Hifiman Goldenwave Prelude Headphone Amplifier Impressions Thread

[Derek Dean]

I searched and couldn't find a thread specifically dedicated to impressions from owners of the Hifiman Goldenwave Prelude headphone amplifier, so I thought I'd start one.

First, I haven't actually received the amp yet, but I'm hoping it will arrive later this week or early next week, and thought I'd get this thread going just to get the preliminaries out of the way.

I find it interesting that there hasn't been much discussion about this amp here on Head-Fi, but I suppose that's because there are quite a few other offerings available in it's price range. So, why did I take the leap and order the Prelude?

Well, at the moment, I'm running a Topping D30 Pro/A30 Pro stack that I purchased a few years ago, fed by a WiiM Pro streamer. That setup feeds my Audeze LCD-4. I listen mostly to jazz and classical, but I dig all kinds of music and really enjoy going through the new releases on Qobuz just to keep current.

I've really enjoyed my Topping > LCD-4 setup, but decided it was time to try something different, and after seeing Hifiman's recent sale prices, I decided try a pair of HE1000se headphones, which I just received yesterday. They sound great on the Topping setup, crystal clear, zero noise, punchy, excellent timbre, but for some reason, probably from spending more time on Head-Fi, I've got the itch to try a class A amp. Plus, I've often wondered what my LCD-4 headphones would sound like on a class A amp.

While pondering all this over the weekend, I noticed that Hifiman had a 30% off sale on the Prelude for anybody who's purchased something over $499 from their store, so I contacted them, and bingo, I was able to get the Prelude at 30% off, with 30 days to try it out and see if I like it. It seemed like a good oppurtinty to scratch that class A amp itch, with only the cost of return shipping to lose if I don't like it.

And yes, I did consider the Hifiman Goldenwave Serenade, but I was drawn to the Prelude because it uses MOSFET technology, and I loved the warm full feeling it gives. By the way, I was also considering the Flux Labs M-Field, which also uses MOSFET tech, but it hasn't been released yet.

So, if you've heard or own the Hifiman Goldenwave Prelude, let's hear your thoughts and impressions.

 

[theveterans]

I've heard it last CanJam SoCal 2023. It reminded me of the Enleum 23R and is definitely one of the best SS amps for the 2K price point. I think you should upgrade your D30 to Serenade DAC to unleash the full potential of your Prelude

 

[Derek Dean]

I've heard it last CanJam SoCal 2023. It reminded me of the Enleum 23R and is definitely one of the best SS amps for the 2K price point. I think you should upgrade your D30 to Serenade DAC to unleash the full potential of your Prelude

Of course that's a great idea, and believe me, I looked at the Serenade as a possibility for use as a DAC, but my budget is about tapped out for the moment. Fortunately, a friend of mine is going to loan me a Denafrips Ares 12th-1 DAC which I think will be a good upgrade and at least give me an idea of which direction to go when funds allow.

 

[Derek Dean]

Okie dokie, the new HifiMan Prelude Class A headphone amp. got here a day early (Thanks UPS). Right off the bat I was impressed with the triple boxing from HifiMan, but mainly, the first impression when pulling it out of the box, and despite hearing this referred to by several YouTube reviewers, is that the Prelude really is seriously heavy. That, and the general feeling that it's a finely crafted piece of gear.

Hookup was quick and easy (using the D30Pro as my DAC until the Denafrips Ares arrives), and I decided to let it warm-up for 1/2 an hour before plugging in the headphones, at which point the top was still cool. Now, let me start off by saying that I've been very happy with the Topping A30Pro amp. It's crystal clean and clear and has given me many hours of enjoyment in the past 2 years, and to be honest, I was pretty sure that I'd be returning the Prelude, because I couldn't really imagine it giving me that much better sound compared to the A30Pro.

Well, let's just say this....... I get it now! I understand what everybody's been saying about class A amps and having enough power. I was honestly shocked at how much difference I heard when I listened to the first album, which I just found on Qobuz this last week, "Big For You" by Zsela, an artist I wasn't familiar with, but really dig now.

Mainly, the treble region and clarity just exploded with the Prelude, and I quickly realized that the bass I'd been hearing with the Topping was actually only the tip of the iceberg. I was now, not only fully hearing a great amount of sub bass, but feeling it too, and I mean sub bass with incredible texture. The sound stage was feeling wider and more defined too.

