Portable PERFECTION? Enleum HPA-23RM headphone amp review

Enleum HPA-23RM: enleum.com/hpa-23rm/
A review of the Enleum HPA-23RM portable headphone amplifier including comparison of the current vs voltage outputs, frequency response measurements for various headphones and IEMs when used with the current output, and comparisons with the AMP-23R and Chord TT2 headphone output.
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My top recommended HEADPHONES (prices in USD)
HarmonicDyne Athena - $179 - bit.ly/3QvQdlq
Moondrop Para - $299 - amzn.to/4c1C4F9
Sivga SV023 - $449 - amzn.to/3UKXsZ5
Meze 109 Pro - $799 - amzn.to/3y6l6qi
ZMF Atrium - $2,499 - www.zmfheadphones.com/
Meze Elite - $4,000 - bit.ly/3UMIDWb
Focal Utopia (2022) - $4,999 - amzn.to/44xEHvx
My top recommended IEMS (prices in USD)
KZ ESX - $30 - amzn.to/4bpMyxC
Tangzu FUDU - $89 - amzn.to/3UvOrlk
Simgot EM6L - $129 - amzn.to/4a3SLy1
Meze Audio Alba - $159 - bit.ly/AlbaIEM
Thieaudio Elixir - $209 - amzn.to/3ULd9zr
7Hz Timeless - $220 - amzn.to/3QslVA8
Yanyin Canon II - $379 - bit.ly/YanCanII
Xenns Mangird Top - $530 - bit.ly/XENNSTopLin
Sennheiser IE600 - $700 - amzn.to/44AxcUQ
Sennheiser IE900 - $849 - amzn.to/4b66wxy
Westone Mach 70 - $1,400 - amzn.to/3ULUK5P
My top recommended TRANSPORTS (prices in USD)
WiiM Pro - $168 - amzn.to/4bpTDOw
SMSL PL200 CD - $669 - amzn.to/3Wsd0lJ
Eversolo DMP-A6 (Master Edition) - $1,299 - amzn.to/44sBMUR
Eversolo DMP-A8 - $1,980 - amzn.to/3QxRU1B
My top recommended DACS (prices in USD)
Topping E30 II - $149 - amzn.to/3JQyGkd
Topping E50 - $199 - amzn.to/3WucWSO
SMSL DO200 Mk2 - $469 - amzn.to/4a5Di0C
Topping D70 Pro OCTO - $599 - amzn.to/4a8bubZ
Geshelli J2S AK4499EX - $680 - bit.ly/J2SAKM
Schiit Bifrost 2/64 - $799 - www.schiit.com/products/bifrost-1
Gustard R26 - $1,650 - amzn.to/3QyZ0mB
Schiit Yggdrasil - $2,299 - www.schiit.com/products/yggdrasil
Chord TT2 - $5,295 - chordelectronics.co.uk/product/hugott2
My top recommended HEADPHONE AMPS (prices in USD)
Schiit Magni - $119 - www.schiit.com/products/magni-unity
xDuoo MT-604 - $169 - amzn.to/4bpNYrW
xDuoo TA-26S - $319 - amzn.to/3UJbfzx
Geshelli A3 Pro - $499 - bit.ly/GLA3Pro
Aune S17 Pro - $699 - amzn.to/4a75v7b
Schiit Mjolnir - $1199 - www.schiit.com/products/mjolnir-3
Burson Audio Voyager - $5,300+ - bit.ly/4a8Mwcq
My top recommended DONGLE DACS (prices in USD)
Moondrop Dawn Pro - $50 - amzn.to/3y2dd57
Simgot DEW4X - $80 - amzn.to/4b68rlK
Questyle M15i - $349 - amzn.to/4doMSyp
My top recommended WIRELESS 'PHONES (prices in USD)
Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe - $40 - amzn.to/3UIXQr4
Soundpeats Air4 Pro - $79 - amzn.to/3Wyj4tj
Edifier Neobuds Pro 2 - $130 - amzn.to/3WwMpEf
Sennheiser Momentum 4 - $379.95 - amzn.to/3WrEqZ0
HiFiMan Svanar Wireless - $499 - amzn.to/4amOhmx
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00:00 Introduction
00:41 Glamour video
01:22 Design & features
04:45 Device tour
07:34 3.5mm & 6.3mm connections
10:13 Current vs Voltage modes
13:17 Use with IEMs
14:03 Sound quality
14:41 with ZMF Caldera
16:09 with ZMF Verite Open
17:49 with HiFiMan Svanar IEM
19:58 with Thieaudio Prestige LTD
21:44 HPA-23RM vs AMP-23R
24:27 HPA-23RM vs Chord TT2 HP out
27:31 Final conclusions
#audiophile #audioreview #headphoneamp

