Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Review: 7W of Pure Power and Tube Magic
Read Time: Approx. 15 min.
Power, Performance, Amplification...Oh My!
You've probably heard the saying: "You can judge a good man by the company he keeps." Well, the same can be said about audiophile headphones –You can judge a good headphone by the amplifier it's paired with.
Much like snowflakes, no two headphones are the same; each pair has its own impedance and amplification requirement. As your collection of headphones and IEMs evolves over the years, you'll want a high-end headphone amplifier that can grow with it.
The Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Headphone Amplifier is the chameleon of hi-fi headphone amps, able to drive every headphone in your collection, including the notoriously difficult-to-drive HiFiMan SUSVARA Headphones. With an impedance range of 32 ohms to 600 ohms, the Omega Lupi is up to any task you throw at it. Fezz Audio, the renowned manufacturer from Poland, has built a reputation for exceptional vacuum tube amplifier designs, power amplifiers, integrated amps and more.
PROS
- 7W POWER! Drives SUSVARA
- Musicality and Detail perfected
- Simple design, effortless to use
CONS
- Heavy and large
- Highly sensitive volume
Design
The Omega Lupi's design is subdued and straightforward in the best way possible. There are a few cases where less is more, and the Omega Lupi is a great example of that motto in action. Fezz Audio could have easily overcomplicated the amp's design by adding a huge logo, five buttons, and multiple knobs and jacks across the front panel like you might find on a complex integrated amplifier. While those additions certainly would've added more visual intrigue to the component, the Omega Lupi represents Fezz Audio's ethos of modern design.
What you will find on the front panel, though, is two knobs, an unbalanced 6.35mm headphone output, and the company's logo. The knob on the far left controls the amp's volume while the far right phones impedance selector knob adjusts the three gain modes: Low for headphones with 32 ohms impedance, Mid for up to 150 ohms, and High for 150 ohms or more. Fezz Audio recommends that the amp's impedance be set to high when using planar magnetic headphones. On the back panel sit one pair of RCA inputs and RCA outputs, a signal ground switch, a voltage selector, a mains switch, and an IEC mains socket.
Now, the top panel of the Omega Lupi is truly where all the magic happens. Four power tubes, two PCL86 for the left channel socket, and two PCL86 for the right channel socket sit front and center with a detachable cage included to protect the tubes from damage. PCL86 tubes are inexpensive, popular, and unique because they offer two tubes in one glass – a triode and a pentode – a configuration commonly found in television sets. Behind the tubes are two output transformer housings, possessing Fezz Audio's proprietary output transformer technology. More on that in the features section.
At 33.5 lbs (15.2 kg), the Omega Lupi is far from being the lightest amplifier on the market. Given the amp's weight and size of 355mm x 380mm x 175mm (13.97" x 14.96" x 6.89 in.), this is a stationary piece that will fare best on a secure surface with support. The tubes themselves will get hot, so you'll want to avoid placing the unit in a cabinet. The Omega Lupi is available in multiple finishes (Big Calm, Black Ice, Burning Red, EverGreen, Moonlight, Republika, and Sunlight), with Sunlight and Black Ice currently available for purchase on our website. Included with the Omega Lupi are four PCL86 vacuum tubes, a power cord, a user manual, cotton gloves for handling the tubes, and a tube protective cage.
Sound
As a high-performing amplifier, the Omega Lupi has no problem handling power-hungry headphones. To put this amp to the test, I listened to several headphones with varying impedances and two different DACs. We're in the middle of producing a DAC/Amp face-off video starring the iFi Audio iDSD Valkyrie DAC Headphone Amp and Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Headphone Amp, so this was the perfect opportunity to listen to both. I ultimately preferred the Hugo 2 with the Omega Lupi because of its faithful reproduction and accuracy. However, in an ideal world, a large external DAC is best for optimal performance.
Because I paired the amp with a portable battery-operated device (Hugo 2), I experienced some noise through the headphones. Fortunately for me, Fezz Audio included a signal ground switch on the back of the Omega Lupi, which, once switched off, eliminated any noise I previously experienced. In an ideal world, you'll want to pair the Omega Lupi with a dedicated external DAC that has a true ground.
