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Fantastic opportunity to own Heed's top of the range Canalot III Headphone Amplifier and the Q-PSU III upgrade Power Supply. Together they would cost over $2,000 new, so this is a great deal.
CORE FEATURES
Pure Class-A Output: Uses a traditional, two-stage Class-A amplification design that provides a warm, natural, and punchy sound signature without the fatigue often associated with solid-state amps.
Transcap Technology: Features a rare RC-coupled (capacitor-coupled) output topology, which mimics the sonic benefits of high-end tube and traditional speaker amplifiers in a compact footprint.
Headphone & Pre-amp Support: It has two 6.35 mm headphone jacks on the front and can drive a wide range of headphones (8 to 600 ohms) and can also function as a preamplifier for active desktop speakers.
Heed’s Canalot sits in the “serious, musical, class-A desktop amp” tier, and NZ$1,000 looks fair-to-good rather than cheap or inflated. New pricing landed around NZ$2,100–NZ$2,600 depending on PSU/DAC options, so used examples in healthy working order typically make sense somewhere around the NZ$800–NZ$1,200 zone. At NZ$1,000, this is right in the sweet spot if it’s the amp plus a proper PSU and everything is functioning cleanly.
What makes it worth chasing is the Canalot’s punchy, smooth, very drive-anything presentation; it earned a strong reputation with planars and tougher dynamics because it has real current and a nicely authoritative sound. It’s also a less-common piece, so a tidy unit with original PSU, cables, and intact sockets is appealing. I’d mainly confirm the power supply arrangement and that both channels are quiet, but this is a sensible buy if the cosmetics and operation check out.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Heed Audio emerged from the passion of Hungarian hi-fi enthusiast Zsolt Huszti, who during the Iron Curtain era imported and tinkered with British audio gear like Ion Systems and Nytech designs. Founded in 1993 in Budapest, the brand debuted with the Obelisk integrated amplifier, its circuitry rooted in the concepts of the late Richard Hay, founder of those pioneering marques. Huszti, now owner and chief designer, named it "Heed"—the Hungarian word for bridge (híd), pronounced "heed"—reflecting its bridged output topology and ambition to connect listeners directly to music.
The company specializes in compact, high-performance amplification, including the enduring Obelisk series integrated amps, along with phono stages like the Questar and Quasar, which earned acclaim for synergy with Rega turntables. Heed also produces DACs, CD transports, speakers, and select accessories, all designed and manufactured in-house with global parts. Casework, once UK-sourced, now comes from top Hungarian metalworkers for precision and consistency.
Heed occupies a niche boutique position in the high-end market, prized by European cognoscenti for its "forget hi-fi—remember music" ethos: handcrafted gear delivering sonic purity, musicality, and engagement without ostentation. With a small team in Budapest, it commands respect for unpretentious excellence, bridging vintage-inspired circuits with modern refinement.
See all Heed Audio listings on RADAR.
