Hifiman Goldenwave Prelude Headphone Amplifier Impressions Thread

[godmax]

Review by Soundnews, perhaps this will boost the deserved perception of the Prelude somewhat:

 

[Erick Muller]

Review by Soundnews, perhaps this will boost the deserved perception of the Prelude somewhat:

Saw the review, I was really glad that he was willing to give some criticism to this amp, but even with the negatives, this sounds like an amp I want to own.

 

[M700LTR]

There's a newly released Hifiman x Goldenwave GA-10

 

[theveterans]

There's a newly released Hifiman x Goldenwave GA-10

Looks like an OTL PP amp

 

[BrainSalat]

Hi Prelude owners,

I received mine a few days ago but unfortunately it came defective, it doesn't output any sound at all.

It shows the matrix display, it gets warm, but no output sound!!. I tried with both inputs (RCA/XLR) and with XLR and 6.5mm phone outputs, nothing, pitch black background!
I already contacted Hifiman support, but I have a question for you:

On start-up and after it shows "Goldenwave", do you also get the number "99" for a moment in the same place when later it displays the selected input?. Is it perhaps a error code?

 

[godmax]

Hi Prelude owners,

I received mine a few days ago but unfortunately it came defective, it doesn't output any sound at all.

It shows the matrix display, it gets warm, but no output sound!!. I tried with both inputs (RCA/XLR) and with XLR and 6.5mm phone outputs, nothing, pitch black background!
I already contacted Hifiman support, but I have a question for you:

On start-up and after it shows "Goldenwave", do you also get the number "99" for a moment in the same place when later it displays the selected input?. Is it perhaps a error code?

Sorry to hear that. The 99 is also shown at my unit on startup briefly - so no error code I assume.

 

[mudnut]

Hi Prelude owners,

I received mine a few days ago but unfortunately it came defective, it doesn't output any sound at all.

It shows the matrix display, it gets warm, but no output sound!!. I tried with both inputs (RCA/XLR) and with XLR and 6.5mm phone outputs, nothing, pitch black background!
I already contacted Hifiman support, but I have a question for you:

On start-up and after it shows "Goldenwave", do you also get the number "99" for a moment in the same place when later it displays the selected input?. Is it perhaps a error code?

This might be obvious, but did you select the correct input and H-AMP for output?

 

[BrainSalat]

This might be obvious, but did you select the correct input and H-AMP for output?

Yes I did, thanks, the Prelude is quite simple to use, not like my previous RME ADI-2.
I also tried both inputs RCA/XLR with two different sources, and also using different headphones out of the single-ended (6.35mm) and the balanced output (XLR).
Searching on the web I saw two more cases, same symptoms, but I am confident Hifiman will give me a proper solution.

Will try now to connect it as pre-amp...

Edit: As pre-amp it doesn't work either . Wondering how this unit could pass any QA test?

 

[mudnut]

Yes I did, thanks, the Prelude is quite simple to use, not like my previous RME ADI-2.
I also tried both inputs RCA/XLR with two different sources, and also using different headphones out of the single-ended (6.35mm) and the balanced output (XLR).
Searching on the web I saw two more cases, same symptoms, but I am confident Hifiman will give me a proper solution.

Will try now to connect it as pre-amp...

Edit: As pre-amp it doesn't work either . Wondering how this unit could pass any QA test?

Sounds like it's gone past prelude and invariably reached the crescendo of failure. If your unit was open box then it could have been damaged by the previous buyer - though I presume Hifiman would have tested those units to ensure proper function, otherwise, a brand new sealed unit should have never passed QA in this condition.

 

[BrainSalat]

It's a brand new sealed unit.

 

[BrainSalat]

Hi Prelude owners,

I received mine a few days ago but unfortunately it came defective, it doesn't output any sound at all.

It shows the matrix display, it gets warm, but no output sound!!. I tried with both inputs (RCA/XLR) and with XLR and 6.5mm phone outputs, nothing, pitch black background!
I already contacted Hifiman support, but I have a question for you:

On start-up and after it shows "Goldenwave", do you also get the number "99" for a moment in the same place when later it displays the selected input?. Is it perhaps a error code?

Update. I reported Hifiman customer service that my Prelude came defective, the very same day I received it, that was 5 1/2 week ago. They took 3 weeks to ask me to send the unit back, but not before needed to agree to pay again for imported taxes (they didn't answer to my question of why do I need to assume the costs of their failed QA checks), and not before needed to answer to repeatedly questions like if I know how to turn it on or set the headphone output and so on or questions I already answered in previous messages, regardless I told them I am an experienced user and that I described step by step all different tests with inputs/outputs and settings I tried. They told me they would send me a replacement unit as soon as they receive back the defective unit. That happened 17 days ago and still I have no idea when it will be sent. They offered me a 20 USD coupon as compensation!?!?!. In my almost 14 years of audiophile enthusiast, never ever I had an experience like this and for me now never ever again Hifiman.

 

[Derek Dean]

Update. I reported Hifiman customer service that my Prelude came defective, the very same day I received it, that was 5 1/2 week ago. They took 3 weeks to ask me to send the unit back, but not before needed to agree to pay again for imported taxes (they didn't answer to my question of why do I need to assume the costs of their failed QA checks), and not before needed to answer to repeatedly questions like if I know how to turn it on or set the headphone output and so on or questions I already answered in previous messages, regardless I told them I am an experienced user and that I described step by step all different tests with inputs/outputs and settings I tried. They told me they would send me a replacement unit as soon as they receive back the defective unit. That happened 17 days ago and still I have no idea when it will be sent. They offered me a 20 USD coupon as compensation!?!?!. In my almost 14 years of audiophile enthusiast, never ever I had an experience like this and for me now never ever again Hifiman.

Wow, first I'm sorry to hear that you received a defective unit, but honestly, I'm surprised to hear of what I would consider sub-par service for it's return. I've had quite a few dealings with Hifiman customer service and it's always been top-notch, often going way beyond to help me with some odd thing or another. In any case, I hope things get resolved for you soon that you end up enjoying your new amp.

 

[BrainSalat]

Thanks @Derek Dean , it's really frustrating ATM. I was aware of the Hifiman QA reputation but I also knew from other many headfiers that the customer service was great. Maybe I am just being unlucky, but recently also on the Susvara thread someone reported that he sent back a new Susvara for a connector issue and received back a different unit that had also connection issues but on the oppose channel, but also it had scratches on one grill. He reported that and they offered him also a $20 coupon as compensation.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hifiman-susvara.853031/post-18388568

 

[Yamato37]

@Derek Dean @godmax Could you please compare the Prelude to the H26 a bit more? The tonality differences between them are mostly known by now, but I'd like to know how they compare spatially, especially depth and height. Sometimes people say the Prelude stages big, and other times people say that it's intimate/vocals are presented in an intimate way. I'm also curious about how much air the Prelude has, for example the Headfonics review of the Prelude stated that the H26 is far airier.

 

[ezekiel77]

Has anyone tried the Abyss AB-1266 TC with the Prelude? Looking for an amp that can drive both Susvara and Abyss well without selling a kidney.