Andover Audio Songbird HRA Streaming Headphone / Speaker Amplifier

The uncanny transparency of an ESS® SABRE32 converter

Even in the rarefied air of High Resolution audio components, the Songbird HRA streamer stands apart. It incorporates an acclaimed SABRE32 digital-to-analog converter from ESS. Often chosen for professional audio gear, the SABRE32 converter pampers your 24-bit audio with 32-bit internal processing and unique HyperStream® architecture. While the specifications are staggering, the more important result is effortlessly transparent sound.

The resolution of 24 bits and 192 kHz

The “HR” in the “HRA” name stands for High Resolution streaming, available from Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon, and Tidal. (Streaming service fees may apply.) This goes way beyond CD-quality sound. The Compact Disc represented the range from dead silence to the loudest possible sounds with 16-bit quantizing. CD was also limited to a sampling rate of 44 kHz. But technology has moved far forward. Spectacular 24-bit/192-kHz digital audio delivers an altogether higher level of fidelity. This performance is now yours to savor with the Songbird HRA streamer.

Connect headphones, loudspeakers, and audio systems

The “A” in the “HRA” designation stands for “amplifier.” And we’re not kidding. The built-in amplifier empowers you with 75 watts per channel into 4 ohms, more than enough for a huge range of high fidelity loudspeakers. Your headphones take advantage of a dedicated headphone amplifier. We also supply analog line outputs, along with coaxial and optical digital outputs to cover the full spectrum of home audio systems.

Your favorite sources and streams in one place

You’ll be amazed at the variety of supported music streams, starting with Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, Amazon Prime, Napster, and Deezer. That’s not to mention thousands of Internet radio stations via iHeartRadio, vTuner, and TuneIn. (Streaming service fees may apply.)

But wait, there’s more.You can also enjoy music stored on your personal devices via Windows® DLNA, Apple® AirPlay®2 or Bluetooth 5. You can even hear files from a USB thumb drive! The Songbird HRA streamer connects to your network via Ethernet or dual band Wi-Fi.

Gapless playback

While some streaming services have gaps between songs, the Songbird HRA streamer also gets the best from services with gapless playback, such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Amazon Prime. (Streaming service fees may apply.)

iOS® and Android® app

We put the music at your fingertips with the intuitive Songbird Control app, available free at the Apple Store and Google Play.

High Resolution digital output

To bring your analog sources onto your digital network, we paired the ESS SABRE32 digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with a matching ESS SABRE32 analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This gives you phenomenal, High Resolution output to your network.

Multi-room audio

The streaming network output can be received by other Songbird HR and HRA streamers throughout the house, enabling you to party with music in any – or every – room. You can even stream vinyl from any LP system that has a line level output, such as our SpinStage™ phono preamp or SpinDeck 2 turntable. Of course, multi-room performance depends on network traffic and signal quality.

SPECIFICATIONS

• ESS Sabre 32-Bit DAC (Analog Output)
• ESS Sabre 32-Bit ADC (Analog Input)
• Front Panel Play/Pause
• 10 Programable Presets
• Selectable Analog, Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs
• Synchronized Multiroom with Additional Songbird HR and HRA units on the same network*
• Use with the Andover SpinStage (Phono Pre-Amp) to transmit phono to other Songbird HR and HRA units**
• Two-Way Bluetooth: Receive + Transmit
• Two-Year Warranty (see Warranty Extensions for longer Coverage)
• Volume dial
• 1/4" Headphone Output
• Speaker Terminals