The Fidelice (by Rupert Neve Designs) “Precision Headphone Amplifier" is a high-quality, standalone, three-input, headphone amplifier and one of a trio of launch-products under the “Fidelice” brand, targeted at bringing Rupert Neve’s legendary studio engineering prowess and delivering a high-end studio listening experience directly to the music lover.
This is a compact desktop unit, with high-headroom inputs that make it well suited for both home and studio use:
1x Analog XLR/TRS combo input (+22.8 dBu)
1x Analog RCA input (+14.7 dBu)
1x Analog 3.5mm TRS input (+3.3 dBu)
This is a higher-end piece, and is finished as such in an all aluminum chassis inlaid with a wooden panel embossed with stylized “R” signature. It is available from headphones.com with an asking price of $1,195.
24VDC @ 0.25Amp (6 watt) minimum. Use with supplied power adapter, as this has been carefully selected for best output power and noise performance. May be used with a properly configured 24V battery as well.
This is the spot to discuss Rupert Neve’s Fidelice “RNHP” …
I just tested it, and the Fidelice RNHP definitely has a power-on transient (pop) that’s audible with headphones connected, and an odd woosh-pop sound if you power it off with them still connected.
The RNHP manual states:
We recommend powering the RNHP ON and OFF without any headphones connected. This promotes long-term, stress- free operation for the user, the RNHP and pair of headphones.
This is a bit dissapointing in a $1,195 amplifier. Even the $100 Schiit Magni 3+ and Heresy have muting relays to avoid this sort of thing.
The way the power output is quoted, and what I find in actually using the unit, makes me think the specified numbers are what output power is achievable with the unit remaining in class A operation.
I believe it’s a class A/B design, so it can deliver more power than quoted - it’ll just be doing so in class B for power above the class A bias point (musical peaks, generally - depending on listening level).
I actually don’t find the aesthetics of the RNHP to be a problem. I think its a design that works much better on the scale of the little amp, than it does on the full-sized RNDAC …
Yes, the amp is off in that shot. The source-indicator LEDs are obnoxiously, exposure-shiftingly, bright. And manually compensating for the exposure results in a green dot that’s about on the magnitude of the Death Star’s primary weapon on a 7-reactor ignition.
You’re far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration - but don’t worry; we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough.
Yep, the translucent buttons protrude from the case, so a Light Dim would only help from the front, and light would still spill out around the sides.
Also, that shot is at an angle … the “B” input is even brighter when viewed head-on, despite it being input “A” that’s selected there.
Where I to buy one of these, I’d be inserting things between the indicators to prevent the light bleeding over, and assuming the LEDs are separate from the audio circuit - I’d be changing the resistors feeding them.
Fun little amp…I like it more than the THX amps I’ve had in the past. Aesthetically pleasing in the smaller form, it’s big brother DAC/amp I think might be a harder pill to swallow in this aesthetic at its size, but still cool retro chic. *quick phone pic I’ll start editing my photos to post here soon…
