KAEI TAP-1: Audiophile desktop headphone amplifier

All key parts of the KAEI TAP-1 headphone amplifier are tuned using HIFI components. American RA non-inductive resistors, Vishay resistors, Philips resistors, WIMA capacitors and other components from Omron, Philips, Siemens, etc. Two flagship operational amplifiers MUSES02. The op amp footprint can also be used to replace a dual op amp. Two 4-layer PCBs are used inside. The headphone amplifier and power supply are separated from each other to effectively reduce the interference from the power supply on the same board.

KAEI TAP-1 is a high-end headphone amplifier specially designed for audiophiles. It is equipped with a lamp mute function, which can be selected in two tones – normal mode and lamp mode. With two flagship MUSES 02 op amps, players can also achieve different tones by changing different op amps. In portable mode (on batteries), it can run for up to 10 hours, and in desktop mode (with an independent linear power supply), it can become a standard desktop amplifier.

Portable Mode: In battery mode, it can work for about 10 hours. The battery capacity is about 5000mAh, can support regular charging via USB or power bank, supports QC3.0 and PD protocols for fast charging.

Desktop Mode: Used with independent linear power supply, it can form a standard desktop amplifier. Power supply 4 sets of output voltage, external rectified and stabilized voltage is directly supplied to the headphone amplifier, completely bypassing the headphone amplifier power supply. A dedicated six-conductor aircraft-grade power cable powers the desktop op-amp to plus or minus 17V and the discrete headphone drive system, unlocking the system’s potential. If you use it at home or your headphones are difficult to control, you may want to invest in a headphone amplifier.

3.5mm/4.4mm balanced input and output
KAEI TAP-1 has wide input and output compatibility: 4.4mm balanced input → 3.5 single-ended output, 4.4 balanced output or 3.5mm single-ended input → 3.5 one-way output, 4.4 one-way output.

Output power in plug-in mode is up to 4900 MW. Desktop amplifier architecture with tube preamp+OP+ discrete post-stage amplifier can easily adapt to high and low impedance, can drive a variety of 12-600Ω headphones