Introduction to the Hifiman Goldenwave GA-10 Review
HiFiMAN, as a company, obviously needs no introduction if you’ve been into this hobby for a while. Their planar-magnetic headphones have been a force to be reckoned with for years, and it won’t change anytime soon.
However, when it comes to headphone amplifiers, HiFiMAN released a few products in the past, but none of them gathered as much hype as their headphones. Nonetheless, I’m still rocking the EF600 on my desk, and I believe this is one of the best DAC/AMPs I have ever used in my life when it comes to price-to-performance ratio.
Today we’re reviewing the HiFiMAN GOLDENWAVE GA-10, a beast of an amplifier that meant business from the first second I put it on my desk. Let’s dive in together and see if it’s as capable as it looks.
Packaging
The unboxing experience of the GA-10 is pretty straightforward, but with a little twist – the box is absolutely huge (no surprise since the amplifier itself is quite a behemoth).
Apart from the size itself, everything else is what you can expect from HiFiMAN. A standard, cardboard box with foam inserts to keep your new baby safe. No luxurious accessories, nothing fancy, but it works, and that’s all that matters.
When it comes to accessories, you’re getting a power cord…and that’s it. If that’s what it takes to keep the price as low as possible, I’m more than fine with it.
It’s an amplifier, with no added functionality, so I don’t really know what more we could have expected here. However, the packaging is quality and offers good protection, so no complaints here.
Design and Build Quality
This paragraph COULD be summarized in a few words: It’s an amplifier. But I would have had to be quite sarcastic to just leave you with that.
Jokes aside, the design is very minimalistic and simple. However, simplicity is king, and this amplifier is a great homage to these words. The GA-10 looks great, and its attention-grabbing trait comes from its sheer size, rather than its sublime materials and unique design.
Where it really shines, though, is the actual build quality, which is fantastic. This beast is rock solid, heavy, and great to the touch, actually. It has a matte finish and is made of thicc metal. While it might be a little bit too heavy to serve as a bulletproof insert for your plate carrier, I’m pretty sure it would stop some smaller calibers.
Apparently, I’m in a mood for jokes tonight, who can blame me, though? I’m listening to the GA-10 as I’m writing all of this, and this is a phenomenal experience, but more on this later…
Back to the topic. This is a very simple device when it comes to functionality and I/O. The only complaint I might have when it comes to the build quality is the volume knob. Don’t get me wrong, is great, but just a tiny bit scratchy. I’m nitpicking here, but the overall quality of this amplifier is so good that this knob is a VERY small disappointment.
I love the small dimple in the knob, though, makes it super easy to operate the amplifier at night, and the knob itself is big…who doesn’t like big knobs?!
Overall, this is a very, very solid amplifier that is built to last and to impress. Impressive.
Tech
As you already know, the GA-10 is a tube amplifier, so obviously it does use tubes, right? Okay, enough with this whole *funny* stuff (maybe).
It uses 8 (!) tubes, four ECC83/12AX7 driver tubes, and four EL84 power tubes. These are very popular, so you won’t have any trouble finding replacements or upgrades in the future if you need them.
Powering it all is an impressive, specially designed, shielded 120W transformer that gives you clean and stable power.
When it comes to power, the GA-10 can squeeze up to 3W into 300Ω and 600MW into 32Ω, and its power consumption is 70W.
Yes, for the size and weight of this behemoth, these numbers are underwhelming to say the least, at least on paper. However, this is a Single-Ended, Push-Pull tube amplifier, a story vastly different from your classic Topping Solid-State amplifiers.
Will you be able to run the Susvara through the GA-10? No, not really, at least to its full potential.
Is it enough for many headphones? Well, the ZMF Caldera that is sitting on my head now says YES. And not only does it power it well…it also sings beautifully with it.
Sound of the reviewed Hifiman Goldenwave GA-10
And with this, we’re at the sound description. So far, we know that this is a huge, beefy, and very well-made tube amplifier, but how does it actually sound?
This is an interesting one, because it definitely sounds like it looks, but there’s so much more to it. It is both big and rich, its sound is truly addictive, and there’s no way I’m taking it off my desk anytime soon.
