HIFIMAN has announced both the acquisition of an audio designer/manufacturer and the debut of a new DAC/headphone amplifier that takes full advantage of HIFIMAN’s Hymalaya Pro ladder DAC.
New from the GOLDENWAVE brand, the SERENADE desktop DAC/headphone amplifier (SRP: $1199) represents the best of both companies’ design capabilities. SERENADE is a compact, powerhouse of a Class A amplifier with HIFIMAN’s proprietary Hymalaya Pro Ladder DAC, an update of the company’s first-generation Hymalaya DAC, originally released in 2021.
The SERENADE is designed for personal audio and music fans who demand both maximum flexibility and performance. Measuring a mere 300mm x 255mm x 50mm/12 inches x 10 inches x 2 inches, SERENADE includes a host of features and listening options that belie its compact size.
SERENADE supports a wide variety of inputs, including PCM 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD64-DSD256 (USB); DSD DoP64 (coaxial and optical); Bluetooth 5.0, LDAC, aptX-HD, aptX (Bluetooth); and PCM44.1-PCM768, DSD64-DSD512 (LAN wired network). Outputs on the front panel include 4-pin XLR, 6.35mm, and 4.4mm, with XLR balanced and RCA single-ended outputs on the rear panel.
HIFIMAN’s Hymalaya Pro R2R DAC, with the added support of a new FPGA algorithm and 0.01 percent precision resistors, provides performance that surpasses the PCM1704 in every way, reaching a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) rate of 0.0012 percent at –6 dB. HIFIMAN’s Hymalaya architecture removes the switches while maintaining a similar or improved level of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) as the PCM1704K DAC chip, with greater power handling and overall efficiency, as well as improved sonic performance.
SERENADE features an FET operational amplifier with a discrete component LPF analog circuit that translates into detailed sound with high-precision, low-noise test indicators. The bold design of the whole signal path eliminates coupling capacitors, removing nonlinear distortion caused by electrolytic capacitors, leaving only pure, full range sonic output. Based on a Class A design, SERENADE is supplemented by a precisely matched, fully discrete amplifier circuit.
A 50-watt toroidal transformer, surrounded by oxygen-free copper wire, is comprised of high-quality full-band iron core, combined with a large pond filter capacitor of nearly 30,000 microfarads and a multi-stage, multi-channel, low-noise, high-speed voltage regulator circuit, providing a pure and fast power supply for the SERENADE.
The SERENADE’s frequency response is measured at 20 Hz–20 kHz, +-0.1dB @1KHz. THD+N is 0.0015% –3dBFS@1KHz. DAC output level is 4.5V/XLR, 2.2V/RCA, 0dBFS@1 kHz. Headphone amplifier power output is THD+N<0.07% @1 kHz balanced output is 4000mW@32 ohms, 760mW@300 ohms; single-end output is 2800mW@32 ohms, 510mW@300 ohms.
The SERENADE will be available in July at a suggested retail price of $1199, from authorized HIFIMAN dealers and the company’s online store, http://store.hifiman.com/.
For additional information, visit https://hifiman.com.
