The Irvine-based (California) company, ENIGMAcoustics, is known for its patented SBESL (Self-Biased Electrostatic) technology, which one was one of the highlights at the High End Munich show in 2014, and other events since then. Now, responding directly at the increasing trends from the headphone-oriented market, ENIGMAcoustics announced the launch of its first two products in the high-end headphone category, the Dharma D1000 Hybrid Electrostatic Headphone and the Athena A1 Triode Vacuum Tube Hybrid Headphone Amplifier.The Dharma D1000 headphone takes full advantage of ENIGMAcoustics’ SBESL (Self-Biased Electrostatic) technology, offering electrostatic transparency, focus, and inner detail without the need for an external energizer to provide a polarizing voltage. Instead, the bias voltage is derived from the signal itself in a proprietary manner, making Dharma, according to the company “an easy to use, convenient, and with its light weight, very comfortable headphone.”
As an hybrid electrostatic design, bass and mid-bass are handled by a unique and proprietary Wagami paper-based dynamic membrane, with stiffness, mass, and internal damping optimized for use with an electrostatic HF driver. Transition between the electrostatic and dynamic drivers is seamlessly accomplished via a phase coherent first order crossover employing precision audio grade, tight tolerance components.
The Dharma D1000 design combines desirable 26 Ohm impedance with 95 dB sensitivity and is load compatible with both solid-state and vacuum tube amplifiers. Dharma’s availability is scheduled for May 2015, at a suggested retail of $ 1,190.
Athena A1
The Athena A1 vacuum tube headphone amplifier represents what company officials term “a no compromise approach to design—an integration of solid engineering and a true appreciation of music.” As a ECC82/12AU7 single-ended triode / hybrid amplifier, its vacuum tube front-end is biased Pure Class-A, and exhibits extremely low noise, while its low impedance Class-A MOS/BJT hybrid output stage and its high voltage swings ensure compatibility both with low and high impedance headphones, and is equally adept at driving both. Athena’s design eliminates any concern about interfacing it with any load, high or low impedance, or any headphone — even the most demanding.
Athena’s availability is also scheduled for May 2015, at a suggested retail of $ 1,490.
While the two components are perfect complements to each other, they are not ‘dedicated’ as such. Each is compatible with the whole spectrum of headphone components, offering what ENIGMAcoustics feels is absolutely uncompromised performance in both electrostatic headphone and vacuum tube amplifier design. Their extremely wide bandwidth also ensures they are not only compatible with the highest-resolution latest generation music sources, but ideal complements.
About ENIGMAcoustics
ENIGMAcoustics made its first statement in high-end audio with the groundbreaking Sopranino electrostatic super tweeter. Receiving positive mention and press attention internationally, Sopranino’s design utilizes the company’s patented SBESL (Self-Biased Electrostatic) technology to deliver what the company describes as “sweet, nuanced, and extended high frequency response.” Sopranino is also the cornerstone and building block for the ENIGMAcoustics Hybrid Electrostatic Mini Monitor system, the Mythology M1; and now the new Dharma D1000 hybrid electrostatic headphone.
www.enigmacoustics.com
