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Sterling Audio

collapse expand iconDescription

For the advanced home and pro recordist, the Sterling SHA8 8-channel rackmount professional headphone amplifier is a robust, table-top and rack-ready solution to meet your most demanding headphone audio-distribution needs. The SHA8 provides eight (8) clean, amplified channels of dual-source audio inputs that create multiple discrete headphone mixes for individual monitoring preferences at a push of a button. Providing true flexibility, the SHA8 also allows the individual user to monitor audio levels in stereo and mono configurations, as well as offering discrete and direct input connectors on all eight (8) channels for the ultimate customization for any audio monitoring setup.
Sterling Audio 8-Channel Rackmount Headphone Amplifier
Sterling Audio 8-Channel Rackmount Headphone Amplifier
Sterling Audio 8-Channel Rackmount Headphone Amplifier

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • 8 channels—with 16 total headphone outputs (2 per channel)
  • Individual switchable input monitoring
  • Stereo 1/4” TRS output connectors on the front and rear panels
  • Dedicated metering on source inputs and all headphone channel outputs
  • Direct inputs on all 8 channels for discrete individual assignment
  • Table-top or rack-mountable (with included rack-ears)
  • Robust all-metal housing for years of reliable service
  • Integrated internal power supply eliminates obstructive wall-worts
warning

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

collapse expand iconReviews

4.79

19 Reviews

93%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

As Advertised
This ish gets louuuud

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Great Product. Everything you need, nothing you don't.

I bought this to fill-out my rack space from a previous headphone amplifier going south on me, that bad unit was from a Top Name brand that isn't so top I guess. Upon getting this unit out of box you can tell that it is put together seriously well and the potentiometers feel great + the sound is very good too. Some of the best things about this unit is that it has everything you need like two source monitoring, metering, Mono down-mix and even direct inputs on each channel. Even better was that I bough this great unit for just over $100 bucks pre-tax and got 8-channels of headphone outs for the price of 4 channels from some other top brands I saw at GC. Very Happy so far and would recommend to others.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Good amp horrible design

I am using a Presonus Central Station and I bought this headphone amplifier specifically to use the talkback feat with my cue mix inside of protools however when I connected the cue output of the Presonus Central Station to the direct input on this particular headphone amplifier it disables the audio coming from within the DAW

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Home Audio9
  2. Music7
  3. We use it for in-ear monitoring, works well1
  4. Studio/ home Studio1
  5. Broadcast1
Cons
  1. Lackluster documentation1
  2. I actually needed something simpler1
  3. Poor Performance1
Describe Yourself
  1. Gear Head5
  2. Audiophile4
  3. School2
  4. Technology proficient1
  5. Producer / Engineer1
Primary use
  1. Listening to iPod1
  2. Travel1
Pros
  1. Great Sound10
  2. Good Value7
  3. Durable4
  4. Compact3
  5. Comfortable2

Reviewed by 19 customers

  • As Advertised

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 months ago

    byLewis

    fromDallas

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    To run off of aux outs on X-32 to allow band members to have custom mix

  • GREAT for full-band recording sessions

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 months ago

    byMisha

    fromDes Moines, IA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Excellent for full-band recording sessions. Supports 8 independent stereo headphone mixes via the direct inputs on the back. Just route your headphone mixes into this and out to your band. Could also use for rehearsal situations where you don't want to run wireless. Amplification is clear and able to power a variety of headphones that would be "standard" to find in a studio (I personally run a variety of ATH-M20x, ATH-M50x, HD 280 Pros, and Warm WA-CAB headphones off of this for musicians). I haven't personally dug into to this to see if there's any signal bleed form one output to another, but I haven't heard any complaints from musicians, so take that for what you will. My only complaint would be that the documentation is a bit lackluster. Otherwise, this is a solid buy for the money.

  • Great headphone amp for home studio

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted7 months ago

    byCurtis

    fromPhiladelphia, PA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    I use this for monitor outs from my Allen & Heath SQ-5. It's great for recording and everyone gets their own mix.

  • Outstanding Headphone Amp

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byBobby

    fromLos Angeles, CA

    Needed an upgrade for my band's headphone amp at rehearsals. The Sterling Audio 8-channel is a great upgrade for us. We can dial in individual volumes for all the players, as I well know you can do with all other multi-headphone amps. But we found the the audio sound quality with the Sterling is much better than our previous gear. We were using an inexpensive 4-channel amp and we weren't getting good quality audio. The Sterling is easy to setup and use. Highly recommend!

  • Great for both studio and live gigs

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byEd

    fromBaltimore Area, MD

    We use it for both recording and for live in-ear monitoring, works well and is loud enough to use with a band

  • Great unit--powerful, clean, and quiet

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byDave

    fromRochester, NY

    Great unit--powerful, exceptionally clean and quiet. Lots of flexibility to send unique mixes to each of the 8 headphone channels. A+ unit.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byMatt the newbie

    fromClear Lake, MN

    What type of XLR to 1/4" cable do you use for the direct inputs? I just purchased this and i'm having some issues. I want to use XLR sub outs of my mixer to some of the direct inputs so players can have their own IEM mix during rehearsal. I first purchased female XLR to TS 1/4". I was later told I should be using XLR to balanced TRS 1/4" so I replaced them to the later. Now there's a LOT of noise and it doesn't sound that great. Also, the channel's LED meter doesn't show anything for that channel. When I use the XLR to 1/4 TS, there's significantly less noise and the meter works appropriately. The only thing I need to do is switch the cannel to mono so it plays in both ears. The only thing the manual says about the direct inputs is to use "Stereo TRS (unbalanced)" Honestly, I'm so confused... any clarification would be appreciated.

    What type of XLR to 1/4" cable do you use for the direct inputs? I just purchased this and i'm having some issues. I want to use XLR sub outs of my mixer to some of the direct inputs so players can have their own IEM mix during rehearsal. I first purchased female XLR to TS 1/4". I was later told I should be using XLR to balanced TRS 1/4" so I replaced them to the later. Now there's a LOT of noise and it doesn't sound that great. Also, the channel's LED meter doesn't show anything for that channel. When I use the XLR to 1/4 TS, there's significantly less noise and the meter works appropriately. The only thing I need to do is switch the cannel to mono so it plays in both ears. The only thing the manual says about the direct inputs is to use "Stereo TRS (unbalanced)" Honestly, I'm so confused... any clarification would be appreciated.

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Please give us a call for product troubleshooting 855 770 3373

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byKevinT

    fromProvidence, RI

    Are the direct inputs stereo or mono?

    Are the direct inputs stereo or mono?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Mono

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byBrian

    fromLouisville, KY

    Can this be connected to my home stereo receiver? If yes, how?

    Can this be connected to my home stereo receiver? If yes, how?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    We need a little more information to better help you. Please give us a call at 855-770-3373

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byKeith S.

    fromEdmond, OK

    Does the a/b switch allow you to listen to inputs A and B at the same time? Or can you only switch between A or B?

    Does the a/b switch allow you to listen to inputs A and B at the same time? Or can you only switch between A or B?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byMoose

    fromLexington, Ky

    Does this work well using in a podcast scenario??

    Does this work well using in a podcast scenario??

    Open Reply - Thomas
    We need a little more information to better help you. Please give us a call at 877 687 5403

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked bySteven

    fromAllentown, PA

    Is the Sterling Audio 8-Channel Headphone Amp compatible with my Focusrite 18i8? Would it plug into my optical input?

    Is the Sterling Audio 8-Channel Headphone Amp compatible with my Focusrite 18i8? Would it plug into my optical input?

    Open Reply - Kenneth
    Yes it is compatible