Vincent KHV-200 Hybrid Headphone Amplifier Silver

The Vincent KHV-200 is a hybrid headphone amplifier from the tubeLine range, combining tube and transistor technology in a single housing and driving almost any headphone via 6.3 mm jack as well as balanced 4-pin XLR.

It was developed by Frank Blöhbaum – the tube specialist behind Vincent devices such as the SA-T7 MK and the SV-237 MK. The result is a headphone amplifier that combines the warmth of a real tube with the control of a transistor output stage. Through the viewing window you can watch the tube glow; the orange lighting can be switched through three levels or turned off entirely – a matter of taste, not a must.

Why the KHV-200?

Headphones are a law unto themselves: impedance ranges from 16 to over 600 ohms, and the headphone output on an amplifier or DAC often delivers only a fraction of what good headphones are capable of. The KHV-200 is built exactly for this range. Using the gain switch on the rear, you adjust the amplification – sensitive in-ears or high-impedance studio headphones both get the level that suits them.

The hybrid concept is no marketing label: an ECC82 double triode and two E180F pentodes handle the voltage amplification, while transistors provide current and stability. The result is the often-cited tube warmth, without the bass turning woolly or the treble becoming fatiguing.

What you get

• Two headphone outputs: a classic 6.3 mm jack plus balanced 4-pin XLR for high-end headphones that make the difference audible.
• Real tube, real control: ECC82 and two E180F pentodes in a hybrid circuit – warmth with backbone.
• Switchable gain stages: Low and High Gain, so sensitive and high-impedance headphones alike run with ease.
• Dual function: via the adjustable pre-out you can also drive active speakers or a power amplifier – the KHV-200 doubles as a preamp on the side.
• Balance and volume controls: a balance control on a headphone amplifier is rare – here it's part of the standard equipment.

Who is the KHV-200 for?

For anyone who owns a good pair of headphones and notices there's still headroom left at the jack output of their phone or integrated amplifier. If you switch between several headphones – high-impedance, low-impedance, balanced-wired – you get a device here that can handle them all.

Honestly: if you only listen via Bluetooth headphones, you don't need it – the KHV-200 is an analogue amplifier without its own DAC and without wireless. And if you're expecting a remote control: there isn't one, everything is adjusted on the unit itself.

Our verdict

The KHV-200 is one of the more accessible routes to real tube headphone sound that still brings power and control. Balanced output, gain switching and the dual pre-out function make it more flexible than its price would suggest. Specialist press such as fairaudio and likehifi credit it with a spacious, detailed reproduction.

We'd love to work out which headphones suit you and the KHV-200 in a conversation: call us on +41 44 680 22 00, message us on WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or drop by HD Zürisee in Wädenswil.

Technical specifications

• Type: hybrid headphone amplifier (tube + transistor), tubeLine
• Tubes: 2 × E180F/6SCH9P, 1 × ECC82
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (± 0.1 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion: below 0.01% (1 kHz; 0.1 W; 32 ohms)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: above 95 dB
• Input impedance: 33 kOhms
• Max. input voltage: 4 Vrms
• Headphone output gain: Low Gain −2.66 dB, High Gain 13.64 dB
• Pre-out gain: Low Gain −11.06 dB, High Gain 5.13 dB
• Rec-out gain: 0 dB
• Inputs: 2 × stereo RCA
• Outputs: 1 × headphone 6.3 mm jack, 1 × headphone 4-pin XLR, 1 × pre-out (RCA), 1 × rec-out (RCA)
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 210 × 85 × 277 mm
• Weight: 3.6 kg
• Colour: Silver
• Included in the box: KHV-200, RCA cable, power cable, instruction manual, warranty card

Frequently asked questions

Is the KHV-200 a tube or a transistor amplifier?
Both – it's a hybrid. An ECC82 tube and two E180F pentodes handle the voltage amplification, while transistors provide current and stability. This gives you the typical tube warmth combined with the control and load capacity of a transistor stage.

Which headphones can the KHV-200 drive?
Almost all common models from around 16 to 600 ohms. Using the gain switch you adjust the amplification: Low Gain for sensitive, low-impedance headphones, High Gain for high-impedance studio and high-end headphones. You connect balanced headphones via the 4-pin XLR.

Does the KHV-200 have a built-in DAC?
No. The KHV-200 is a purely analogue headphone amplifier with two RCA inputs. You convert a digital signal beforehand with a DAC – for example the Vincent DAC-700. That's exactly where we're happy to advise you on the right combination.

Can I also use the KHV-200 as a preamplifier?
Yes. Via the adjustable pre-out you can drive active speakers or a power amplifier. This makes it more than just a headphone amplifier and a good fit for compact setups where one device takes on several tasks.

Why buy the KHV-200 at HD Zürisee?
Because we've been listening to headphones and amplifiers together for decades and know which pairing really holds up in everyday use. We help you find the right headphones for the KHV-200, take care of warranty and service through our own technician – and are personally there for you in Wädenswil on Lake Zurich.

Goes well with

You'll find the right headphones in our headphones selection, and the right source among our D/A converters. More from the brand is available in the Vincent overview, and we're happy to add the right cable too.