The Big MYTEK LIBERTY THX AAA HPA Headphone Amplifier Review 2024

With a variety of input and output options, the Mytek Liberty Headphone Amplifier is a little but mighty gadget that produces clear sound. It uses the THX 888 AAA circuit and is a THX-licensed design. “World’s Most Linear Amplifier Technology” is how THX describes it. The feed-forward error correcting design used by the THX AAA amps eliminates typical distortion problems. In other words, signal faults are measured early in the system’s development and then fixed later. The most advanced version of the AAA circuit to date is the THX 888.

MAIN TAKEAWAY

• Very clear, indifferent sound
• Outstanding performance with headphones that are on par with all tested models
• Outstanding functioning and connectivity
• Small and sturdy
• Mono functionality and crossfeed
• Most IEMs and extremely sensitive headphones have background hiss.

MYTEK LIBERTY SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum Power Output: 6W THX AAA 888 error correcting technology
• THD: at least -150dB
• SNR (weighted): 147 dB
• Headphone output: 4.4mm, 6.35mm, 3.5mm, and four-pin XLR (yep, all four)
• One pair of balanced XLR/TRS inputs and three pairs of RCA inputs
• RCA preamp outputs
• Four-step switchable gain—-12 dB, -6 dBb, 0 dB, and +6 dB
• Crossfeed: off Mono function plus four variations
• Three RCA and one balanced XLR/TRS combo connector are the inputs.
• Headphone Outputs: 1/4″, 3.5mm, 4.4mm, and XLR 4pin

• Preamp One RCA is the output.
• Premium Volume Control Analog ALPS attenuator, 27mm. No choice for a remote control
• 60W linear toroid power supply with dual mono regulators and automated voltage switching
• Automated Gain IEM output sensitivity: -12dB
• Measurements: width 5.5″, length 8.8″, height 1.74″, length 22.5″, and height 4.4 cm
• 2 kg is equal to 4 pounds.

BUILD AND FUNCTIONALITY 

One of the Liberty Amp’s primary features is its small form factor. Only 8.8″/22 cm deep, 5.5″/14 cm wide, and 1.74″/4.4 cm tall, Mytek has crammed a huge array of connectors and features, a potent amplifier, and a sizable toroidal transformer into a ⅓ rack-width. They are a very great stack because they share the same form factor as the Liberty DAC II.

The fact that the Liberty Amp has all four of the most popular headphone output types—a 4-pin XLR balanced, a 4.4mm balanced jack, a 6.35mm, and a 3.5mm—on the front is one of my favorite features. No new cables or adapters are required. Everything is in place. For those who own numerous headphones, this alone is a big selling feature. In addition to being much more useful and unquestionably looking nicer, it may save you a small sum in adapters.

The 3.5mm output is called IEM because it automatically sets the gain selection to minimum when an object is plugged into the 3.5mm port. However, once you’ve hooked in, you can change the gain as you wish. Apart than that, the IEM port and noise floor are identical to those of the 6.35mm.

Three buttons with corresponding rows of LED light indicators are present:

• Long-pressing the input/power button will turn it on or off. Pressing it will rotate the four inputs or activate auto-selection.
• Rotate the four gain settings (-12, -6, 0, and +6) by pressing.
• Crossfeed: Press to switch between the four crossfeed modes (normal 1, high 1, normal 2, and high 2), regular stereo, and mono.

Three sets of unbalanced RCA inputs and one pair of balanced TRS/XLR combo connections are located on the rear. In addition, the power cord has a conventional IEC AC socket and two RCA preamp outputs.

PREAMP AND CROSSFEED 

Although I didn’t have much time to evaluate the preamp’s capabilities, it sounded nice based on what I could hear. The crossfeed function is effective and does not noticeably reduce the quality of the sound. Crossfeed is something I personally stay away from unless I’m working with extremely stereo recordings, which are typical of older tracks. Professionals can benefit from the mono option, and it’s evident that Mytek still places a high priority on meeting professional needs considering their background in pro audio.

IN-EAR MONITORS 

“IEM” is the label for the Liberty Amp’s 3.5mm output. Even with the lowest gain level, many IEMs produce a background hiss, at least in my configuration. Although the sound is excellent, the hiss may not be an acceptable choice depending on the IEM being used.