[@_DeepGroove_]

So glad that you got to review this amp Lachlan, especially in comparison with the TT2! I have been considering it as a transportable option for the Susvara (e.g., to move it between different rooms at home). USB-C power makes it easy to plug in multiple rooms. As far as I know, there are not many transportable amps for driving planars. In particular, the Hugo 2 cannot drive the Suvara. However, I have been a bit turned off by Enleum's dismissal of users complaints regarding the mid-range on some 23R versions, some worrying QC concerns and their customer service not replying to questions over email. For this price I expect better.

[@PassionforSound]

I hadn't heard about the specific complaints about the midrange quality. I was aware of the unit that Goldensound and CMA reviewed sounding like an outlier though. That's a concern if true and a shame because the sound quality of the AMP-23R I own is wonderful and now the HPA-23RM is a very respectable portable solution that's on pair with full sized solutions like the Soloist GT and Silver Fox in terms of sound quality.

[@jaybrodnax]

Very happy to see current and voltage circuits...EVERY high end amp should do this

[@PassionforSound]

Yeah. It's pretty cool. That current output sounds brilliant!

[@curlmythic]

Great audio brother 😊

[@PassionforSound]

Excellent! Thanks for letting me know

[@aodhanmorrissey]

As ludicrously expensive as this is, I really enjoy seeing reviews of more one off products like this. Thanks as always Lachlan!

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure. I'm glad you liked it!

[@jaybrodnax]

Thanks!

[@PassionforSound]

Thank you Jay! Glad you liked it 🙂

[@seekeroftheways]

The Sennheiser ie900 was surprisingly good on the current output despite being an iem. Much fuller sound.

[@MindsEyeKay]

Great review, as always. Viewing the HPA-23RM primarily as a "portable" device kind of misses the mark, from what I have been researching on this device. From their website, they mention it's their dedicated headphone amplifier - designed for BOTH desktop usage and mobile usage - they intentionally specify desktop usage first. SOUNDNEWS quotes the creators, stating that originally it was not meant to be developed as a portable device, but as their true reference headphone amplifier - the AMP-23R minus the speaker outputs. I've seen reviewers and users mention that it can drive the most stubborn of loads well - the Susvara and DCA's Stealth and Expanse. Keeping this in mind, and for someone who uses headphones only, would you say that the HPA-23RM conveys Enleum's characteristics/"house-sound" from what you have experienced from the AMP-23R adequately (i.e. for USD 3K less)?

[@PassionforSound]

I definitely do think it carries the Enleum sound and delivers it very well. My only hesitation with it is that I think there are equivalent performing amps for the same money or less with a more convenient desktop form factor (full sized connectors, enough weight to stay still when connecting and disconnecting headphones, etc.) so the added portability has detracted a little from the desktop usability IMO

[@MindsEyeKay]

@@PassionforSound Really appreciate the reply! Awesome! Totally understand your point and where you're coming from with regards to your hesitation. Thank you for clarifying further!

[@PassionforSound]

My pleasure!

