Meet the world’s first wireless headphones with a built-in DAC and valve preamp
These Bluetooth headphones promise to be the first in the world to include a valve-based preamp stage, DAC and dual-mono amplification – technology that you usually find in a proper hi-fi setup.
Newcomer Écoute Audio says the TH1’s design is closer to a high-end hi-fi system than a pair of premium Bluetooth headphones. It features separate electronics, “each designed to enhance sonic performance and deliver a true double-mono signal path.”
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A new type of valve
The TH1 key is a Nutube 6P1 dual-triode valve, which acts as a stereo preamp. This shapes the sound with “harmonic richness and dimension” before passing it to Class A/B analogue amplifiers.
It adds voltage gain while keeping the left and right channels separate. It also eliminates crosstalk and preserves images.
The Nutube 6P1 was developed in Japan by Korg and Noritake Itron. It was used because of its small size, cool operation and low power consumption. You can see the valve through the small window in the left ear cup, it is bright turquoise.
Valves produce a warmer, more natural sound than transistors. It has been possible to listen to headphones with valve technology before, but only by connecting them to a desktop or portable valve amp.
To measure it
There is a downside to this technology: weight. The headphones weigh 424g – which might not sound like much, considering what it packs. But it’s heavier than the AirPods Max 2, which tips the scales at a whopping 386.2g.
Along with Bluetooth 5.3, you can listen wirelessly using the USB-C or 3.5mm ports. The TH1 supports Sony’s LDAC codec for high-quality wireless listening, alongside standard AAC. The audio cable gives you up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution.
When using the 3.5mm jack, you can choose ‘active mode’ to use the built-in TH1 valve preamp and dual-mono power amp, or ‘passive mode’ to power yourself with an external amp, like regular wired headphones.
They also pack active noise cancellation (ANC) with Transparency Mode to let in some external sounds. The aluminum body has replaceable memory foam earpads, and comes in a choice of Gunmetal or Satin Aluminum. The battery lasts a quoted 20-plus hours – for reference, the AirPods Max 2 last a disappointing 20 hours, despite not having a built-in valve preamp.
The TH1 also has an app: the Écoute Tuning App for iOS and Android adjusts parameters within the headphones’ Digital Signal Processing (DSP) at the digital source level before it is converted to analogue. This should preserve signal integrity and resolution, and should make for a much more authentic sound than an app-based equalizer that uses a digital filter before the signal leaves your device.
Écoute makes some bold claims, but if they stick, these could be epic headphones. They are available now in the UK through distributor Electromod for £900 (approx $1200 / AU$1700).
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