N22H
Play
Reference-Grade Headphone Amplifier, Cat 5 Snake, and C.A.S.T. Breakout Box.
  • Two balanced combi jack inputs
  • Two balanced XLR and 1/4” jack outputs
  • Reference-quality headphone amplifier
    • THD+N: <0.0009% (-100.4dB) @ +6dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load
    • Output Wattage (1kHz): 252mW x 2 @ 600 ohms, 502mW x 2 @ 220 ohms, 950mW x 2 @ 100 ohms, 470mW x 2 @ 32 ohms
    • Frequency Response: 1dB, <0.8Hz to >200kHz
  • Switchable High and Low Power Modes
    • High Power optimised for maximum power and performance for high-impedance, over-ear, and open back mixing/mastering headphones
    • Low Power optimised for maximum battery life for low-impedance, in-ears and closed back tracking headphones
  • 9V Battery compartment
    • Up to ~10 hours battery life (Low Power Mode)
    • Up to ~2 hours Battery life (High Power Mode)
  • 9V DC Power Inlet
    • Includes a 9V DC (centre negative) power supply 
    • Can be powered with any 3rd party 9v DC (centre negative) guitar pedal power supply (1000mA supply recommended)
  • C.A.S.T IN RRTT Port
    • For connecting to the C.A.S.T. Output of N22 or other C.A.S.T. enabled devices
  • C.A.S.T OUT TTRR Port
    • For connecting to the C.A.S.T. Input of 500R8, 500ADAT or other C.A.S.T. enabled devices
  • Cat5 snake connectivity with N22 or second N22H
  • Compatible with any shielded Cat 5e/Cat 6/Cat 7 cable with distances up to 100m/330ft
  • Improved crosstalk performance with high-performance Cat 6 and Cat 7 (recommended)
  • Ruggedised metal enclosure
  • Fixing holes for permanent installation
  • Cable-tie holes for cable management
  • Non-slip rubber feet
  • ⅜” mic stand thread mount on bottom

All specifications are typical performance unless otherwise noted. All specifications are subject to change at any time. Tested with Audio Precision APx555.

Headphone Amplifier (High Power Mode)

Test Signal Path

APx555 (Line Out) - Input 1-2 - Headphone Output - APx555 (Line In)

Max Input Level

+28dBu

Input Impedance

44 kOhms

Frequency Response

-0.5dB, <1.2Hz to >200kHz

 

-1dB, <0.8Hz to >250kHz

THD

<0.0017% (-95dB) @ +20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300 Ohm load

 

<0.0005% (-105dB) @ +6dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load

THD+N

<0.0018% (-94.8dB) @ +20dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 300 Ohm load

 

<0.0012% (-98.4dB) @ +14dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load

 

<0.0009% (-100.4dB) @ +6dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load

Output Impedance

0.33 Ohms

Output Wattage

252mW x 2 @ 600 Ohms, 1kHz

 

502mW x2 @ 300 Ohms, 1kHz

 

950mW x 2 @ 100 Ohms, 1kHz

 

470mW x 2 @ 32 Ohms, 1kHz

Dynamic Range

114.7dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 600 Ohm load

 

116.5dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 100 kOhm load

Noise Floor

-97.5dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz,  32-100 kOhm load

 

-99.9dBV A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz,  32-100 kOhm load

Headphone Amplifier (Low Power Mode)

Test Signal Path

APx555 (Line Out) - Input 1-2 - Headphone Output - APx555 (Line In)

Max Input Level

+21.7dBu

Input Impedance

44 kOhms

Frequency Response

-0.5dB, <1.2Hz to >200kHz

 

-1dB, <0.8Hz to >250kHz

THD

<0.0002% (-114dB) @ +6dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load

THD+N

<0.00045% (-107dB) @ +14dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load

 

<0.0008% (-102dB) @ +6dBu, 1kHz, A-weighted, 100 kOhm load

Output Impedance

1 Ohms

Output Wattage

46mW x 2 @ 600 Ohms, 1kHz

 

73mW x2 @ 300 Ohms, 1kHz

 

