Matrix Audio NA-1 Headphone Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY

The NA-1 is a pure Class A headphone amplifier and preamplifier from Matrix Audio (Xi'an, China), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York. Launched in March 2026 as the third component of the Matrix Audio N Series desktop separates system alongside the NT-1 Digital Audio Transport and ND-1 Audio DAC, the NA-1 is built entirely from discrete components with no op-amps anywhere in the signal path. Four independent fully balanced amplification circuits driven by a 60V high-power rail deliver up to 20W of balanced output power, with 18W into 33 ohms and 4.5W into 300 ohms for demanding planar magnetic and high-impedance dynamic headphones. An output impedance below 1 ohm across all three headphone outputs, dual switchable gain settings, and XLR and RCA preamplifier outputs make the NA-1 equally capable as a standalone Class A preamplifier driving active monitors or a power amplifier in a two-channel system.

Pure Class A Fully Discrete Architecture

The NA-1 operates entirely in pure Class A bias, keeping all output transistors continuously conducting throughout the full audio waveform cycle. No crossover distortion can occur at the zero-crossing point, and no integrated op-amp IC is present in any active stage. Every amplification unit is built from individually selected discrete transistors and resistors, giving Matrix Audio's engineers direct control over each component's operating point and thermal characteristics. The fully balanced topology divides the signal into four independent amplification units, one per phase per channel, so any common-mode noise introduced along the interconnects or from the power supply is cancelled at the differential input stage rather than amplified. The result is a measured headphone THD+N below 0.0007% and a preamp output THD+N below 0.0003%, with SNR exceeding 120dB on all outputs.

80W Toroidal Power Supply and 39,000µF Capacitor Array

The NA-1's power supply anchors the performance of its Class A output stage. An 80W fully potted toroidal transformer eliminates mechanical hum and magnetic field radiation at the source. The transformer's output feeds two completely independent regulated power supplies, one for the voltage amplification stage and one for the current amplification stage, each built from discrete components rather than off-the-shelf voltage regulator ICs. A capacitor array totaling 39,000 microfarads stores the instantaneous current reserves needed to handle transient peaks without voltage sag. The physical PCB layout separates the power supply board from the amplification boards vertically, minimizing electromagnetic coupling between the high-current power circuits and the sensitive audio signal path above. At idle the NA-1 draws 35W, reflecting the continuous high-bias Class A operating state.

Three Headphone Outputs, Dual Gain, and Preamplifier Outputs

The NA-1 provides three front-panel headphone outputs covering every current cable termination standard: a 4-pin XLR balanced output, a 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced output, and a 6.35mm single-ended output. The balanced outputs deliver 18W into 33 ohms, 4.5W into 300 ohms, and 2.3W into 600 ohms, while the single-ended output provides 7W into 33 ohms and 1.1W into 300 ohms. Output impedance sits below 1 ohm across all outputs, maintaining a high damping factor that preserves bass control regardless of headphone impedance. Gain is independently switchable on both the headphone and preamp paths: the headphone stage offers +17dB and +23dB, and the preamp stage offers +15dB and +21dB. The lower gain settings reduce the noise floor for sensitive IEMs, while the higher settings provide the voltage swing needed for 300-ohm and 600-ohm dynamic drivers. The rear panel carries both XLR balanced and RCA single-ended preamp outputs with an output impedance below 20 ohms, a frequency response extending to 140kHz at -3dB, and crosstalk below -134dB.

Key Features

• Pure Class A Fully Discrete Signal Path: No op-amps in any active stage. All amplification is performed by individually selected discrete transistors and resistors, with four independent fully balanced amplification units handling one phase of each channel each.
• 20W Balanced Output Power: A 60V high-power rail feeds the output stage, delivering 18W into 33 ohms, 4.5W into 300 ohms, and 2.3W into 600 ohms balanced, with sufficient current reserve for the most demanding planar magnetic headphones.
• Three Headphone Outputs: 4-pin XLR balanced, 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced, and 6.35mm single-ended outputs cover every headphone cable termination in use today.
• Sub-1-Ohm Output Impedance: Output impedance below 1 ohm across all headphone outputs maintains a high damping factor that controls bass response precisely regardless of headphone impedance or sensitivity.
• Dual-Purpose Preamplifier Outputs: XLR balanced and RCA single-ended preamp outputs with switchable +15dB and +21dB gain allow the NA-1 to drive a power amplifier or active monitors, replacing a dedicated preamplifier in a two-channel desktop system.
• Dual Switchable Gain (Headphone and Preamp): Independent gain switching on both the headphone and preamp outputs adapts the NA-1 to sensitive IEMs at the low setting and 600-ohm dynamics or low-sensitivity planars at the high setting.
• 80W Fully Potted Toroidal Transformer: Magnetically shielded and vibration-dampened transformer eliminates mechanical hum and magnetic interference, with separate regulated supplies for voltage and current amplification stages built from discrete components.
• 39,000µF Capacitor Array: Massive energy reservoir built from multiple capacitors in parallel, providing lower ESR than a single equivalent capacitor for instantaneous current delivery on transient peaks without voltage sag.
• ALPS Type 27 Motorized Potentiometer: Quad-unit precision analog volume control with four matched sections maintains channel balance and stereo imaging across the full rotation range, with motorized remote operation that preserves the direct analog signal path.
• MA-DAMPER PRO Isolation Feet: Five-material composite isolation system using aluminum, stainless steel, rubber, isolation beads, and composite cork absorbs vibration across a broad frequency range to protect the Class A signal path from external mechanical interference.
• Three Analog Inputs: One XLR balanced input and two RCA single-ended inputs with 47k ohm impedance on both accept up to three simultaneous analog sources for input switching without an external switcher.
• Trigger In / Out: 12V trigger ports enable automatic power sequencing when integrated with the Matrix Audio NT-1 transport, ND-1 DAC, or other components in a chained N Series or M Series system.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 4-pin XLR Balanced Headphone Output
• 4.4mm Pentaconn Balanced Headphone Output
• 6.35mm Single-Ended Headphone Output
• XLR Balanced Preamplifier Output
• RCA Single-Ended Preamplifier Output
• 1x XLR Balanced Analog Input
• 2x RCA Single-Ended Analog Input
• Trigger In / Out (12V)
• IEC Power Input (auto-ranging 100-120V / 220-240V)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Matrix Audio NA-1?

