EarMen (By Auris) TR-Amp DAC + Pre-Amp + Headphone Amp Review – Work Horse
Pros — Great quasi-neutral sound, quality components, ample power (plays with essentially anything), also works as dac AND pre-amp; rugged build.
Cons — No gain switch; rather big; non-serviceable battery.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The EarMen TR-Amp is a powerful neutral but not sterile of generic sounding integrated headphone amp (dac/pre-amp) that drives headphones up to 300 Ω) with ease. Made in Europe.
INTRODUCTION
EarMen recently appeared big on our radar out of nowhere, with their two models the TR-Amp (“transportable amp”) and the Sparrow dongle. The company is a subdivision of premium manufacturer Auris Audio. Earmen is registered in the US, where most of its stakeholders are from. The new Chicago warehouse has its focus on the North American market. The production is currently in Krusavec, Serbia [video of production facilities]. EarMen is “Made in Europe”.
I have used the EarMen TR-amp for 4-5 months, mainly with the 300 Ω Sennheiser HD 600 headphones. This worked so well and the TR-amp so so easy to operate that I had real problems writing an actual review other than telling you that it “works well and is really good”.
I apologize to EarMen that it took me so long to write this article.
SPECIFICATIONS
ES9038Q2M SABRE dac chip
Inputs: USB C (DATA & charge)
Outputs: 6.3 mm/3.5mm (stereo)
Headphone Amp with Texas Instruments TPA6120 chip:
THD+N: (2.7V, 32R) <0.005% SNR: >114dB
Dynamic Range: >107 dB
Power: >2.5V/400 mW (16 Ω); >3.4V/350 mW (32 Ω)
Output Impedance: <1 Ω
Audio Formats:
DSD: DSD 128 Native / DSD 256 (DoP)
DXD: 384/352.8 kHz
PCM Up to 384 kHz
MQA Rendering: Up to 384 kHz
Visit www.mqa.co.uk for more information.
Line out: Direct / PreOut
Output: 2.1V / 3.4V
THD+N: <0.005% / <0.007% (2.8V) SNR: >114dB / >114dB
Dynamic Range: >107dB / >107dB
Channel Separation: >107dB (1kHz) / >103dB (1kHz)
Battery: 3700 mAh / Up to 10 Hrs
Dimension: L x H x W: 129x66x30 mm / 5.08”x2.6”x1.18”
Weight: 240 gr / 0.53 lbs
Manual: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/1758/1634/files/TR-Amp_1_2_3_4.pdf?v=1593165092
Tested at: $249
Product page: https://earmen-shop.com/products/tr-amp
PHYSICAL THINGS
In the box are:
- TR-amp
- USB-C to USB-A cable, 1 m
- rubber ring (for strapping TR-amp to phone)
- storage meshbag
- manual/warranty card
The case is of sturdy aluminum, knob and switch are metal, there is nothing plastic. Rubber feet on the bottom prevent the metal chassis from being scratched/scratching the underlying surface such as a smartphone. The build is so sturdy that you can probably use it in self-defence – and it will still work thereafter.
The EarMen TR-amp features the TOTL ES9038Q2M SABRE dac chip and the Texas Instruments TPA6120 headphone amplifier chip.
FUNCTIONALITY
The EarMen TR-amp connects to smartphones vial plug ‘n’ play, it needs a driver for Windows (download) and none for the Mac.
WHAT IT DOES
- Can be connected to phone or Windows/Mac computers or Android/iOS sources
- Works as a pre-amplifier or dac when connected to a dedicated headphone amplifier
- Plays two earphones/headphones simultaneously through its two outputs (3.5 mm/6.3 mm)
- Drives small loudspeakers through its RCA outputs
- Plays and charges simultaneously through its two USB-C ports (5V power supply/charger)
- …Or runs on its built-in 3700 mAh battery
- Handles even power-hungry headphones well, imo up to 300 Ω
WHAT IT DOES NOT
- There is no choice of different digital filters
- It has no gain switch
- The output impedance is fixed
- Cannot be used as an amp only as it has no analog inputs
The EarMen TR-amp is a rather large for use on the road – I’d store it in my pocket rather than strapping it onto my phone. I like using it in bed with my phone, where size does not matter…at least amp size does not.
OPERATION
Operation is straight forward. “The music plays” – as they say – in the front and back panels…
Front Panel
The front panel of the EarMen TR-Amp features 2 outputs: a 3.5 mm and a 6.3 mm, which points to its particular suitability for full-sized headphones. The “On-Off/Volume” is nicely protruding out and therefore convenient to handle. That little LED serves mainly as an audio format indicator, and less so than a battery indicator: EarMen TR-amp is on (“white”), connected/PCM (“green”), MQA (“magenta”), DSD (cyan), charging (“flashing blue”), and low battery (“flashing red”). It is well visible while inconspicuous.
Rear Panel
The back panel sports two USB-C ports, a Pre Out/Direct switch, and RCA outputs.
One of the UBS-C outputs is used for charging, the other for data transfer. Both can be deployed simultaneously. When the EarMen TR-amp is connected to a computer, it is running on battery by default. You have to connect the other USB-C port to a USB-charger or external battery pack for charging.
