MEIER-AUDIO
CORDA
CORDA
HEADPHONE AMPLIFIERS
CORDA PCSTEP
outside EU:.. €85,-......permanently
inside EU:.....€95,-......lowered in price
inside EU:.....€95,-......lowered in price
CORDA QUICKSTEP
The QUICKSTEP is simply one of the very best portable amplifiers on the market and uses the concept of active balanced ground and a discrete volume control.
In addition it has an extensive RF-filter of the input-signal which makes it immune to RF-pollution caused by mobile headphones.
It also has heavy-duty 3.5 mm sockets which strongly reduces contact-problems and increases reliability.
In addition it has an extensive RF-filter of the input-signal which makes it immune to RF-pollution caused by mobile headphones.
It also has heavy-duty 3.5 mm sockets which strongly reduces contact-problems and increases reliability.
outside EU:
..€150,-.....permanently..
inside EU:.....€175,-.....lowered in price
inside EU:.....€175,-.....lowered in price
This amplifier uses a simple enclosure but at the inside many technological delicacies can be found.
The JAZZ-FF uses the concept of active balanced headphone ground and has a discrete volume control.
Thanks to the FF-technique sound comes with natural flow and fluency. Microdetail is very high.
It also has our proprietary crossfeed filter incorporated which helps to strongly reduce listening fatigue.
This amp is a fine choice for people who normally prefer tubes but like the reliability and energy-efficiency of solid-state.
The JAZZ-FF uses the concept of active balanced headphone ground and has a discrete volume control.
Thanks to the FF-technique sound comes with natural flow and fluency. Microdetail is very high.
It also has our proprietary crossfeed filter incorporated which helps to strongly reduce listening fatigue.
This amp is a fine choice for people who normally prefer tubes but like the reliability and energy-efficiency of solid-state.
This amp lives up to its name. Despite it's small size it delivers great and powerfull sound. The basic concept is relatively simple but very high quality parts are used, resulting in a detailed sound with fine pace and rhythm.
Because of its qualities this amp has been choosen member of the InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame".
Because of its qualities this amp has been choosen member of the InnerFidelity's "Wall of Fame".
The FF-version of the ROCK has improved detail and a less warm, more neutral sound.
CORDA DACCORD-FF
The DACCORD is a DA-converter. At the inside two top-of-the-line Wolfson D/A converter chips in dual-mono mode, a large battery of audiophile capacitors, ultra-fast opamps in class-A, high-precision oscillators (TCXO), and many other very high-quality components are found that are exemplary for this price-class.
Two coxial, one optical, as well as an USB-input (24bit/192kHz) allow for easy connection of any digital source, including your computer/tablet/smartphone. A variable output allows to directly drive a poweramplifier or a pair of active loudspeakers.
The built-in frequency-extended version of the natural crossfeed offers three intensity levels.
Admittedly, with the DACCORD-FF the sonic advantages of the ff-technique are not as pronounced as they are with our amplifiers. Nonetheless, the improvements are audible and for some very substantial.
Two coxial, one optical, as well as an USB-input (24bit/192kHz) allow for easy connection of any digital source, including your computer/tablet/smartphone. A variable output allows to directly drive a poweramplifier or a pair of active loudspeakers.
The built-in frequency-extended version of the natural crossfeed offers three intensity levels.
Admittedly, with the DACCORD-FF the sonic advantages of the ff-technique are not as pronounced as they are with our amplifiers. Nonetheless, the improvements are audible and for some very substantial.
outside EU:
....€320,-....permanently
inside EU:.......€375,-....lowered in price
inside EU:.......€375,-....lowered in price
This SOUL simply is the best-I-can-make DAC/headamp combo without any limitations towards costs.
Not only does it offer a very neutral, yet silky sound. It also has a built-in DSP (digital signal processor) that allows to add crossfeed, tone controls, notchfilter and balance control in the digital domain. Digital input signals are processed with 64-bit accuracy, a precision that never can be realized with any analog circuitry.