The EW300 (28 Ohms, 122 dB), which is economically priced, features a faint but manageable hiss. There is a nearly undetectable hiss from the single-driver planar magnetic Letshuoer S08 (26 Ohms, 105 dB). Although there is a little more hiss with the Letshuoer Cadenza 4 (15 Ohms, 102 dB), I can live with it. But the Penon 10th (9 Ohms, 110 dB) and Kiwi Ears Orchestra Lite (18 Ohms, 112 dB) become too loud to be of any use. In contrast, the Letshuoer S12 PRO (16 ohms, 102 dB) is incredibly quiet and produces excellent sound.

Needless to say, given that the Liberty Amp has an IEM-labeled output, I’m really dissatisfied with its noise floor. IEMs with higher impedance and/or poor sensitivity, however, appear to have potential applications.

HEADPHONES – LISTENING IMPRESSIONS 

I’ll test a variety of headphones on the Liberty Amp and contrast it with other amplifiers I own in the sections that follow. Important references will include the well-known Topping A90 and the superb Sparkos Labs Gemini hybrid tube amplifier. Other amplifiers include the beautiful green Rebel Amp, the Schiit Magni Heretic, and a few more costly amps that will be discussed later.

HIFIMAN SUNDARA and HE-560 

While the HE-560 features third-party hybrid pads, a grill mod, and an Atlas cable, my Sundara has leather pads. In any case, both sound fantastic when used with the Liberty Amp. When I go from the Fiio K5, Schiit Magni Heretic, Topping A90, and Rebel Amp to the Sparkos Gemini and the Mytek Amp, the dynamics and clarity much improve. The music has stronger articulation and is more lively. With both, the background is blacker and there is greater detail. In contrast to the Gemini, the Mytek Liberty THX has even more fine detail and a more balanced tone.

HIFIMAN HE1000v2 and EDITION XS

Over the years, I have experimented with a variety of amplifiers using the HE1000v2. It isn’t the simplest headset to match precisely, and it definitely need considerable power to shine. But when you find the correct combination, it’s a wonderful experience.

For the HE1000v2, the Mytek Liberty THX Amp is a very clear and tight-sounding amplifier. It is extremely hygienic without appearing clinical or intelligent. I think this is the finest imagery I’ve ever heard. Very impressive. Although the Edition XS is a fantastic fit for the Liberty Amp, it is not as demanding on the amplifier as the HE1000v2.

HIFIMAN HE-6 SE 

Seeing how an amplifier manages one of the hardest-to-drive headphones ever created is always entertaining. With a 50 ohm/83.5 dB rating, the HE-6 SE is frequently used with a strong speaker amplifier by aficionados like me.

Naturally, the Liberty Amp sounds good and performs well, but you’ll know you’re missing something when you hear the HE-6 SE on a top-tier setup. It just isn’t able to unleash the beast’s full capabilities.

SENNHEISER HD600, HD650, HD660S, and HD660S2 

All of the Sennheiser HD6** headphones—the HD600, HD650 (which is essentially equivalent to the HD6XX), HD660S, and HD660S2—have been available for me to test out. When using the Liberty Amp, they all sound fantastic. It has a better sound than the Rebel Amp and the already excellent-sounding Topping A90. In my opinion, it is just as good as the Sparkos Labs Gemini hybrid tube amplifier, albeit with distinct advantages. The Liberty Amp has a somewhat more textured sound than the Gemini, which is bolder and a tad more dynamic.

SENNHEISER HD800S and HD800

The solid-state Bryston BHA-1 and the tube EAR HP4 are my favorite amplifiers for the HD800 and HD800S.

An excellent solid-state amplifier is the BHA-1. There are many small details and dynamics, and it’s tight and clear. However, I feel that solid-state amplifiers tend to make the HD800 and HD800S sound a little thin and bright, as well as clinical. The Bryston BHA-1 is one of the better solid-state amplifiers I’ve tried with the HD800/S, so there isn’t anything wrong with it; rather, I like the sound of a good tube amplifier with the HD800S.

I find that switching from the BHA-1 to the Sparkos Labs Gemini is better. The Gemini is less edgy, a little richer, and more natural. The bass is slightly larger, the mid-range slightly sweeter, and the treble less taxing.

