Hungarian hi-fi maker Heed Audio is giving its cult-classic Obelisk amplifiers a proper comeback—and this time, they’ve grown up.
For years, Heed has stubbornly (and charmingly) stuck to compact “shoebox” enclosures, favoring sound over rack conformity. With the new Obelisk Integrated and Obelisk Super Integrated, that era is officially over. The revived Obelisk line now comes in a full-width 43 cm chassis, making room for bigger ideas, bigger parts, and far more flexibility—without abandoning the brand’s unmistakable sonic DNA.
The move to a larger enclosure isn’t about looks—it’s about freedom. Modern buyers want more from an integrated amplifier: DACs, streaming, Bluetooth, and proper power reserves. Trying to squeeze all that into a half-width box no longer made sense, especially as many miniature components have become scarce or painfully expensive. Heed’s solution was refreshingly straightforward: scale up, use larger and better parts, and keep prices sane.
Only the Asterisk and Elixir lines remain in half-size format. The new Obelisk I and SI now share proportions with Heed’s Lagrange series, which itself quietly evolved into the more refined and musical Lagrange S a couple of years back.
Analog at heart
Both Obelisk models stay true to Heed’s proprietary Transcap topology, but they’re far more adaptable than before. Buyers can choose the amplifiers as pure analog machines or spec them with an optional DAC module, a streaming module, or both. Bluetooth is built in, and vinyl lovers are covered thanks to a standard MM phono input.
The DAC option is based on one of AKM’s latest conversion chips—the same family used across Heed’s DAC lineup, including the soon-to-be-retired Abacus S. In other words, this isn’t a “checkbox DAC,” but a proper digital section designed to match the amplifier’s character.
Serious power
The larger chassis also unlocks far more robust power supplies. The Obelisk Integrated is said to be on par with the older Si3 paired with its external X2 power supply, delivering roughly 2 × 50 W into 4 ohms. Step up to the Obelisk Super Integrated and you’re looking at a beefed-up output stage and a much larger supply, pushing output to a claimed 2 × 100 W into 4 ohms.
Both amplifiers offer four analog inputs, and there’s a full-size 6.35 mm headphone jack neatly integrated into the front panel—because sometimes you just want to plug in and disappear.
The Obelisk name carries serious weight among long-time Heed fans, and this relaunch feels less like a reboot and more like a confident evolution. Bigger, more flexible, and far more future-proof, the new Obelisk Integrated and Super Integrated are clearly designed for how people actually listen today—without losing the musical focus that made the originals special.
Pricing and availability haven’t been announced yet, but if Heed sticks to form, these amps should land firmly in the “serious enthusiast, sane money” category. One thing is certain: the Obelisk is no longer hiding on a small shelf—it’s ready to take center stage again.
