Space Audio Space II Headphone Amp Review

[Koeitje]

Good performance, nice enclosure. It's just that this market is so saturated with lower cost products that provide similar or better performance. Doubt many will pay a 3x+ premium for the case and internal power supply.

 

[Drengur]

I can't believe I am saying this, but 400$ is a bit pricey. Now, it would have been cheap for this kind of performance a decade ago. But as a package I could imagine myself buying this if I had dollarydoos to burn. Having an internal PSU can be a pro in some instances.

 

[GeekyBastard]

Can't justify $400 (Manufacture: "The production price hasn't been determined yet, but it will definitely be significantly higher.") price tag with no balanced I/O and this kind of noise performance, so many choices with way better performance at this price range, way too overpriced.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Performance is good considering there is an internal AC power supply and I quite like the look of it. But it all depends on what it costs.

It would be excellent for ½ the price, but just OK IMO for the full $400.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Here are a few more images:
View attachment 394473View attachment 394474View attachment 394475

I know nothing about this, so can someone tell us if this is as expensive to make as it looks?

 

[AudioSceptic]

Amir, you have, as always, provided a comprehensive review of the device; thank you very much! The amp is housed in CNC'd aluminum chassis.

The case looks great. It looks like it's a large part of the production cost. Is it made in Aus or elsewhere?

 

[Mulder]

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.

So this is a prototype? How will the final version differ from this copy? Since many believe that it already costs too much in relation to the competitors' offerings, and since the final version of the amplifier will cost significantly more, I wonder what the intended target group is or what the argument is for asking for such a high price compared to what other very competent headphone amplifiers cost.

 

[SpaceAudio]

When developing this amplifier, the primary focus was on sound quality rather than formal specifications.
Amir's measurements showed that the amplifier has virtually no signal-correlated distortion products.
The low-frequency uncorrelated noise is inaudible.
We are interested in listening comparisons of this amplifier with others.
The price of the amplifier is not simply the total cost of the components used to build it.

 

[EJ3]

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.

+ I think that the simple, yet elegant, uncluttered visuals, and feel (heft, as it will stay where it is placed) makes it worth, say USD $500.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

When developing this amplifier, the primary focus was on sound quality rather than formal specifications.
Amir's measurements showed that the amplifier has virtually no signal-correlated distortion products.
The low-frequency uncorrelated noise is inaudible.
We are interested in listening comparisons of this amplifier with others.
The price of the amplifier is not simply the total cost of the components used to build it.

I have no doubt the amp is completely transparent and the uncorrelated noise is inaudible. Moreover the case is the proverbial "blunt object" we see in so many murder mystery shows. All good until we get to the g.t. $400 selling price, especially since there are no balanced inputs or outputs. I believe my Topping A70 Pro, (which is far more powerful, has a way cooler display, includes balanced inputs and balanced headphone outs, remote, and two options for its finish) is only $100 more at $499.

Could be argued that the Space Audio is of far higher build quality, but it's really tough to make that determination if you're not an EE, and even tougher to know if the company will be around over the longer term if the unit needs servicing.

Still, worthy of the happy panther. Best wishes to SpaceAudio in this endeavor. I can't imagine how challenging it must be to enter a market dominated as it is by companies like Topping, Schiit, SMSL and the like.

My personal advice would be if you can't compete on price with those guys, then don't try. Rather, make the product even more premium. Make the case nicer with world class industrial design, offer premium features like balanced I/O, a really nice display, and sell it as a premium alternative to the Toppings of the world. Just don't go overboard and sell it for multi killobucks and then sue Cameron or Amir when they point out it sounds no better than a $100 dac. Because you won't get it to sound better anymore than Rolex can make a watch that keeps better time than a $30 Casio. Just be forthright you're selling a premium quality look and feel and you will find a market for this offering.

 

[solderdude]

'Definitely significantly higher' than $ 400.- (as parts costs alone are even higher) would probably make the price incl. insured shipping etc. to well over $ 600-700 ?

In that price range there is a lot more competition with more functionality like remote controlled, stepped volume controls and features like more power (for that special inefficient headphones),, wide range power supplies, selectable gain, better connectivity (think XLR + RCA) and outputs like 4.4mm Pentaconn or XLR-4 if only for convenience.
That will be a tough market to operate in and build a name that looks like an already existing established name (audio space).

 

[SpaceAudio]

Unfortunately, there is still much unknown in audio. Even an amplifier with distortions that cannot be detected by an AP analyzer can sound very different depending on how it is built (loop gain vs frequency curve, passive components, pcb topology etc.).

 

[GeekyBastard]

Even an amplifier with distortions that cannot be detected by an AP analyzer can sound very different depending on how it is built

Okay now you're just trolling, the distrust level in my mind just SPIKED.

 

[solderdude]

Unfortunately, there is still much unknown in audio. Even an amplifier with distortions that cannot be detected by an AP analyzer can sound very different depending on how it is built (loop gain vs frequency curve, passive components, pcb topology etc.).

That is a 'dangerous' thing to state here at ASR and likely you will be asked to explain further with evidence pointing in that direction.
What would be a possible cause for amps 'sounding very different' when that would be even below the measurement limit(s) of AP measurement(s) ?

I can understand such statements being made at Headfi and could generate the interest of the 'people on the eternal quest for better sound' but here you will be getting a lot of flak for just suggesting such a thing.

Of course PCB layout/wiring can have an effect on the output signal (if f'd up) but that is captured by the AP.
Loop gain vs. frequency response and distortion can show if this reaches problematic (audible) levels.

The design seems fine, looks well built, is minimalistic etc.

Does it have options for 115/230V selection (internally) ?

 

[RoA]

FiiO K11 is $140

Amir, you have, as always, provided a comprehensive review of the device; thank you very much! The amp is housed in CNC'd aluminum chassis.

Which probably makes up most of the cost ... ?

 

[Lupin]

Nice looking unit but the price...

I've read the comments and to be honest I kinda get the feeling that SpaceAudio is/will target(ing) the subjective audiophiles who are still strong believers that more expensive equals better SQ.

 

[Mulder]

This is a promo unit of the amplifier for which we would like to get feedback and impressions from experienced audiophiles.

Claiming that the headphone amplifier has sonic qualities that are not measurable, and without providing meager evidence for this, is guaranteed to generate negative reactions in this forum. The feedback you will receive is not positive.

 

[RoA]

Nice looking unit but the price...

I've read the comments and to be honest I kinda get the feeling that SpaceAudio is/will target(ing) the subjective audiophiles who are still strong believers that more expensive equals better SQ.

Seems to measure pretty well, problem is so do many much more inexpensive products these days. Now these mostly come from the PRC and I appreciate that manufacturing/assembling in other countries is more expensive.

How much is this worth to you? I am sure some will pay the extra (and the casing/build is nice)

However, if I can make one suggestion ... take that screen printing off for 'power', volume' and 'phones'. I am sure no one will mistake one for the other and it will look nicer.

 

[AudioSceptic]

Unfortunately, there is still much unknown in audio. Even an amplifier with distortions that cannot be detected by an AP analyzer can sound very different depending on how it is built (loop gain vs frequency curve, passive components, pcb topology etc.).

Oh, boy! Are you prepared?

 

[AudioSceptic]

Nice looking unit but the price...

I've read the comments and to be honest I kinda get the feeling that SpaceAudio is/will target(ing) the subjective audiophiles who are still strong believers that more expensive equals better SQ.

Even for that market, doesn't it need at least the option of balanced inputs & outputs? The case looks like it deserves more functionality.