Next up was one of my favorite albums that I've listened to countless times, Dave Brubeck's "Take Five". This album doesn't have much sub bass, but the bass came through beautifully. Textured, clean, and clear. What really stood out, though, were the cymbals. The one disappointment I've had in the last two years was listening to cymbal crashes on jazz albums. I'm a musician, and I know what a cymbals sounds like, and with the Topping, it was never right, kind of digitally sharp and fizzy, but not smooth with a nice ringing tail. But with the Prelude, the cymbals sound like cymbals.

Which brings me to final thing that stood out, and that was the Prelude being able to present the music with authority and a feeling of total effortlessness. It wasn't working hard or breaking a sweat, it was simply presenting every sound exactly the way it was meant to be heard, and the album I used to test this was another of my favorites "The Symphonies" by Carl Nielsen, recorded by the Danish National Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Fabio Luisi).

This is a beautifully recorded work, and although I've heard it many times using the Topping, I honestly felt like I was hearing it for the first time the way it was meant to be heard. The authority and majesty of the orchestra really came through, and even when the entire orchestra was playing at it's peak, I could still easily hear the different instruments. Truly breathtaking.

By the way, by this time (about 2.5 hours in) the top panel of the Prelude had finally warmed up, but not uncomfortable, just nicely warm.

Ok, that's enough for now. And again, this is my first experience with a Class A amp, so keep that in mind. I'll check back in a few days with an update.

 

[theveterans]

Congrats! Prelude and Hifiman headphones are made to match really well together!

 

[godmax]

... couldn't understand why more impressions of the Prelude haven't been posted here yet, so I ordered one myself to check if our precious influencers are just spouting praise based on their free devices

• really like the ease of use and the minimalist display
• a power button in front would have been really nice!
• XLR and RCA inputs are absolutly on par (connected Cyan2 directly XLR and RCA through P26 pre-amp in parallel)
• really nice power output (HE6SEv2 at 10 o'clock low gain) - not only on paper (looking at you H26 below me!)
• drives the HE6SEv2 exceptionally
• has the growling lows we tend to associate with 'class A sound'
• gets hot even when standing free - as expexted

time will tell, but so far I like that unit!

 

[Derek Dean]

I'm happy to see someone with more experience than myself, getting and giving their impressions of this very under talked about amp. I'll look forward to hearing how you think it compares to some of your other gear.

 

[godmax]

I'm happy to see someone with more experience than myself, getting and giving their impressions of this very under talked about amp. I'll look forward to hearing how you think it compares to some of your other gear.

I don't think it's about me having more experience, because you've posted some very nice impressions too!
Audio equipment and music is not about 100% objective truth, so it's good to have lots of different opinions to allow others to judge whether a particular product is worth trying out for themselves.
I've had other Class A headphone amps in the past like the Burson Soloist 3XP, the Singxer SA-1 and the venerable Headamp GS-X Mini, but so far I'd place the Prelude above them all.
When I use the HE6SEv2 with the Prelude, I'm still amazed at how good these headphones can sound. Already thinking about buying a HE1000SE too

 

[KingLCD3]

Thanks for starting this thread. I will certainly be following. The Prelude is an amp I have been considering since it came out, but the lack of any feedback was a bit worrying. I suppose the Holo Audio Bliss and Schiit Mjolnir 3, amongst others of course, have been such a success that the Prelude doesn't seem to have got a look in. Maybe this will open the floodgates and others will be tempted with the good feedback so far.

I have Hifiman HEKs and Audeze LCD3s, currently running off a Denafrips Venus2 dac and Violectric V280 amp. I have a feeling/hope that the Prelude may well be the final missing link to make a pretty good system.

 

[KingLCD3]

I don't think it's about me having more experience, because you've posted some very nice impressions too!
Audio equipment and music is not about 100% objective truth, so it's good to have lots of different opinions to allow others to judge whether a particular product is worth trying out for themselves.
I've had other Class A headphone amps in the past like the Burson Soloist 3XP, the Singxer SA-1 and the venerable Headamp GS-X Mini, but so far I'd place the Prelude above them all.
When I use the HE6SEv2 with the Prelude, I'm still amazed at how good these headphones can sound. Already thinking about buying a HE1000SE too

Hi. I have come across your comments about the Prelude amp and notice you seem to be liking it a lot so far. I also notice that you have a Violectric 226. I have been considering the Prelude and currently have a Violectric V280, which I love. Please would you give any thoughts about how the Violectrics and Prelude compare?

