Headroom Airhead Opinions?

[fatp3nguin]

Having spent some time around these parts, it seems that opinions and comparisions involving the Headroom Airhead (Normal/Total) are few and far in between.

How do these amps stack up next to DIY amps in their price ranges? For under/around $200, how do Airheads compare to say, the PA2v2, Go-Vibe, Portaphile, Porta Corda, CMOYs, MINTs, PIMETAs, and others?

 

[Dick Danger]

I don't have an AirHead but I did have a BitHead. I got the BitHead to upgrade from a cmoy I got on ebay. I returned the BitHead.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

I've never tried the Airhead, but my experience with older headroom products is that you are better off going with other DIY.

I'd much rather have a Gilmore, Ray Samuels, or Xin product in my system than a headroom product. I believe that you get much better value.

Once again, this is just my opinion.

-Matt

 

[warpdriver]

I just bought an Airhead, and am enjoying it immensely, it's a genuine improvement over the unamped portable output.

I've also taken the time to listen to other home amps, and there was a further improvement to be had.

So what can I conclude from this.....the Airhead is a good entry level product, I'm pretty sure that better custom design can do (better sound) for less money. However, there's something to be said for the quality of the Airhead product itself, dual headphone outputs, crossfeed circuit, solid molded plastic body, and a level of fit and finish that befits a commercial product. I have no regrets about the money it cost (I bought it as a part of a headroom package deal), so it was really good value for me.

I'm not sure if it would be worth it to get the Total version, I doubt *i* could tell the difference. However, moving up the Micro version would likely be an improvement I could hear because they aimed the design to compete with the SR-71's and SM-3's of this world, the design is just more ambitious. I think the Micro should be able to run with the best portables in its price range.

 

[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I've never tried the Airhead, but my experience with older headroom products is that you are better off going with other DIY. I'd much rather have a Gilmore, Ray Samuels, or Xin product in my system than a headroom product. I believe that you get much better value. Once again, this is just my opinion. -Matt

that is a bunch of crap, especially from someone who hasn't heard the product. you obviously also haven't heard any of the new headroom products, which are fantastic and great value for the money (especially the microstack, the desktop portable and the maxed desktop).

 

[John2e]

The Air head is very light and portable. It is a significant upgrade from the built in amps of portable CD players and DAPs

The new headroom micro is more powerfull and a better performer but is heavier and requires frequent battery changes. It is also more expensive and almost impossible to find used.

The Air head can be found used for $75 shipped. (shameless plug as I have one for sale)

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfrenchman27 I've never tried the Airhead, but my experience with older headroom products is that you are better off going with other DIY.

You've never tried an AirHead, and you've not heard ANY of our completely redesigned product line, and yet, you find it reasonable to comment and feel it legitimate.

I'm sorry, but I've got a problem with this. Not really with you personally, crazyfrenchman, but just that there is a way in which we can "be" in cyberspace that allows us to proclaim in this sort of way. That this type of social structure (Head-Fi community) allows us to feel the freedom....ney, the psuedo-obligation, to proclaim something like this to someone and the group at-large without really being qualified.

Just today somebody at a meet joked with me that, "Too bad the BitHead couldn't drive 650s." When I hooked one up for him, he was amazed at how loud it got. He was just joshing me a bit when he said it, but it has a certain reality.

I think the AirHead performs very well with other amps at its price that have crossfeed. If they don't have crossfeed then don't compare them. If I didn't believe so strongly in the value of crossfeed, you'd hear a completely different amp.

Now, no hard feelings, no joke, it's a common occurance and I've just begun to be able to get a somewhat objective opinion about it, but I think you unfairly missrepresent the value of product in the marketplace to fatp3nguin when you feel free to comment without broad enough personal experience in this regard, and I think this type of communication degrades the quality, and therefore the value, of advice here at Head-Fi.

 

[Shayla]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens You've never tried an AirHead, and you've not heard ANY of our completely redesigned product line, and yet, you find it reasonable to comment and feel it legitimate. I'm sorry, but I've got a problem with this. Not really with you personally, crazyfrenchman, but just that there is a way in which we can "be" in cyberspace that allows us to proclaim in this sort of way. That this type of social structure (Head-Fi community) allows us to feel the freedom....ney, the psuedo-obligation, to proclaim something like this to someone and the group at-large without really being qualified. Just today somebody at a meet joked with me that, "Too bad the BitHead couldn't drive 650s." When I hooked one up for him, he was amazed at how loud it got. He was just joshing me a bit when he said it, but it has a certain reality. I think the AirHead performs very well with other amps at its price that have crossfeed. If they don't have crossfeed then don't compare them. If I didn't believe so strongly in the value of crossfeed, you'd hear a completely different amp. Now, no hard feelings, no joke, it's a common occurance and I've just begun to be able to get a somewhat objective opinion about it, but I think you unfairly missrepresent the value of product in the marketplace to fatp3nguin when you feel free to comment without broad enough personal experience in this regard, and I think this type of communication degrades the quality, and therefore the value, of advice here at Head-Fi.

