HIFIMAN has announced its latest acquisition and product release: the Hifiman Goldenwave SERENADE Desktop DAC/Headphone Amplifier.
HIFIMAN, a leader in high-fidelity personal audio, has announced the acquisition of GOLDENWAVE, a respected audio designer/manufacturer. The acquisition will allow HIFIMAN to bring GOLDENWAVE’s expertise in desktop audio decoders and headphone amplifiers to its own product line.
As part of the acquisition, HIFIMAN is debuting the new SERENADE desktop DAC/headphone amplifier. The SERENADE is described as a compact powerhouse of a Class A amplifier with HIFIMAN’s proprietary Hymalaya Pro Ladder DAC onboard. The Hymalaya Pro DAC is an update of the company’s first-generation Hymalaya DAC (as seen in the EF400 DAC/Amp), initially released in 2021.
The recently developed Hymalaya Pro R2R DAC has a new FPGA algorithm and 0.01% precision resistors for superior performance. The device has a THD rate of 0.0012% at -6 dB, surpassing the previous technology in every aspect.
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The new SERENADE also features the highly respected FET operational amplifier, combined with a discrete component LPF analog circuit which is designed to provide a clear and precise sound with minimal noise. The design eliminates nonlinear distortion caused by electrolytic capacitors for a full-range sonic output. The Class A design of SERENADE is complemented by a precisely matched, fully discrete amplifier circuit. A 50w toroidal transformer anchors the amplifier stage.
In addition, the SERENADE appears to be a highly versatile device that supports a wide range of inputs/input types, including PCM 32bit/384K, DSD64-DSD256 (USB); DSD DoP64 (coaxial and optical); Bluetooth 5.0, LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX (Bluetooth); and PCM44.1-PCM768, DSD64-DSD512 (LAN wired network). Outputs on the front panel include 4-pin XLR, 6.35mm, and 4.4mm, with XLR balanced and RCA single-ended outputs on the rear panel.
Here are some of the key features of the SERENADE:
- Compact, powerful Class A amplifier
- HIFIMAN’s proprietary Hymalaya Pro Ladder DAC
- 4-pin XLR, 6.35mm, and 4.4mm headphone outputs
- XLR balanced and RCA single-ended line outputs
- Suggested retail price of $1,199
The SERENADE has a measured frequency response of 20Hz-20KHz +-0.1dB @1KHz and a THD+N of 0.0015% -3dBFS@1KHz. The DAC output level is 4.5V/XLR, 2.2V/RCA, 0dBFS@1KHz. Additionally, the headphone amplifier power output is rated at 4000mW@32 ohms, 760mW@300 ohms (balanced output), and 2800mW@32Ω, 510mW@300Ω (single-end output).
The Hifiman Goldenwave SERENADE will be available in July at a suggested retail price of $1,199. For more information, visit https://hifiman.com.
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