advertisement


Heed Elixir Integrated Amp

I should have joined this thread earlier and mentioned that the Elixir needs a fairly long run-in period and it starts shining after 100+ hours – it has partly to do something with the capacitor coupling we extensively use in almost all of our amplifiers.

As for the Elixir’s positioning, the project began two years ago with the profound wish of a number of French dealers to have a Brio-R alternative. However, we have realised soon that we cannot make an integrated amp as cheap as the Brio-R. So it has become clear that we have to change the original concept somewhat and, in order to justify the higher price, we better take the bull by the horns and create a completely new integrated amp which offers more than the Brio-R both sonically and feature-wise, yet ranging below the Obelisk Si3 in the Heed amplifier hierarchy.

The Elixir sports an MM phono stage roughly comparable to our Questar MM (£300) and an exceptionally good headphone preamp which is almost as good as our Canalot costing £550, so if you add these two figures together, you have the pure integrated amp actually for free. Joke aside, Neville Roberts discovered it quickly and compared the Elixir very favourably to the more expensive Elex-R in his Hi-Fi Choice review („As well as the similarity in the name, the Elixir compares well with Rega’s full-width Elex-R integrated amplifier with its similar range of features – the latter costing around Ł150 more …. the Heed is a formidable contender for audio fans looking for a multitalented amplifier at a real-world price.”)


It is all the more a shame that availability of the Elixir in the UK (and also of the Obelisk Si3) leaves much to be desired at the moment. We can of course help out from the continent with our mail order offer but we are well aware that it is just a stopgap. Needless to say, quality audio products shall ideally be demo’d, sold and supported by specialised local dealers being appointed by the distributor.
 
Alpar said:
I should have joined this thread earlier and mentioned that the Elixir needs a fairly long run-in period and it starts shining after 100+ hours – it has partly to do something with the capacitor coupling we extensively use in almost all of our amplifiers.

As for the Elixir’s positioning, the project began two years ago with the profound wish of a number of French dealers to have a Brio-R alternative. However, we have realised soon that we cannot make an integrated amp as cheap as the Brio-R. So it has become clear that we have to change the original concept somewhat and, in order to justify the higher price, we better take the bull by the horns and create a completely new integrated amp which offers more than the Brio-R both sonically and feature-wise, yet ranging below the Obelisk Si3 in the Heed amplifier hierarchy.

The Elixir sports an MM phono stage roughly comparable to our Questar MM (£300) and an exceptionally good headphone preamp which is almost as good as our Canalot costing £550, so if you add these two figures together, you have the pure integrated amp actually for free. Joke aside, Neville Roberts discovered it quickly and compared the Elixir very favourably to the more expensive Elex-R in his Hi-Fi Choice review („As well as the similarity in the name, the Elixir compares well with Rega’s full-width Elex-R integrated amplifier with its similar range of features – the latter costing around Ł150 more …. the Heed is a formidable contender for audio fans looking for a multitalented amplifier at a real-world price.”)


It is all the more a shame that availability of the Elixir in the UK (and also of the Obelisk Si3) leaves much to be desired at the moment. We can of course help out from the continent with our mail order offer but we are well aware that it is just a stopgap. Needless to say, quality audio products shall ideally be demo’d, sold and supported by specialised local dealers being appointed by the distributor.
Click to expand...

Thank you for chiming in here. Could you tell me what to expect as far as differences with the Obelisk Si III. I will not have the external power supply but will have the phono stage. What are the primary differences between the Elixir and Obelisk and how should that manifest itself sonically. I am driving Harbeth Compact 7's. Your website is lovely to look at but not particularly informative.

Art
 
There are plenty of differencies between Elixir and Obelisk Si III. On the face of it they look similar, however, this is mainly down to the same physical size, especially the half width almost all Heed components share all the way up to Thesis. Technically speaking, both amps are based on the same non-DC-coupling topology but that is about the only thing they have in common. Their preamp sections are completely different, and although the power output stages do show some resemblance, they are laid out quite differently.

In terms of sound quality, they are more clearly distinguishable: the Elixir sounds vivid, tuneful, snappy and forceful, does its homework in puncto information retrieval and transparency, but the Obelisk Si III plays in an altogether different league. It is the more sophisticated amplifier of the two: its presentation is also full of verve like the Elixir’s but can create a palpable presence, a deeper insight and wider space around the instruments that usually only better valve amps do. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the Obelisk Si III that matches your Harbeth Compact 7’s at the end of the day. But don’t take my word for it, you better check it out for yourself.

By the way, you don't need an external power supply with the Si III. Even stand-alone it is better than the previous Si II with X-2!
 
Alpar said:
There are plenty of differencies between Elixir and Obelisk Si III. On the face of it they look similar, however, this is mainly down to the same physical size, especially the half width almost all Heed components share all the way up to Thesis. Technically speaking, both amps are based on the same non-DC-coupling topology but that is about the only thing they have in common. Their preamp sections are completely different, and although the power output stages do show some resemblance, they are laid out quite differently.

In terms of sound quality, they are more clearly distinguishable: the Elixir sounds vivid, tuneful, snappy and forceful, does its homework in puncto information retrieval and transparency, but the Obelisk Si III plays in an altogether different league. It is the more sophisticated amplifier of the two: its presentation is also full of verve like the Elixir’s but can create a palpable presence, a deeper insight and wider space around the instruments that usually only better valve amps do. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the Obelisk Si III that matches your Harbeth Compact 7’s at the end of the day. But don’t take my word for it, you better check it out for yourself.

