KECES HA-171 is the long awaited headphone amp/pre-amp to our product line. We have designed it with max performance in mind, and that's exactly what we have achived with it.


KECES HA-171 is a high performance headphone amp/pre-amp that performs on a level that far exceeds its size and price would indicate, it exceeds even our expectation.



How's KECES HA-171 Sounds Like?:

1. Neutral Sound Signature: HA-171 is designed to sound natural and neutral, it sounds very transparent and introduce minimal coloration to allows the music to speak for itself.
2. Effortless Drive: Powerful headphone amp circuit makes music sound effortless and natural with even the most demanding headphones. No longer do you have to endure wobbling bass, piercing treble, muddy mids or other effects of improperly driven headphones.
3. Open Sound Stage: Open and free sounding sound stage, music will not sound congested or overly exaggerated sound stage.
4. Precise Instrument Imaging: You can virtually feel the veil lifting, and literally hear each instrument and where they come from.
5. Highly Detailed Sound: You will hear all the details presented to you in a natural fashion, and you will be hearing a lot more of the details in your music that you have been missing.
6. Lively Bass: Our new circuit further enhanced the bass extension, the bass that we were well known for is now even better.
7. Listenability: With the ability to extract all the details, we still keep HA-171 very enjoyable with non-fatiguing sound. After all, it would not be fun to listen to something that will fatigue you out quickly.

What other qualities does KECES HA-171 have?:

1. Easy Installation: Works just like any other headphone amp or pre-amp, just plug the power, signal and your headphone on and you will be ready to rock! It also work extremely well as pre-amp for your active speaker or power amp.
2. Ultra-Low-Noise Power: HA-171 is equipped with the latest high current version of our KECES Gen2 ultra-low-noise power supply, for better sound and higher performance.
3. Highly Refined Design: We have developed many revisions of HA-171 and only settled on the design when we have fully optimized the performance of the circuit and layout of the circuit board.
4. Quality Connectors: High quality Neutrik headphone socket and quality gold plated copper RCA connector ensure excellent connection in and out.
5. Quality Components: Using state-of-the-art National Semiconductor's LME49710 op-amp and LME49600 buffer, carefully designed supporting circuits, and a pure direct-coupled setup. All done in the quest for better sound.
6. Precision Power Circuits: Independent control and analog power supply, with independent winding and precision regulation circuits to provide high quality power to the amp section, and isolate any possible interference from control circuits.
7. Custom Low Noise Toroidal Transformer: Ultra low noise and efficient custom transformer is used in all KECES products, providing very clean power with high maximum output.
8. Compact & Stylish: Sturdy metal chassis with smoked acrylic top cover, it looks perfectly at home whether it is on your desk or on the stereo rack.
9. Performance Upgrade: Computer grade IEC power inlet is upgradeable to IeGO Audio Grade sockets at the time of order. For more dynamics, detail and warmth IeGO GU-R301 gold plated 99.99% pure copper IEC socket ($30USD) is a great upgrade. For even better dynamics, detail and an overall balanced and neutral tone, IeGO AG-R301 99.99% pure silver IEC socket ($90USD) would be the ultimate upgrade.

Neat and tight interior, circuit and component layout are all highly optimized. You can also see the high quality Neutrik headphone socket and the massive volume pot.

Click photo for full size image.


KECES HA-171 Basic Specs:

1. National Semi LME49710: State of the art precision operational amplifier, the ultimate in low distortion, low noise and high performance.
2. National Semi LME49600: State of the art precision buffer, the perfect match for LME49710.
3. Fully DC Coupled Circuit: No signal distorting capacitor or DC servo in the signal path, allowing better and more neutral frequency extension.
4. Tri Independent Power: Three independent regulator circuits, with one dedicated to control circuit and two dedicated high current +/-15V analog power for the amp circuit.
5. Pre-amp Output: High quality variable output via RCA, can be easily used to drive active speaker or power amp. Performs perfectly as a high quality pre-amp.
6. International Voltage Compatibility: Simple flick of a switch will allow you to switch between 115V (usable for countries of 100 to 125V) and 230V (usable for countries of 200 to 250V).
7. Upgradeable to IeGO Power Inlet: Optional upgrade to IeGO GU-R301 gold plated copper socket ($30USD) or top grade AG-R301 pure silver socket ($90) will allow you to enhance the performance even further.
8. Included Accessory: Computer grade power cable, will include the proper type for customer's region.
9. Dimensions: 215mm * 205mm * 80mm (Width * Depth * Height, excluding knobs and connectors), it is the same size as other KECES products, allowing easy placement of the unit.

