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Space Audio Space II Headphone Amp Review

Rate this headphone amplifier:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 3 1.9%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 33 21.2%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 94 60.3%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 26 16.7%

  • Total voters
    156

amirm

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This is a review, listening tests, and detailed measurements of the Space II stereo headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by the Australian ASR member and designer, @SpaceAudio. Price is TBD: EDIT: Price is US $400.
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia Review.jpg

I don't know what the case is made out of but it is extremely solid and dense. Would expect it to easily survive by driving on it! :) Simplicity is the name of the game here with a power button, volume and 1/4" headphone jack. The volume control feel is solid and satisfying. Back panel follows the simplicity road:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia back panel Review.jpg


Space II Headphone Amp Measurements
Let's start with our usual "unity gain" 2 volts in/out dashboard:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia Measurement.png

I see no distortion products which is impressive. Performance then is dominated by noise, giving a competent ranking to the unit:
Best headphone amplifier australia review.png


Here is the noise performance:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia SNR Measurement.png

It doesn't do as well at 50 mv due to lack of low gain setting. Multitone test shows yet again the very low distortion products:

Space II headphone Amplifier Australia Multitone Measurement.png


Same is seen in intermodulation of 19+20 kHz:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia 19 20 kHz intermodulation distortion Measurement.png


Frequency response as expected is flat and extended:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia frequency response Measurement.png


Despite using non-differential output, there is healthy amount of power into 300 ohm load:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia power 300 ohm Measurement.png

My minimum standard is 100 mw which the Space II easily exceeds. Power at 32 ohm is also good:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia power 32 ohm Measurement.png


But we do see curtailing of the power as impedances keep getting lower:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia power vs impedance Measurement.png


Channel balance was surprisingly close, producing some of the best numbers for an analog control:
Space II headphone Amplifier Australia channel mismatch Measurement.png


Space II Listening Tests
As measurements predict, the Space II had no trouble driving the Sennheiser HD650 hard, with impressive detail, and all the volume and fidelity you would ever want. Switching to much more difficult to drive and lower impedance, Dan Clark E3, excellent fidelity was had up to about the last quarter of the volume control. After that, distortion was audible.

Conclusions
Clearly Space II was designed with an eye toward excellent objective performance. Lack of gain stages though, hurts it in noise department compared to its competition. Except for very sensitive and insensitive headphones, the unit should have no trouble delivering excellent fidelity and ease of usability.

I am going to recommend the Space II headphone amplifier.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.

Any donations are much appreciated using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
 
Last edited:
I suppose if I needed something like this, then maybe but without a price....hard to know.
 
Last edited:
Since the designer is from Australia, is that USD or AUD?


JSmith
Let me be clear: 400 USD is the price specifically for this test promo unit currently with Amir. In fact, it's even below cost. The production price hasn't been determined yet, but it will definitely be significantly higher. This is a promo unit of the amplifier for which we would like to get feedback and impressions from experienced audiophiles.
 
Space Audio and then there is Audio Space.
Both total opposites (SS low distortion vs tube amps).

I can see this being an expensive amp as it is handmade, small qty, nice case material and other parts, RK271 volpot. Should last a lifetime.

If only Amir did not measure the hum it would have been higher on the 'SINAD' ladder. Now people think... what ? any cheap Topping, Sabaj, Fosi can do better when this isn't really the case.

Why the roll-off from 20kHz ? stability ? by choice ?
 
Why not defeat-able ?
Give folks an option ... of course that would mean another switch, wiring, explaining the choice, less clean front (or rear) panel etc.
 
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