[@DJ_BROBOT]

the missed opportunity was to not compare this against a $2K PORTABLE CHORD HUGO. Thanks for reviewing this Laclan, for this is one of those esoteric, rare in the wild amps you see people using in the community that have few reviews...just like the Bakoon, Aroma, Mass Kobo amps out there

[@PassionforSound]

No problems! I'd love to have a Hugo 2 here, but 💰💰💰...

[@Maver1ck911]

​@@PassionforSoundquick buy on credit and return 🤣

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

as much as i highly recding it, its indeed very expensive

[@jaybrodnax]

I really love that the batteries are standard 18650 and easily and inexpensively replaceable!

[@aceofspades6667]

Mass Kobo also makes some great portable amps. Interesting product lineup

[@PassionforSound]

I need to look at their range. I've been previously scared away by the price tags 😱

[@floriangopel3909]

Great video as always ,best reviewer of KZbin clearly, i still have to go on with looking now for an endgame headamp that drives both iem and headphone to the max 😁

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. That's a bit of a tough one. How come this doesn't fit the bill for you?

[@floriangopel3909]

@@PassionforSound thank you for asking, I have all terminations of my upgrade cables balanced and also a balanced xlr ic, (i am using the gustard r26 with external clock and switch and music server,) and i know every adapter in the path degrades the Sound to some degree, so i am awaiting your review for the silver fox, but i heard this one is maybe too smooth for my gustard and hisses with iems, maybe holo bliss fits better or the upcoming New gustard h26head amp. Will be a tough decision 😁

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, Silver Fox is lovely, but not so good with IEMs. Keep an eye out for the HiFiMan Goldenwave Prelude review that I am currently editing. That thing is awesome too!

[@floriangopel3909]

@@PassionforSound i will definetily!

[@patricaomas8750]

Heard somebody, on one of the channels call devices like this transportable as against portable something you'd put in a bag when you travel rather than something you'd have connected to a source when walking around like IFI Bar or Dragonfly.

[@PassionforSound]

I definitely agree with that. It's designed as portable but as I said in the video, no-one's putting this in their pocket and taking a walk. 🙂

[@patricaomas8750]

@@PassionforSound I own an original Ifi micro silver case it's portable in the same way a brick is a tool to opening a car and micro could be used as a brick

[@PassionforSound]

I hear you. I had one of those too! 😁

[@thelastrhino2581]

Thanks for the review, Lachlan. That was my feeling too, hearing it at a show. Nothing special to justify 3k. The Chord Hugo 2 is significantly cheaper and offers a lot more, unless you really decide that you need that current output.

[@PassionforSound]

I think it's sound performance is amazing for its size (matching full size amps like the Soloist GT and Silver Fox), but the Hugo 2 makes more sense as a portable device once a DAC is added to the HPA-23RM

[@urbenkam]

Great review. Off the topic. I am using focal clear with schit bifrost 2 n burson soloist 3xp. I find the sound a little harsh and fatiguing. Do you reckon moving to tube amplifier would resolve this? Something which is not expensive plz .

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that could definitely work. Perhaps look at the xDuoo TA-20 Plus? The Clears can be just a touch too much in the treble so I understand.

[@urbenkam]

@@PassionforSound thank you. Was going through your videos. You think this one be better than the Bottlehead Crack 1.1 OTL?

[@PassionforSound]

The Clears will probably alter their frequency response a little with an OTL design like the Crack. It could be for the better, but you'd need to ask some people that have tried that specific combination. The Crack is definitely a great option if it will work for you and the Clears though - incredible value for money.

[@urbenkam]

@@PassionforSound thank you i did buy the clears on your recommendation 🥰 and soloist. I wanted to try tube amplifier to see what the fuss is all about.

[@PassionforSound]

Depending on how deep you want to dive, you can always just dip a toe in the water with something like the xDuoo MT-601.

[@gerritfridericksohn4627]

I bought one to take with me when I visit my chalet in Aspen, and also when I go to my chateau in Provence.

