one I find myself recommending most universally these days is the RNHP Precision Headphone Amplifier from Rupert Neve Designs. It simply beats all comers at what I’ll call bandwidth. I mean that not in the technical sense but universal appeal…true, we can probably find a scenario where the listener is better served by a gruntier amp, or a silky tube design, or some very specific and complementary voicing. But as an all-rounder, the RNHP reigns supreme.”
“A secure and detailed bass, extension in the highs and low noise made this a very enjoyable listen. I guess my background with mixing desks for some 40 years and recording speech and music made me realise that sometimes simplicity and good old fashioned ideas are the best. This might be a 21st Century product but it has a lifetime of sound soul searching.”
“Designed by a legendary engineer, the Neve RNHP headphone amplifier wows….Soundwise, the RNHP did not disappoint when I started listening with a Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphone. Transparency was absolutely first-rate, dynamic punch was right up there and stereo imaging from this closed-back headphone was admirably spacious.”
“Highly Commended: The RNHP is unusually good at conveying music’s emotional core…it’s clear to me that Neve has prioritized listening in the development of this amp…on vocals in particular it can often sound utterly magical.”
Keith Howard / Hi-Fi News
“I first used the RNHP to power my Grado RS-1 headphones with my iPhone on tour and I was amazed at how good they could sound, even with a phone as the source…with studio equipment as the source my headphones have never sounded better…. We’ve been so impressed by the RNHP we’re getting five of them for the studio for tracking. We’ve never been happy with headphone mix system we currently have because of both the lacking sound quality and the added distraction for the musicians…and to have a more simple, better sounding option at every position, will make the tracking experience that much more pleasant.”
Aaron Hedden
Keb’ Mo’
“The sound is effortless and natural. Lows are solid and uncluttered. The transients come through cleanly and naturally. And the midrange is focused and right there in front of you. At times I forgot that I was even listening with headphones on, being swept away in the music. Well done indeed!”
Michael Romanowski
“We’ve got a number of different high quality headphone amps in the studio, but the RNHP immediately became the go-to reference for me. With the RNHP, the word ‘precision’ in the name really rings true. The headphones seem more focused, with great imaging and tons of detail. I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens with the musicians using the RNHP while performing.”
Danny Reisch
White Denim, Shearwater
“I generally use NS10s as my main monitors, so I rely on headphones for much of my low frequency reference, and RNHP seems to really be helping with translation so far. I mixed two albums and a single using the headphone box with my Grado’s… the first album I only had a had a handful of tweaks. I’ve worked for the client for 20 years and he commented that it was the best mix I’d done for him. The 2nd album and the single, for different clients, had ZERO mix tweaks, and both projects finished way ahead of schedule.”
Dave Percefull
Green Day, The Meat Puppets
“The RNHP is the first Rupert Neve product I've owned and I certainly see why his gear has such a fine reputation. Even average headphones take on a new life with this amp. I'm no golden ears, but I can hear a clear difference…for all the money I've wasted on ‘better’ headphones over the years, I should have bought the RNHP first and then judged the headphones based on it.”
“I can't believe how much information was being lost in the amplifier! It is the best thing I have ever spent money on for sound equipment.”
“This thing is a lifesaver. It's powerful. It brings out the finest details and after a few days of use, I'm noticing ear fatigue is not as bad as it was without it. Detail at low volumes, and I don't feel like it's killing me when I turn it up a bit. The soundstage is noticeably better, and even listening to streaming services through it is pure joy. I think I listened to like two hours of Spotify on it the first night. Couldn't get enough…I have no doubt that it will improve my mixes.”
“What a difference. I listened to about 6 hours of music after I wired them up; I just couldn't stop!”
“The RNHP... saved me from making an unnecessary purchase of about $1000 for new IEMs that probably wouldn't have solved the problem. I used to dread having to use IEMs, but now I look forward to using them.”
“Once you've listened through the RNHP you may not be able to go back to listening to your headphones driven by anything else…It brings out detail that will make you want to listen to every recording you've ever loved all over again.”
“I'm a bass player that just needed a wired solution for in ear monitors. I have great IEMs (JH Audio JH16 Pros) but the cheaper headphone amps lacked clarity. Once I setup the RNHP it was like night and day. I could hear the bass drum and my bass clearly. Amazing clarity and rich warm sound…one of the best investments I have ever made.”
Customer Reviews via sweetwater.com
SPECIFICATIONS & DOWNLOADS
MAXIMUM INPUT LEVELS
“A” XLR I/P: +22.8 dBu @ 1 kHz
“B” RCA I/P: +14.7 dBu @ 1 kHz,
“C” 3.5mm I/P: +3.3 dBu @ 1 kHz
OUTPUT POWER
As measured with typical headphones, Z=44 Ohm: 3.617 VAC RMS @ 1 kHz = 300mW RMS.
16 Ohm typical Load: 1.933 VAC RMS @ 1 kHz = 230mW RMS
150 Ohm typical Load: 5.108 VAC RMS @ 1 kHz = 175mW RMS
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
.08 Ohm @ 1 kHz, 16-150 Ohm load, 0 dBu input
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
+/- .2 dB from 10 Hz to 120 kHz
NOISE
Measured with typical headphones, Z = 44 Ohm, BW 22 Hz - 22 kHz.
“A” XLR Input: -101.9 dBV,
“B” RCA Input: -100.9 dBV
“C” 3.5mm Input: -88.8 dBV
DIMENSIONS
6.5” wide x 4.6” deep and 1.9” tall
POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS
24VDC @ 0.25Amp (6 watt) minimum. Use with supplied power adapter, as this has been carefully selected for best output power and noise performance. May be used with a properly configured 24V battery as well.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, so long as they are above 16 Ohms impedance.
Unfortunately, no. They will not work properly.
This can sometimes happen if you turn off the RNHP when you have headphones plugged into it – it is the sound of the capacitors discharging, and is perfectly normal. But we do recommend unplugging your headphones before turning off the RNHP.
You should use the input that best matches the source output, rather than trying to convert the cable with special adapters. Use input A for balanced line signals, input B for unbalanced line signals, and input C for unbalanced 3.5mm signals from mobile devices.
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