Just plugging your headset into an audio port doesn’t always get the job done. Sometimes you need an amp to make things sound and operate better. That’s where the Hel 2 comes in. Schiit Audio recently announced the Hel 2 as the follow-up to the original Hel. It has significant upgrades from the original with more power, connectivity, compatibility, modernity, and quality than its predecessor at only a $10 difference. It’s definitely a must-see for audiophiles.

Hel 2’s Features:

• 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 higher distortion than Hel.

Hel 2 uses only the best materials throughout, promising a high-quality experience at first touch. Inside you’ll find an AK4490 DAC and an AK5720 ADC, a custom Alps potentiometer, plus several TI OPA1656 in a fully DC-coupled topology with 0.5% thin-film resistors and film capacitors. It’s also completely powered by a 2.1A USB power supply which is included. Being powered by USB makes it a universal piece of equipment that you could use with gaming consoles, phones, tablets, and of course, PC/MAC devices.

Jason Stoddard, Schiit’s co-founder said, “We always saw the original Hel as a PC gaming product,” and continued, “We worked with gamers, streamers, and podcasters on the original. But it also found two different audiences: office workers, especially home office workers, who loved the clarity for voice and video conferencing, and just plain old music listeners, who liked having a transportable device they could run off USB.”

Hel 2 is available now at schiit.com for $199.