JadeAudio launches GIGAS 1 desktop headphone amp with 4.6W

JadeAudio GIGAS 1 was officially launched today (June 23) in mainland China. According to FiiO’s sub-brand, the GIGAS 1 was born out of the need for sufficient power to drive the JadeAudio JT7 planar magnetic over-ear headphone. With an output power of 4,600 mW, this dedicated desktop amplifier promises to drive virtually any headphone with authority. Check out all the details about JadeAudio’s latest release below.

Update (June 24): The JadeAudio GIGAS 1 is now available on FiiO’s official AliExpress store.

GIGAS 1 delivers 4.6W of power and Class AB amplification

Designed specifically to power demanding headphones with high impedance and low sensitivity, the GIGAS 1 is capable of delivering up to 4.6W (4,600mW) of output power. In addition, this dedicated desktop amplifier features a discrete Class AB amplification circuit.

To make all of that power easier to control, the GIGAS 1 comes with a large top-mounted volume knob, allowing for more precise volume adjustment.

The overall design of the GIGAS 1 is compact and minimalist. JadeAudio opted for an aluminum-alloy chassis and physical switch controls, with no display.

A fully discrete amplification circuit

Rather than relying on integrated amplifier chips, the GIGAS 1 uses discrete components in its amplification circuit. In other words, the amplifier is built with transistors, resistors, and capacitors selected specifically for this design.

According to JadeAudio, the GIGAS 1 uses Onsemi MJE243G / MJE253G transistors to achieve high-current, low-impedance output. This allows it to drive both over-ear headphones and In-Ear Monitors (IEMs) while delivering a natural and pleasant sound.

Below is the amplification circuit diagram of the JadeAudio GIGAS 1.

The output is balanced, but the input is single-ended

The GIGAS 1 features only analog inputs, allowing users to connect either a 3.5 mm cable or RCA cables. Even though it does not include a balanced XLR or 4.4 mm input, the GIGAS 1’s amplification circuit itself is balanced.

Inside the GIGAS 1 is a circuit built around dual operational amplifier stages and eight transistors.

What are the advantages of using the balanced output?

According to JadeAudio, using the GIGAS 1’s balanced output provides the following benefits:

• Greater output swing and higher power: better performance with certain high-impedance or low-sensitivity headphones.
• Non-shared grounding: because the headphone ground and the power supply ground do not need to share the same reference in a balanced circuit, interference at the 4.4 mm output is reduced.
• Improved channel separation: from 75 dB on the single-ended output to 95 dB on the balanced output.

Due to the high output power available from the GIGAS 1’s balanced output, it is not recommended to use highly sensitive, low-impedance IEMs or on-ear headphones with 4.4 mm cables, as this may introduce audible noise.

How to manage such high power and avoid noise with IEMs

The GIGAS 1 delivers the same output power in both low-gain and high-gain modes. As a result, users should exercise caution when using sensitive IEMs, since the available power is very high and may introduce noise into the audio signal.

According to JadeAudio, gain adjustment is implemented by changing the amplification factor of the analog input signal. Since output power is limited by the power supply voltage swing and current delivery capability, the only two ways to reduce it are:

• Replacing a 12V power adapter with a 5V adapter
• Using the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output

When powered by a 5V/2A adapter and paired with an IEM using a 3.5 mm plug, the GIGAS 1 delivers 170mW into 32 ohms. When powered by a 12V fast charger using the PD (Power Delivery) standard, output rises to 1,400mW from the single-ended output.

The GIGAS 1 has no DAC: affordable ways to solve that

Unfortunately, the GIGAS 1 is a “pure” or dedicated amplifier and does not include an internal DAC. Fortunately, FiiO offers an inexpensive solution: the FiiO Trust USB-C to 3.5 mm cable. Part of the FiiO Trust lineup, this cable includes a built-in DAC and costs just US$9.66 at FiiO’s official AliExpress store.

An even better option than buying a product with a built-in DAC may be reusing a device you already own. If you have a USB dongle DAC (DAC/amp), you can simply use the FiiO Trust 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable to connect it to the GIGAS 1.

You can also connect the same 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable directly to a PC. However, this solution may introduce more noise than using a USB dongle DAC.

Support for headsets with microphones

It is possible to use a headset microphone with the GIGAS 1 because it supports the CTIA standard. However, doing so requires a 3.5 mm TRRS cable on both the headphone output and the line input.

You must connect the GIGAS 1 to a source device that also supports the CTIA standard in order to enable the use of headphones with built-in microphones. Examples include laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Some dongle DACs also support the CTIA standard, and you can check which models do so in this article.

Physical buttons and connections on the GIGAS 1

On the top of the GIGAS 1 is a large volume knob. On the front of the amplifier, there is a power switch, a gain switch, and two headphone outputs (3.5 mm and 4.4 mm). On the rear, there are two analog line inputs (3.5 mm and RCA) as well as a USB-C port for power.

Below is a diagram showing the physical controls and connections of the JadeAudio GIGAS 1.

JadeAudio GIGAS 1: Specifications

General specifications

• Amplification circuit: 4× Onsemi MJE243G transistors + 4× Onsemi MJE253G transistors
• Chassis material: aluminum alloy
• Colors: Black, Silver, White, Orange, Green
• Dimensions: 13.2 cm × 6 cm × 4 cm (excluding the amplifier feet)
• Headphone outputs: 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) and 4.4 mm balanced
• Inputs: RCA and 3.5 mm
• Microphone support on the 3.5 mm headphone output
• Physical controls: volume knob, gain switch, power switch
• Power input: USB-C
• Power supply: 5V/2A or 12V/2A
• Weight: 210 g

General audio specifications

• Compatible impedance range: 8 ~ 350 Ω
• Frequency response: 20 Hz ~ 200 kHz; attenuation < 0.4 dB
• Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): ≥ 116 dB (A-weighted)
• Noise floor: < 10.6 μV (A-weighted)
• THD+N: < 0.00057% (1 kHz / -5 dB @ 32 Ω)
• Output impedance at the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output: <1 Ω
• Output impedance at the 4.4 mm balanced output: <1.5 Ω

Output power from the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output with 5V/2A power

• 280mW em 16 Ω (2,1Vrms)
• 170mW em 32 Ω (2,3Vrms)
• 90mW em 300 Ω

Output power from the 4.4 mm balanced output with 5V/2A power

• 790mW em 16 Ω (3,6Vrms)
• 580mW em 32 Ω (4,3Vrms)
• 390mW em 300 Ω

Output power from the 3.5 mm single-ended (SE) output with 12V/2A power

• 2200mW into 16 Ω (5.9Vrms)
• 1400mW into 32 Ω (6.7Vrms)
• 185mW into 300 Ω (7.5Vrms)

Output power from the 4.4 mm balanced output with 12V/2A power

• 3300mW into 16 Ω (7.3Vrms)
• 4600mW into 32 Ω (12.1Vrms)
• 740mW into 300 Ω (14.9Vrms)

Launch, price, and availability

The JadeAudio GIGAS 1 is now available on the international market in Black, Silver, White, Orange, and Green for US$54.61 through FiiO’s official AliExpress store.