For friends familiar with the local Head-Fi market and products, you may already have an impression of the Pico Audio Origa portable headphone amplifier, known for its replaceable tube design, Hong Kong manufacturing, and excellent midrange and vocal performance. However, it was only produced in very limited quantities, so few could experience it. Now, the Origa FE from Pico Audio can be considered a "mass-produced upgrade," truly a world-first fully discrete, replaceable tube hybrid portable headphone amplifier. What new breakthroughs can it bring based on the original design? Is the sound quality really that appealing? Let's delve into a detailed review.
Design and Specifications
Replaceable Tube Design: Supports 6DJ8 and 12AU7 series
Pico Audio is the audio brand under Pico Entertainment, focusing on developing portable audio products. The Origa is the first officially released product and is truly a world-first fully discrete, replaceable tube hybrid portable headphone amplifier.
The vacuum tubes in Origa operate in a buffered manner, paired with a fully discrete transistor architecture, which provides substantial power while maintaining ultra-low background noise. The manufacturer states that the tuning direction leans towards balance, allowing users to perceive changes in sound character when swapping out tubes. Users can freely replace vacuum tubes from different brands, supporting 6DJ8 and 12AU7 signal tubes, and can also interchange operational amplifiers, but only those supporting ±15V or higher. This offers significant tuning flexibility for users to find their ideal sound.
The Origa FE features a full metal body that manages heat well, remaining only slightly warm after prolonged use.
The replaceable vacuum tube design supports 6DJ8 and 12AU7 series signal tubes, and users can also purchase additional vacuum tube kits separately.
The internal structure is quite well-organized, showing a significant improvement over the original.
Improved Power Supply Structure
The new design of the Origa FE has improved the voltage drop limit and fully separates the power supply for the tubes and transistors. This allows for higher voltage use in the tubes while lowering the transistor's supply to ±15V, providing higher current. Furthermore, the tube filament's power supply has been upgraded to a low-noise regulated power module. Despite similar size, power consumption, and heat generation, the sound quality and adaptability have reached a new height, closely resembling modified versions. The materials used include high-precision potentiometers, 0.1% precision resistors, and high-quality capacitors, ensuring durability and stability.
The built-in rechargeable battery design supports approximately 5 to 6 hours of operation, depending on the power consumption of the vacuum tubes and the operational amplifier (OP-Amp).
Installing and replacing the vacuum tubes is a straightforward process: simply attach the tubes to their bases and insert them into the device. This design offers a touch of DIY enjoyment without being overly complicated or difficult to handle.
Included with the device are a vacuum tube base, a titanium-plated hex screwdriver, a lithium battery charger, and nano adhesive stickers, among other accessories.
Connectivity and Operation
The Origa FE features single-ended 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone outputs with three selectable gain settings—high, medium, and low. It is equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery, providing approximately 5 to 6 hours of operation depending on the power consumption of the vacuum tubes and the operational amplifier (OP-Amp).
Like the previous model, it uses a 12.6V DC round-input terminal, which, while not as convenient as USB-C, offers easier specification unification and greater stability—this is a trade-off. The front panel includes a 3.5mm input and both 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. However, the 4.4mm output is also single-ended, not balanced, as it has become quite common for user convenience.
The device allows for easy matching with different headphones, utilizing high, medium, and low amplification levels. Adjacent to the gain selector are the power switch and volume knob.
Included are both regular and transistor-type vacuum tube bases (6DJ8 and 12AU7), along with a titanium-plated hex screwdriver, a lithium battery charger, and nano adhesive stickers. Replacing the vacuum tubes requires removing screws from the device, but thanks to its modular design, simply attaching the supplied tube base allows for easy installation, making it a straightforward process that can be completed in a few minutes.
The unit has a 12.6V DC input port, and a power adapter is provided.
The front panel contains the power switch, volume knob, and connection terminals.
Offers three gain options, and the lever has a good feel to operate.
It only provides a 3.5mm single-ended input.
The outputs are 3.5mm and 4.4mm, but both are single-ended; they are simply for wireless adapters, making them more convenient and providing lossless audio quality.
Sound Performance
Outstanding Dynamics and Control; Loose, Natural, and Rich Sound Quality
The Origa FE is a portable pure headphone amplifier. For this review, the sources used were the AK SP3000M, SP4000, and FiiO M17. Although the materials used in the Origa FE are quite abundant, the device itself is not very heavy; sometimes, it feels like the Digital Audio Player (DAP) is heavier.While it is a "tube amplifier," it remarkably controls heat well, becoming only slightly warm after one or two hours of playback. In terms of sound performance, the driving power and dynamics are outstanding, as expected. When paired with multi-driver in-ear monitors like the Campfire Audio Solaris, it showcases excellent energy and control. Even when handling demanding headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 800 S and Meze Audio 105 SILVA, it maintains impressive dynamics.The sound character is loose and natural, providing a comfortable and rich listening experience. Instruments and vocals have sufficient thickness and fullness, yet they do not come off as bloated or oppressive, offering a naturally warm and smooth auditory perception.
When paired with the HD 800 S and an AK source, the sound tends to be crisp and powerful, though some may find it overly clean and precise. Adding the Origa FE not only enhances the dynamics and control but also introduces a sense of spaciousness and looseness. Unlike some tube amplifiers that can have a sluggish warmth, the Origa FE adds a tangible richness and nuance to the sound.
The highs are refined and smooth, avoiding harshness, while the low frequencies exhibit greater elasticity, presenting a wider sense of space. When using sensitive in-ear monitors like the Project Ace JP, there is virtually no background noise or unwanted sounds, effectively combining the coloration typical of tube amplifiers with a pitch-black, tranquil background. This performance is indeed commendable.
Summary
The Origa FE represents Pico Audio's commitment to construction for mass production, improving on the original Origa's craftsmanship while ensuring sustainable choices in components to stabilize supply and production time. Featuring a pleasant and relaxing sound, the replaceable tubes and OP-Amp design provide DIY engagement, making it a rare, enjoyable, and high-quality portable headphone amplifier in the market.
Specifications
- Input: 3.5mm
- Output: 3.5mm, 4.4mm (unbalanced)
- Compatible Tubes: 6DJ8 and 12AU7 series
- Battery Life: 5-6 hours (depending on vacuum tube and OP-Amp consumption)
- Dimensions: 165 × 176 × 38mm
Source by :https://www.spill.hk/headphones/Pico-Audio-Origa-FE-review/
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