Vincent KHV-1: Hybrid (Taraistor-tube) headphone amplifier

Vincent KHV-1 is a hybrid (Taraistor-tube) headphone amplifier with a 6.3 mm mini jack connector on the front panel. The design of the amplifier is non-standard; the amplifier is made in a vertical design. A special viewing window allows you to admire the enchanting glow of two working lamps (12AX7B). The brightness of the backlight can be adjusted (there are 3 positions) or turned off completely. Under the window is the usual volume control knob.

The Vincent KHV-1 is quite heavy, but without unnecessary bulk. The side walls of the amplifier are made of extruded aluminum, and the front panel is solid, without glamorous frills or gloss. The rear panel contains one set of RCA input jacks and one pair of pre-amplified RCA output jacks, allowing the KHV-1 to be used as a preamplifier. There is also a slide switch for lamp brightness, a fuse socket and a power connector.

Unlike the old version of the KHV-1 amplifier, the new model is equipped with only one headphone output. The new version also has two line inputs and a switch on the front panel that allows you to select different signal sources. I’ve also been told that some new circuit design has made the amplifier work better with low impedance headphones. And now, the question itself: Does the sound of the new KHV-1 differ from its old predecessor? In a nutshell, not much – however, it actually began to work a little better with non-standard loads. All the clarity and detail that captivated me in the previous model was present in the new model, but I did not feel much improvement in the sound of the new model compared to the old model – fortunately, I still had the original model at that time. However, in terms of convenience, I liked the functionality of the new model (auxiliary input and switch on the front panel). I’ve already said that the Vincent is a high-quality headphone amplifier, but I criticized its ability to be used as a preamp for a single source. It’s funny how much my opinion can affect the appearance of an additional pre-signal input.

Characteristics of Vincent SV-200

Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz +/- 0.5 dB, 20 Hz – 50 kHz +/- 2 dB
RMS power / 8 Ohm: 2 x 25 W
RMS power / 4 Ohm: 2 x 35 W
THD: <0.1% (1 kHz, 1 watt)
Input sensitivity: 220 mV
Signal to noise ratio: > 72 dB
Input impedance: 47 kΩ
Maximum power consumption: 125 W
Inputs: 2 stereo RCA, 1 coaxial, 1 optical
Outputs: 1 stereo RCA, 1 stereo RCA, 2 speaker jacks, 2 3.5mm jacks (power management)
Tubes: 2 x 6N1
Playable digital formats: WAV, FLAC, APE, LPCM, MP3, ACC, AC3, WMA
Dimensions (WxHxD): 210 x 95 x 320 mm
Weight: 5 kg