The HA-L7A is a headphone amplifier by Yamaha. It was released in September 2023. It has a built-in DAC (ESS ES9038PRO), so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The HA-L7A has an MSRP of $3,999.
Performance Specs
The HA-L7A drives headphones rather than loudspeakers, so its power is quoted into headphone impedances instead of into 8 ohms: 1,000 mW + 1,000 mW balanced and 1,000 mW + 1,000 mW unbalanced @ 32 ohms (1 kHz, 0.01% THD); drives 8 to 600 ohm headphones. Yamaha quotes a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.003% or less (digital in, 1 kHz, 300 mW into 32 ohms) (lower is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 120dB Signal to Noise Ratio
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the HA-L7A, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
HA-L7A has total of 1 Analog inputs .
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 1
Outputs
- Preamp Outputs
- Balanced XLR Output
- 1/4 Headphone Output
Balanced connections
HA-L7A has a balanced XLR output. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. On a headphone output the other benefit is separation: a balanced connector gives each channel its own return conductor instead of the two sharing a common ground, which lowers crosstalk between left and right. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
DAC and Digital Music
The HA-L7A's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC. The DAC chip that is used in the HA-L7A is the
ESS ES9038PRO.
HA-L7A Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Delivers 1,000 mW into 32 ohms, comfortably more than most headphones need.
- ✓A preamp output means it can also feed active speakers or a power amplifier, so it is not limited to headphone listening.
- ✓A built-in DAC takes a digital source directly, with no separate converter to buy or find space for.
- ✗It has no speaker terminals - this drives headphones, not loudspeakers.
HA-L7A External Dimensions and Weight
HA-L7A has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 5-1/4 x 13-1/8 x 7-1/2 inch (133 x 333 x 189 mm ). The unit weighs
5.3 kg (11.7 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the HA-L7A is approximately 629.4cm2 / 97.6inch2.
- Width: 333.0mm (13-1/8")
- Height: 133.0mm (5-1/4")
- Depth: 189.0mm (7-1/2")
- Weight: 5.3 kg (11.7 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~629.4cm2 / 97.6inch2
- Volume: ~8.4 liter / 2.2 gallon
| General |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
| Full Model Name |
Yamaha HA-L7A |
| Release Date |
September 2023 |
| Amplifier Type |
Headphone Amplifier |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Headphone Output Power |
1,000 mW + 1,000 mW balanced and 1,000 mW + 1,000 mW unbalanced @ 32 ohms (1 kHz, 0.01% THD); drives 8 to 600 ohm headphones |
| Output Impedance |
N/A |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
4 Hz-80 kHz |
| THD |
0.003% or less (digital in, 1 kHz, 300 mW into 32 ohms) |
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
120 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| DAC Specs |
ESS ES9038PRO |
| Bluetooth |
|
| WiFi |
|
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
1 |
| Preamp Outputs |
Yes |
| Balanced XLR Output |
Yes |
| Headphone Output |
1/4 |
| Removable Power Cord |
|
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
133.0mm (5-1/4") |
| Width |
333.0mm (13-1/8") |
| Depth |
189.0mm (7-1/2") |
| Weight |
5.3 kg (11.7 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
Does the HA-L7A use vacuum tubes?
No. The HA-L7A is a solid-state amplifier - there are no vacuum tubes in it.
Does the HA-L7A have a built-in DAC?
Yes. The HA-L7A has a built-in DAC (ESS ES9038PRO), so you can feed it a digital source directly without buying a separate converter.
Does the HA-L7A have a headphone output?
Yes. The HA-L7A has a 1/4-inch headphone output on the front panel for private listening.
How much does the HA-L7A cost?
The HA-L7A has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $3,999.
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