Dreadhead
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2007
- Posts
- 529
- Likes
- 11
Review of the Headamp AE-2 Amplifier
Amplifier Features:
2 inputs (1 RCA, 1 Mini-Plug, each can act as loop out, not preamp)
Single Headphone out
High quality pot for volume control
Rechargable battery that lasts 30 hrs or so (I have not tested)
Headphones Used: Etymotic ER-4P with DIY S converter, HD650
Similar Products Used: Headroom Total Bithead
Sources: Bel Canto DAC3, Creative Zen Vision M
Music:
O Brother Where Are Thou? Soundtrack, Various
In Rainbows, Radiohead
In Between Dreams, Jack Johnson
Introduction:
I bought the AE-2 from Justin at Headamp after hearing from many people that I respect that they loved it as an amplifier and due to the fact that I did not know if I wanted the Pico because I’ve got large hands and it’s a TINY amplifier. According to Justin the Pico and AE-2 have similar topology in the amplifier though not quite the same.
Fit an Finish:
Nothing short of excellent. I now own 2 Headamp products (AE-2, GS-X) and the fit an finish is excellent on both of them. Justin does great work in this regard.
Measurements Etc.:
I have done some actual measurements using a measurement microphone and I’ve at least convinced myself that the AE-2 can drive even the demanding HD650s with aplomb and strength when compared to the GS-X (which costs 6x as much). This review is with my Etymotics though and I don’t have a way to measure them so I’ll just move forward. I'm using the amplifier running off the battery for this review.
Listening:
The AE-2/ER-4s sounds amazing! Flat out amazing. Every detail is there but the sound is so smooth and buttery that it just sounds natural. This means if you’re a person that hears details like a person tapping their foot during a concert then you hear them if you go more for the overall music then you hear that. The AE-2 is highly transparent and essentially if your source puts out the details then it puts out the details. The music just sounds real.
I also compared to my TBH (after volume matching by ear using a 1kHz sine wave) and while very close the AE-2 seems to present a darker background and lower noise floor (no hiss even with my recently sold Shure SE530s) and more control in the bass region of the songs. Also the AE-2 seemed to have a bit more accurate details and imaging, for example in "Down To The River to Pray" by Alison Krauss the choir behind her becomes sharper individual voices and with less haze. Everything pretty much just snaps into focus over the TBH.
Summary:
This is the most capable portable amplifier I have heard and I highly recommend it to people who need enough power to drive hard to drive headphones with good portability. It's a home amp you can take with you!
Amplifier Features:
2 inputs (1 RCA, 1 Mini-Plug, each can act as loop out, not preamp)
Single Headphone out
High quality pot for volume control
Rechargable battery that lasts 30 hrs or so (I have not tested)
Headphones Used: Etymotic ER-4P with DIY S converter, HD650
Similar Products Used: Headroom Total Bithead
Sources: Bel Canto DAC3, Creative Zen Vision M
Music:
O Brother Where Are Thou? Soundtrack, Various
In Rainbows, Radiohead
In Between Dreams, Jack Johnson
Introduction:
I bought the AE-2 from Justin at Headamp after hearing from many people that I respect that they loved it as an amplifier and due to the fact that I did not know if I wanted the Pico because I’ve got large hands and it’s a TINY amplifier. According to Justin the Pico and AE-2 have similar topology in the amplifier though not quite the same.
Fit an Finish:
Nothing short of excellent. I now own 2 Headamp products (AE-2, GS-X) and the fit an finish is excellent on both of them. Justin does great work in this regard.
Measurements Etc.:
I have done some actual measurements using a measurement microphone and I’ve at least convinced myself that the AE-2 can drive even the demanding HD650s with aplomb and strength when compared to the GS-X (which costs 6x as much). This review is with my Etymotics though and I don’t have a way to measure them so I’ll just move forward. I'm using the amplifier running off the battery for this review.
Listening:
The AE-2/ER-4s sounds amazing! Flat out amazing. Every detail is there but the sound is so smooth and buttery that it just sounds natural. This means if you’re a person that hears details like a person tapping their foot during a concert then you hear them if you go more for the overall music then you hear that. The AE-2 is highly transparent and essentially if your source puts out the details then it puts out the details. The music just sounds real.
I also compared to my TBH (after volume matching by ear using a 1kHz sine wave) and while very close the AE-2 seems to present a darker background and lower noise floor (no hiss even with my recently sold Shure SE530s) and more control in the bass region of the songs. Also the AE-2 seemed to have a bit more accurate details and imaging, for example in "Down To The River to Pray" by Alison Krauss the choir behind her becomes sharper individual voices and with less haze. Everything pretty much just snaps into focus over the TBH.
Summary:
This is the most capable portable amplifier I have heard and I highly recommend it to people who need enough power to drive hard to drive headphones with good portability. It's a home amp you can take with you!
