HIFIMAN has introduced a new fully balanced Class A desktop headphone amplifier, the GOLDENWAVE Prelude. Originally released by the GOLDENWAVE brand that was acquired by HIFIMAN earlier this year, the Prelude headphone amplifier (SRP: $2499), which is GOLDENWAVE’s reference headphone amplifier, boasts several features that make it an appealing option for audiophiles and music lovers seeking lifelike, full-range sonics.
The Prelude is designed for personal audio and music fans who want a personal listening experience that rivals full-size, audiophile-grade in-room systems. The amplifier uses a fully balanced Class A MOSFET design that delivers high current output, providing clean and powerful sound reproduction.
The amplifier’s circuit is fully discrete, meaning it uses individual components rather than integrated circuits. This approach can lead to better control over the audio signal and potentially improve sound quality. It includes a precise single-ended-to-balanced conversion circuit, allowing both single-ended RCA and balanced inputs to convey the benefits of fully balanced drive, which helps reduce noise and interference, enhancing the overall audio performance.
The Prelude’s preamplifier circuit is entirely independent, ensuring a strong driving force and producing a pleasing timbre in the audio output. In order to achieved balanced tone control, the amplifier uses an ALPS quad balance potentiometer.
Specially customized for Prelude, the high-power and low-noise toroidal transformer provides clean and stable power to all levels of the headphone amplifier, contributing to improved sound quality. The amplifier’s housing is made from a single piece of aluminum, helping it to isolate harmful resonances that may degrade audio performance, ensuring cleaner sound output.
The Prelude’s frequency response is measured at 20–50kHz, +-1dB@1kHz. Headphone amplifier power output is 10W@32 ohms, 6W@64 ohms, 2.5W@150 ohms, 1W@300 ohms, and 560mW@600 ohms. It measures 330mm x 56mm x 260mm/12.99 x 2.2 x 10.2 inches, and weighs 6.5 kg/14.3 lbs.
The Prelude is currently available at a suggested retail price of $,499 from authorized HIFIMAN dealers and the company’s online store, http://store.hifiman.com/.
