Audio-Technica Narukami

Named after “NARUKAMI”, this headphone amplifier/pre-amplifier, “HPA-KG NARU” has been carefully crafted to capture the intricate details and emotional depth of sound, offering a unique, refined, and natural listening experience. NARUKAMI intertwines the majesty of nature with human innovation, combining Audio-Technica's expertise - over 60 years of pursuing the purest analog sound – with the transcendent aesthetics of KUROGAKI, an ancient wood treasured by Japanese nobles and literati with a rare, ink wash painting-like pattern. 

“HPA-KG NARU” is not just a headphone amplifier; it also serves as a preamplifier with output functionality. It can drive power amplifiers using the signal from the output transformer driven by TA-300B vacuum tubes, making it suitable for use as a preamplifier for speakers.

To accompany the amplifier, a limited-edition NARUKAMI Headphones “AW-KG NARU” has been exclusively designed with the same KUROGAKI wood housing as the amplifier, featuring specially tuned sound characteristics. Each set comes with a custom-made headphone cable, ensuring an exceptional listening experience. The output transformer features a headphone matching circuit with three impedance positions, allowing users to choose the impedance that best suits their headphones' characteristics and desired sound quality.

The amplifier also features a convenient volume balance control knob, allowing users to adjust the volume balance between the left and right channels according to their individual preferences and requirements, and provides a 4.4mm XLR 4-pin balanced headphone socket, as well as a 6.3mm single-ended headphone socket, ensuring true versatility.

The circuit design incorporates the use of the finest components available. This includes:

• Lundahl's LL1532 input transformer.
• Custom-made Lundahl Amorphous Core Silver Wire Output Transformer LL2765AgAM, offering extremely low magnetic hysteresis loss, high saturation magnetic flux density, and excellent frequency response.
• High-quality TAKATSUKI TA-300B vacuum tubes handcrafted in Japan, carefully selected specifically for headphone amplifiers for robust driving power and high-quality sound.
• AmTrans's premium audio aluminum shell resistor with exceptional heat dissipation properties.
• Custom-designed power transformer for independent power supply to L/R channels by Someya Denshi.
• SRPP circuit with rare JJ ECC83S-gold vacuum tubes, providing a rich and flavorful sound.