One last thing before I dive into sound impressions: Fezz Audio recommends burning in the vacuum tubes before first use. Burn in the amplifier for about 10 hours at a low volume to achieve a preliminary degree of preheating. Once that is completed, full sonic capabilities should stabilize and unfold within a time span ranging from 40 to 60 hours of music reproduction at moderate volume levels.
The Listening Setup:
- Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Headphone Amp (in USB DAC mode with the Silver Dragon USB Cable to my PC) → Blue Dragon Interconnect Cable → Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Headphone Amplifier
- Focal Stellia Headphones with the Bronze Dragon Premium Headphone Cable: 35 ohms (using MID impedance)
- Focal Utopia 2022 Headphones with the Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable: 80 ohms (using MID impedance)
- HiFiMan SUSVARA Headphones with the Bronze Dragon Premium Headphone Cable: 80 ohms (using MID impedance)
- Sennheiser HD 800S Headphones with the Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable: 300 ohms (using HIGH impedance)
The Fezz Audio Omega Lupi is a great representation of tube amp magic. Anyone familiar with tube amplifiers knows the pure magic of analog warmth that only a vacuum tube can deliver. That unique sound quality attracts a select group of audiophiles and music lovers craving nostalgia, emotion, and musicality. I've listened to many tube amplifiers, each with different vacuum tubes, and while they all possess that analog warmth, the Omega Lupi stands out for its accuracy and detail retrieval. It strikes a surprising balance between musicality and warmth, and articulation and accuracy.
I'm still coming off the high of my first music festival, so I've been heavy into EDM, Hip-Hop, and the artists I saw live. Regarded as the godfather of EDM, DJ Tiësto puts out some great mixes that are the perfect blend of laid-back house and hardcore EDM. Won't Be Possible is one of his newer songs that I thoroughly enjoyed on the SUSVARA's with the Omega Lupi.
The Fezz Audio Omega Lupi is a great representation of tube amp magic. Anyone familiar with tube amplifiers knows the pure magic of analog warmth that only a vacuum tube can deliver. That unique sound quality attracts a select group of audiophiles and music lovers craving nostalgia, emotion, and musicality. I've listened to many tube amplifiers, each with different vacuum tubes, and while they all possess that analog warmth, the Omega Lupi stands out for its accuracy and detail retrieval. It strikes a surprising balance between musicality and warmth, and articulation and accuracy.
I'm still coming off the high of my first music festival, so I've been heavy into EDM, Hip-Hop, and the artists I saw live. Regarded as the godfather of EDM, DJ Tiësto puts out some great mixes that are the perfect blend of laid-back house and hardcore EDM. Won't Be Possible is one of his newer songs that I thoroughly enjoyed on the SUSVARA's with the Omega Lupi. The Omega Lupi does a great job handling the attack and quick changes of songs like Won't Be Possible.
Slower, more vocal-centric tracks like Sky Full of Song by Florence + The Machine were full of character and midrange magic. Songs that are naturally rich-sounding, be it from the tone of the artist's voice or heavy instrumentation, are lush and smooth. Depending on the headphone, I experienced a visceral low-end response, articulation, and plenty of dynamics. The PCL86 tubes truly shine in this system, delivering enough musicality and clarity to have me toe-tapping to the beat. This performance demonstrates why Fezz Audio has earned recognition alongside other high-end manufacturers who produce Class A designs and sophisticated integrated amplifier solutions.
There are a few songs in my library that I've burned to exhaustion, L'Amour De Ma Vie by Billie Eilish being one of them. When I tell you I know every word to this song and have heard it over a thousand times, I am not exaggerating. I use this track just about every time I'm testing, so I've enjoyed it through many headphones and IEMs in many configurations. For the first time while listening with the SUSVARA, I heard a tiny noise, not once, but twice, that I've never noticed before. This micro detail has been hiding in plain sight this entire time, and I've just now heard it with the Omega Lupi. And to make sure I wasn't losing it, I listened to the same track with the Sennheiser HD 800S, and yes, it was still there. Detail retrieval: CHECK.