He was quite surprised, trust me *wink*

My ears were ringing for a while, and the bass surely seemed to be there. I didn't get to hear music I knew, since it was out of Tyll's laptop, but it sounded quite good. Even without the batteries driving it, I can't really imagine listening to it any louder. It didn't clip at above reasonable levels, either

Tyll is a great guy, and can take a joke very well. I was impressed by that. He was very down to earth, and gave his honest opinion on quite a few subjects. If I wasn't the poor bloke I am, I'd have the microstack with the max module for portable (and home) desktop use.

All the headroom products I heard today sounded great. Don't knock it until you try it.

Ryuichi

 

[eliteyouth5]

I think its funny that you're attacking crazyfrenchman that he has no experience with a headroom amp but you totally ignore this post

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Danger I don't have an AirHead but I did have a BitHead. I got the BitHead to upgrade from a cmoy I got on ebay. I returned the BitHead.

Sure it's just one opinion out of the many out there but its still valid none the less. And with entry level amps there is much better value to be found with the diy ones being offered crossfeed or no crossfeed. You just have to know what your looking for in an amp. I 'm sure the AirHead is a great amp but at that price point it's most likely not a definitive choice.

 

[saturnine]

I have a Bithead, which is pretty much an Airhead with a built in USB sound device. It is great with the HD600/HD650, and absolutely amazing with the Alessandro MS-1. I'm still amazed at how well it stacks up to my $500+ PPA (Steps, Diamond buffers, OPA637s, Cerafines, etc). The only negative thing I have to say about it is that it isnt too great with low impedence cans, like the Sharp MD-33. There is a bit of noticeable hiss, but it isnt loud enough to detract from the music. There is no hiss at all with my MS-1, HD600 or HFI-650. All of the Headroom amps are very nicely priced compared to the DIYs, they come with a warranty, and they are built to last.

(and no, I am not affiliated with Headroom in any way)

(Oh, Tyll, I am a contributing member now

Check the list. I'll be ordering some cans soon

)

Head-Fi contributing members get a discount at Headroom, which makes the price even better!

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens I think the AirHead performs very well with other amps at its price that have crossfeed. If they don't have crossfeed then don't compare them. If I didn't believe so strongly in the value of crossfeed, you'd hear a completely different amp.

The original poster didn't mention cross feed Tyll, why should the answers be restricted to amps with cross feed, because you feel it's important?

 

[warpdriver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eliteyouth5 Sure it's just one opinion out of the many out there but its still valid none the less.

That poster never even described *why* he returned the Bithead. Maybe he was expecting near SR-71 performance for $200 and didn't get it? Maybe he was looking for more volume to drive his K340's? The Bithead offers a number of feature improvements over any DIY amp that has to be factored into the evaluation process. It's only valid if he supplied a reason and that same reason is applicable to the original poster.

I'm perfectly happy with my Airhead compared to any number of the DIY amps. I had tried my friend's Go-Vibe and it sounded good, and I can't really say whether the Airhead is really that much better (I don't pretend to be able to pick apart the nuances of the sound character like some of the people here)...but...I do find the Crossfeed circuit is useful for some recordings and I'm glad I have it. In fact, I'm not sure I want a basic straight amp anymore because I like the option of crossfeed. The Airhead's body construction is solid, and I know I have a proven design that won't fry my headphones and a solid warranty to back it up. I think the value proposition of the Airhead is fine.

 

[eliteyouth5]

true warpdriver he doesn't state why but the fact that he kept it brief implies he thought the other amp was a better value some how (most likely sound quality) and yes there is many different aspects of sound that people look for so lets just generalize for the sake of simplicity. Also if the OP was curious he could always PM that person and find out the details. No point in arguing this.

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Ohhh! Sheeeesh! I knew I was getting in trouble with this one. Let me try to balance this as I really feel:

I do think there is something that many DIY amps have that the AirHead/BitHead doesn't: clarity. There is a certain simple upper midrange punchyness in, let's say, Gilmore amps, that is lovely that the AirHead doesn't have. The AirHead/Bit Head is a bit slow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer The original poster didn't mention cross feed Tyll, why should the answers be restricted to amps with cross feed, because you feel it's important?

No, but because if I didn't feel the need for crossefeed, I'd build a simpler amp---like a Gilmore, for example--- I think that a lot of what we (HeadRoom) have to live with is the shear number of active stages we have to deal with because we want the crossfeed. It fundmentally determines the sound we end up with.

You know, I'd love to say, "My amp's the best." But, what I've learned in this hobby is that "the best" is an elusive and personaly goal. To talk as if your "best" is some objective "best" that works for everybody is, in the end, decieving.

I've come to the conclusion is that what HeadRoom is looking for is broadly interoperable transperancy. We do that at a variety of price points with a variety of product solutions. But, many people are looking for something more specific, and might return a product for a subjective reason. Hence:


Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Danger I don't have an AirHead but I did have a BitHead. I got the BitHead to upgrade from a cmoy I got on ebay. I returned the BitHead.

It really isn't telling me much either. I am really not looking to be pissy here; I will admit to strenghts and weaknesses in all HeadRoom products from various viewoints. But to talk about products as if there is a simple "best" and "worst" is missleading.

 

[eliteyouth5]

Well since I pretty new here and I'm just learning don't really have much authority in what I say I guess the best thing you could say to the OP is you'll never really know until you hear all those amps for yourself!! And just so you know Tyll I have nothing against HeadRoom and I have been seriously tempted by that micro stack just waiting for those micro bags since I have an iRiver h120 and you say that it fits that player nice.