The EarMen TR-amp’s amplifier function can be bypassed when connecting it to a (more powerful desktop) amplifier through the 2 RCA outputs. The switch serves the purpose of specifying the volume control. in the “Direct” position, the EarMen TR-amp’s volume knob is being disabled and the full-strength signal is being transferred through the”Line Out” into the external amp, which requires its own volume control. In the “Pre Out” position, the TR-amp’s volume control is activated.
Independent of the switch position both headphone outputs are always operative and two people can listen simultaneously.
AMPLIFICATION
The EarMen TR-amp works well with the Sennheiser HD 300 Ω impedance headphone (and therefore most on the market), but its 350 mW into 32 Ω would probably not drive more exotic 600 Ω headphones well. Power details in the specs above.
POWER CONSUMPTION/PLAY TIME
Ear Men claims up to 10 hrs of play time but does not give you specifics on the setup. I tested with the power-hungry Sennheiser HD 600 and iPhone 5S at a “normal” but pretty healthy volume level. After 6 h and 15 minutes, the indicator light started blinking, which means the the battery level and dropped below 20%. This points to 7-8 h playtime with this setting.
I value this as being in line with the manufacturer’s claims.
SOUND
My tonal preference and testing practice
Equipment used: EarMen TR-amp; Macbook Air, iPhone SE 1st gen.; Apple camera adapter, ddHifi TC28i adapter; Schiit Magni 2U headphone amplifier with Audioquest Forest and Snake Oil Taipan RCA interconnects; 300 Ω Sennheiser HD 600 headphone, 16 Ω Sennheiser IE 300 earphone.
The “ingredients” of the EarMen TR-amp are top notch, but how good is the “cooked meal”? Such a device works well with your phone on the go (if you like strapping it around it), but it can also be deployed as a desktop amp, and it can also be used as pre-amp or dac, when connected to a “bigger” dedicated headphone amplifier.
I tested the TR-amp in these scenarios:
- …as dac-amp with MacBook plus headphones/earphones
- …as dac-amp with phone
- …as dac AND pre-amp with Schiit Magni 2 Uber, sourced by MacBook
The EarMen TR-amp, just like the Sparrow, produces a neutral sound with a tinge of warmth added to spare us from a clinical, lifeless, or overwhelming sonic reproduction. Straddling that thin line, it allows for harmonizing with both, neutral and warm headphones/earphones.
Extension towards both ends is very good and so are headroom, sense of space, and dynamics. The punch is natural and works with electronic, rock, and acoustic music such as symphony or jazz. The image has a good volume and body, it does neither sound lean or syrupy thick. The TR-amp preserves the music’s midrange clarity and brings vocals out intimately.
I also could never hear any noticeable hiss, not even with the sensitive 16 Ω Sennheiser IE 300. But it brought out the bassy side of these naturally bassy iems without muddying or congesting the sound.
It is really boring to report the sound of an amp that does not alter music and reproduces it as should be. The EarMen TR-amp simply works and has been for quite some time for me.
Using the EarMen TR-amp with as a pre-amp (“Pre-Out”) and dac (“Direct”) with the warmer Schiit amp adds a bit of colour and results in added power and heft. This is only valid for this particular setup . Sonic results will vary with different amps connected.
What I’d like to see is a gain switch for easier volume fine adjustments with sensitive earphones.
EARMEN TR-AMP COMPARED
I can only offer the $199 British nano iDSD Black Label (“BL”), which is a bit smaller and less powerful (285 mW vs. 350 mW @ 32Ω) – both feature a 3700 mAh battery. The BL does not drive the Sennheiser HD 600 as well as the TR-amp, but it has two 3.5 mm outputs, one of which (“IE Match“) offers increased output impedance for sensitive iems. The more powerful TR-amp is rather designed towards full-sized cans with its 6.3 mm output – whereas the BL caters more to the less power hungry peripherals…although both play both well.
The BL is warmer sounding and therefore more limited to the more neutral headphones/earphones, it may sound muffled with warm earphones/headphones. The EarMen TR-amp is more versatile in this respect. The BL has the choice of two audio filters, the TR-Amp does not. And the BL has a pseudo 3.5 mm balanced circuit.
In terms of connectivity, the EarMen TR-amp has a L and R line out, the BL has a single 3.5 mm line out. Both can be used as dacs, and only the EarMen as pre-amp. The TR-amp, with its separate UBC-C ports for charging and data can be charged while playing, the BL with its USB-A port can draw power from the source (“computer”) or run on battery, but it cannot play and charge simultaneously.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The Earmen TR-amp has been playing everything I threw at it in the last few months, from sensitive iems to the 300 Ω Sennheiser HD 600. And it played them all very well. It is a robust classic design that feels and sounds good, that is powerful enough for almost anything, and that is reasonably priced. It simply works for me and don’t want to miss it.
What else can I say?
Until next time…keep on listening!
You find an INDEX of all our dac/amp reviews HERE.
DISCLAIMER
The Earmen TR-amp was provided by Earmen upon my request. I thank them and also the Audiofool who had established the contact. The Audiofool has reviewed the Earmen TR-amp here.
Our generic standard disclaimer.
You find an INDEX of our most relevant technical articles HERE.
GALLERY
