EAR Yoshino HP4
The EAR Yoshino HP4 brings outstanding transparency, explosive dynamics and unusually tactile imaging to premium headphones. Scot Hull found its transformer-matched valve design gave familiar cans greater scale, realism and bass authority, while four high- and low-impedance outputs make it a refined hub for serious headphone comparisons. Compact, elegant and deeply immersive, it is analogue amplification with genuine presence.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
88/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, vivid presentation with startling transient impact and tactile, immersive imaging.
Transformer-matched high- and low-impedance outputs substantially improved performance across several full-size headphones, including stronger HD800 bass.
Elegant, compact flagship styling with four headphone sockets suited to easy side-by-side comparisons.
Cons
The premium price is a significant commitment for a dedicated analogue headphone amplifier.
Its power delivery did not fully bring out the best dynamics from the demanding Abyss AB-1266 in the reviewed setup.
Balanced headphone outputs are not provided.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
The available review is exceptionally enthusiastic about the HP4's clarity, realism and ability to make headphones sound more convincing and involving. It also reports startling transient impact and unusually tangible imaging, though the supplied material says little about background noise or tonal balance in detail.
Transparency Resolution
95/100
Scot Hull calls the HP4 the most incredible headphone amplifier he had heard at the time and describes its transparency as "out-of-this-world." With high-quality sources, he found its clarity and realism almost unnerving, while images became more distinct and tactile.
Tonal Balance Musicality
85/100
The reviewer found the HP4 deeply engaging, saying it made him want to plug in and get lost in the music. However, the supplied review offers little direct description of tonal balance, timbre, warmth, or treble and bass character.
Dynamics
93/100
The HP4 delivered notably vivid transient impact in the review, with a drumstick crack rendered so forcefully that the listener flinched. This points to impressive attack and immediacy, although the supplied evidence is less detailed on sustained macro- and microdynamic performance.
Noise Floor
80/100
The supplied review does not directly discuss hiss, hum, residual noise, or performance with sensitive IEMs. Its praise for transparency suggests a clean presentation, but there is not enough specific noise-floor evidence to make a stronger claim.
Headphone Compatibility
87/100
The HP4 uses transformer-matched outputs for both high- and low-impedance headphones, with two outputs provided for each range. The reviewer describes the amplifier as improving headphone performance substantially, but the supplied material does not document a broad set of specific headphone pairings or sensitive-IEM behavior.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
The review describes the HP4 as elegant, compact, and "top shelf," and its presentation clearly made a strong impression. Direct discussion of its internal construction, controls, connectors, long-term durability, and thermal behavior is limited in the supplied evidence.
Features Usability
86/100
The HP4 provides both single-ended and balanced inputs, line and balanced outputs, and four headphone sockets divided between high- and low-impedance loads. This is a useful set of connectivity and matching options for a dedicated desktop valve amplifier, though it does not include digital inputs, a DAC, remote control, or modern wireless functionality.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $4,595 to $5,895, the HP4 is a costly specialist amplifier. The reviewer calls it a work of art and expresses unusually strong desire to own it, but does not directly compare its value against competing amplifiers at the price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Specification
- Four 6SL7 Valves
- Specification
- 4 Headphone Outputs - 2 High & 2 Low Impedance
- Specification
- One line input
- Specification
- One balanced input
- Specification
- One line and balanced outpout
- Specification
- Chrome or Gold Knob option
Manufacturer's Description — EAR Yoshino
Designed for the highest fidelity in headphones. Using four 6SL7 valves for the clearest of sound. Developed for studio use with the ability to drive any headphones with one watt of power utilising an enhanced triode mode circuitry.
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Authorized dealers for EAR Yoshino HP4
- Acoustic Dimension — in-store — Steenderen, Gelderland, Netherlands (website)
- Alternative Audio — in-store — Taunton, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Assai Audio — in-store — Centro, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Aktoren — online and in-store — Horten, Vestfold, Norway (website)
- Audio Emotion — online and in-store — Glenrothes, Scotland, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Gallery — online and in-store — Las Rozas de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Hum — in-store — Norte Sierra, Andalucía, Spain (website)
- Audiocompagniet — online and in-store — Odense C, Denmark (website)
- Audiophile Zone — online and in-store — Baywood-Los Osos, California, United States (website)
and 35 more verified dealers