SONCOZ SGA1 Headphone Amp/Pre-Amp Review
A fully balanced desktop headphone amplifier and pre-amp with 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm headphone outputs and RCA and XLR pre-outs, listed at $449.99 in grey. The page lists full parameters for each output path; it suits a desk that already has a DAC.
Our verdict
A fit for a desk that already has a DAC with RCA or XLR outputs and wants a balanced amp with 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm outputs and a full parameter list, at $449.99. Look elsewhere if you need a DAC in the same box, or a clearly named single-ended headphone socket. The main caveat is a page that disagrees with itself on op-amps and colors and never names a single-ended socket; every figure is the store's own.
- Best for
- Owners of a DAC who want 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm headphone outputs and RCA or XLR pre-outs.
- Skip if
- You need a built-in DAC or a clearly named single-ended headphone socket.
Why 3.6/5: Lifted by a long parameter list covering four output paths, with loads given for the headphone outputs; held back by the store's own terms contradicting each other and because no independent test of this model was checked for this review.
The SGA1 is described on the page as a fully balanced headphone amplifier and pre-amplifier, listed at $449.99 in grey. The page names 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm headphone outputs, an XLR input and RCA and XLR pre-outs, and gives single-ended and balanced parameters for the headphone output along with separate sets for both pre-outs. It also lists a MUSES 72320 electronic volume chip, an OLED display and a custom toroidal transformer, and calls the amp a companion to the Soncoz SGD1 DAC.
Specifications
| Spec | Page says |
|---|---|
| Single-ended power | Up to 420mW @33 ohm, 210mW @300 ohm, 105mW @600 ohm |
| Balanced power | Up to 420mW @33 ohm, 840mW @300 ohm, 420mW @600 ohm |
| Output voltage | SE 4.0Vrms; balanced 7.8Vrms; pre-out RCA 2.0Vrms, XLR 4.0Vrms |
| Output impedance | SE 0.1 ohm; balanced 0.05 ohm; pre-out RCA 100ohm, XLR 200ohm |
| THD+N | SE below 117dB; balanced below 118dB; pre-out RCA below 117dB, XLR below 118dB |
| Dynamic range | SE below 124dB; balanced below 126dB; pre-out RCA and XLR below 126dB |
| Signal to noise ratio | SE below 92dB; balanced below 91dB; pre-out RCA below 95dB, XLR below 94dB |
| Crosstalk | SE below 118dB; balanced below 120dB; pre-out RCA below 132dB, XLR below 136dB |
| Noise | SE 1.8uVrms; balanced 3.6uVrms; pre-out RCA 1.5uVrms, XLR 3.0uVrms |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz on SE, balanced and both pre-outs |
| Headphone outputs | 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm (per the description) |
| Inputs and pre-outs | XLR input/pre-out; RCA and XLR input buffer stages |
| Volume chip | MUSES 72320 electronic volume chip; memory per input and output combination |
| Power supply | Customised toroidal transformer; two 8200uF ELNA capacitors in the rectifier circuit |
Options and pricing
One option is listed, Color: grey, at $449.99 with a crossed-out price of $649.99 shown next to it, and it was orderable when the page was read. The page text says the SGA1 is released in Deep Black and Deep Silver, which the option list does not show. No cable or accessory option is listed, and the box contents are not given.
How it compares
The SMSL H200 Hi-Res Headphone Amplifier & Preamplifier is $399 against $449.99 here and, like the SGA1, is named as a headphone amp and pre-amp. The TOPPING A70Pro Amplifier Fully Balanced R2R Volume Control Module Headphone Amp costs $499, and its spec line says it can work as a headphone amp or pre-amp. The SGA1 page gives a full parameter set for each output path and lists analog inputs only, so it suits a desk that already has a DAC and wants numbers to read.
Shipping, returns and warranty
HiFiGO sells from hifigo.com and says every order leaves its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after it is placed, and says its delivery times are estimates, not promises. Its shipping policy gives the United States 1-2 weeks (about 10 days on average) by Priority and 6-10 days by Premium, both with duties and taxes prepaid by the store; Canada 2-3 weeks; the United Kingdom 1-2 weeks; and Australia 10-15 days. Express couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx) take 3-7 days, but then the buyer pays any duties and taxes. No shipping page names New Zealand, PO boxes are not accepted, and the free-shipping thresholds differ between the store's own pages, so check the cart. One of its two shipping pages adds that a lost parcel on an order above $50 gets only a 50% refund. A US buyer reported a $40 tariff charge in August 2025, after which HiFiGO said it had added a customs notice at checkout.
Read the return terms before you order. The homepage advertises 7-day returns. Both of HiFiGO's policy pages offer a 7-day dead-on-arrival cover (a replacement or a full refund, with the return postage refunded) and also describe 30-day returns, but a request made 7 to 30 days after delivery loses 30% of the MSRP as a restocking fee (10% more if the packaging is incomplete), plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same pages says there is no refund or exchange once 7 days have passed. One version recommends reselling an opened product locally. Custom IEMs and custom cables cannot be returned, no return address is published, and buyers describe sending items back to China.
