Headphones amplifiers — Jade Audio GIGAS 1

The GIGAS 1 is a headphone amplifier from Jade Audio, built with substantial output across both balanced and single-ended connections and exceptionally clean measured performance. The GIGAS 1 brings Jade Audio's considered engineering to a compact dedicated headphone amplification format.

Key specs that matter

Maximum power reaches 4,600mW balanced or 1,400mW single-ended into 32 ohms, dropping to 740mW balanced or 185mW single-ended into 300 ohms - strong figures across a wide impedance range, with the balanced connection consistently delivering roughly three times the single-ended output. Frequency response spans an extraordinarily wide 20Hz to 200,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Total harmonic distortion is an exceptionally low 0.00057% at 1V RMS into 300 ohms, with signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 118dB. At a compact 132 x 60 x 40mm and just 0.21kg, the GIGAS 1 maintains a manageable desktop footprint for its considerable output capability.

Sound and use context

Expect exceptionally clean, powerful amplification reflecting the sub-0.00057% distortion and over-118dB signal-to-noise figures, with the substantial balanced output handling demanding headphone loads directly.

Pairing

The substantial balanced output across 32 and 300 ohm loads handles a wide range of headphones directly, from sensitive in-ear monitors through more demanding designs.

Alternatives

Jade Audio's broader amplifier catalogue offers alternatives for buyers wanting a different balance of features within the same value-focused engineering philosophy.