Firstly I would like to thank Ila Bird, the builder of this interesting amp, for sending me the Space headphone amplifier to review.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
PC > JDS Labs Atom DAC+ > Space > German Maestro GMP400 / Meze 109 Pro / Beyerdynamic DT880 600Ohm / HiFiMAN Susvara
Tech specs:
• Input connector type: 2xRCA unbalanced
• Output connector type: stereo 6.5 mm
• Input impedance: 10 kOhm
• Output impedance: <0.8 Ohm
• Frequency response: 5-30000 Hz (-3db)
• Gain: 10.8 dB
• Channel imbalance: <0.2dB
• Max output power: 200mW at 32 Ohm
https://www.facebook.com/RealSpaceAudio
Build Quality
Made from a solid piece of aluminium with only the bottom plate removable for access to the internal parts, this amp is both solid and quite hefty. It’s very much a desktop amp and one that is a pleasure to use, the on-off button is excellent and the LED on that and the amp is not blindingly bright (unlike some). The quality of the RCA input sockets is excellent and the 6.3mm output on the front is also tight, the volume knob is super smooth in use with good weight to it (Alps Blue Velvet).
I cannot fault the build of this amp, for a DIY amp builder who designed this amp from the ground up it is remarkably polished and could easily be a retail product.
Features
Space is a full class-a headphone amplifier, it does run warm but not overly hot – it has a linear power supply and both the power and the amplification sections are separated internally. This is a purely single ended amplifier, and to be honest when designed right there really isn’t going to be an audible difference between balanced and single ended. The solid CNC machined housing has been designed to minimise any external interference, it’s definitely a well thought out and well-built amp, but does it sound good?
Sound
I’ve been using the Space headphone amplifier in my system for a number of weeks now to really get a feel for how it sounds, and what it can handle. I can say first off that is can handle most headphones you throw at it, bar the Susvara which, as most of you will know, is a very difficult headphone to drive.
I started off listening to this amp with the Meze 109 Pro, and what a match it is with those headphones. Effortless power and a smooth and full presentation that is also dynamic and punchy, a very enjoyable combo that is easy to listen to for hours on end. The Space amp is not overly coloured, but it is far from what I would call cold and analytical, it does perhaps have an ever so slight warmth to it that takes the edge off harsher notes.
Moving on to my trusty German Maestro GMP400’s, a headphone I’ve had for quite a long time, these are a slightly lean sounding, neutral monitoring headphone. They are relatively hard to drive and when paired with certain amps just don’t sound that great – listening to them through this amp was a nice match though. Personally, I still prefer them with tubes, but the Space sounded very controlled yet slightly full which compliments these headphones. They were still snappy and responsive in terms of transients however, the amp seemed to give them a bit of soul and they sounded exceptionally good for vocal centric genres.
The Beyerdynamic DT880 600Ohm are a more recent purchase but, this is not my first pair of these. They are a headphone I know well and should always keep in my arsenal, as they are still a very competent headphone with a more reference sound signature. The Space once again not even breaking a sweat when driving high impedance dynamic headphones, sounded utterly effortless and clean without coming across as cold or analytical – something that can tip these headphones over to the harsh side. This is a sweet-sounding combo, it has all the detail you could want with a spacious presentation but the bass is articulate and punchy too, never sounding thin or harsh.
Personally, I feel this amp works very well with a range of headphones, from low to high impedance dynamics along with easier to drive planars without issue. The only place it did struggle is with the Susvara – the Susvara is a curious headphone in that on paper it does require more power than most headphones, but not as much as most say it does. However, in practice, I have always found them to sound best out of speaker amps or headphone amps that can provide similar power numbers.
The Space can get them loud, that’s not an issue, but they sound a little muted and held back, they don’t have the punch and snappy sound they are renowned for – this isn’t a dig at the Space amp, purely an observation.
All in all, the Space headphone amplifier has a very natural and effortless sound that is a pleasure to listen to with nearly every full-size headphone I threw at it. The Class-A design does give it that slight hint of smoothness but nothing that smears or masks the finer detail, it sounds refined rather than overly coloured. It doesn’t seek to impart it’s own flavour, but presents the music in a very enjoyable way.
Conclusion
The Space amplifier is a superb amp, it is one of those devices that grips you with it’s musicality – it gets you lost in the music instead of trying to pick the equipment apart. It’s this kind of quality that I truly appreciate in some equipment, the way they get out of the way of the music, and let you enjoy it. Whilst writing this review I had to keep reminding myself to try and describe the amp and how it sounds, as it was so easy to just get lost in the music.
This amp brought a smile to my face, no it won’t suit everyone, and it won’t drive headphones like the Susvara to their fullest, but it does a brilliant job with the headphones I used with it, especially the higher impedance dynamic models.
For an amp that isn’t technically “on the market” it is extremely well built, a pleasure to use and most of all an absolute joy to listen to, it has all the hallmarks of a very competent headphone amplifier.
Sound Perfection Rating: 10/10 (Effortless and highly enjoyable to listen to)
Just read your review and I would generally concur your views and comments. What struck me about this amp is that it gets to the rhythm and timing of the recordings. I find it showcases female voices better than male voices. For me there is a slight recess of male voices compared to female, although deep bass is present in spades. It drives my Dan Clark Audio Stealth headphones fine, although my general listening level is around the 1o’clock – 2 o’clock on the volume. Build is excellent and a look at the images of its innards it seems quality components have been used. Like you, recommended.