Crius H5S • Essential Line

SOLID-STATE HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER WITH PRE-AMPLIFIER OUTPUT

The Crius H5S is a versatile headphone amplifier with a built-in DAC and preamplifier. Its fully discrete architecture combines high flexibility with uncompromising sound quality.

Highlights

  • The Crius H5S combines three high-quality audio components in one compact chassis: a headphone amplifier, Dual-Mono DAC and fully balanced preamplifier
  • The fully discrete circuit design uses no operational amplifiers or coupling capacitors in the signal path
  • The powerful headphone amplifier features adaptive Class A/AB biasing and delivers up to 4 watts into 30 ohms
  • Four headphone outputs provide maximum flexibility: balanced via 4-pin XLR and 4.4 mm Pentaconn, and unbalanced via 6.3 mm and 3.5 mm
  • The Dual-Mono DAC features two ESS ES9039Q2M DAC chips – one per channel – together with fully balanced, discrete analogue output stages
  • Via USB-C, the Crius H5S supports PCM signals up to 32-bit / 768 kHz, DoP up to DSD256 and native DSD512
  • Nine selectable digital filters allow individual fine-tuning of the D/A conversion to suit the headphones, audio system and personal listening preferences
  • Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs allow the Crius H5S to be used as a fully featured preamplifier for power amplifiers or active loudspeakers
  • A dedicated balanced XLR BYPASS provides flexible integration into existing high-quality audio systems
  • The power supply is fully integrated into the unit – no external power adapter is required
  • The central control knob with integrated 1.8-inch circular display provides control of volume, input selection, balance and further device functions
  • Available in black, silver and bronze
  • Availability is expected from November 2026
  • Recommended retail price: €1,899.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technical specifications
Headphone Balanced Output Power 4 W / 30 Ω 500 mW / 300 Ω
Headphone Unbalanced Output Power 1 W / 30 Ω 130 mW / 300 Ω
Gain RCA output: –6 dB / 0 dB / +5 dB XLR output: 0 dB / +6 dB / +11 dB
Balanced Headphone Outputs 4-pol XLR 4,4-mm-Jack
Unbalanced Headphone Outputs 6,3-mm-Klinke 3,5-mm-Jack
Dynamic Range (Digital) > 128 dB (A-wt)
Dynamic Range (XLR) 15 dB (A-wt)
Frequency Range (Max. – 3 dB) 2 Hz – 150 kHz (preamplifier)
Output Impedance (Balanced/Unbalanced) < 0,02 Ω
THD (Preamplifier) < 0,0006 % / 2 V
THD (Headphone Amplifier + Preamplifier) < 0,003 % 500 mW / 30 Ω
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Digital) > 128 dB (A-wt)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (Analog) > 114 dB (A-wt)
DAC Configuration 2 x ES9039Q2M (Dual Mono)
Digital Inputs 1 x USB-C (PCM up to 32-bit / 768 kHz & DoP DSD up to DSD256 & Native DSD up to DSD512) 1 x OPTO (PCM up to 24-bit / 192kHz) 1 x COAX (PCM up to 24-bit / 192kHz)
Filter Settings 9 x Digital Filter
Analog Inputs 1 pair of XLR, 1 pair of RCA
Analog Outputs 1 pair of XLR, 1 pair of RCA, 1 pair of XLR (BYPASS)
Input Impedance RCA: 100 kΩ XLR: 140 kΩ
Trigger Connector (12 V) 1 x OUT (3,5-mm-Jack
Power 230 V / 50 – 60 Hz / 40 VA
Dimensions (W x H x D) 210 x 75 x 300 mm
Dimensions (W x H x D with knob & connectors) 210 x 75 x 325 mm
Weight (Net) 4 kg
SRP 1.899,00€