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For anyone that has had old Headroom amps and listened to the newer Headroom amps...

post #1 of 18
6/23/06 at 1:45am
Thread Starter 
What do the newer amps have to offer over the older ones?
Currently from Headroom I have the original Total Airhead version 1 and the also the original first version of the Headroom Home amp. I've had both for a long time now and I want to upgrade to something newer from Headroom, and am thinking of the Micro amp with or without the micro DAC (not sure yet) or the Desktop portable amp. Certainly I expect them to be a big step up over my Total Airhead but what about my Home amp? Do you think the Micro or the Desktop will be a significant upgrade sound wise over the Home amp?

I am leaning towards the micro, one because it's cheaper and I can get the DAC later and it's more portable. Also because I purchased the X-CAN V3 two weeks ago which I like very much for an at home amp.

My headphones: AKG K701 & K501. Grado RS-1 & 225s. Senn HD600 w Cardas Cable.

Thanks,

-- Sanjay
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post #2 of 18
6/23/06 at 12:32pm
I think TheSloth has most of the modules used in recent years (at least outside of the Airhead/Bithead line) so this might help some: http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=136059

Ant
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post #3 of 18
6/23/06 at 12:58pm
Hi Sanjay,

I think I may be able to help you out a little with your question. I've been a long time Headroom amp user and have had several different versions of their amps. Here's what I've observed so far.

My first Headroom amp was their original portable amp called the "Premium", this was back in 1994 before the "Cosmic" even came out, and I used it both on the road and at home until I purchased a Headroom "Little" with a Premium module in 2004. Then earlier this year I picked up a used Total Airhead for portable use.

That's round one. Round two is that I've just recently (as in I've yet to receive the new units) traded in the Total Airhead and the original Premium amp for the following upgrades, taking advantage of Headroom's 20% off trade-in/upgrade policy, a Micro amp with a Desktop module and a Desktop amp with a Max module and stepped attenuator plus the Desktop power supply. Yeah, I went a little overboard but I've been saving up for quite some time for this and I finally had the money together.

Anyway, in answer to your question. My impressions when I upgraded in round one were positive enough to allow me to make the decision to do the recent round two upgrade without giving it a second thought. The difference between my original 1994 Premium amp and the 2004 Little amp is very substantial and all for the good. The original Total Airhead does everything that the original Premium did but at a fraction of the size and weight and with outstanding battery life.

Once I receive the new amps I will give you an update on my impressions. I hope this helps to answer your question.
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post #4 of 18
6/23/06 at 3:50pm
Thread Starter 
Well, according to the folks at Headroom, I shouldn't worry so much as my old Home amp is still good! (Stupid upgrade fever and reading head-fi dulls the senses and common sense).

Thanks for the replies. I decided to call Headroom and ask their opinion.
I realize off course that the newer stuff should be better, but I didn't really want to have to upgrade my Home amp (from I think 2000). My wallet would not have appreciated it. I just needed someone to say my Home amp is still a good amp. According to two different sales people at Headroom, the answer was a definite yes. According to them, the newer Desktop line with the basic modules is more of a lateral upgrade (I guess that means it just sounds somewhat different) and that it won't be a significant step up over the my older Home. Now if I were to upgrade all the modules and ps etc sure it would probably be a slaughter. :-)
But that is by far in excess of what I can afford. Living in Canada, the exchange rate in 2000 was very painful so the old Home cost me $1000 CAD, not to mention the very first Airhead cost me $300 CAD. Ouch!

Anyway, not to bore you guys to death, I am very happy that I can trade in that old Airhead for 20%. Far better then I could get if I sold it. I am trading it for the Micro Amp which I want to use in my office. And I think I have a buyer for my AKG 501 (don't need them having bought the 701s), the new amp shouldn't set me back much at all.
A few months from now I will trade my Total Airhead for the Micro DAC.
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post #5 of 18
6/23/06 at 4:13pm
Sanjay,

Isn't it great to deal with a company like Headroom, where when you call them for some advice you can feel pretty confident that you're going to get good, honest answers and not just a sales pitch. Sounds like they really set you up quite nicely.

