Rothwell Audio Headspace II MC Head Amp

The Rothwell Audio Headspace II MC Head Amp is a moving coil headamp, also known as a pre-preamp, designed to raise the output of low output moving coil cartridges to a level compatible with moving magnet phonostages. Unlike traditional step-up transformers, the Headspace II uses discrete transistor circuitry, offering advantages in gain and load impedance control.

With four gain settings and eight load impedance options, it can accommodate an extremely wide range of moving coil cartridges. Its high-quality transistor design provides very wide bandwidth and exceptionally low noise. This makes the Headspace II suitable for use with everything from budget MM-only phonostages to high-end valve phonostages.

By delivering optimal gain and loading, it ensures precise, detailed, and dynamic sound reproduction while retaining full musical transparency.

Versatile Applications

The Headspace II MC Head Amp can serve multiple functions in a hi-fi system. First, it allows low output moving coil cartridges to be used with moving magnet phonostages, making it compatible with a wide range of setups.

Second, it adds flexibility to MM/MC phonostages that have fixed gain or load impedance, enabling independent adjustment of these parameters for the best performance. Third, it can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of phonostages that are noisy on their MC setting by operating the phonostage in MM mode while providing low-noise amplification.

Finally, it can provide additional gain for higher output MC cartridges, such as the Denon DL-110, which require a small lift to match MM phonostages while allowing optimal loading for improved tonal balance and clarity.

Circuit Design and Components

The Headspace II employs a fully discrete transistor circuit with a proprietary low-noise voltage regulator. Low-noise transistors are combined with audiophile-grade resistors and capacitors to minimise hiss and hum while preserving musical detail.

The circuit is an unusual variation of the complementary feedback pair, resulting in wide bandwidth, low distortion, and excellent separation across the stereo field. Its design provides a wide and deep soundstage, allowing every nuance in the recording to emerge clearly.

This careful attention to circuit architecture ensures that the Headspace II delivers natural, fatigue-free sound, making it suitable for use with the most demanding audiophile cartridges and systems.

Gain and Load Settings

The Headspace II MC Head Amp provides four gain settings and eight load impedance settings to accommodate virtually any moving coil cartridge. Gain options include 10dB, 20dB, 25dB, and 27dB, corresponding to cartridges with output voltages of 0.7mV to 0.2.5mV, 0.2mV to 0.7mV, 0.1mV to 0.35mV, and 0.05mV to 0.3mV respectively.

Load impedance settings range from 55 ohms to 1.5k ohms, allowing precise matching to cartridge requirements and maximising performance. This flexibility ensures that both low-output and high-output MC cartridges are properly loaded and amplified for optimal tonal balance, dynamics, and clarity. Users can fine-tune both gain and impedance independently to achieve the best sonic result for any cartridge type.

Specifications and Build

The Headspace II MC Head Amp features an input impedance range from 55 ohms to 1.5k ohms and an output impedance of less than 100 ohms. It provides headroom of greater than 20dB and operates from a 24-volt DC power supply. The unit is compatible with mains voltages from 100V to 250V AC and has a power consumption of only 1 watt.

Measuring 60 x 155 x 92 millimeters and weighing 570 grams excluding the PSU, the Headspace II is compact and easy to integrate into any hi-fi system. Its high-quality construction, low-noise design, and wide range of settings make it a versatile and essential tool for audiophiles seeking the best performance from moving coil cartridges.