{"product_id":"fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier","title":"FiiO GIGAS 1 Desktop Headphone Amplifier","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe FiiO Jade Audio GIGAS 1 is a compact desktop headphone amplifier with giant power: GIGAS is Greek for “giant”. FiiO created the GIGAS series after launching its JT7 planar headphones, which need a lot of power, because sources with enough drive were usually expensive. The GIGAS 1 fixes that at an affordable price: a discrete Class AB circuit with onsemi transistors delivers up to 4,600mW per channel from its 4.4mm balanced output, enough for entry-level planar headphones from FiiO and other brands, full-size headphones and IEMs. It has 3.5mm and RCA inputs, 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs, two gain levels and runs from USB-C at 5V or PD 12V.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier-photo-colours.jpg?v=1791331435\" alt=\"Jade Audio GIGAS 1 headphone amplifiers in silver, black and green\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiscrete Class AB current amplification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe amplifier is built from discrete parts: op-amps for voltage gain followed by transistor current amplification, using the classic onsemi MJE243G and MJE253G pair, for high-current, low-impedance output. FiiO describes the sound as smooth, natural and melodious, and it drives full-size headphones and IEMs with ease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe headphone amp uses the same fully balanced architecture as FiiO’s K17: a phase inverter, then dual op-amps and eight transistors for current amplification. Because the balanced output doesn’t use ground as a reference, interference drops and channel separation rises from 75dB (3.5mm) to 95dB (4.4mm), and the higher voltage swing gives more power for high-impedance or low-sensitivity headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier-photo-circuit.jpg?v=1791331439\" alt=\"The balanced amplifier circuit of the Jade Audio GIGAS 1\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePower for planars and high-impedance headphones\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePowered by a PD 12V adapter on high gain, the GIGAS 1 delivers up to 4,600mW + 4,600mW balanced. Into 300Ω it still manages 740mW per channel with a 42V peak-to-peak swing (90mW on 5V power), so it can drive most high-impedance headphones too. Output impedance is 1Ω or less (3.5mm) and 1.5Ω or less (4.4mm). With IEMs, if you are worried about too much power, use 5V power or low gain for a lower noise floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTwo outputs, with mic passthrough\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front has a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced headphone output, which can be used at the same time. The 3.5mm socket passes through a CTIA headset microphone, for game chat, calls and multimedia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier-photo-front.jpg?v=1791331444\" alt=\"Front panel of the GIGAS 1: power switch, gain switch, 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTwo inputs for any source\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the back, 3.5mm and RCA analogue inputs connect players, phones, computers, Bluetooth receivers, DACs and CD players (don’t use both at once, or the signals will mix). The GIGAS 1 is a pure analogue amplifier with no DAC of its own, so FiiO developed TRUST and LINK cables to connect it, including the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fiio-trust-lt-3-5-audio-decoding-cable-type-c-to-3-5mm\"\u003eTRUST LT-3.5 Type-C to 3.5mm decoding cable\u003c\/a\u003e for phones and computers, and RCA cables such as the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fiio-trust-lr-rca6-rca-to-rca-cable\"\u003eTRUST LR-RCA6\u003c\/a\u003e. A USB dongle DAC connects with a simple 3.5mm cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier-photo-connect.jpg?v=1791331448\" alt=\"Sources and inputs of the GIGAS 1: 3.5mm and RCA line in\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy single-ended inputs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVolume is set by a purely analogue dual-gang potentiometer. A balanced input would need a far more expensive four-gang pot, so FiiO kept the inputs single-ended while making the amplifier itself balanced; balanced output and separation are still substantially better than single-ended, and the price stays low. At very low volume a slight left-right imbalance is normal for a potentiometer and disappears at normal listening levels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTwo gains, 5V or 12V power\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLow gain suits sensitive headphones, high gain low-sensitivity or high-impedance ones. The maximum power is the same in both, because the amplifier and power supply don’t change: high gain simply reaches it with a smaller input signal, while low gain gives less output and a lower noise floor for the same input. Power comes in over USB-C: 5V works, but FiiO recommends a PD 12V adapter and USB-C cable, which gives clearly more power and better sound. As a Class AB amplifier, it gets warm or even hot in normal use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier-photo-desk.jpg?v=1791331451\" alt=\"Jade Audio GIGAS 1 on a gaming desk with open-back headphones\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesktop headphone amplifier, discrete Class AB (op-amps + onsemi MJE243G\/253G transistors), balanced amp stage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.4mm balanced: up to 4,600mW\/ch (PD 12V) · 3.5mm with CTIA mic passthrough · usable together\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e300Ω output\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e740mW\/ch (12V, 42Vp-p) · 90mW\/ch (5V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eOutput impedance and separation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e≤1Ω \/ 75dB (3.5mm) · ≤1.5Ω \/ 95dB (4.4mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eInputs\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.5mm and RCA analogue (one at a time)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eControls\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAnalogue volume knob (dual-gang pot) · low\/high gain · power switch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB-C, 5V or PD 12V (12V recommended)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier-photo-silver.jpg?v=1791331458\" alt=\"The silver GIGAS 1 with headphones\" loading=\"lazy\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo DAC or Bluetooth inside. For wireless, pair it with FiiO’s \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fiio-br15-r2r-desktop-bluetooth-receiver\"\u003eBR15 R2R\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fiio-bta30-pro-wireless-bluetooth-5-0-long-range-transmitter-receiver\"\u003eBTA30 Pro\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMade for headphones like the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fiio-jade-audio-jt7-open-back-planar-headphones\"\u003eJade Audio JT7\u003c\/a\u003e planar, and most other over-ear headphones.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant a DAC built in? FiiO’s \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fiio-k17-desktop-dac-and-headphone-amp\"\u003eK17\u003c\/a\u003e shares the GIGAS 1’s balanced amp architecture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the box: GIGAS 1, USB-C power cable and documentation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"FiiO","offers":[{"title":"BLACK","offer_id":62725091131779,"sku":"FIIOGIGAS1-BLACK","price":49.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GREEN","offer_id":62725091164547,"sku":"FIIOGIGAS1-GREEN","price":49.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"SILVER","offer_id":62725091197315,"sku":"FIIOGIGAS1-SILVER","price":49.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"ORANGE","offer_id":62725091230083,"sku":"FIIOGIGAS1-ORANGE","price":49.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/3199\/8339\/files\/FIIOGIGAS1_88f04a8d-86e1-49db-b499-d37a7c2ead45.jpg?v=1790785468","url":"https:\/\/www.advancedmp3players.co.uk\/products\/fiio-gigas-1-desktop-headphone-amplifier","provider":"amp3","version":"1.0","type":"link"}