Head amp three Mk 4

balanced head amp in full tube technique
for electrostatic + magnetostatic + dynamic headphones

Design * Construction

· operation of electrostatic, magnetostatic and dynamic headphones
. full tube technique in the signal path
· completely balanced signal processing in all operation modes
· balancing of unbalanced input signals
· input transformer for balancing and galvanic isolation
· parallel push-pull design
· class A-operaton in all stages
· output transformers for impedance balancing
· input and output transformers from own manufacturing
· modular catridge technique
· volume control by processor-controlled relays and fixed resistors (1%)
· volume control with high resolution
· all switching processes relay-operated
· switch mode power supply for all supply voltages
· on-off muting
. individual adaptation to the efficiency of the headphones
· remote control(option)
. balanced preamp output (option)

Front - keyboard

· display
· input 1+2
· input 3+4
· volume
· mode
· on

for operating mode
line 1+2 balanced
line 3+4 unbalanced
127 x 0,7 dB steps
4 Ohm + 16 Ohm + ESH + preamp output (option)
on-off + store

Features

· 2 x ECC 81 tubes
· 4 x EF 184 tubes
· 4 x 6V6 power tubes
· 2 x input transformers with Mu-metal-shielding
· 2 x output transformers
· display for input, mode and volume
· internal switch mode power supply 150 VA
· power cable 2m
· remote control (option)

Specifications

· balanced in
· unbalanced in
· inpute impedance
· input sensivity
· outputs

· power outputs
· output impedance
· output impedance pre out (option)
· high outputs

· high voltage
· Stax Pro Bias
. total harmonic distortion (THD)
. frequency response
. signal-to-noise ratio
· supply voltage
· power consumption
· standby

2 x line
2 x line
100 kOhm
1 V
2 x XLR 4pole Stereo balanced
2 x 6,3 mm headphone jack stereo or 2 x 3pole XLR (pre out)
2 x 12 Watt 4 / 16 Ohm
4 - 16 - >600 Ohm
< 1 Ohm
2 x special sockets for Stax-Pro headphones
2 x high voltage sockets for other electrostatic headphones (option)
800 Vpp
580 VDC
0,05 %
10 - 50.000 Hz
92 dB (A)
90 - 250 VAC, 50 - 60 Hz
100 Watt
0,3 Watt

Headamp3-hinten

Connectors

· 4 x gold plated cinch sockets
· 4 x gold plated 3pole XLR sockets
· 2 x gold plated jack sockets
· 2 x gold plated 4pole XLR headphone sockets
· 2 x special sockets for electrostatic headphones (Stax)
· 2 x high voltage sockets for other electrostatic headphones (option)
· AC power socket

Storage operation

· input select
· mode select
· individual volume adjustment for 4 Ohm, 16 Ohm, ESH and preamp output (option)
· display brightness control (remote control)

Options

· 2 x headphone jacks of choice on the front panel
· adjustable polarization voltage for optimal efficiency of electrostatic headphones
· balanced or unbalanced preamplifier output
· Direct output for Raal headphones (0.2 Ohm)
· Loudspeaker output 4 and 16 Ohm
· Cable adapter XLR 4pin to jack 6.3 mm
· MalValve-metal remote control
· front plate / chassis natural anodized

Housing

· 10 mm aluminum front plate brushed and black anodized
· alumninum chassis brushed and black anodized
· engraved front plate labeling

· dimensions:
· weight:

483 mm (W) x 100 mm (H) x 310 mm (D)
11 Kg

Remote control (option)

· input select
· volume adjustment
· mute
· display brightness control
· 20 mm massive aluminum chassis
· engraved labeling
· brushed surface
· black or natural anodized
· dimensions:
· weight:

196 mm (D) x 67 mm (W) x 20 mm (H)
0,5 kg

Front plate / chassis natural anodized

Upgrade MK 4

· new driver stage
· at the front side adjustable gain to compensate different efficiencies of the headphones
· mechanical decoupling of the volume module
· balance control
· brightness control of the display
· new software
· new output impedances
· new output transformers

Headamp three Mk four

The Mal Valve HeadAmp Three Mk. IV is undoubtedly one of the best headphone amplifiers in the world today. For users of electrostatic
headphones, it offers the unique opportunity to trim them to new
heights of sonic performance thanks to the adjustable polarization
voltage.

EAR IN 1+

Dr. Martin Mertens

Headamp three Mk four

Five and a half years after we crowned the Mal Valve Head Amp 3 our
reference headphone amp, it dethrones itself with the MK IV version!

It can be used with all headphones and sounds better than the competition.

Truly unique! In terms of sound, flexibility and features, the Mal Valve clearly distances itself from the competition. It is adaptable to low- and high-impedance headphones, also suppliying electrostatic ones. Incredibly solid
workmanship.

SOUND LEVEL 100%

Michael Lang

Head amp three Mk 4

balanced head amp in full tube technique for electrostatic + magnetostatic + dynamic headphones

balanced head amp in full tube technique
for electrostatic + magnetostatic + dynamic headphones