After enjoying the Omega Lupi Headphone Amplifier with a few headphones, each with varying impedances and different sound qualities, I'm convinced this amp houses a tiny magician inside its chassis. Whether it's the reference-level sound of the Sennheiser HD 800S or the dynamics and musicality of the Focal Stellia, the Omega Lupi harmonized and complemented each can as if they were made for each other. For me, that's the indicator of a truly great hi-fi component, whether it's a dedicated headphone amplifier, a solid-state amp driving loudspeakers, or a sophisticated preamplifier in a high-end system.
Youth
By Glass Animals
(How to Be A Human Being)
Sky Full of Song
By Florence + The Machine
(High As Hope)
What You Need
By Don Toliver
(Life of a DON)
Won't Be Possible
By Tiësto
(Won't Be Possible)
Features
- Push-pull AB1 Class circuit with PCL86 vacuum tubes
- 3-position impedance selector for optimal headphone matching (32Ω, up to 150Ω, 150Ω+)
- Automatic bias module for consistent performance
- Signal ground switch to eliminate hum
- Parallel signal output for integration with other components
- Backlit logo for elegant visual appeal
- Voltage selector switch (127V/230V) for international compatibility
- Anti-vibration feet for improved sound quality
There are hundreds to thousands of great headphone amplifiers on the market, but the selection of great tube amps is just a mere fraction of that number. When tube amplifiers first hit the market, they were the hottest commodity you could own. As technologies advanced and hi-fi became high-tech, tube amps became akin to a relic from the past. But as with anything these days, what goes around comes back around, and just like that, there's a tube amp revival, and they're as popular as ever. This revival has benefited not just headphone amps, but the entire spectrum of high-end audio, including integrated amplifier designs, dedicated power amplifier and preamplifier combinations, and even specialized components like phono stage modules for turntable enthusiasts.
Amid the ever-changing hifi landscape, Fezz Audio sits steadfast with its suite of amplifiers and an edge over the competition. What edge, you ask? Proprietary Toroidal Output Transformers.
Toroidal Output Transformers
Fezz Audio single-ended amps are the first in the world to feature toroidal output transformers with three patents in the field of toroidal transformer design and production. Toroidy, Fezz Audio's sister company, specifically designs toroidal power and output transformers for select Fezz Audio amplifiers.
Pictured: A Toroidy transformer (not the Omega Lupi)
Why Toroidal Output Transformers?
In headphone amplifiers, clean power delivery is everything. Headphones are incredibly sensitive to noise, voltage fluctuations, and interference. Instead of the traditional rectangular core design most transformers use, toroidal transformers are wound around a donut-shaped core. This seemingly simple design change creates several great advantages: Lower electromagnetic interference (EMI), reduced mechanical vibration, better regulation, and higher efficiency.
Output transformers play a significant role in shaping the sound quality of your amplifier, and toroidal output transformers in particular lend unique sonic characteristics that other output transformers do not. With far lower flux leakage and radiated energy than standard transformers, toroidal power transformers ensure the amp's sensitive circuitry doesn't pick up any additional noise from the power supply. The result is extended bandwidth, a flat frequency response, and low distortion.
Technical Performance & Precision
The Omega Lupi is regarded for its amplification, but is it really powerful enough to drive high-impedance headphones? Short answer: YES. I can count on both hands how many amplifiers exist on the market that are truly powerful–the Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Headphone Amplifier is one of them.
The Auris Audio Nirvana IV Headphone Amplifier is one of the few models worth mentioning that can drive the SUSVARA headphones. If you're not familiar with this amp, it's incredibly powerful, almost too powerful. So it should not be taken lightly that the Omega Lupi has more maximum output power than the Nirvana IV. Yes, you read that right. Where the Nirvana IV has 6.5W, the Omega Lupi has 7W maximum output power. That's 7W per channel, making it clean enough to drive virtually any headphone on the market with authority. Even power-hungry headphones like the SUSVARA only need 1-4W to reach their full potential, so the Omega Lupi is more than capable.
