Glow – EarMen

A DAC Built Around the Signal

With USB, Bluetooth and S/PDIF inputs, support for PCM up to 768 kHz and Native DSD512, GLOW is designed to preserve resolution, transparency and musical detail from source to output.

Tube vs. Solid-State

With a single touch, GLOW lets you move between two distinct analog characters, allowing the final stage to complement the music, the headphones and your own listening preference.

Tube Mode
Selected NOS JAN6418 tubes bring natural warmth, texture and a more relaxed musical presentation, while a carefully engineered circuit keeps THD below 0.8% at maximum output.

Solid-State Mode
Texas Instruments OPA1612 and OPA1642 precision audio op-amps provide a low-noise, transparent and dynamic signal path with excellent control and clarity.

2W Output Power

Power capable of driving serious headphones.

XMOS USB Interface

High-resolution audio playback with low latency

ESS SABRE DAC

32-bit / 768 kHz PCM, DSD512, 129 dB DNR

Balanced

Balanced signal architecture for lower noise, improved separation, and greater dynamics.

NOS JAN6418 vacuum tubes in EarMen L-Amp MK2

NOS JAN6418 Tube Hybrid

Built around carefully selected NOS JAN6418 tubes, GLOW delivers a smooth musical presentation, natural warmth and engaging sound in a compact desktop design.

R-2R Ladder Volume Control

Instead of a conventional potentiometer, GLOW uses an R-2R ladder volume control built around precision resistors. Volume is adjusted in accurate, repeatable steps while the signal passes through carefully defined resistance values, helping preserve channel balance, transparency and detail even at low listening levels.

Designed to Grow With Your System

Use GLOW as a complete DAC/headphone amplifier or connect your own balanced analog source, with an optional external linear power supply available for systems where power quality is taken even further.

Digital or Analog—Your Choice

GLOW brings together USB, Bluetooth, optical and coaxial digital inputs, while a dedicated balanced analog input was intentionally included for listeners who want to enjoy sources such as a turntable, reel-to-reel or cassette deck through GLOW’s headphone stage.

Technical Specifications

GLOW	DAC In (USB, S/PDIF,BT) RCA Line OUT	DAC In (USB, S/PDIF,BT) BAL Line OUT	DAC In (USB, S/PDIF,BT) HP SE Out	DAC In (USB, S/PDIF,BT) HP BAL Out	Analog Balanced IN HP SE Out	Analog Balanced IN HP BAL Out
Output voltage	2V	±2V	4V 0.5W / 32Ω	±4V 2W / 32Ω	4V 0.5W / 32Ω	±4V 2W / 32Ω
THD+N	0.0025%	0.0025%	0.0025% at max power	0.0025% at 1W	0.0025% at max power	0.0025% at 1W
Freq. Resp. 20Hz–20kHz	±0.004 dB	±0.004 dB	±0.003 dB at max power	±0.003 dB at 1W	±0.003 dB at max power	±0.003 dB at 1W
SNR	120.5 dB	119.5 dB	117 dB	117 dB	117 dB	117 dB
DNR	123 dB	122 dB	120 dB	120 dB	120 dB	120 dB