[@PassionforSound]

🥂

[@PdNConsult]

Hi there, been enjoying your reviews a lot...Maybe a difficult one, if you would only look at sonics and make a choice between this one the Burson GT 2023 (with V7) and the Holo Bliss which would win your $ ? And objectively which one wins in terms of sheer dynamics and separation? Greetings from Belgium Bert

[@PassionforSound]

Hi Bert, I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel! Unfortunately, I haven't tried the Holo Bliss. It seems Holo didn't like the fact that I chose to not rave about their Spring DAC and it's been difficult for me to get my hands on their gear ever since. ☹️

[@PdNConsult]

This is strange indeed. I based my purchase of the Spring lvl 3 amongst others on your review which was informative for me. Tastes differ and your description of the sound was a confirmation of what I like... I have another question, is there any difference between the headphone part of the Burson Conductor GT and the Soloist GT or are these identical and is the Conductor a Soloist with DAC?

[@PassionforSound]

No, there are differences. Both are based on the same overall principles, but the maximum quality of the Conductor GT amp stage is a little reduced because they had to simplify the amplification circuit to fit it into the same chassis with a DAC. It's still a wonderful, top level amp, but the Soloist GT is a little better again.

[@PdNConsult]

@@PassionforSound thanks again for this. I have the option to buy a demo Conductor for 1.500 euros or a new Solist at list price. I will only use it as an amp for Holo/Auralic or Shanling M9. Choices....

[@PassionforSound]

If you're only using it as an amp, the Conductor doesn't make a lot of sense because it converts all incoming analog content to digital and back again so it can make volume adjustments. I.e. it's going to override some of the qualities of your upstream sources.

[@matthewhilty4209]

I personally love 4.4mm connectors on my portable devices. My 3.5mm socket on my Hugo2 is now worn out. Even if the 4.4 was not balanced the connector itself is better. I wonder if you can mod the amp to scrap the 3.5mm in favor of a 4.4mm. Most of my IEMs have 4.4mm cables.

[@jaybrodnax]

consider using a little extension cable or port adapter to keep from wearing out ports on your devices

[@matthewhilty4209]

@@jaybrodnax Yes I do that now but in my defense a 3.5mm port on a $2500 product should last more than 6 months.

[@PassionforSound]

That's a worry that it's worn out so fast. I'm not sure that a 4.4mm would fair any better as the contact system is the same - there's just more of them.

[@aRc11-11]

If I were a rich man..yada yada yada yada yaaa...

[@aRc11-11]

Did you try a 300 ohm Senn with the voltage output..DOH!!!

[@HercahyoAdiSaputro]

this is my favorite portable headphone amp for planar headphone, even susvara sounds very good out of this for dynamic like zmf, i'd say brise tsuranagi is better😅

[@PassionforSound]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@djhmax09]

I hear current drive amps does wonders on an hd800s

[@PassionforSound]

I'd imagine a nice bass increase, but I haven't tried it

[@SAURAV2k3]

Use case of such amplifier? Better to get good IEM and DAP for portability. It’s not even AIO so will need to carry one portable DAC as well

[@PassionforSound]

It's a bit of a stretch to call it portable, I think. I think maybe it should be thought of as transportable for people who want an amp they can take with them to a hotel on a trip, etc. It's also why I'm not completely sold on its design. If it were bigger and had full sized connectors, I think I'd have been more positive about it.

[@fatdoi003]

I think there's also a portable amp with more reviews than people actually buying the thing.... the U$2000 hybrid Cayin C9

[@PassionforSound]

That's sometimes the way

[@Maver1ck911]

I would buy a Hugo TT 2 or a Hugo 2 if I wanted to drive IEM's 😳🤯🤯🤯. 3k USD for this bad boy 😵‍💫 I wish you could measure OI for current mode. That's a wild down slope in current mode looking like a series resistance of nearly 20Ohms. PS: I ran Legend Evo from Mojo2 and it retained much more space and a softer timbre for female vocals. I added the SA-1 4.4 in the chain SE 3.5>RCA and it made the vocals very upfront and diminished that spatial info. That little experiment did not seem to affect the Rn6.