And sure, while that's only a 0.5W difference and can be seen as splitting hairs, the point is that the Omega Lupi is an incredibly powerful and highly capable amplifier. If you had any doubts, put those to rest because the Omega Lupi sits among the most powerful headphone amplifiers available. It will never be the limiting factor in your system's performance.
Dragon Cables
[Blue Dragon Interconnect Cable]
You'll need some cables to integrate your new Omega Lupi into your hi-fi setup. Lucky for you, we've got the perfect recommendation. Our Blue Dragon Interconnect Cable is the perfect cable for the job. It's a neutral and natural-sounding cable that completely unveils the music, allowing you to hear it just as the artist intended. With a braided geometry and high-quality shielding, the Blue Dragon Premium Interconnect Cable is built for zero interference, so you can be sure nothing gets in the way of you and your music.
Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs. what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon Audio Cables are handcrafted with the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs. Whether you're connecting a power cable to your integrated amplifier, linking preamps to power amplifier components, or optimizing the connection between your turntable, phono stage and loudspeakers with a speaker cable, the right cables make all the difference.
Why Dragon Cables?
You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right? Well, the same applies to your brand new audiophile-grade headphone or other audio components. The weakest link, in this case, is your stock audio cable or the cheap interconnects the manufacturer threw in the box just to get you up and running. Why is the audio cable always an afterthought, when it’s just as important as the rest of your system? At Moon Audio, we use the purest and best raw materials in our cables to unveil your music. We believe that materials matter and your audio cables should have the same care and craftsmanship that manufacturers put into their audio components and headphones. Audio cables are ultimately the connection to your music. The fact remains that cabling is often considered the last priority to that of the main product and a means to cut down the overall production costs. It’s as simple as that. Dragon Cables elevate every note - as if you were hearing your favorite music for the very time.
Verdict
At $2,895, the Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Headphone Amplifier is everything a tube headphone amplifier should be–powerful, refined, and uncompromising in its pursuit of musical excellence. The Omega Lupi delivers a rare combination of brute force and finesse that few amplifiers can match, effortlessly driving power-hungry headphones like the HiFiMan SUSVARA with ease. It's got the musicality and analog warmth that only a vacuum tube can possess, and the detail and accuracy only a high-performing amplifier can deliver.
What truly sets the Omega Lupi apart isn't just its impressive 7W per channel output, but Fezz Audio's proprietary toroidal output transformer technology that provides a foundation of clean, interference-free power delivery that lesser amplifiers cannot achieve. With exceptional performance and a sound quality that complements your entire headphone collection, the only thing missing between you and great sound is the Dragon Audio Cable to link it all together. Our Blue Dragon Interconnect Cable served as the perfect bridge between the Omega Lupi and Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC, delivering a clean and neutral sound with zero noise interference.
For serious audiophiles ready to unlock what their headphones are capable of, the Fezz Audio Omega Lupi Headphone Amplifier isn't just a purchase–it's an investment in a lifetime of musicality and magic.
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What's in the Box
- Fezz Audio Omega Lupi vacuum tube headphone amplifier
- 4 PCL86 vacuum tubes
- Power cord
- User manual
- Cotton gloves for handling tubes
- Tube protective cage
Specifications
Circuit Type: Push-pull AB1 Class
Maximum Output Power: 2x 7W
Output Impedance: 32-600 Ohms
Inputs: 1x RCA
Outputs: 1x RCA (parallel), 1x 6.3mm headphone jack
Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.3%
Frequency Response: 20Hz-120kHz (-3dB)
Power Consumption: 90W
Main AC Fuse: 3.15AT (230V), 8.0AT (127V)
Dimensions with Tubes: 340 x 355 x 150mm
Net Weight: 15.2 kg
Tubes: 4x PCL86 with automatic bias