By the way, my Micro amp came this afternoon so I'll post an update in a few days on the sound. I will be using it as part of my portable rig along with an iPod and a pair of Etymotic ER4Ps.
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post #6 of 18
6/23/06 at 9:17pm
yup sounds like they were honest and not wasting your $$$ for law of diminishing returns. thumbs up
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post #7 of 18
6/23/06 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by schugh
Well, according to the folks at Headroom, I shouldn't worry so much as my old Home amp is still good! (Stupid upgrade fever and reading head-fi dulls the senses and common sense).

Thanks for the replies. I decided to call Headroom and ask their opinion.
I realize off course that the newer stuff should be better, but I didn't really want to have to upgrade my Home amp (from I think 2000). My wallet would not have appreciated it. I just needed someone to say my Home amp is still a good amp. According to two different sales people at Headroom, the answer was a definite yes. According to them, the newer Desktop line with the basic modules is more of a lateral upgrade (I guess that means it just sounds somewhat different) and that it won't be a significant step up over the my older Home. Now if I were to upgrade all the modules and ps etc sure it would probably be a slaughter. :-)
But that is by far in excess of what I can afford. Living in Canada, the exchange rate in 2000 was very painful so the old Home cost me $1000 CAD, not to mention the very first Airhead cost me $300 CAD. Ouch!

Anyway, not to bore you guys to death, I am very happy that I can trade in that old Airhead for 20%. Far better then I could get if I sold it. I am trading it for the Micro Amp which I want to use in my office. And I think I have a buyer for my AKG 501 (don't need them having bought the 701s), the new amp shouldn't set me back much at all.
A few months from now I will trade my Total Airhead for the Micro DAC.
You do not need to trade in your Home to get a significant upgrade. The Desktop line has a lower spec power supply than your Home does, at least in it's stock baseline configuration. Therefore, a module upgrade will yield a significant upgrade for your Home.

The Modules used in 2000 are well behind current standards at HeadRoom, considering that you do not have the Reference module from the time(I am assuming). A pair of 2006 Home Modules as a $249 upgrade for your current amplifier would be very significant indeed - the main board and PSU is still excellent, and not a great deal has really changed in that area.

Especially considering you use the K701, I think it is a worthwhile upgrade.
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post #8 of 18
6/24/06 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the replies. Yes it is nice to deal with honest people. I am very prone to excitement. This is even after I know my ears are not very good. :-)
I've been comparing my Home to my recently acquired X-CAN V3. Although they sound different, it's not as if the Home is all of a sudden a crap amp. I go back and forth and they both sound great. Although the Home is somewhat more dark. I think that is the word.

Sloth, I didn't think it was possible to upgrade just the module for my amp. According to their web site. Oh wait, it says from 1999 or earlier. Hmmm, ok I will check the exact date of my amp and find out. This may be a good option. $249 is a good price for an upgrade.
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post #9 of 18
6/24/06 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 

If anyone is still reading this thread do you know if...

The module in the old Home amp (assuming it's replaceable, I have sent Headroom an e-mail asking) is user replaceable? Is it just a pin-out thing where you pull out the old module and push in the new module? I will ask Headroom as well but they won't answer till Monday.
If it is, I will ask Headroom to send the module, instead of me shipping my amp to them etc. Although I am not much of a DIYer, I can do simple things (I do build my own computers for example).

Thanks.
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post #10 of 18
6/24/06 at 5:14pm
Thread Starter 

Curiosity got the better of me and I opened it up...

The good news is I don't see why the module couldn't be upgraded. It's clearly sitting on the board separately. The bad news is it is all soldered in nicely. Can't pull it out or anything. So I guess I will have to send it in for an upgrade. I will upload a couple of pictures later.

-- Sanjay
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post #11 of 18
6/24/06 at 6:47pm
Thread Starter 

Another question for TheSloth if he is still reading this thread...

