Rothwell Audio "Headspace" Headamp

[hirscwi]

I recently purchased one of Rothwell Audio's "Headspace" headamps and have performed a comparison with several SUTs. I was intrigued by the flexibility the headamp offered - easily changed cartridge loading and gain options that don't effect the impedance shown to the cartridge but wondered if there was a trade-off in sound quality or noise. It is a discrete amp with no opamps and uses JFETs It's in a case that's about the same size as my SUTs. The build quality is very good.

I compared it to the following SUTs: Cinemag 1254; Lundahl 9226; and Lundahl 1681. In terms of sound, the Headspace is very nice. Very clean and realistic to my hearing (which is not highly educated). Relative to the SUTs there are differences but I can't say it is better or worse. Each of the SUTs has a slightly different characteristic, as to be expected given the differences in construction. Compared to my Pass Pearl 2, the Headspace is a bit warmer but just as smooth. In terms of noise, at the maximum volume level in my system, the headspace seems to have a slight bit more noise, but at 3/4 volume I can detect no differences.

For me, the bottom line is that it is another excellent choice to allow an MC cartridge to be used with existing phono preamp. I like the flexibility that the cartridge loading and gain are not linked as they are with an SUT. The price is very competitive with SUTs and less than many/most. I would recommend it to anyone.

BTW, I have no affiliation with Rothwell Audio.

 

[rothwellaudio]

Thanks for taking the time to share your findings on the forum. I'd just like to make one point - the Headspace doesn't use JFETs, it uses bipolar junction transistors (ie "ordinary" transistors).
BTW, if I'm not mistaken, isn't the Pass Pearl 2 a complete phonostage rather than a headamp? I think lts maximum gain is 55dB or 65dB. Depending on which mm phonostage you use with the Headspace or SUT, you might be getting less gain with the Pass Pearl 2 and therefore less noise but not necessarily a better signal-to-noise ratio.
Thanks again for sharing your findings.

 

[ripblade]

Rothwell is not listed at the NA distributor's website. I would prefer a Canadian one if that's possible.

I like the low gain feature for use with HOMC, but I have to question the loading options given. As most of these are spec'd for 47k shouldn't that option be included? Also with regards to the loads <100 ohms, there aren't that many LOMC that require such heavy loads. In my experience they tend to recommend at least 100R as a minimum.

So why the unusual options?

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Nice review Bill. Thanks............

 

[bobins08]

Thanks for the review Bill. I'll bet your vinyl rig sounds great.

 

[rothwellaudio]

I like the low gain feature for use with HOMC, but I have to question the loading options given. As most of these are spec'd for 47k shouldn't that option be included?

I think 47k is often stated as the "correct" load for HOMC cartridges just so people don't connect them to the typical MC phono input with 100 ohm input impedance. Most HOMCs have a source impedance considerably higher than LOMCs, but not so high that they need to see 47k. 1.5k is high enough for most HOMCs.
The input section of the Headspace is designed in such a way that it is impossible for power supply noise to reach the input. The way it is configured means that very high input impedances are not possible. That's not a problem as imho they aren't needed.

Also with regards to the loads <100 ohms, there aren't that many LOMC that require such heavy loads. In my experience they tend to recommend at least 100R as a minimum.
So why the unusual options?

I don't consider the load options to be so unusual. As well as the 1.5k setting for HOMCs, there is the usual 100 ohm setting, plus 3 setting below 100 ohms and three setting above 100 ohms. The highest internal impedances commonly found in LOMCs are around 38 ohms for some Dynavectors and 40 ohms for some Denons. There's a 360 ohm load setting for those. Many Ortofons are about 5 ohms, so there's a load setting of 55 ohms for those. The idea is to have the load impedance about 10 x the internal impedance of the cartridge. I think the options available cover the range required adequately.

 

[hirscwi]

Correct, the Pearl 2 is a complete phono preamp. I compared the Headspace/McIntosh to the Pass - perhaps not a completely fair comparison, but the Headspace compared favorably. Sorry for the confusion.