MATRIX Audio NA-1

Pure Class A Power for Your Headphones

The NA-1 is the flagship headphone amplifier of the Matrix Audio N-Series. Alongside the NT-1 (transport) and ND-1 (DAC), it completes an exceptional desktop separates system. But the NA-1 is more than a headphone amplifier — it's also a characterful preamplifier, capable of directly driving a power amplifier or active speakers through its XLR and RCA outputs.

Listening Impressions

Connected via XLR to the ND-1, the NA-1 immediately reveals what pure Class A can do: organic warmth, a disarmingly present midrange, and a remarkably stable soundstage. Planar magnetics open up with an ease that belies the format — bass is firm, dynamics are instant. In preamplifier mode, the Class A character flows straight through to the chain: active speakers or power amplifier, the result is always sovereign. The motor-driven ALPS volume knob adds a ceremonial dimension that isn't trivial — you slow down and actually listen.

Key Features

• Pure Class A, discrete circuit: Four fully balanced independent amplification stages. No op-amps anywhere in the signal path. 20W balanced output, THD+N < 0.0003%.
• Vertically layered architecture: Preamp and power supply on the lower PCB, output stage on the upper. Complete physical isolation between voltage and current amplification stages.
• Motor-driven ALPS potentiometer: Type 27, quad-unit, IR remote auto-rotating — exceptional channel matching precision at every volume level.
• 80W linear power supply: Encapsulated toroidal transformer, magnetic shielding, 39,000µF capacitor bank, independent voltage/current regulation.
• Versatile: 3 inputs (1 XLR + 2 RCA), 3 headphone outputs (4-pin XLR, 4.4mm jack, 6.35mm jack), XLR + RCA preamp outputs. Dual selectable gain on both headphone and preamp outputs.

Highlights

• Pure Class A, 20W balanced — 4 fully discrete balanced stages
• Motor-driven ALPS potentiometer — precision and ceremony at every adjustment
• Dual purpose: headphone amp + XLR/RCA preamplifier
• 80W toroidal PSU, 39,000µF — exceptional noise floor
• MA-DAMPER PRO feet, CNC aluminium N-Series chassis

Technical Specifications

Amplification

• Pure Class A, fully discrete circuit
• Fully balanced architecture, 4 independent stages
• High-voltage rail: 60V

Headphone Outputs

• 4-pin XLR (balanced): 18W / 33Ω, 4.5W / 300Ω, 2.3W / 600Ω
• 4.4mm Pentaconn (balanced): same power as XLR
• 6.35mm jack (single-ended): 7W / 33Ω
• Headphone gain: +17dB / +23dB (selectable)
• Output impedance: < 1Ω
• SNR: 121dB (A-weighted), THD+N: < 0.0003%

Preamp Outputs

• 1 x XLR + 1 x RCA
• Preamp gain: +15dB / +21dB (selectable)
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz (+0, -0.1dB), -3dB at 140kHz
• SNR: 121dB (+15dB) / 124dB (+21dB), THD+N: < 0.0003%
• Crosstalk: -134dB, output impedance: < 20Ω

Analogue Inputs

• 1 x XLR (balanced) — impedance: 47kΩ
• 2 x RCA (single-ended) — impedance: 47kΩ

Volume Control

• ALPS Type 27 quad-unit motor-driven potentiometer
• IR remote control included

Power Supply

• 80W encapsulated toroidal transformer, magnetic shielding
• Filter capacitor bank: 39,000µF
• Independent voltage/current regulation
• Voltage: AC 100-120V or 220-240V / 50-60Hz (auto)
• Power consumption: < 1W standby / 35W idle / < 80W max

System Integration

• Trigger input: DC 6-12V / < 10mA
• Trigger output: DC 12V / 50mA

Physical

• Dimensions: 330 × 275 × 97mm (W × D × H)
• Weight: 6.16kg
• Chassis: CNC aluminium, N-Series design
• Feet: MA-DAMPER PRO (co-developed with Audio Bastion)
• Included: IR remote, power cable, user manual, warranty card