 

[godmax]

Hi. I have come across your comments about the Prelude amp and notice you seem to be liking it a lot so far. I also notice that you have a Violectric 226. I have been considering the Prelude and currently have a Violectric V280, which I love. Please would you give any thoughts about how the Violectrics and Prelude compare?

Yes, I'm also a fan of Violectric gear and own the DHA V226 for quite a while now and before that I had the legendary V281 Final Edition.
What I missed with the V281 back then and what also applies to the V226 is the last bit of perceived bass impact that I was looking for, even if the headphones can technically reproduce it.
That's the kind of quality you get with the Prelude, along with an addictive, radiant low frequency experience. With an already bass emphasised dynamic driver headphone this might get too much to some likings (I do like that from time to time ), but especially with planar headphones its really nice.
Perhaps you have the opportunity to try the Prelude, you won't regret it.

 

[KingLCD3]

Yes, I'm also a fan of Violectric gear and own the DHA V226 for quite a while now and before that I had the legendary V281 Final Edition.
What I missed with the V281 back then and what also applies to the V226 is the last bit of perceived bass impact that I was looking for, even if the headphones can technically reproduce it.
That's the kind of quality you get with the Prelude, along with an addictive, radiant low frequency experience. With an already bass emphasised dynamic driver headphone this might get too much to some likings (I do like that from time to time ), but especially with planar headphones its really nice.
Perhaps you have the opportunity to try the Prelude, you won't regret it.

That's a fantastic reply. Thanks!..... You are definitely selling the Prelude to me even more!!

 

[mudnut]

... couldn't understand why more impressions of the Prelude haven't been posted here yet, so I ordered one myself to check if our precious influencers are just spouting praise based on their free devices

• really like the ease of use and the minimalist display
• a power button in front would have been really nice!
• XLR and RCA inputs are absolutly on par (connected Cyan2 directly XLR and RCA through P26 pre-amp in parallel)
• really nice power output (HE6SEv2 at 10 o'clock low gain) - not only on paper (looking at you H26 below me!)
• drives the HE6SEv2 exceptionally
• has the growling lows we tend to associate with 'class A sound'
• gets hot even when standing free - as expexted

time will tell, but so far I like that unit!

I received my Prelude yesterday from Hifiman and also have a Gustard H26 and I echo the exact same thoughts. The H26 is very neutral and less powerful compared to the Prelude. With my HE6se V2, I listen at 2 o'clock on the H26 high gain, 12 o'clock on the Prelude low gain. I wonder how much of H26 is Class A because it doesn't get nearly as hot as the Prelude, whereas the Prelude gets quite hot like a Class A amp would. I had a Little Dot X1 amp that was also full Class A and gets just as hot. Listening on the Prelude really made me miss the X1, so much so I am going to buy one again.

Do you or any other Prelude owners turn the power off when not in use? Like turning it off at night when you go to sleep? Especially since it's Class A.

 

[godmax]

Do you or any other Prelude owners turn the power off when not in use? Like turning it off at night when you go to sleep? Especially since it's Class A.

I turn my Prelude off when not in use, since it’s getting very hot (not good for the internal components in the long run) and wastes a lot of energy while not in use (class A). I have a power strip with individual switches so I don’t need to reach out to the back of the unit to turn it off. The Prelude also saves the selected input even when disconnected from mains, so no loss in usability.

 

[mudnut]

I turn my Prelude off when not in use, since it’s getting very hot (not good for the internal components in the long run) and wastes a lot of energy while not in use (class A). I have a power strip with individual switches so I don’t need to reach out to the back of the unit to turn it off. The Prelude also saves the selected input even when disconnected from mains, so no loss in usability.

Makes total sense to me. Luckily, the power switch is easily accessible in my setup since the back of my desk opens to the center of the room. Still, a power button in the front would be much more convenient.