Austrian Audio Full Score One

Austrian Audio makes a strong impression with its first headphone amplifier, the Full Score One. This machine, designed by former AKG engineers, combines Viennese studio heritage with groundbreaking technical innovations, offering a solution for both professionals and high-fidelity enthusiasts.

The Legacy of Recognized Expertise

Austrian Audio is not just another brand. Founded in 2017 by the engineers who shaped AKG’s sound for decades, it continues a tradition of acoustic excellence after the closure of the famous brand’s Vienna facilities. This continuity is immediately apparent in the approach to the Full Score One: a studio philosophy that favors sonic truth over flattering coloration.

The Full Score One is crafted with the same meticulousness applied to the brand’s award-winning microphones and headphones. This approach results in an amplifier that reveals music without embellishment, faithful to the original artistic intent.

TTT Technology: A Disruptive Innovation

At the heart of the Full Score One lies the proprietary True Transient Technology (TTT), an industry first. This innovation revolutionizes the handling of transients—those brief but critical signals like the snap of a snare drum or the pluck of a guitar string.

TTT enables these extreme signals to be transmitted with unmatched fidelity, preserving all their natural dynamics. Notably, this technology can be switched on or off via a dedicated button, acknowledging that some older recordings may benefit from a gentler approach.

Reference-Grade Construction and Engineering

The Full Score One adopts a radical construction philosophy: no integrated circuits in the signal path. This fully discrete approach, more costly and complex, ensures optimal sound purity. The amplifier uses only high-performance or military-grade components, reflecting an uncompromising commitment to quality.

The 2.8 kg extruded aluminum chassis exudes solidity, with compact dimensions that fit naturally into any listening environment. This “built to last” construction is in line with the Austrian tradition of mechanical precision.

Versatility and Universal Compatibility

The Full Score One excels in its ability to drive all types of headphones, from very easy-to-drive 10-ohm models to high-impedance headphones exceeding 300 ohms. This versatility is complemented by a high-quality potentiometer that eliminates the need for a gain switch, simplifying use while preserving quality.

The connectivity offers appreciable flexibility with parallel XLR and RCA inputs, allowing different sources to be connected simultaneously. Outputs include two 6.35 mm jacks and a 4-pin XLR output for balanced headphones.

Positioned Between Studio and Home

Austrian Audio designed the Full Score One to transcend the traditional boundary between professional equipment and home hi-fi. Its neutral and analytical sound signature will appeal to demanding sound engineers, while its ease of use and refined finish attract home audiophiles.

This duality is reflected in the choice of components: a rigorous technical approach paired with accessible ergonomics. The TTT button embodies this philosophy, giving users control over the level of sonic analysis according to their preferences and sources.

Technical Specifications

Inputs

• Connectors: 2 x XLR, 2 x RCA, parallel
• Recommended input voltage: 0 dBV, 1 Vrms
• Input impedance: 100 kΩ

Outputs

• Connectors: 2 x 6.35 mm jack, 1 x XLR 4
• Recommended load: 10 Ω – 600 Ω, max. 150 nF
• Maximum output voltage, 5 Hz - 20 kHz: 19 dBV, 9 Vrms @ 0.01% THD

Audio Performance

• THD + N @ 1 kHz, 22 kHz bandwidth: 0.0005%, @ 10 Ω, 1.0 W
• Self-noise: EIN = 136 dB(A) / 1.5 µVrms(A)
• SINAD @ 1 kHz, 22 kHz bandwidth, 10 Ω: 86 dB @ 50 mVrms / 107 dB @ 3 Vrms
• Power bandwidth (-3 dB): 5 Hz - 2 MHz
• Maximum slew rate: 200 V/µs
• Rise time: 0.25 µs, TTT enabled

Power Supply

• Supply voltage: 220-250 V~ / 110-125 V~, 50 / 60 Hz

General Information

• Dimensions: 220 x 265 x 65 mm
• Weight: 2.8 kg