Fidelity Audio HPA-100 review

Got headphones? You must hear the Fidelity Audio HPA-100 headphone amplifier Tested at £350

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Give the HPA-100 plenty of time to run-in, and you’ll have one of the finest headphone amplifiers anywhere near this price

Pros

  • +

    Balanced, weighty and detailed sound

  • +

    high frequency refinement

  • +

    solid build

Cons

  • -

    Takes an absolute age to run-in

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Some people think running-in a new product doesn’t matter. It matters an awful lot to Fidelity Audio’s HPA-100 headphone amplifier.

This simple, no-nonsense unit sounds so much better after a few days’ use. Straight from the box, its performance is perfectly decent – but there’s nothing that suggests true greatness.

But after a few hours, its solid, three dimensional presentation starts becoming apparent – and as time goes on the sound becomes even more expressive, and detail levels step up a couple of notches.

Once properly run-in, the HPA-100 is a terrific performer. It’s a little understated in delivery, but listen carefully and its talents become clear. Its sound is unusually composed, conveying bass weight and authority very well.

Smooth, balanced and unexaggerated
Some rivals emphasise high frequencies in a bid to sound detailed. Not this one. It’s smooth and balanced, preferring to deliver details in an unexaggerated manner rather than trying to highlight them to impress.

Don’t think for one minute that the HPA-100 isn’t an exciting listen. With music as wide ranging as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Major Lazer’s Pon de Floor, the Fidelity manages to deliver sound full of clarity, expressive dynamics and rock-solid timing. That’s a neat trick that few rivals at this price can match.

Move onto other areas and the HPA-100 remains on firm ground. It’s built very well and feels solid in use. Features cover the basics: there’s a 6.3mm jack, a single line-level input and a partnering output. Limited, but acceptable.

Overall this is a very fine product. Just don’t rush to your final judgement until it has had some time to cook.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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