HEADAMP
HEADAMP
HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition
The Blue Hawaii SE is the flagship HeadAmp product, and based on over a decade’s experience building electrostatic headphone amplifiers, it is designed not only to power the toughest headphone loads on the market, but to do so for a lifetime. No expense was spared in the design and build of the Blue Hawaii SE, and every amplifier is tested extensively throughout the build process, as well as before, and after an extensive burn-in process to ensure the best possible performance.
The Blue Hawaii SE is available with two volume control options. The first is a 24-level step attenuator, providing perfect channel matching at each possible volume level. For those who desire infinitely granular volume control, we offer the ALPS RK50 potentiometer, the highest-grade part of its’ kind, which gives you the freedom to set the volume just-so, without compromising sound quality.
There are also two options for feet on the Blue Hawaii SE. The precisely machined and finished aluminum spike feet match the accent color of the front panels ad tube rings, and are compatible with various audiophile isolation platforms. We also offer a set of rubber feet that offer different isolation characteristics, and a non-mar option for delicate surfaces.
Electrical
| Type | Low noise dual JFET input; 4x EL34/6CA7 vacuum tube output |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz-20KHz +/- 0.3dB |
| THD | 0.003% @ 1KHz/100VRMS |
| Crosstalk | |
| Gain | 54dB (500x) |
| Input Impedance | 50K ohm |
| Output Voltage | 1600V peak-to-peak |
| Line Voltage | 100V, 115/120V, 230/240V |
| Power Consumption | 180W |
Mechanical
| Inputs | 1 XLR, 2 RCA |
| Outputs | 2 Teflon Stax Pro Bias (580V) headphone jacks, 1 XLR/1 RCA loop output |
| Dimensions – Amplifier | 15.5in [394mm] W x 13.5in [343mm] D x 8.5in [216mm] H (with tubes installed) |
| Dimensions – Power Supply | 7.7in [195mm] W x 12.5in [317mm] D x 4.5in [114mm] H |
| Weight – Ampifier | 14lb [6.4Kg] |
| Weight – Power Supply | 17lb [7.7Kg] |
| Power Cable | 4ft [1.2m] (connects power supply to amplifier) |
HeadAmp GS-X mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier/Pre-Amp
Pre-Orders: You may pre-order the GS-X Mini now at no cost or risk, you pay when the amp is ready to ship. Currently we estimate the amp will ship in Q1 2019. Pricing is preliminary, subject to change.
Built using a special variation on our well-reviewed class-A audio circuit from the GS-X mk2, the new GS-X mini is the first HeadAmp product to deliver balanced headphone drive from all audio sources, single-ended, or balanced. This means no more compromising your headphone experience when using a single-ended source, your high-end headphones will always benefit from the speed and power of balanced drive when connected to the GS-X Mini.
A desktop-friendly one-box configuration helps the GS-X mini fit conveniently into your home or office, and HeadAmp’s fastidious dedication to quality, fit, and finish make it a piece made to look beautiful through its’ long life of service. The characteristic colored front panels well-known from the Blue Hawaii SE and GS-X mk2 are also a part of the GS-X mini, allowing your choice of custom flourish.
Our Take
The GS-X mini is a great pairing with most medium-to-low sensitivity headphones, and high impedance headphones, whose sound comes alive when given balanced drive and higher power, models like the Sennheiser HD800 series, HIFIMAN HE1000, Audeze LCD-4. The clean, steady power delivery also pairs well with easier to drive headphones like the MrSpeakers Ether series, Audeze LCD-X, and HIFIMAN Ananda. With balanced drive from any source, even single-ended ones, there’s no excuse not to give your high-end headphones the power they crave, by connecting them to the new GS-X Mini.
HeadAmp GS-X Mk2 Balanced Headphone Amplifier
The GS-X Mk2 is HeadAmp’s flagship amplifier for dynamic and planar magnetic headphones. With a circuit that has evolved and matured over a 15-year period, the GS-X Mk2 is the most powerful, linear, and transparent amplifier that we have ever produced. Pushing up to 6W of class-A power into balanced headphones, the GS-X Mk2 can tame the toughest headphone loads on the market, while its’ low-noise circuitry delivers an equally brilliant performance with sensitive in-ear monitors.
In addition, the GS-X Mk2 makes a fine preamp for your stereo speaker system. With its’ high input impedance, low output impedance, multiple I/O options, 3-way gain control, and precise volume control, the GS-X Mk2 can fit into almost any stereo rig, and provide the same wonderfully transparent sound output that it does with headphones.
The GS-X Mk2 is a carefully handcrafted piece of audio equipment, with painstakingly matched components, and the highest standards for build quality in the business. Every GS-X Mk2 is tested extensively throughout the build process, as well as before, and after an extensive burn-in process to ensure the best possible performance.
As 0f January, 2017, all GS-X Mk2 ship with the DACT 24-step attenuator volume control.
Electrical
| Type | Low noise quad JFET input; Pure Class A bipolar transistor output |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-90KHz +/-0.2dB |
| THD+N | 0.0008% @ 1KHz/0dBu |
| Crosstalk | |
| Gain | L – 1X, M – 12.5X, H – 21.5X |
| Input Impedance | 50K ohm |
| Output Impedance | <0.5 ohm |
| Line Voltage | 100V, 115/120V, 230/240V |
| Power Consumption | 30W |
Mechanical
| Volume Control | Inputs 1 XLR, 2 RCA |
| Outputs | 4-pin XLR (balanced), 2x 3-pin XLR (balanced, 2x ¼” TRS (stereo), 1 XLR/1 RCA active pre-amp outputs, 1 XLR/1 RCA loop outputs |
| Dimensions – Amplifier | 14.25in [362mm] W x 9in [229mm] D x 2.5in [63mm] H |
| Dimensions – Power Supply | 14.25in [362mm] W x 9in [229mm] D x 2.5in [63mm] H |
| Weight – Ampifier | 5lb [2.3Kg] |
| Weight – Power Supply | 7lb [3.2Kg] |
| Power Cable | 4ft [1.2m] (connects power supply to amplifier) |