Excellent amp. Bought one last month and just bought a Heed abacus DAC to associate to and it sound marvelous. Using a blue sound node 2i and Tidal files exclusively. Great buy and absolute recommandation
Hi Roger, which speakers are you using it with? I have the Harbeth P3ESR in desktop setup and also consider the Heed Obelisk mk3, which is almost similarly priced, but without phono stage and apparently plays a class higher. I already have a Burson dac as well.
I’d like to add that the phono stage is brilliant, I’m using it with my Nagaoka MP200 on a Rega P3, no need for more. That goes for the amp in general. Ignore the specs, it has a lot more drive than it suggests on paper, and never becomes tiring
Sean, do you still have this Heed unit? You've reviewed so many integrated amps since this Heed review and I was wondering how the Heed performance stacks up against the other integrated amps that caught your ear?
Nice review. I have been using an Elixir for about 3 months now and my experience is the same as yours. This little amp simply plays music with great drive.
@@barrysimmons49 I'm doing an A-B comparison with the Dayens ampino power amp and the Heed elixir to determine which one I'll keep. If you're interested give me a heads up and I'll post my experience here in this thread.
@@sebastiaanhoenderdos7458 What was your experience? I have the P3ESR (desktop setup) so I was looking at the Menuetto, Elixir or Heed Obelisk. Curious at your findings, so please let me know.
I just listened to one of these because of this review and bought it. Shout out to Whetstone Audio in Austin Tx! For the audition, Brian put on Miles Davis on Rega P3, playing thru the Heed and JM Reynaud Cantabile Jub speakers. Sound was impressive and better than the Rega Brio. So, Sean or is it Shawn? Would you please recommend some speakers in $2500-$3500 range that would pair well? Would the KLH mod 5 work well with this? Thanks for your recommendations and for this video! Update: I ended up finding a pair of Totem Sky's, as Sean recommended, for a good price. Will let you know how it goes.
Nice review. Very interesting little amp. I was looking at the Rega Brio and Elex-R but this one needs to be on my shortlist too. Does it have enough power to drive Totem Sttaf speakers (88 dB / 8 Ohm)? I assume yes. And do you think it is a good match? I mainly listen to classical music. Thanks for your opinions!
Accurate review. Love it with my Quad S2. But how could you not try the MM stage? Heed made their name with their phono stages. Questar and Quasar are their best selling products.
Good point here - the phono stage really is excellent as is the headphone amp (based on the circuit from Canalot), they make this amp truly great value
Welcome back. It is amusing that I see serious hifi guys doing RUclips videos. That care about sound and sound quality. Are making videos in VERY lively rooms without any treatment. As they have no clue of sound. (or maybe: "Cobblers' children are worst shod.") Your recorded voice whould greatly benefit of a less lively recording room. You try to talk fast and add 500ms room reverb that are going on in that room, on your voice. That smear over the next vocal you say. It contribute less definition of what you are saying. Great to seeingyou back!
I hear you man. I also agree with your observations. So why in the heck haven't I done anything to address these issues? Well, the truth is that I just don't care. At least not yet. :D So far, this is still Zero Fidelity bay-bee! It's as lo-fi as it gets!
Nytech became Ion, then became Heed.. Nytech has recently been "revived" in the UK. Ion from the 90s (Obelisk integrated range) and Nexus (separates range) I have an Ion Obelisk 3X-Xpac1 for years in my second system. Recently got a Nexus SP1 X-Pac2 pre amp now driving a pair of TXR-750va MA40 mono blocks! Sounds amazing for a 30 year old amplifier!
Good review as always. Any plans on reviewing the Heed Lagrange? I have had it in house a few weeks now and it is just amazing.. Had the obelisk PM monoblocks a few years ago, and they are amazing, but the Lagrange is insane :)
@Magnum_PI - what are you pairing the LaGrange with. Are you still happy with it? Had a brief demo with Dynaudio Special 40s and it sounded really good. However, not sure about its power output over the long haul given its price and it is hard to find any reviews or writeups about that unit in English. Any further thoughts are appreciated.