By the way, you don't need an external power supply with the Si III. Even stand-alone it is better than the previous Si II with X-2!
Click to expand...

The Obelisk should arrive Wednesday and then the homework begins. I suspect we are looking at the same painful break in time?
 
Thanks Alpar for the description on differences between the two amps. Thanks Art for your listening time with these, will be curious to hear your comments. Have fun!
 
To your question, ArtK: I'm afraid you will need to go through the same painful break-in procedure you've done with the Elixir - "condition precedent", your lawyer would say in English legalese :) Therefore, you are strongly advised not to jump to conclusions in this initial period.
 
I know you don't sell cables but what cables are used by Heed when listening to Heed Audio systems. I tried Kimber Kable at first but the Heed's didn't seem to like it. I settled with entry level Analysis Plus. However if there are cables that give better results, or cables that you folks use when doing your own listening tests I would love to know that.
 
Also could you compare the phono card for the Obelisk to the phono stage in the Elixir, please.
 
Basically, the two phono stages are almost identical as far as topology and layouts are concerned. Two different applications - plug-in module vs. integrated part of the main PCB – will always lead to slightly different results, of course. However, we are talking about minor differencies here.

Cables… well, we are well known for our aversion to the unbelievable cable hype in the higher spheres of audio, a money-making bandwagon almost every manufacturer wants to jump on sooner or later. We don’t claim of course that cables play no role in the final tuning of a hi-fi system but we do claim that they are of secondary importance compared to very complex active components (front-ends, amps, etc.).

If you still have your Chord cables, let me just encourage you to use them, we have always got very good results from them, and not necessarily by using the expensive types. We have also used Atlas, Audioquest, Cardas and Russ Andrews cables every now and then – again, rather the cheaper types – with good results. A future alternative could be our own Heed cables which we want to launch soon – no rocket science or voodoo, just honest, technically well-founded and above all very affordable stuff. „Cables” (plural) means digit, interconnect and speaker cable, one of each. With other words, it is meant to be an accessory kit to our electronic components and speakers, and not a broad product range.
 
Thank you for the response. I no longer have the Chord cables.

I took delivery of the Obelisk yesterday and it is quite lovely. However the phono stage was very noisy. Unlistenable, to me. Other wise the amp is dead quiet. The phono card is installed correctly however it's just plain noisy. I had a little hum with the Elixir, but nowhere near as offensive. I figured it's the usual Rega noise with the integrated ground. I want a plug and play solution and have decided to just return the Obelisk (as I really don't want to know how much better it is...lol)..and enjoy the Elixir.

I will be writing a review of the Elixir comparing it with other heavyweights in it's price class. That would include the Brio-R which I own, the Arcam A19 and the Rogue Audio Sphinx. All come with an integrated phono stage.

I want to thank Gene Rubin Audio in the USA. Great dealer, a guy who loves music and believes in real customer service. Bravo, Gene.
 
I understand you, Art. In this context, it makes sense of course to keep to the Elixir. I'm certainly looking forward to reading your findings.
 
Hope we see the Heed cables over on this side of the pond. I always keep it basic with cables. Usually the lower end. With Chord I really enjoyed the Chameleon and the Silverscreen. Looks like that has been replaced.
 
Well, the Obelisk didn't last. As I was installing it in the system for a second time I heard something banging around in the case. I plugged in the amp and...nothing. I opened the case and the transformer had come loose. I hand tightened it but still nothing. Didn't get a proper chance to listen to it. That said I am enjoying the Elixir a lot. The phono stage is very nice indeed. I have reinstalled the Kimber 4TC and Hero and they are working just fine with it. I am still looking at switching to Chord or Atlas.
 
Wow Art, sorry about the Obelisk situation! I am surprised you plugged the unit in even after hearing something loose/banging around in the case though!

Glad you are enjoying the Elixir though, that is the main thing!
 
Art, have you inserted the 'shorting' power supply plug into the PSU socket? If the socket is vacant, the Obelisk Si is completely muted because the power amp section is disconnected from the onboard power supply.
 
Alpar said:
Art, have you inserted the 'shorting' power supply plug into the PSU socket? If the socket is vacant, the Obelisk Si is completely muted because the power amp section is disconnected from the onboard power supply.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what you are talking about. The only thing I changed was the input for phono.
 
It doesn't help that the manual for the Obelisk is for a previous version with the input/outputs labeled differently. Such as what was pre out's labeled tape out.
 
TimF said:
Wow Art, sorry about the Obelisk situation! I am surprised you plugged the unit in even after hearing something loose/banging around in the case though!

Glad you are enjoying the Elixir though, that is the main thing!
Click to expand...

I assumed it must be something I hadn't noticed before (and normal). It was shifting more than banging, I suppose. I would never have thought that it was a loose transformer. Never had that happen before.
 
Alpar said:
Art, have you inserted the 'shorting' power supply plug into the PSU socket? If the socket is vacant, the Obelisk Si is completely muted because the power amp section is disconnected from the onboard power supply.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, now I know what you are talking about and yes I used it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


advertisement


Back
Top