If you are still reading this thread could you summarize what I may expect from upgrading the old Home Module to the new Home Module. I've read your thread where you compare the Headroom modules, but am still not sure what to expect if I upgrade.

The reason I am asking is because, according to Headroom web site, this is what they say:
=============
Home Amp: Our new Home module will likely be better sounding than the current module in your Home amp, but for a true upgrade we recommend the Max Module.
============

The above statement just makes me ask, better in what way. The words "likely be better" does not imply significant upgrade to me. On the other hand, the Max module is $500 and they also say is likely overkill for most people. I've got a decent CD player (Cambridge Audio D500) but still may not be high end enough for the Max Module?

I do only have the old standard module. I can just make out OP275 on one of the chips on my amp.

Confused.
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post #12 of 18
6/24/06 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by schugh
If you are still reading this thread could you summarize what I may expect from upgrading the old Home Module to the new Home Module. I've read your thread where you compare the Headroom modules, but am still not sure what to expect if I upgrade.

The reason I am asking is because, according to Headroom web site, this is what they say:
=============
Home Amp: Our new Home module will likely be better sounding than the current module in your Home amp, but for a true upgrade we recommend the Max Module.
============

The above statement just makes me ask, better in what way. The words "likely be better" does not imply significant upgrade to me. On the other hand, the Max module is $500 and they also say is likely overkill for most people. I've got a decent CD player (Cambridge Audio D500) but still may not be high end enough for the Max Module?

I do only have the old standard module. I can just make out OP275 on one of the chips on my amp.

Confused.
Your old module uses the OPA275 for crossfeed and the OPA604 for gain stages. The Home '06 uses OPA2134's for all stages, which in HeadRoom's design sound more transparent than the 275/604 combination. The BIG change since your module is the output stage. The Diamond Buffer design is a much more advanced design than the very simple class A/B transistor pair on the original modules.

Overall, a Home Module is a significant upgrade on all fronts from the standard module in 2000. It will sound like a whole new amplifier - BUT don't forget that the differences between one module and another are always going to be smaller than for example between two different pairs of headphones, so don't expect a 'radical' difference. You will hear a solid, signifcant improvement in transparency, drive capability and dynamics, as well as a lower noise floor and much improved crossfeed circuit.

I don't think the Max Module is for you considering your associated equipment and the price. I really did suggest the Home Module as the best price/performance for your system. Especially with the K701, the slight (repeat slight) warmth of the Home Module works very nicely.
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post #13 of 18
6/24/06 at 11:05pm

Old vs New Total bithead

Can't speak of any of the other lines, but my new Total Bithead is substancial improvement over the older model. Ergonomically, it has the gain switch and a much quieter volume knob. Sonically, the sound is a bit more forward (in a good way), with better definition and tonal quality. I can't believe you wouldn't notice after only a few minutes listening how much better the new model is. And, considering they did all this AND saved you $50, well........
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post #14 of 18
6/25/06 at 2:57am
Thread Starter 
Thanks. I think I will just get the new Home Module for my old Home amp.
I don't want to spend $500. The Home was good enough 6 years ago and the new home should be somewhat better and more then good enough for many years I am sure.

Thanks for all the replies.

-- Sanjay
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post #15 of 18
6/28/06 at 10:57am

Update on my Headroom upgrade

Hi Sanjay,

As promised I'm writing to give you a quick update on my impressions of the first round of upgrades that I've received thus far from Headroom.

Last week my new Micro amp with the 2006 desktop module arrived and all I can say is boy does it sound sweet. A major improvemnet over the older Total Airhead amp I was using. The overall built quality and sound is much more like that of one of Headroom's nonportable units, as in the whole thing looks, feels and sounds solid. I even ABed against my 2004 Headroom Little amp and the difference is way too close to call and keep in mind that the Little was well over $100US more (in 2004 dollars!).

I have been following your tale of woe in the "Major disappointment" thread and I hope that this helps to cheer you up a bit since I know that you have a Micro amp coming your way.

Good Luck and good listening.
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