Schiit Hel 2

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by PacoTaco, Mar 24, 2021.

  1. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    Out of left field, the Hel 2 is now a thing. Here's the product description page stuff:

    Hel 2 is the latest generation of our super-popular, super-power transportable DAC/amp. A lot of people think Hel 2 is just for gamers, but it’s really much more than that. It’s so powerful and versatile you may find Hel 2 is everything you need—in one single box.


    If You’re a Gamer
    Just plug Hel 2 in to any PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, or Switch, and you’ll get tremendous sound…and you’ll also sound amazing to all of your friends. Super-high-quality headphone audio, combined with a podcast-quality microphone input, means you are going to hear every detail…and sound great while doing so.

    If You’re a Keyboard Warrior
    Hel 2 seriously ups your game in the office or home office. Your voice will stand out on Zoom calls with 24-bit AKM analog-to-digital conversion, and you’ll enjoy headphone audio with much higher power and lower distortion than any PC.

    If You Just Want To Listen
    Hel 2 is also an amazing DAC/amp, with incredible flexibility. The high-end AK4490 digital-to-analog converter delivers exceptional sound. Connect to your computer via USB, your TV via optical, and create an entire system with powerful headphone output and versatile preamp output for powered monitors or external speaker amplifiers.

    Top-Shelf Components
    Like DACs costing many times its price, Hel uses the AKM AK4490 D/A converter. Coupled with an Alps RK09 potentiometer, high-quality filter and amp stages from Texas Instruments, a sophisticated bipolar +/-12V supply, and precision thin-film resistors and film capacitors, Hel delivers amazing performance for its price.

    Designed and Built in California
    By “designed and built in California" this is what we mean: the vast majority of the total production cost of Hel—chassis, boards, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. Our chassis are made minutes from our facility. Our PCBs are done just over the hill from us.

    2-Year Warranty, Easy Returns
    Hel is also covered by a 2-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor. And if you don’t like your Hel 2, you can send it back for a refund, minus 15% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving it.

    Here's the new shit with the Hel 2:

    So what’s the difference between Hel and Hel 2?
    Lots. Let’s break it down:

    • More power: Hel 2 is rated at 1200mW into 32 ohms, 20% more than Hel.
    • More connectivity: Hel 2 adds an optical input, so you can connect it to any TV with an optical output.
    • More compatibility: Hel 2 has built-in UAC2/1 switching, which means it’s now compatible with many gaming consoles like Sony PS4, PS5, and Switch.
    • More modernity: Hel 2 uses USB-C connectors, rather than Hel’s USB-micro.
    • More quality: Hel 2 offers lower noise and distortion than Hel.




    I'll be honest, I'm curious to see how much they improved of this. The Hel was just barely serviceable tbh...it had a lot of glare and didn't work with every console. Now, it works with all of them in some capacity and seems to have made other, hopefully good, improvements. The Switch part is actually pretty great for me.
     
  2. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Has anyone tried Hel 2? Keen to replace Modi/Magni combo with this HEL 2 for simplicity and love to hear from anyone who tried HEL 2. Thank you.
     
  3. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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    I had my eye on this for a while but sadly I have the XBSX and the USB is only functional to Astros due to the license to use the USB with the XBSX. I'm a little disappointed and was hoping to have a reason to get the Hel 2 with its optical port.
     

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