@@prherman i paired it with B&W PM1's.. insanely hard to drive, but the Lagrange had zero issues with it.. don't let the statet power on paper fool you. I now have the heed obelisk si3 with x2 power supply and a pair of proac DB1's and I love it. Power is never an issue as with normal listening levels you never use much more than 2-3watts.(75-80dB). As for sound quality you can get away with 99,9% the same with the obelisk line and save some money compared to the Lagrange. I don't regret the change and the money saved :)
@@BeyondResolution Last question. Without extra power supply would you say it does at least 75% of Lagrange? Thanks. PS - Lagrange looks really sweet though IMO but a bit pricey.
I am new here, just asking if you have any alternative options for more affordable integrated amps that have optical/sub out/ usb inputs? Thanks, I subbed to your channel and nice video.
The only inexpensive option I know of that checks off most of what you want is the Nu Force DDA 120. I haven't heard it, and it doesn't have a sub-out, but this is the only thing that immediately springs to mind outside of a stereo receiver.
I rather buy a seperate Dac honestly.. Digital changes so fast, MQA and what have not.. chose your amp for the long run and get the Dac for the digital trend of the time..:-)
Excellent amp. Bought one last month and just bought a Heed abacus DAC to associate to and it sound marvelous. Using a blue sound node 2i and Tidal files exclusively. Great buy and absolute recommandation
Hi Roger, which speakers are you using it with? I have the Harbeth P3ESR in desktop setup and also consider the Heed Obelisk mk3, which is almost similarly priced, but without phono stage and apparently plays a class higher. I already have a Burson dac as well.
Thanks for finding the time to get back to it.
Always enjoy.
I’d like to add that the phono stage is brilliant, I’m using it with my Nagaoka MP200 on a Rega P3, no need for more. That goes for the amp in general. Ignore the specs, it has a lot more drive than it suggests on paper, and never becomes tiring
Small but fantastic amp. I had one of this great amp. Good MM phono too!
Sean, do you still have this Heed unit? You've reviewed so many integrated amps since this Heed review and I was wondering how the Heed performance stacks up against the other integrated amps that caught your ear?
Nice review. I have been using an Elixir for about 3 months now and my experience is the same as yours. This little amp simply plays music with great drive.
Congrats man! Yep, this little integrated certainly brings the smiles.
Compared to the Daynes Minuetto?
@@barrysimmons49 I'm doing an A-B comparison with the Dayens ampino power amp and the Heed elixir to determine which one I'll keep. If you're interested give me a heads up and I'll post my experience here in this thread.
@@sebastiaanhoenderdos7458 What was your experience? I have the P3ESR (desktop setup) so I was looking at the Menuetto, Elixir or Heed Obelisk. Curious at your findings, so please let me know.
@@gerard3797 I'll receive the elixir next week, I'll keep you posted.
Always enjoy your reviews. I love music and I love hifi that you recommended in the price range for someone starting out. Merry Christmas to you.
That really is a Rockin' machine! It looks awesome, really like the build quality!
I just listened to one of these because of this review and bought it. Shout out to Whetstone Audio in Austin Tx! For the audition, Brian put on Miles Davis on Rega P3, playing thru the Heed and JM Reynaud Cantabile Jub speakers. Sound was impressive and better than the Rega Brio. So, Sean or is it Shawn? Would you please recommend some speakers in $2500-$3500 range that would pair well? Would the KLH mod 5 work well with this? Thanks for your recommendations and for this video!
Update: I ended up finding a pair of Totem Sky's, as Sean recommended, for a good price. Will let you know how it goes.
Nice review. Very interesting little amp. I was looking at the Rega Brio and Elex-R but this one needs to be on my shortlist too. Does it have enough power to drive Totem Sttaf speakers (88 dB / 8 Ohm)? I assume yes. And do you think it is a good match? I mainly listen to classical music. Thanks for your opinions!
It may still be relevant. Yes, it drives the Totem perfectly and is a good choice for both speaker and music!
finally a new review from zero fidelity!
Accurate review. Love it with my Quad S2. But how could you not try the MM stage? Heed made their name with their phono stages. Questar and Quasar are their best selling products.