Although it doesn’t sacrifice details, the all-tube Woo WA22 has an even deeper tone than the Gemini. It should come as no surprise that the Gemini’s sound falls somewhere between that of an excellent solid-state amplifier like the Bryston BHA-1 and the all-tube WA22. Although I think the WA22 sounds better and is more natural, the Gemini is also excellent. Even with excellent solid-state amplifiers, both perform admirably and lessen the renowned treble peak/bright sound that the HD800S and HD800 frequently have. The Gemini strikes me as a perfect compromise.

I’m shocked at how much the Gemini and the Mytek Liberty Amp sound alike. Although I thought the Gemini would be superior, the Liberty, with its superb control and rather warm tone, is a fantastic solid state substitute. It’s not shocking that the Liberty works well with the HD800 and HD800S because I’ve tested the majority of Mytek DAC/Amps before.

FOCAL UTOPIA 

The Liberty Amp was my favorite solid state amplifier out of all the ones I evaluated for my pretty extensive comparison article, “The Best Amp for Focal Utopia.” What I wrote is as follows:

This amplifier has a very clear and dramatic tone. This is particularly true of the Utopia. It elevates the holographic experience to a new level and highlights every detail. The treble is crystal clear and crisp, and the bass is strong and forceful.

It’s even more lively and cleaner than the Topping A90. The instruments are separated by a darker gap. Though not entirely present, the Rebel Amp is closer.

The Utopia’s crazy spatial features are elevated to a new degree with the Mytek. The bass is played with more control and seems to go even deeper. Additionally, the treble is really tight. With the same level of control and amazing detail as the rest of the frequency spectrum, the mid-range is also excellent.

The Mytek Liberty lacks intelligence. It’s not gloomy. It’s what neutrality is all about. There appears to be no distortion at all. It’s never exhausting. But because it is so clear and uncluttered, I can see why some could find it too neutral.

The already neutral and pure Utopia usually gains some meat and richness from other amps. However, I don’t hold that against the Mytek; I think this combination is excellent.

FOCAL CLEAR MG and ELEX/ELEAR 

Focals offers two reasonably priced models of their flagship Utopia: the 55-ohm Clear MG and the 80-ohm Elex/Elear, all of which have a decibel level of 104.

The Tomasz Stanko Quintet’s Dark Eyes CD has a very expansive, intricate sound. The picture quality is excellent. I believe they all perform well when compared to the Sparkos Labs Gemini on various songs, the Topping A90, and the Rebel Amp, but the Gemini stands out for having a more fluid and somewhat richer sound while still being more dynamic and detailed.

The Gemini and the Mytek Liberty Amp are comparable in terms of dynamics and detail retrieval, but they differ slightly in features that are usually associated with solid-state versus tube amplifiers: the Gemini is warmer and more liquid, while the Mytek is tighter and more textured.

AUDEZE LCD-X and LCD-2 Classic 

On the Liberty Amp, the LCD-X and LCD-2 Classic provide excellent sound quality. It is clear, concise, unbiased, and thorough. I can’t say, though, that there are many differences to write about when compared to the Topping A90, the Rebel Amp, and the Monolith THX. They are all well-known amplifiers with excellent sound quality. I think the tube hybrid Gemini sounds a little bit warmer and more liquid than the Liberty Amp when compared to the Sparkos Labs Gemini. The middle range has a little less texture but is sweeter.

MEZE 109 PRO 

Due to the high sensitivity of the dynamic driver Meze 109 PRO (40-ohm/112dB), I have to lower the gain in order to prevent hiss. There aren’t much differences while listening to the 109 PRO with the Sparkos Labs Gemini, Topping A90, Rebel Amp, and Liberty Amp. All four amps perform admirably because these headphones appear to be rather adaptable in terms of the amplifier. Even though the Gemini could be my favorite because to its slightly meatier sound, it is not by a wide margin and is undoubtedly a highly subjective tone preference.

DENON AH-D9200 

The flagship model of Denon’s semi-closed dynamic driver is the D9200 (24 ohm/106 dB). The D9200 works exceptionally well with the Mytek Liberty Amp. Although the Liberty Amp performs better, the Topping A90 also performs admirably.

