FiiO's JadeAudio GIGAS 1 is a $49.99 desktop amplifier aimed at cheap planars
A Class AB discrete design rated at 4,600 mW per channel balanced, built specifically to drive entry-level planar headphones, at $49.99.
FiiO has launched the GIGAS 1 under its JadeAudio brand at $49.99, a compact desktop headphone amplifier with no DAC in the chassis. It uses an op-amp front end into a discrete transistor current stage on onsemi MJE243G and MJE253G devices, rated at 4,600 mW per channel from the balanced output, with 3.5 mm and RCA inputs, 3.5 mm and 4.4 mm outputs, two gain settings and a choice of 5 V or 12 V PD power.
FiiO is explicit that the GIGAS 1 exists to feed entry-level planar headphones, which is a sensible thing to build: planars are often the cheapest way into the hobby and the most likely to be underdriven by whatever the buyer already owns. The 4,600 mW figure needs its impedance before it can be compared with anything, and an amplifier this cheap is also where output impedance is worth checking, because a high one reshapes the bass of a low-impedance headphone.
Announcement sources
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This is an announcement, not a verdict. Specifications come from the manufacturer and nothing here is measured until a unit reaches the rig. For tested solid amps, see Solid AMPs reviews. Back to all new releases.