The DSP also makes it possible to shift the first stage of the FF-technique forward into the digital domain. Thus the DA-conversion stage also fully benefits from the FF-technique and this enhances sound quality considerably.
Not only does it offer a very neutral, yet silky sound. It also has a built-in DSP (digital signal processor) that allows to add crossfeed, tone controls, notchfilter and balance control in the digital domain. Digital input signals are processed with 64-bit accuracy, a precision that never can be realized with any analog circuitry.
The DSP also makes it possible to shift the first stage of the FF-technique forward into the digital domain. Thus the DA-conversion stage also fully benefits from the FF-technique and this enhances sound quality considerably.
Sure, you don't need a headphone amplifier to listen to your headphones. Just plug them in any headphone socket and you will be able to enjoy your music. Unfortunately though most headphone outputs are low priority afterthoughts or are strongly limited by low supply voltages and built-in limiters. They sound accordingly.
Therefore, if you like to hear your phones in their full glory then it's almost inevitable that you buy a decent headphone amplifier.
When Meier-Audio was started in the year 2000 the number of headphone amplifiers on the market was very limited and most models came at a premium price. In contrast the amps we produced were designed to provide a maximum of sound quality for as little as money as possible. The enclosures were sturdy without unnecessary gimmicks but inside only premium components were used. This philosophy is still found in our current models PCSTEP, QUICKSTEP, ROCK, JAZZ and DACCORD.
Since those early days the headphone market has grown considerably and many other manufacturers have joined. Especially Asian companies now offer amplifiers at a price level that makes it very hard for an European manufacturer to compete. Therefore recently we have lowered prices of our products considerably.
Also our company-philosophy has changed. In the future we will no longer develop low-budget gear. Any new product will aim to deliver the best possible sound, without major limitations by costs. The SOUL is a first example. This amp/DAC not only delivers premium sound but, thanks to a built-in DSP, also offers features not found on any competitive product.
CORDA amplifiers and DACs have a detailed, clean sound and high driving capacities. They do not aim for a WOW-effect but try to bring sound with natural fluency and inner logic. Some also have a proprietary crossfeed filter that makes headphone listening more relaxed and natural. If this is the kind of sound you're looking for, then you should definitely study our offers below.
Note: All prices include world-wide shipping. Customers from inside the EU (European Union) have to pay Value Added Taxes. Therefore their prices are higher then those for customers from outside. Please understand. Prices in US-Dollars fluctuate. Ask for an offer if desired.
Jan Meier
Therefore, if you like to hear your phones in their full glory then it's almost inevitable that you buy a decent headphone amplifier.
When Meier-Audio was started in the year 2000 the number of headphone amplifiers on the market was very limited and most models came at a premium price. In contrast the amps we produced were designed to provide a maximum of sound quality for as little as money as possible. The enclosures were sturdy without unnecessary gimmicks but inside only premium components were used. This philosophy is still found in our current models PCSTEP, QUICKSTEP, ROCK, JAZZ and DACCORD.
Since those early days the headphone market has grown considerably and many other manufacturers have joined. Especially Asian companies now offer amplifiers at a price level that makes it very hard for an European manufacturer to compete. Therefore recently we have lowered prices of our products considerably.
Also our company-philosophy has changed. In the future we will no longer develop low-budget gear. Any new product will aim to deliver the best possible sound, without major limitations by costs. The SOUL is a first example. This amp/DAC not only delivers premium sound but, thanks to a built-in DSP, also offers features not found on any competitive product.
CORDA amplifiers and DACs have a detailed, clean sound and high driving capacities. They do not aim for a WOW-effect but try to bring sound with natural fluency and inner logic. Some also have a proprietary crossfeed filter that makes headphone listening more relaxed and natural. If this is the kind of sound you're looking for, then you should definitely study our offers below.