Obviously, this is not a super powerful, neutral, and hyper clean-sounding amplifier, but it’s not trying to be one. What’s really impressive is that it combines two sound characteristics in one single amplifier, and the two that usually don’t go together, unless we’re speaking really, really expensive equipment ($5000+).
Everything about this amplifier screams MUSIC. It’s not the most detailed, the fastest, nor the cleanest. But beautiful and charming it definitely is. At the same time, it has a ton of slam, body, and beautiful, everlasting transients.
And this is very important. After being in this hobby for more than 15 years now, basically spending my entire work career within audio, I’m long gone seeking the most “perfect”. It’s what’s unique, entertaining, and beautiful that tickles it for me at this point. And as much as (unfortunately) not a lot of products do it for me anymore, this one certainly does.
The bass is big, saturated, bold, and has a fantastic sense of rhythm. It’s not the most controlled or detailed, but when it comes to that tactile feeling, that physicality and kick, it does it all. This is especially impressive with planar headphones, which aren’t exactly known for these traits. You don’t need to EQ your headphones anymore to bring up that subbass region – it’s all here, by default.
While listening to a wonderful album called Eyes Closed by HAEVN, I’m getting those thick bass lines that are energetic, full of vigor and body, and this album really sounds incredible with proper gear. The HiFiMAN iSvarna, together with the GA-10, is a bass superiority that is just impossible not to enjoy. That is something I often miss in the High-End headphones market – the sheer amount of energy, punch, and rumble. It’s all here, so if you care about those things…get this setup and thank me later.
The midrange…oh, the midrange is just godlike. Rich beyond limits, buttery smooth, colorful, and almost vibrating. I can listen to those vocals until I retire, and I’d retire a happy man, and I’m not even kidding. Again, it’s not THE most detailed, but it is the price I’m willing to pay for it to sound so incredibly satisfying and lifelike.
By saying it’s not the most detailed, I obviously don’t mean it’s not detailed at all. Both detail retrieval and resolution are really good here, but they’re just not the stars of the show, and they’re not trying to be.
Together with that absolutely beautiful timbre, you’re getting energy and thickness that really elevates everything you’re listening to to another level. Yes, I’m being hyper-optimistic, but I literally didn’t have that much fun listening to music in a long, long while. And this is what’s really, really important for me.
The treble is a combination of shine and delicacy. It does give you that spark, shimmering yet never offensive. You’re safe with poorly mastered albums, but at the same time, you’re in for a treat with those that have been engineered to perfection.
Together with the bass, this treble performance makes the GA-10 a beast when it comes to drum-heavy music. You’re simply getting everything that’s important in this instrument, and then some. While this amp is by no means dedicated for metal, it does perform wonderfully with it.
However, you’re not going to put that outstanding midrange to use, at least with heavier records. And this is where this amplifier gets really top-tier.
The soundstage is not the biggest, but the amount of air between the instruments is basically limitless. The imaging, while not laser-precise, offers an impressively natural feeling, since every single sound source is big and forward-sounding. This gives you a feeling that you’re sitting in the middle of the recording studio.
This level of intimacy works wonderfully with the amplifier’s general sound characteristic. It puts you right there in the middle of music, where it shines the brightest.
You can obviously counter it with a vast-sounding headphone like the HD800 by Sennheiser, but it’s not what this is all about in my opinion. This is an amplifier that definitely has its own sound, and trust me…you want to experience it the way it’s supposed to be. It’s that good.
Comparisons
HiFiMAN Serenade (Amplifier section)
You might think that the GA-10 is basically the amplifier section of the Serenade, as from the description, they do sound quite alike, right?
In theory, you would be right, but in practice…it’s not even close.
The GA-10 is like Serenade on steroids, and then times ten. It’s much bolder, much bigger, and much richer.
I’m not saying that the Serenade is not any of these things, not at all. But the GA-10 takes it to a complete another universe when it comes to musicality and the level of satisfaction.
Actually, right now the GA-10 I’m testing is plugged into the Serenade, so I’m able to switch between the two amplifier sections in two seconds.
