HiFiMAN Shangri La Sr Amplifier (Wired)

Hear electrostatic truth, voiced by 300B tubes

The HiFiMAN Shangri La Sr Amplifier is built for one purpose: to unlock the breathtaking speed, scale, and purity of reference‑grade electrostatic headphones. A quartet of 300B output tubes and 6SN7 input tubes deliver effortless voltage swing and lifelike tone, while a relay‑based, 24‑step attenuator maintains black‑background quiet and precise level matching. Paired with capable sources, this is the kind of amplifier that dissolves the gear between you and the performance.

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Why Audiophiles Choose This Amplifier

• Musical transparency with organic timbre: The Shangri La Sr system has been praised for extraordinary transparency and dynamic expressiveness, combining the immediacy of electrostatics with the natural, saturated tone of 300B valves. Listeners note a neutral, revealing presentation that remains emotionally engaging.
• Statement‑grade tube engineering: Eight tubes on deck—four 6SN7 for the input stage and four custom 300B for the output—form a direct‑drive electrostatic topology, avoiding capacitors/transformers between the tubes and the headphone. The result is speed without grit and voltage swing without strain.
• Purpose‑built control and silence: A 24‑step relay attenuator with 23 discrete resistors preserves channel balance and low noise at any listening level—a critical advantage with ultra‑resolving electrostats.
• Real‑world connectivity: Balanced XLR (L/R) and unbalanced RCA inputs let you integrate premium DACs and phono stages with ease. Dual front‑panel 5‑pin electrostatic outputs allow two headphones to be connected simultaneously.
• Crafted to last and to be seen: The chassis pairs aviation‑grade aluminum with a tempered‑glass top for a striking, serviceable, and thermally sensible design befitting a flagship component.
• Electrostatic-ready bias and safety: Designed around a 550–650 V bias environment common to reference electrostatics, with bias test points and procedures documented for proper tube replacement and setup.

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What’s Included

• Shangri La Sr Electrostatic Amplifier: Approx. 16 kg (35 lb); 437.8 × 458.9 × 335.8 mm (H×W×D).
• AC power cable: Region‑appropriate mains cable.
• Tube guard protector: Attaches over the tube array for protection.
• Factory tube set (dealer‑dependent): 4× 6SN7 and 4× 300B valves are supplied with new systems; confirm with your dealer for amplifier‑only orders. Typical warranty coverage is 5 years on the amplifier and 1 year on valves.
• Documentation: User manual and warranty information.

Note: Contents may vary by region or retailer; please verify before purchase.

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Technical Specifications

Specification	Value	Notes
Product Type	Wired	Analog inputs to electrostatic headphone outputs.
Amplifier topology	4× 6SN7 input, 4× 300B output; direct‑drive electrostatic	No capacitors/transformers in the tube‑to‑headphone path.
Volume control	24‑step relay‑based attenuator	Preserves channel balance/low noise.
Inputs	1× balanced XLR (L/R), 1× unbalanced RCA (Aux)	Rear‑panel input selector.
Headphone outputs	2× 5‑pin electrostatic sockets	Can drive two electrostatic headphones simultaneously.
Bias environment	550–650 V	Matches reference electrostatic operating range.
Power consumption	280 W (rated)	From rear‑panel data in user manual.
Dimensions (H×W×D)	437.8 × 458.9 × 335.8 mm	Space for top‑mounted tubes recommended.
Weight	16,000 g (35 lb)	Substantial, vibration‑resistant mass.
Chassis	Aluminum alloy with tempered‑glass top	Premium materials and thermal design.
Warranty	5 years amplifier; 1 year valves (typical)	Region/retailer dependent.

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Professional Recognition

• Awards: Hi‑Fi+ “Cost no object headphone” accolade for the Shangri‑La system, recognizing its combination of electrostatic transparency and musical expressiveness.
• Reviews: Hi‑Fi+ called the system “one of the two most transparent, revealing, complete, and accomplished music systems” they’ve heard, noting its composure on complex material.
• Heritage: Designed by HiFiMAN and built to order, with documented on‑site setup support for system purchasers, underscoring the brand’s commitment to installation and performance.
• Innovation: Adoption of 300B direct‑drive architecture for electrostatic headphones is rare and technically ambitious, targeting the shortest, most linear path from tube plates to stators.

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The Bottom Line

If you’re pursuing a summit‑fi electrostatic rig, the HiFiMAN Shangri La Sr Amplifier stands out for its unique union of direct‑heated 300B drive, ultra‑quiet relay attenuation, and practical dual‑output flexibility. It’s meticulously engineered, beautifully built, and voiced to reveal the finest textures in your recordings without sacrificing musical warmth—an amplifier designed not just to measure up, but to move you.

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Notes for system matching and setup

• This is an electrostatic headphone amplifier; it does not drive dynamic/planar headphones. Use with compatible 5‑pin electrostatic headphones and verify bias compatibility.
• Optimal performance requires quality line‑level sources via XLR/RCA. Allow warm‑up time for the tube complement and maintain clear ventilation around the top‑mounted tubes. Follow the manual for 300B bias checks after tube changes.

For additional details—including dealer‑specific inclusions or installation—consult your retailer and the official HiFiMAN documentation before purchase.