Note: All prices include world-wide shipping. Customers from inside the EU (European Union) have to pay Value Added Taxes. Therefore their prices are higher then those for customers from outside. Please understand. Prices in US-Dollars fluctuate. Ask for an offer if desired.
Jan Meier
The PCSTEP is a portable amplifier that, in addition to its analog input, also has a built-in USB-DAC. When connected to the USB-port of your PC/tablet/smartphone it will strongly improve on the sound that is provided by a standard quality soundcard.
The amp has a discrete volume control (32 positions, two gain settings), resulting in a clean sound without any channel imbalances.
The amp has a discrete volume control (32 positions, two gain settings), resulting in a clean sound without any channel imbalances.
CORDA ROCK
CORDA ROCK-FF
outside EU:
...€110,-......permanently
inside EU: .....€125,-......lowered in price
inside EU: .....€125,-......lowered in price
outside EU:....€130,-......permanently
inside EU: .....€150,-......lowered in price
inside EU: .....€150,-......lowered in price
CORDA JAZZ-FF
outside EU:....€365,-
inside EU:......€425,-
inside EU:......€425,-
CORDA SOUL
outside EU:....€2995,-
inside EU:......€3450,-
inside EU:......€3450,-
When searching the internet you will find plenty of tests/reviews of the SOUL. However, the one linked below, in my opinion, truly hits the nail on its head, especially when it comes to the sonic character of the amp/DAC. Enjoy reading!
CORDA COUNTRY MkII
The COUNTRY MkII is a DSP with multiple options to optimize your sonic experience . A 7-band equalizer, notch-filter, crossfeed, balance, reverb, and bass enhancement, all done with extremely high precision in the digital domain.
Next to digital in- and outputs there also are a headphone output and pre-amplifier outputs. With the MkII version this section has been improved on considerably and now the COUNTRY also offers high-end analog sound.
The COUNTRY MkII is a most versatile center piece of any audio-setup.
Next to digital in- and outputs there also are a headphone output and pre-amplifier outputs. With the MkII version this section has been improved on considerably and now the COUNTRY also offers high-end analog sound.
The COUNTRY MkII is a most versatile center piece of any audio-setup.
outside EU:....€995,-
inside EU:.... €1175,-
inside EU:.... €1175,-
CORDA SOUL MkII
A key element in the sound quality of the SOUL is the FF-technique. In the digital domain the amplitudes of the low frequency audiosignals are lowered to make the job of the DA-converter chips and the analog amplification stages more easy. At the last amplification stage the balance is restored by a stronger amplification of the same low frequency signals.
More recently the idea came to not only reduce the low frequency components but also to digitally amplify the highest frequency components. These are generally very small and by increasing their amplitudes the SNR-ratio at the output of the DA-chip is improved and distortion is lowered. Again, the balance of the various frequency components can be restored at the last amplification stage.
The idea was implemented in an existing SOUL and tested very favourably. The sound became even more fluent and whereas the original amp/DAC is slightly "brittle" on top, the modified amp has a rounder sound with a little bit more micro-detail. Differences are small but noticable. This modified version of the amp is now offered for sale as the SOUL MkII.
More recently the idea came to not only reduce the low frequency components but also to digitally amplify the highest frequency components. These are generally very small and by increasing their amplitudes the SNR-ratio at the output of the DA-chip is improved and distortion is lowered. Again, the balance of the various frequency components can be restored at the last amplification stage.
The idea was implemented in an existing SOUL and tested very favourably. The sound became even more fluent and whereas the original amp/DAC is slightly "brittle" on top, the modified amp has a rounder sound with a little bit more micro-detail. Differences are small but noticable. This modified version of the amp is now offered for sale as the SOUL MkII.
outside EU:....€3195,-
inside EU:......€3695,-
inside EU:......€3695,-
Owners of a first version SOUL can have their amp/DAC upgraded to the MkII version. Just send us a mail if interested.