Rothwell Audio Headspace II Moving Coil Headamp

Uses For A Headamp:

• To allow low output moving coil cartridges to be used with moving magnet phono stages. This could be anything from a budget MM-only phono stage right up to a high-end valve phono stage the Headspace will not be out-classed by even the most expensive of ancillary equipment.
• To add flexibility to an MM/MC phono stage. A phono stage with no ability to adjust the gain or load impedance can be set to MM operation and the Headspace used as a pre-preamp to allow the optimum gain to be set for the cartridge in use and the load impedance can be set independently of gain for the best performance.
• To improve the signal-to-noise ratio of an MM/MC phono stage. Phono stages which are noisy on the MC setting can be improved by using the Headspace as a pre-preamp with the phono stage set to MM operation. The Headspace's low noise design makes it very quiet, with extremely low hiss and hum better than many MC phono stages.
• To boost the signal from high output moving coils. Some moving coil cartridges which are classed as "high output" still have a much lower output than a typical moving magnet cartridge. The Headspace has a low gain setting (10dB) which is ideal to give those cartridges the extra lift required to match them to an MM phono stage, and the Headspace's highest load impedance setting (1.5k) is ideally suited for high output moving coils (even if the manufacturer's recommended load is 47k). The Denon DL-110 is an example of such a cartridge.

The Headspace II uses discrete transistor circuitry throughout, including the propriety low noise voltage regulator. The transistors used to amplify the audio are selected low noise devices and audiophile resistors and capacitors are used for the lowest noise and best sound. The circuit configuration is an unusual variation on the complementary feedback pair giving the Headspace superbly detailed performance with good separation and a wide and deep soundstage.

Gain Settings

Four gain settings are available for cartridges with output voltages within each of the specified ranges:

• 0.7mV - 02.5mV, 10dB (x3.2)
• 0.2mV - 0.7mV, 20dB (x10)
• 0.1mV - 0.35mV, 25dB (x18)
• 0.05mV - 0.3mV, 27dB (x23)

Load Impedance Settings

Eight load impedance settings are available:

• 55 ohms
• 65 ohms
• 80 ohms
• 100 ohms
• 140 ohms
• 200 ohms
• 360 ohms
• 1.5k

The range of load impedances allows the Headspace to be used with a wide variety of low output and high output MC cartridges.

Technical Specifications:

• Gain: 10dB, 20dB, 25dB, 27dB
• Input Impedance: 55R, 65R, 80R, 100R, 140R, 200R, 360R, 1.5k
• Output Impedance: <100 ohms
• Headroom: >20dB
• Power Supply: 24 volts DC, centre +ve
• Mains Voltage: 100V - 250V AC
• Power Consumption: 1W
• Dimensions: 60 x 155 x 92 mm
• Weight: 570g (exc. PSU)
• Packed Weight: 770g (inc. PSU)