[@PassionforSound]

The Current output works differently so it's not about the Zout. It's about the fact that the current stays consistent and the voltage varies to match impedance (opposite to normal amps). What that means is the the frequency response matches the impedance curve of the headphone (overlayed with it's tuning and resonances, etc.)

[@Maver1ck911]

@PassionforSound seems it works backwards with constant current; the reactance of the drivers amplifies it's frequency dependent resistance expressed on voltage output measured (and heard).

[@PassionforSound]

Yes, that's right

[@datdudeinred]

No balanced at that price is a joke. I get many people still love single ended but i switched to 4.4 long back & atleast give an option like topping g5. & that's 10x less price. Also at that price i expect replaceable 18650 batteries(or equivalent) like cayin c9 & shanling h7 do. People should learn something from camera manufacturers.

[@PassionforSound]

I think, if you tried the two outputs, you'd realise why that decision was made rather than using the space for a 4.4mm connector.

[@dixter1652]

would be nice to A-B this overpriced portable to something like the fiio M17 to see which one would be a better portable solution... there are others also...

[@floriangopel3909]

The m17 is way, way less sound quality than this, its also Worse than other daps, which Cost less👍

[@PassionforSound]

I wouldn't say that the M17 is way worse than other DAPs, but I do agree that it's way below something like the HPA-23RM. As a pure portable amplifier, I think you'd have to spend the same or more to match the 23RM. The Hugo 2 is the only competition I see and that's largely for the DAC it's packing alongside the amp stage. I don't actually think the amp would best (or maybe even match) the 23RM.

[@dixter1652]

I would bet I can get better sound from portable equipment that costs half of what they ask for this...

[@PassionforSound]

Short of maybe the Hugo 2, I'd take that bet every time having heard the HPA-23RM. It's a portable amp performing to the level of the 2023, upgraded Soloist GT and Silver Fox.

[@suntanglory]

1 watt, 5hrs battery life 🔋 for 3k.The world is finally gone.😅😂

[@PassionforSound]

It's more about the sound quality than power output and battery life. It's design to be plugged in once you're at your desk / home and for those buying an amp like this, they're probably flying business class on longer trips and can plug it in there too. 🙂

[@masterazlan6999]

Bra, nowdays diablo2... Susvara OTG now.. 12watts bra.. yup nitro mode.. Dis enleum kinda outdated Peace!

[@_DeepGroove_]

Would be an interesting comparison, however impressions seem to suggest that sound quality-wise the two are not playing in the same league

[@karolkedzierski5824]

Diablo 2 has barely 1,5W. You got tricked. Peace butter!

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, power quantity doesn't tell us much of a story.

[@masterazlan6999]

Bra, nitro mode is 12Watts bra.. Where have u been?.. Moon?.. Plus XMEM new tech bra.. Where yall been.. Peace!

[@masterazlan6999]

Its bout susvara is OTG now.. bra.. Ha3 Peace!

[@jamesbush2720]

Sorry, you lost me at 1 W over $3K.... No thanks...

[@michaellichnovsky8397]

Watts per dollar is no way to judge any amplifier. Ever.

[@PassionforSound]

Yep, I agree that it's about sound quality, not power quantity. You can buy the A70 Pro and get buckets of power (and a nice amp), but it doesn't come close to an amp like the HPA-23RM or even the much cheaper AND lower powered Geshelli A3 Pro

[@Maver1ck911]

​@@PassionforSoundyou've got the upgraded sparkos opamps right?

[@steelbiker70]

Same here, amplifier at this pricepoint can’t be better than I already have…

[@PassionforSound]

How so, steelbiker? What do you already have?

[@melih42342]

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[@seekeroftheways]

The Sennheiser ie900 was surprisingly good on the current output despite being an iem. Much fuller sound

[@PassionforSound]

Yes. That's where it can be fun if the FR change happens to be a positive one.

[@hayat.zor19]

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[@bayrammeric9147]

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