HeadAmp Pico Power: Pre-Order Thread

[justin w.]

Edit 4/2013: Orders can now be placed on the regular HeadAmp order page here: http://www.headamp.com/order/index.htm
 
 
Other than the Gilmore X2, the other product I'll be releasing in the first half of 2011 is the Pico Power portable amp.  Some bullet points on this design:
 
- 18V (2x9V) which is twice as powerful as the standard Pico amp and 4x as powerful as the Pico Slim.  This is the recommended amp for the hardest to drive headphones.
- Discrete output buffer circuitry
- Low/High gain switch
- First HeadAmp portable with removable batteries
- Estimated 20-25 hour battery life with high-capacity NIMH batteries, more if Alkaline or Lithium are used.
- Perhaps the smallest 2x9V amp (see the size comparison with the standard Pico).  The dimensions make it a close match with the iPod Classic, Touch, and iPhone.  Very thin, only 0.1" thicker than a 9V battery.
- Enclosure is precision machined from solid aluminum, including the battery cover.
 
A few weeks before they are ready to ship, I'll have a pre-order thread, so look for that in 2011.  There will also be a few units going around to beta testers who may share impressions.  Look for pre-order pricing around $400.
 
Now a few photos...
 

 

 

 

 

 
Any questions/comments, just post here

 

[apnk]

Wow!

 

[mythless]

Can't wait to see it!

 

[Tinola]

Oh my, my wallet is gonna hate me for this. Would they still work with lower impedance headphones like Ultrasones?

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Oh my, my wallet is gonna hate me for this. Would they still work with lower impedance headphones like Ultrasones?

of course, more power isnt a bad thing.

 

[Tinola]

Sounds good, I am totally waiting for this
Do you know the specific month it'll be available? Or no

 

[DarKu]

Good news !
Maybe you can try Elna caps too, as those have a thicker/warmer sound, compared to nichions

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Good news !
Maybe you can try Elna caps too, as those have a thicker/warmer sound, compared to nichions

What Nichicons are you talking about here?
 
I suppose this one would have the same polishing finish like that of the Pico and Slim?

 

[DarKu]

The ones seen in the pictures seems like nichions to me (or are those sanyo?) 
Nevermind, Justin try some Elna, you possibly would love them

 

[kostalex]

Which opamps have you used?

 

[jc9394]

Justin, you are killing me.  Are you hiring?

 

[justin w.]

Quote:

Which opamps have you used?

i have not 100% decided on that yet, still have a few more to try.

 

[spritzer]

I just love the box. 
 
Btw.  Those are Panasonic FC caps, certainly one of the best capacitors money can buy.

 

[cooperpwc]

So it is front input. Excellent. That battery enclosure is sweet.

 

[travisg]

Great looking design Justin.