The back of HA-171, 2 sets of analog input, 1 set of bypass output and 1 set of pre-out (shown with silicon rubber cover on), input voltage select switch (115V and 230V), and the upgradeable IEC power socket

Click photo for full size image.


RMAA test results: Only rendered as picture and not modified in any way.

Click link below for the full report.



Can't find the model with the function that you need? Are you unsure which KECES product will fit you need? Please refer to the following table for the feature and difference between models. (Please click on the model name for direct link to the product that you are interested in.)

ModelFunction	USB Input	SPDIF Input	Analog Input	Headphone Amp	Isolation Transformer	Note
DA-151 Mk2	YES	No	No	No	No	16bit 32/44.1/48 KHz
DA-131 Mk2	No	YES	No	No	No	Up to 24bit @ 192 KHz
DA-152	YES	No	No	Yes	No	16bit 32/44.1/48 KHz (No analog input)
HA-171	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Pure headphone amp/pre-amp, No DAC
HA-006+	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Pure headphone amp/pre-amp, No DAC Pure Class A
HA-006++	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Higher performance version of HA-006+
PT-111	No	No	No	No	YES	300W Balanced Isolation Transformer
DC-115	No	No	No	No	No	Dual Independent 12V/15V DC Power Supply Pure Linear Power
DC-115 5V	No	No	No	No	No	5V DC + 12/15V DC Power Supply Pure Linear Power

IeGO IEC Socket upgrade information:


We provide two types of socket for upgrades, and both socket will enhance the detail and dynamics, but both enhance in a different way. (photo above shows AG-R301 socket, golden screw shown is replaced with better screws that comes with spring washer.)

GU-R301 Gold plated 99.99% pure copper IEC socket ($30USD) not only enhance the details and dynamics, it also makes it sound warm and smooth, the high quality processing done on GU-R301's gold plating process also makes it sound more refined and all without losing a bit of the details (Well, it actually enhances the details when compared to the original computer grade socket).  GU-R301 is warmer sounding than AG-R301, if you are looking for warmer sound signature with more flair, please choose GU-R301 over AG-R301.


AG-R301 99.99% pure silver IEC socket ($90USD) will enhance dynamics and detail even further than GU-R301, and as with very high quality silver, the sound is smooth, detailed and quite neutral.  It does not have the "silver harshness" normally associated with low grade silver or thinly plated silver cable and connectors, high quality silver sounds smooth, with proper thickness, very detailed and open.  AG-R301 is neutral sounding and more detailed with better dynamics than GU-R301, if you are looking for that, please choose AG-R301 over GU-R301.  Please note that while GU-R301 is warmer, AG-R301 is by no means cold, it is very neutral.





Optional companion power cable

(photos above shows L70530 and 8065 connector and a peeled open L70530.)

1.5M L70530 with 8055 unplated copper plug $65
1.5M L70530 with 8065 silver plated copper plug $95
Add $15 for 2M version.
Shipping for L70530 cable is only $10 when combined with your KECES order.  (Regular shipping charge: $25USD)

New L80520 + 8085 "Torrent" Power cable, all new silver plated Furukawa PCOCC construction with unique heavy gauge design.
1.5M L80520 with 8085 gold plated copper plug $240
Shipping for L80520 cable is FREE when combined with your KECES order.  (Regular shipping charge: $25USD)

For more details on the L70530 cable, please check out:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/iego-power-cords-review-all-five-333001/
For a detailed review. L80229 is no longer kept in stock as it is now replaced by the even better L80520 "Torrent" cable, however if you want L80229 series, you can still special order them at the original price.


Warranty:

For KECES: All KECES products carries an 1 year parts and labor warranty.

For IeGO: All IeGO products carries a 5 year parts and labor warranty.

For Acoustic-Fun: All Acoustic-Fun products carries a 3 year parts and labor warranty, please keep your original shipping box as it will contain the serial number needed for the warranty.

For All Products: Within warranty period, we will fix or replace it as quickly as possible at our discretion(usually under 3 days). User will be responsible for shipping it to us, and we will pay for the return shipping. For product out of warranty, we will charge a minimal repair/return shipping charge and process it quickly just like we do for warranty. Warranty will be voided if the product is modified, physically damaged(including but not limited to: impact/fall, moisture/water, fire, lighting or other force of nature/acts of God), or improperly used in ways that the product is not rated for.

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