After trying on the Composer headphone from Austrian Audio, our consideration turns to the amplifier that was urged to be paired with it. The Full Rating One headphone amplifier is a desktop gadget that’s massive and in cost. Is it an endgame amplifier for any headphone, or ought to or not it’s solely paired to the Composer?
WHAT COMES IN THE BOX
The Full Rating One would not fiddle and distract with a ton of equipment. Contained in the field, you will discover just a few key objects to get began:
- Full Rating One Amplifier
- Energy Twine
- Fast Begin Instruction Guide
- Fabric Drawstring Bag
DESIGN & BUILD QUALITY
This Full Rating One headphone amplifier is a power to be reckoned with. As a desktop piece, you need to be sure you have the actual property to spare. Its dimension is similar to most desktop amplifiers, so you possibly can account for a similar quantity of house taken up in your desk in case you are swapping out totally different models. The design has rounded edges to make it look smoother on the edges somewhat than a block. The face is all curved edges with circles and ovals, so the aesthetic leans into softness somewhat than a tough edge like another amplifiers.
The Full Rating One is a heavy amplifier, but it surely’s not meant to be moved as soon as it is positioned on a desk. You may relaxation assured that the gadget will not go wherever, and there is nonetheless a flat floor proper on high that enables for simple stacking of exterior gear.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
As a result of the Full Rating One is only a headphone amplifier, there are minimal settings and controls on either side of the gadget. The Full Rating One provides you 4-pin XLR outputs and two 6.35mm outputs. There’s a sliding cowl on the XLR enter, permitting you to maintain the port clear and stop mud accumulation. On the bottom, you will have twin RCA ports and twin XLR ports. You may want an exterior DAC to plug in your audio supply successfully.
You’ve gotten two buttons on the entrance of the Full Rating One: one for energy, one for True Transient Know-how (TTT) Mode. TTT Mode boosts your element by revealing a number of the most hidden particulars in your tracks. The Full Rating One is a wonderful alternative for individuals who need to select all of the finer components; you will by no means miss a single element with this mode turned on. I used to be in a position to put this on with some extra analytical headphones just like the Sennheiser HD 800 S and the Dan Clark E3, and it accentuated all of the pure sound copy that makes these headphones memorable.
PHOTO GALLERY
LISTENING REVIEW
Onto the listening portion. For my testing, I needed to make use of a group of various headphones to see how the sound profile of every pair was influenced by the exterior amplifier. I used the urged pairing of the Austrian Audio Composer, by way of 4-pin XLR termination. After that, I used a group of different headphones with various sound signatures:
- Sennheiser HD 800 S
- Dan Clark Noire X
- Abyss JOAL
- Last Audio DX6000
I discovered that the Full Rating One was glorious for elevating weight from all these headphones. The Abyss JOAL and Last Audio DX6000 are likely to have a heavier signature, largely because of the quantity of element you get within the headphones. When put next with the Full Rating One, every part begins to recede and filter backward for a extra open, relaxed sound. Including within the TTT Mode is a intelligent pairing, so you may get an open, deep signature whereas nonetheless getting all of the element you like to listen to.
When it comes to frequency response within the Full Rating One, you get a slight treble enhance in any headphone. In one thing just like the Sennheiser HD 800 S, I may see how that treble response is a bit overwhelming and maybe not the best pairing. I appreciated the amplifier when paired with headphones with a darker tonality, just like the Dan Clark Noire X, because it gave just a little extra stability to the signature as an entire for a enjoyable, analytical listening expertise. The Full Rating One stays a wonderful alternative for audio mixers and engineers searching for a giant gear improve.
BEST FULL SCORE ONE PAIRING GOES TO…
Whereas all of the headphones had been distinctive pairings to the Full Rating One, there was one which I appreciated most throughout all my listening. You guessed it: the Composer. When it comes to headphone + amplifier pairings, Austrian Audio units you up for achievement by making these two excellent enhances to 1 one other. As I discussed earlier than, darker-tonality headphones had been a favourite with the Full Rating One, so I might undoubtedly check out headphones from Audeze or Meze Audio for a extra enjoyable and entertaining pay attention.
HEADPHONES USED IN TESTING
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Austrian Audio Full Rating One is a wonderful headphone amplifier that has the facility to provide you nice sound from a bunch of various headphones. For the audiophile searching for an amplifier to pair with their DAC, it is a unbelievable choice that offers you the facility you want with out distraction. Its simplicity and finesse add to the top-tier high quality, and at $1,599, it is an funding that’s nicely value it.
The Austrian Audio Full Rating One is out there as we speak at Audio46.

