Our customers frequently ask which amplifier is right for them. There are many ways to answer that question, and comparing specs only gets you so far. Below is a chart that shows some important information to consider when choosing a Bottlehead amplifier. But remember - the most important thing about an amplifier is how it sounds. Pop over to our user forums to get user impressions and building tips.

Speaker Amplifier Comparison Table

Specifications in this table represent stock models. Some models have upgrades to enhance or alter performance.

Bottlehead Paradyne monoblocks in a cozy room.
$5,499.00

Power

35 WPC

Power

8 WPC (stereo) or 16 WPC (monoblock)

Power

~4.5 WPC

Gain

15 dB at 8 ohm tap

Gain

18 dB at 8 ohm tap

Gain

17 dB (low feedback mode), 11 dB (high feedback mode) at 8 ohm tap

Inputs

One unbalanced input

Inputs

One unbalanced input

Inputs

One unbalanced input

Outputs

One unbalanced output (one channel per monoblock)

Outputs

One speaker output

Outputs

One speaker output, one unbalanced headphone output (6.5mm)

Input Impedance

1M Ohms

Input Impedance

100K Ohms

Input Impedance

100K ohms

Output Impedance

1.53 Ohms (on the 8 Ohm tap)

Output Impedance

Output Impedance

2 ohms (low feedback mode), 1.5 ohms (high feedback mode)

Damping Factor

5.2

Damping Factor

3 (wired for 8 ohms)

Damping Factor

3.96 (low feedback mode), 5.44 (high feedback mode)

Operating Mode

Monoblock - each kit contains one pair of amplifiers

Operating Mode

Stereo, configurable for monoblock (requires two Kaijus)

Operating Mode

Stereo, configurable for monoblock (requires two SEX 4s)

Input Sensitivity

3.1V for full output

Input Sensitivity

Input Sensitivity

800mV (low feedback mode), 1.53V (high feedback mode)

Bandwidth

At 6dB Below Rated Power (12.5V/19.5W): -3dB at 13Hz and 50kHz. At 1W: -3dB at 8.2Hz and 50kHz.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth

-3dB at 17Hz & 36.5kHz (low feedback mode), -3dB at 17Hz & 35.5kHz (high feedback mode)

Volume Control

None

Volume Control

None

Volume Control

None

Tube Complement

2 x 805A, 2 x 6BL7, 2 x 7L7 (one of each tube per monoblock)

Tube Complement

2 x 300B, 2 x 5670

Tube Complement

2x 6FM7

Assembled Footprint (L x W x H with tubes)

12.25 in x 17.25 in x 11 in

Assembled Footprint (L x W x H with tubes)

18 in x 12 in x 12 in

Assembled Footprint (L x W x H with tubes)

9 in x 13 in x 6 in

Shipping Weight

Shipping Weight

Shipping Weight

Bottleblog Posts

View all

What Is a Headphone Amplifier? A Practical Guide for Music Lovers - Bottlehead

What Is a Headphone Amplifier? A Practical Guide for Music Lovers

Perhaps you heard someone say a headphone amplifier transformed their listening experience. Maybe you've wondered whether it's hype. Maybe you're trying to figure out if your headphones actually need one. Or maybe you're looking at your first tube amplifier and trying to decide where to start.

Read on to learn the basics.

Read moreabout What Is a Headphone Amplifier? A Practical Guide for Music Lovers

Packing your Bottlehead amplifier or preamplifier for shipping

Tube amps are heavy, awkward, and full of parts that don’t like being shaken around. Dense transformers don't mix well with glass tubes or glued wood bases, especially when the UPS guy tosses the box across the dock. Here's how...

Read moreabout Packing your Bottlehead amplifier or preamplifier for shipping

Which Bottlehead headphone amplifier is right for me? - Bottlehead

Which Bottlehead headphone amplifier is right for me?

We've created an easy-to-use chart to show how our headphone amplifiers compare to one another. Check it out to help decide which is right for you.

Read moreabout Which Bottlehead headphone amplifier is right for me?