112W x 2 @ 100 Ohms, 1kHz

 

71mW x 2 @ 32 Ohms, 1kHz

Dynamic Range

110.1dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 600 Ohm load

 

112.9dB A-weighted, AES17 method, 20Hz - 20kHz, 100 kOhm load

Noise Floor

-100dBu A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz, 32-100 kOhm load

 

-102.3dBV A-weighted, 20Hz - 20kHz,  32-100 kOhm load

Power Consumption

All power consumption measurements are estimates. Actual power consumption will vary depending on headphone impedance/sensitivity, source material and it’s frequency content, as well as overall headphone volume. 

Current Consumption

110 mA idle, 390 mA peak, High Power

 

30 mA idle, 80 mA peak, Low Power

Average Battery Life

~ 2h (High Power)

 

~ 9h 30m (Low Power)

Battery Low Indicator Threshold

6.8v

Unit Off Threshold

3v

Real-World Battery Life Tests

Actual battery life will vary depending on battery type being used, headphone impedance/sensitivity, source material and it’s frequency content, as well as overall headphone volume. 

Test Signal Path

500ADAT C.A.S.T. Input - N22H C.A.S.T. Output - Headphone Output

Audio Technica ATH-M50x (38Ω)

1h = Battery Low Indicator, 2h = Unit Off

(High Power Mode, Max Volume, Energizer Max Battery) 

 

8h 10m = Battery Low Indicator, 10h 25m = Unit Off

(Low Power Mode, Max Volume, Energizer Max Battery) 

Shure SE215 (17Ω)

45m = Battery Low Indicator, 1h 44m = Unit Off

(High Power Mode, Max Volume, Duracell Plus Battery) 

 

7h = Battery Low Indicator On, 9h = Unit Off

(Low Power Mode, Max Volume, Duracell Plus Battery) 

Power Adapter Requirements

AC Requirements

100V – 240V AC, 50 – 60 Hz

Adapter Requirements

9v, 500mA, DC (Centre Negative), (Included Supply)

 

9v, 1000mA, DC (Centre Negative), (3rd Party Supply)

Environmental

Operating Temperature

+1 to 35 degrees Celsius

Storage Conditions

-20 to 50 degrees Celsius

Dims/Weights

Unit

Width

150mm (5.9”)

Height

46mm (2.2")

Depth

120mm (4.7")

Unit Weight

0.91kg (2lb)

Shipping Carton

Width

250mm (9.8")

Height

120mm (4.7")

Depth

200mm (7.9")

Carton Weight

1.4kg (3.1lb)

Quick Start Guide [PDF]

 

User Manual [PDF]

 

Headphone Monitoring Made Easy

N22H is a reference-grade headphone amplifier with advanced C.A.S.T. cable management, battery power, and switchable power modes.

Deployable Headphone Amps via Cat 5

N22H is a headphone amp that can be deployed exactly where it is needed - right beside the musician.

Using our C.A.S.T. system, N22H can be connected on the end of a 100m (330ft) shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 7 cable and deliver a headphone mix directly to the musician during tracking.

Standalone Reference-Quality Amplification
Based on the same custom design found in the renowned 500R8 interface, N22H’s headphone amplifier achieves a flat Frequency Response from 0.8Hz to above 250kHz and ultra-low distortion (0.0009% THD+N, 100 kOhm load) allowing it to power headphones with clean, transparent power during critical listening, mixing, and mastering. 
N22H_2i2_Wide

Standalone Headphone Amplifier

First and foremost, N22H is a standalone, reference-grade headphone amplifier. Simply connect the line outputs of your audio interface, guitar pedalboard, mixer, keyboard, or outboard hardware directly into to N22H's inputs, set the 'Source' switch on N22H to 'Inputs' and you are ready to use N22H for all of your heapdhone monitoring needs!

Using N22H's headphone amp instead of those built-in to devices upgrades the headphone monitoring quality of your existing setup and allows you to benefit from more power and higher clean volume with a wider range of headphones.