Switching to the Serenad,e I’m getting a feeling that the music pretty much dies. It sounds dry, thin, and uninspiring in comparison. And remember that the Serenade itself is a very good amplifier to begin with. Let this tell you just how great the GA-10 is.
Obviously, these two devices serve different purposes, as the Serenade is a DAC/AMP combo. But if you’re currently using the Serenade and you want to elevate it in every single way possible while maintaining that beautiful, rich, and powerful sound signature, the GA-10 is a perfect amplifier to do so.
Okay, time to bring up the biggest guns. The Feliks Audio Envy is by far the best headphone amplifier that I ever tried, tested and owned.
At the same time, this comparison is not entirely fair nor wise, since there’s a huge price difference here, but hey…let’s have a little fun.
Basically, the GA-10 is NOT as good as the Envy, it lacks that insanely big soundstage, that level of refinement and raw power when it comes to driving any headphones in existence with ease.
However, for a fraction of the cost you’re getting an amplifier, that with some headphones and with some recordings might give you just as much fun.
The GA-10 is bolder, heavier and more in-your-face than the Envy, but in some scenarios it just works. The price to performance ratio is undoubtedly better in favor of the HiFiMAN amplifier.
Obviously, nobody will ever buy the Envy for its value. So as I said, this comparison doesn’t make too much sense. But I wanted to try how does the GA-10 compare to the best of the best…and it performed like champ. I’m beyond impressed.
Pairings
HiFiMAN Susvara
Does it drive the almighty Susvara to its full potential? No, it doesn’t. Moving on…
Now we’re talking. The Susvara Unveiled is much easier to drive than the OG, and together with the GA-10…it’s absolutely godlike.
Imagine the headphone that is as spacious, as detailed and fast as it gets, and pair it with an amplifier that is energetic yet smooth, rich and thick sounding. Yes, you’re getting a combo that could last you a lifetime and then some.
I certainly would take it anytime of the day (or night) as my one and only setup until my last day. It just does it all, and you can’t stop listening to it.
Okay, more facts, less Paweł being excited. The overall sound is highly saturated, fast and powerful, with a spectacular airiness.
The GA-10 gives the Susvara Unveiled what they really need if you’re a fan of the OG Susvara – the body, smoothness and color in the midrange. So now what you’re left with is basically the OG Susvara…but faster and more articulate, with an even bigger soundstage. Did we just make the best headphone in the world…better?
ZMF Caldera
The Caldera is another example of a fantastic pairing with the GA-10. These headphones themselves are rich and powerful sounding, and together with the GA-10 they are just an entertainment machine.
And to be quite honest, this is my favorite pairing right now to just kick back and enjoy my favorite recordings. I might not be getting the objectively *best* sound that’s possible on my desk, but who cares?!
This one I can listen to for hours and never get enough. How do I know? Well, what do you think I’m doing right now?
Okay, let’s wrap it up so I can close my eyes again and just listen to The Midnight.
Hifiman Goldenwave GA-10 Review – Summary
The HiFiMAN GOLDENWAVE GA-10 took me by surprise, I’m not even going to lie. I had little to no expectations from this amplifier, and it actually has sat a good while in my room until I opened it up for testing (sorry, life’s been really busy for the past year or so).
What I realized the moment the GA-10 played its first sound is that I was stupid not to unpack it earlier. Obviously, it has a major con which is its size…it just takes SO MUCH SPACE on my desk it’s absolutely ridiculous.
But you know what? I don’t care. I can always get a bigger desk. But this is the amp I just want to experience more and more, it just clicked with me. And it really happens rather rarely.
If you’re in the market for an amplifier that has a soul and at the same time is like a huge bucket of fun and energy, look no further. This is IT.
Wildly recommended!
Big thanks to HiFiMAN for providing us with the GA-10 for this review. I wasn’t paid or asked to say anything good or bad about this product, all of the above is just my personal, unbiased opinion.
Founder of Ear Fidelity. I’ve been into audio for many years, working in production, distribution, retail, and marketing throughout my career. Now trying to revolutionize the art of reviewing audio gear, but one thing will never change: Music is the most important.