Good point here - the phono stage really is excellent as is the headphone amp (based on the circuit from Canalot), they make this amp truly great value
Welcome back.
It is amusing that I see serious hifi guys doing RUclips videos. That care about sound and sound quality.
Are making videos in VERY lively rooms without any treatment. As they have no clue of sound.
(or maybe: "Cobblers' children are worst shod.")
Your recorded voice whould greatly benefit of a less lively recording room.
You try to talk fast and add 500ms room reverb that are going on in that room, on your voice. That smear over the next vocal you say. It contribute less definition of what you are saying.
Great to seeingyou back!
I hear you man. I also agree with your observations. So why in the heck haven't I done anything to address these issues? Well, the truth is that I just don't care. At least not yet. :D So far, this is still Zero Fidelity bay-bee! It's as lo-fi as it gets!
Own and love it. Spot on review....
Una condivisione amico! Se non l'hai ancora fatto, ascolta l'Heed elicir con Klipsh rp600m e sarai in Paradiso. Un saluto
It looks very similar to my newest Rega Brio which works great on my desk. I wonder if it has similar components.
Thank you very much for review! I'm looking for the amp with such dimensions and same price point. Could you recommend anything else?
At 2:08 I was screaming at the screen. "I have a turntable but I barely listen to it." I slashed your tires of that shiny new 5.0.
haah Thanks! The stock Pirelli's aren't that great!
Nytech became Ion, then became Heed.. Nytech has recently been "revived" in the UK.
Ion from the 90s (Obelisk integrated range) and Nexus (separates range)
I have an Ion Obelisk 3X-Xpac1 for years in my second system. Recently got a Nexus SP1 X-Pac2 pre amp now driving a pair of TXR-750va MA40 mono blocks! Sounds amazing for a 30 year old amplifier!
Good review as always. Any plans on reviewing the Heed Lagrange? I have had it in house a few weeks now and it is just amazing.. Had the obelisk PM monoblocks a few years ago, and they are amazing, but the Lagrange is insane :)
@Magnum_PI - what are you pairing the LaGrange with. Are you still happy with it? Had a brief demo with Dynaudio Special 40s and it sounded really good. However, not sure about its power output over the long haul given its price and it is hard to find any reviews or writeups about that unit in English. Any further thoughts are appreciated.
@@prherman i paired it with B&W PM1's.. insanely hard to drive, but the Lagrange had zero issues with it.. don't let the statet power on paper fool you.
I now have the heed obelisk si3 with x2 power supply and a pair of proac DB1's and I love it. Power is never an issue as with normal listening levels you never use much more than 2-3watts.(75-80dB).
As for sound quality you can get away with 99,9% the same with the obelisk line and save some money compared to the Lagrange. I don't regret the change and the money saved :)
@@BeyondResolution Thanks. Do you think also buying the additional power supply is critical to buying the Obelisk?
@@prherman It does ad some extra angel dust so i would opt for it yes :)
@@BeyondResolution Last question. Without extra power supply would you say it does at least 75% of Lagrange? Thanks. PS - Lagrange looks really sweet though IMO but a bit pricey.
**wakes up with hang-over** I took your challenge when you posted this, just waking up now... with a HUGE headache
I am new here, just asking if you have any alternative options for more affordable integrated amps that have optical/sub out/ usb inputs? Thanks, I subbed to your channel and nice video.
The only inexpensive option I know of that checks off most of what you want is the Nu Force DDA 120. I haven't heard it, and it doesn't have a sub-out, but this is the only thing that immediately springs to mind outside of a stereo receiver.
Is the sound better than the Rega Brio ?
A B without doubt... it’s as good as the Elex-R. The phono stage is superior too
@@gustoaudio8711 nope
Just put at least one digital input on there and they'd probably sell twice as many units.
I rather buy a seperate Dac honestly.. Digital changes so fast, MQA and what have not.. chose your amp for the long run and get the Dac for the digital trend of the time..:-)
"certain British competitors" Freudian slip? :P
Maaaaybe. :D
can you review the gustard a20h dac from china ? :)
Just turn on fkn amp one in 8 minutes