This is important because, as we will see, the Blue Hawaii SE raises questions about whether it is helpful to think of the amp and headphone as an integrated system more than as individual, universal components. The Blue Hawaii is a large hybrid amplifier with a separate power supply housed in a smaller matching box.
We asked Justin Wilson about the topology of the amplifier, and he offered this reply:. Apart from technical explanations in this article, Gilmore says his inspiration for the design was the expensive and rare Stax SRM-T2 amplifier which was also solid state with a quad of EL34 tubes.
The amp is designed in what we would characterize as the minimalist chic style. The metalwork and engraving, along with the fit of the parts, is excellent. Unlike some high-end electrostatic headphone amps e.
The standard volume control is a DACT stepped attenuator. The other element of the Blue Hawaii that merits attention is the batch-build and direct sale approach. When you realize that electrostatic headphones and especially a super-premium model like the SR, are low-volume, niche products, then you can see that a small company like HeadAmp probably has a difficult challenge forecasting demand for special-purpose electrostatic headphone amps.
Their sensible response is to accept orders and, as they see demand ramp up, to run off a batch of amps to meet current orders and, in theory, to complete a few more units for inventory. For this reason, prospective owners should understand that the best strategy is to pre-order their BHSE amps a refundable deposit is required to reserve a unit in the production queue.
The BHSE is extremely good in both these areas, but some competing amps push the edge of the resolution envelope even harder than the Blue Hawaii does. When we talk about good amplifiers we often describe them using the same adjectives we use for the sound of speakers or headphones.
This suggests that the differences between amps are as marked as the differences between speakers, which decidedly is not the case. It is important to keep that in mind when comparing the review of an amp like the Blue Hawaii SE with a competing amp.
Overall, the Blue Hawaii SE seems rather neutral, with perhaps a touch of warmth and a bit of grain apparent on first listening. When listening through the BHSE, the related short—term reaction you may notice is the desire to listen to whole tracks and to keep exploring your musical library, hour after hour.
If we break down the sonic palette, the deep and mid bass of the Blue Hawaii are very good. We know that the SRs can offer impressive bass and are capable of delivering dynamic and detailed low frequencies without much bloat or blur.
We know this because you can hear the SR deliver accurate drum and string bass sounds accurate when compared with the sound of live music through other amps like the Woo WES.
With the Woo, you just get the sense that the headphones are being well controlled, yet supported with excellent power and drive. The midrange of the Blue Hawaii SE is also quite natural. Essentially, all headphones have some frequency response errors that lead mid- and upper-range instruments to sound a little distorted, especially on certain dynamic passages.
No expense was spared in the design and build of the Blue Hawaii SE and every amplifier is tested extensively throughout the build process, with an extensive burn-in process to ensure the best possible performance.
The Blue Hawaii SE is available with two volume control options. The first is a level step attenuator that ensures perfect channel matching at each volume step. For those who desire infinitely granular volume control we offer the ALPS RK50 potentiometer, the highest-grade part of its kind, giving you the freedom to set the volume just-so without compromising sound quality.
There are also two options for feet on the Blue Hawaii SE. The precisely machined and finished aluminum spike feet match the accent color of the front panels and tube rings and are compatible with various audiophile isolation platforms. We also offer a set of rubber feet that offer different isolation characteristics and a non-mar option for delicate surfaces.
Polished Black. Satin Black. Polished Silver. Satin Grey. Polished Blue. Satin Blue. Polished Purple. Satin Purple. Satin Champagne.
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