N22H_Standalone_withdevices-1

N22H_CAST_JPEG_72dpi_TM

C.A.S.T. Breakout Box

C.A.S.T. uses a shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 7 cable instead of 4 XLRs to not only reduce cable spaghetti in your studio but also distribute audio around studios or stages using affordable, readily available network cabling whilst achieving the highest sonic results due to their strict design standards.

Each C.A.S.T. connection on a Cranborne Audio product features unique optimisation to ensure that the maximum signal integrity is transmitted over shielded Cat 5, Cat 6, and Cat 7 cables for distances of up to 100m(330ft) without high-end roll-off and with very low-crosstalk.

CAST_Diagram_R8+N22H

C.A.S.T. Expander

Connect N22H into 500R8/500ADAT's C.A.S.T. Input connectors and then mic/line sources connected to N22H’s inputs are sent directly to the interface's inputs ready for recording via C.A.S.T. Meanwhile, a stereo monitor mix generated by 500R8/500ADAT is carried down the same C.A.S.T. connection and directly into N22H’s headphone output.

CAST_Diagram_N22+N22H

Standalone Cat 5 Snake

Replace cumbersome and expensive analogue multicore systems by using one N22 and a N22H to send and receive balanced analogue audio between two locations. Connect N22 to your current audio interface and send a monitor mix directly to the N22H in the vocal booth using a single shielded Cat 5e, Cat 6, or Cat 7 cable cable.

N22H_Phones_X50_JPEG_72dpi_TM

Phantom Power

Our C.A.S.T. system is fully-able to transfer 48v, phantom power from a preamp to N22/N22H to power condenser microphones and DI boxes. Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 7 cables are designed to transfer much higher voltages and current than 48v, so one C.A.S.T. cable can easily transfer up to 4 separate phantom power lines in your studio or live space.

CAST_Diagram_N22_48v_Interface

Phantom Power With 3rd Party Preamp or Audio Interface

If you're using an audio interface or 3rd party preamp, simply connect one N22 to your preamp's inputs, the other N22 to your microphone, and engage 48v on your preamp! Now you can effortless power and record your sources through a single C.A.S.T. connection!

500R8_48v_Interface

Phantom Power With 500R8, 500ADAT, Camden EC2

If you're using a 500R8, 500ADAT, or Camden EC2, simply connect the C.A.S.T. inputs of the device to the C.A.S.T. output of N22, engage 48v on your preamps, and you're ready to record!

N22H_Phones_K812_JPEG_72dpi_TM

Reference-Quality Headphone Amplifier

N22H's headphone amplifier is based on the same custom design found in our renowned 500R8 interface. With a flat Frequency Response from 0.8Hz to above 250kHz and ultra-low distortion (0.0009% THD+N, 100 kOhm load), it can easily power headphones with clean, transparent power - perfect for critical listening, mixing, and mastering. There’s also enough power (up to 950mW per-ear) to drive headphones at high-volumes during tracking - perfect for loud drummers!

N22H_Close_HP_AngleJPEG_72dpi_WhiteBG

Studio Mixing

Studio With carefully calibrated High and Low Power Modes, N22H can be quickly optimised for maximum performance with high-impedance over-ear headphones or low-impedance in-ears at a flick of a switch. A custom logarithmic Headphone Level control also allows for precise control of the headphone output without big shifts in volume during small adjustments.

N22H_Close_Battery_Cover_OffJPEG_72dpi_WhiteBG

Location Tracking

N22H can be powered using the included 9V DC power supply as well as any 3rd party 9v DC (centre negative) guitar pedal power supply. It can also be powered using a 9v battery for up to 10 hours of headphone amplification in Low Power Mode during tracking and location recording where power isn’t available nearby.

Subscribe For Updates

Sign up to our newsletter for product updates and important announcements!

Cranborne Audio Authorised Dealers

Not based in US? Contact Us

 

 

Logo_white High Res
comodo_secure_seal_76x26_transp

 

Cranborne Audio, Harvest House, Cranborne Rd, Potters Bar, EN6 3JF

Privacy Policy  | Warranty Policy

All rights reserved. Copyright 2025