It’s hard for me to determine which I like better than the Sparkos Gemini. The Gemini sounds a little bolder, and the Mytek has a little more detail. Though they are both excellent, the distinctions aren’t that substantial.

DENON AH-D5200

Alongside the D7200, the D9200’s younger brother, is the D5200 (24 ohm/103 dB). Compared to the Gemini and the A90, it sounds much better with the Liberty. For me to prevent hiss, the gain needs to be at -12dB. The Liberty Amp has a powerful, clear sound without coming across as medical.

FOSTEX TH900 mk2

Background noise is not an issue with the Fostex TH900 (20 ohm/100 dB; models 1 and 2 are identical except for the wire). The sound quality is excellent. If anything, it sounds a little crisper than Rebel Amp, the Topping A90. In my opinion, it is on par with the Sparkos Labs Gemini and the Bryston BHA-1, with only minor variations.

GRADO GS1X

Grados differ from other types of headphones. Additionally, the RSX1 (38 ohm/99 dB) is very particular about the amplifier. The Topping A90 is pretty excellent, and my Rebel Amp performs admirably. Even at -12 dB gain, I occasionally experienced a very tiny hiss with the Mytek Liberty Amp, but for some reason, it vanished. Other than that, it sounds fantastic. I changed several things in my system, but I don’t know why. In any case, the Liberty Amp performed admirably with the GSX1.

QUAD ERA-1

This headset has a fantastic sound and hasn’t received nearly as much attention as I believe it should. It is a planar magnetic headphone with great sensitivity and low impedance. It’s one of the few headphones I know that sound fantastic from the headphone jack of my LG V40 phone, despite its 20 ohm/94 dB/mW specification.

When playing Magnus af Uggla’s amazing instrumental guitar album Works 4, the Liberty Amp and Sparkos Labs Gemini both perform admirably. When comparing both, the Gemini has about the same level of dynamics and detail, but it sounds a touch bolder. Things continue to sound fantastic as we move on to the Topping A90. The Topping is the one that is most far from the Gemini in terms of tone. It’s still delicious even though it’s not as meaty. All three amplifiers, in my opinion, perform admirably with this highly adaptable headphone; the technical skill and amount of detail are comparable, and despite minor variations, they sound more alike than different.

DAN CLARK AUDIO ETHER 2 

Perhaps due to its somewhat expensive pricing, the 16-ohm/92 dB planar magnetic Ether 2 is a fantastic-sounding headphone that has not received the recognition it merits. The round cups, which suit me better than the oval-shaped ones, are my favorite part of the design and construction.

Though not as organic as the Sparkos Labs Gemini, the Mytek Liberty Amp has a great sound. Both have a wonderful, albeit slightly distinct, tone and are quite lively and detailed.

There aren’t many changes between them and the Rebel Amp and the Topping A90, but the Liberty Amp has more fine detail and the Gemini feels more alive.

BEYERDYNAMIC DT1990PRO and AMIRON HOME 

The majority of Beyerdynamic headphones still have a pretty hot treble, despite the fact that the older models sound brighter than the newer models. Seeing how an amplifier responds to it is always fascinating. The Liberty Amp produces a great sound with the DT1990PRO (250 ohms/102 dB). incredibly clear, neat, and detailed. Although the Liberty Amp produces a very detailed and reasonably well-behaved sound, even in the higher registers, the headphones are by no means a dark sound. In contrast, the Topping A90, Rebel Amp, and Woo WA2 all feature a less hot treble and a less crisp sound. In my opinion, the Beyerdynamic Amiron Home is a better match for the Liberty Amp and sounds warmer overall.

CONCLUSION 

With a variety of input and output options and a well-executed crossfeed capability, the Mytek Liberty THX AAA Amp is a small and remarkably clear-sounding headphone amplifier.

The Liberty Amp performs exceptionally well with a number of high-end models, including the Focal Utopia, Clear MG, Sennheiser HD800S, and Hifiman HE1000v2, to name a few. It produces amazing sound quality with practically every headphone I’ve tested.

The Liberty Amp’s greater noise floor than most of its rivals makes it less appropriate for very delicate headphones and the majority of IEMs, which is my sole significant criticism. I’m hoping Mytek fixes this in later iterations.