The Matrix Audio NA-1 is a pure Class A headphone amplifier and preamplifier launched in March 2026 as the third component of the Matrix Audio N Series desktop separates system. Built entirely from discrete components with four independent fully balanced amplification circuits on a 60V power rail, it delivers 18W balanced into 33 ohms and 4.5W into 300 ohms, with output impedance below 1 ohm across all three headphone outputs. It includes XLR and RCA preamplifier outputs for two-channel system use, an ALPS Type 27 motorized quad potentiometer, MA-DAMPER PRO isolation feet, and a 39,000µF capacitor array. It is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, New York.

How does the Matrix Audio NA-1 compare to the Benchmark HPA4 or Pass Labs HPA-1?

The Matrix Audio NA-1 competes directly with reference headphone amplifiers such as the Benchmark HPA4 and Pass Labs HPA-1. The Benchmark HPA4 uses a fully balanced op-amp-based topology with a passive volume control, prioritizing measurement performance and extremely low noise. The Pass Labs HPA-1 operates in pure Class A with a discrete circuit but delivers lower output power and lacks balanced headphone outputs. The NA-1 differentiates with a fully discrete op-amp-free signal path, 18W of balanced output power via a 60V rail, three simultaneous headphone output terminations including 4.4mm Pentaconn, dual switchable gain on both headphone and preamp paths, and integrated MA-DAMPER PRO isolation, making it the most versatile and highest-power option among pure Class A discrete designs in its class.

Can the Matrix Audio NA-1 drive planar magnetic headphones?

Yes. The NA-1 is specifically engineered for the current demands of planar magnetic headphones. The 60V power rail feeding four parallel discrete output stages delivers 18W into 33 ohms balanced, covering the full output requirements of demanding planar magnetics from brands including Audeze, HiFiMAN, Meze Audio, and Dan Clark Audio. The sub-1-ohm output impedance maintains a high damping factor that controls the planar driver membrane precisely, preserving bass definition and transient accuracy that a high output impedance amplifier would compromise.

Can the Matrix Audio NA-1 be used as a preamplifier for a speaker system?

Yes. The NA-1 includes dedicated XLR balanced and RCA single-ended preamplifier outputs on the rear panel, running through the same pure Class A discrete signal chain as the headphone outputs. The preamp output delivers a frequency response extending to 140kHz at -3dB with THD+N below 0.0003% and crosstalk below -134dB. Gain is switchable between +15dB and +21dB on the preamp path independently from the headphone gain setting. This allows the NA-1 to drive a power amplifier or active monitors directly, functioning as the volume control and source selection hub for a complete desktop two-channel system without a separate preamplifier.

What is the Matrix Audio N Series and how does the NA-1 fit into it?

The Matrix Audio N Series is a desktop Hi-Fi separates system comprising three components: the NT-1 Digital Audio Transport, the ND-1 Audio DAC, and the NA-1 Headphone Amplifier. The NT-1 handles digital streaming and source playback, the ND-1 performs D/A conversion using dual AK4499EX chips with Lundahl transformer outputs, and the NA-1 amplifies the resulting analog signal for headphone listening or preamplifier output. The three units share Matrix Audio's N Series design language and interconnect via balanced XLR for a complete chain from streaming source to headphone driver with no compromises at any stage.

Where can I buy the Matrix Audio NA-1 in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Matrix Audio NA-1 is available at Vinyl Sound, located in Buffalo, New York. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Matrix Audio dealer serving customers across Western New York and the United States, with expert guidance on N Series system configuration, headphone matching, and gain setting optimization.

How does the ALPS Type 27 volume control work on the NA-1?

The ALPS Type 27 motorized potentiometer in the NA-1 is a quad-unit precision analog component with four matched resistive sections tracking simultaneously, one per signal phase in the fully balanced circuit. Four matched sections maintain channel balance and stereo image stability across the full rotation range, including at very low volume levels where single-unit potentiometers typically show channel imbalance. The motorized mechanism allows remote control operation while preserving the direct analog signal path, meaning no digital volume processing is introduced and no signal conversion takes place during attenuation.