Rupert Neve Designs RNHP Precision Headphone Amplifier

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 have developed the RNHP.

Based on the headphone output circuit in the 5060 Centerpiece Desktop Mixer, the RNHP is a dedicated 24V reference-quality headphone amplifier with specifically-calibrated +4dBu balanced line, unbalanced RCA and 3.5mm (1/8”) inputs, housed in a rugged VESA-mountable steel chassis. 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.

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 comprised 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 and 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.

Specially-Calibrated Inputs For All of Your Devices

In addition to being able to drive a wide variety of headphones without sacrificing performance, the RNHP is also capable of receiving a wide array of signals with its 3 inputs, calibrated for optimum level and impedance. Check the Application notes for how the RNHP can be utilized for different purposes.

Here are some common device examples:‰Û¬

Input A: +4dBu Line (XLR or TRS) Devices

• Studio Audio Interfaces (Line or Monitor Out)‰Û¬
• Headphone Mixers (Line Output or HP Out) 
• Mixing Consoles (Line, Aux or Monitor Out)‰Û¬
• Professional Turntable Mixers (Line or Monitor) 
• Professional Stereo Digital to Analogue Converter
• Professional Cameras‰Û¬Studio Monitor Controllers

Input B: RCA Devices

• CD / DVD Players‰Û¬
• Stereo Tuners
• ‰Û¬Preamplified Turntables‰Û¬
• Prosumer Recording Devices / Cameras

Input C: 3.5mm (1/8”) Stereo Devices

• Mobile Phones‰Û¬
• Portable Music Players
• Computers‰Û¬
• DSLR Cameras
• ‰Û¬Handheld Recording Devices
• Any 3.5mm headphone output

VESA-Mountable Design

The RNHP is designed for mounting with any VESA 100 compatible mount. These may include pole mounts, wall mounts, table mounts, or articulating arm mounts. These mounts can help to ensure the RNHP is always in the perfect position.

Multiple-Line Feed

In some situations where you only have one set of outputs but need to simultaneously feed the RNHP and another device such as speakers, a second headphone amplifier, or a 2-track recorder, we recommend using splitter cables from the Left and Right line outputs to feed both devices from the same stereo pair.