HiFiMAN Goldenwave GA-10: Audiophile grade headphone amplifier

HiFiMAN recently marked its 10th anniversary by introducing the GA-10, a new tube headphone amplifier developed in partnership with the Chinese company Goldenwave, during the CanJam SoCal 2024 event.

The HiFiMAN Goldenwave GA-10 is designed for audiophiles and incorporates a SEPP (single-ended push-pull) amplifier circuit that utilizes eight tubes, a linear transformer, and a direct tube output. This model employs four ECC83/12AX7 tubes and four EL84 tubes, components typically found in premium amplifiers.

The EL84 tubes are integral to the guitar amplifiers favored by many top professional musicians, contributing a rich, natural analog warmth to the audio output. The power supply is equipped with a fully shielded 120W transformer, complemented by a low-noise voltage amplifier. Additionally, it incorporates cascaded voltage regulator circuits for both the left and right channels, along with a low-noise negative voltage regulator circuit, all designed to ensure optimal sound quality with an extensive dynamic range and robust bass response.

The HiFiMAN Goldenwave GA-10 headphone amplifier delivers 3 watts per channel into a 300 ohm nominal load, making it an excellent choice for most high-impedance headphones. The GA-10 can also be used with sensitive, low-impedance headphones, including the HiFiMAN HE1000 series.

The HIFIMAN Goldenwave GA-10 tube headphone amplifier can now be ordered directly from the manufacturer's website, with initial units set to be available for purchase by the end of October. The suggested retail price for this amplifier is $1,599.

Specifications:

• Frequency response: 20Hz – 24kHz (+/-0.5dB at 1kHz)
• THD: 0.1% (at 1 kHz, 1 V)
• Inputs: balanced XLR / unbalanced RCA
• Headphone outputs: balanced XLR 4-pin / balanced 4.4mm / unbalanced 3.5mm
• Output power: 3000 mW/300 Ohm; 600 mW/32 Ohm (at 1 kHz)
• Total power consumption: 70 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 380 x 110 x 330 mm