HiFiGO's warranty runs one year from the order date for parts and labor; its policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles at one year and gives cables and adapters three months. HiFiGO decides between repair and replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and faulty items go back for service, not for a refund. Claims go to [email protected], the only contact the store lists: its pages name no company, street address or phone, and its terms are governed by the laws of China.
On Trustpilot, HiFiGO had 4.6 out of 5 from 378 reviews when we checked on 2026-10-28 (91% five-star, 5% one-star), and it had replied to about 75% of negative reviews; Trustpilot notes the store has not invited customers to review recently. The one-star reviews mostly concern the short return window and the deductions on returns, items listed in stock that turned out back-ordered, slow email support and a tariff charge on a US delivery in 2025. HiFiGO says its products are genuine and come in the brands' retail packaging; it does not claim to be an authorized dealer.
What we liked
- Separate parameter sets for single-ended, balanced, RCA pre-out and XLR pre-out
- Power listed at 33 ohm, 300 ohm and 600 ohm for both single-ended and balanced use
- Balanced output voltage of 7.8Vrms and output impedance of 0.05 ohm are stated
- Volume and gain settings are remembered for each input and output combination, per the page
- Named parts include the MUSES 72320 volume chip, ELNA capacitors and WIMA film capacitors
- 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm headphone outputs plus RCA and XLR pre-outs
Worth noting
- The page gives single-ended parameters but names no single-ended headphone socket, only 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm outputs
- SNR figures (91dB to 95dB) sit far below the dynamic range figures (124dB to 126dB), with no explanation
- The op-amp list is inconsistent: OPA1611, OPA1641 and OPA1622 are named first, then OPA1661 units appear in the details
- The option list shows only grey while the text names Deep Black and Deep Silver
- No dimensions, weight or power consumption are given
Questions before you buy
What headphone outputs and pre-outs does the Soncoz SGA1 list?
The description names 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm headphone output ports plus an XLR input/pre-out, and the parameter lists give separate pre-output figures for RCA and XLR.
How much power does it list into different headphones?
Single-ended: up to 420mW at 33 ohm, 210mW at 300 ohm and 105mW at 600ohm. Balanced: up to 420mW at 33 ohm, 840mW at 300 ohm and 420mW at 600ohm.
Which colors does the page show?
The option list shows one option, grey. The text says it is released in Deep Black and Deep Silver, and that the Deep Silver matches the SGD1 DAC.
Where does HiFiGO ship from, and how long does it take?
From its warehouse in China, usually 1-3 business days after the order. The shipping policy gives 1-2 weeks to the US by Priority (6-10 days by Premium), both with duties and taxes prepaid, 2-3 weeks to Canada, 1-2 weeks to the UK and 10-15 days to Australia. Express couriers take 3-7 days, but the buyer pays any duties.
Can I send it back if I change my mind?
HiFiGO gives 7 days to report an item that arrives dead, damaged or wrong. Its policy also describes 30-day returns, but requests 7 to 30 days after delivery lose 30% of the MSRP plus shipping both ways and duties, and the FAQ on the same page says no refund or exchange after 7 days. Ask [email protected] before you open the box.
What warranty does HiFiGO give?
One year from the order date for parts and labor, for faults in build or materials (the policy names desktop DACs and amps, IEMs and dongles; cables and adapters get three months). HiFiGO chooses repair or replacement, the buyer pays the shipping, and a faulty item is serviced rather than refunded. Claims go to [email protected].
Sources & verification
What this review is based on and the day we last read it. Specs and claims from the maker are the maker’s own; the verdict and the rating are ours.
From the store
- Soncoz SGA1 Headphone AMP & Pre-AMP product page: specs, options and price (the buy buttons go there)Specs, options and the listed priceRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping policyShips from China in 1-3 business days; US 1-2 weeks by Priority or 6-10 days by Premium, duties prepaid; Express buyers pay dutiesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO shipping and order tracking pageA second shipping text: Premium also for Canada and Australia, Canada free shipping from $99.99, lost-parcel rulesRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO refund policy7-day dead-on-arrival cover; 30-day returns minus a 30% restocking fee; its FAQ says no refund after 7 daysRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO warranty and refund policyWarranty by product class (1 year; cables and adapters 3 months); 30% fee for resealing an opened productRead October 28, 2026
- HiFiGO terms of serviceOperator named only as HiFiGo; governed by the laws of China; contact [email protected]Read October 28, 2026
Independent
- HiFiGO reviews on Trustpilot4.6 of 5 from 378 reviews (91% five-star, 5% one-star); the store has not invited reviews recentlyRead October 28, 2026
What we couldn’t verify
- The option list shows one grey option, but the text says the SGA1 comes in Deep Black and Deep Silver.
- It lists single-ended headphone parameters yet names only 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm headphone outputs; the dB figures are written without a minus sign (for example THD+N below 117dB), and SNR sits far below dynamic range.
- The op-amp text first names OPA1611, OPA1641 and OPA1622, then adds four OPA1661 units; the volume chip is MUSES 72320 in the features and MUSE72320 in the text.
- HiFiGO's policy pages contradict each other: 30-day returns with a 30% restocking fee in one place, no refund or exchange after 7 days in the FAQ.
- HiFiGO's pages name no company, street address or phone number; the only contact given is [email protected].
Spotted an error or something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it and update the date.
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