Helder's Game Tech GBA Flex Amp

Great easy install

Definitely makes the GBA LOUDER, but really needs the power cleaner and Helder isn't currently manufacturing these. You can order the power cleaner boards bare, without caps from OSH Park (which is is very kind of Helder and OSH Park to offer!) and while that's inexpensive, but requires purchasing the caps from yet a third company, it's also not currently possible as OSHP flex board service is on hiatus, hopefully just hiatus. As it stands, I have installed the amp on a system with a Hispeedido GBA v5 screen without a power cleaner and you can hear the interference at every volume. It's hissy with an electronic whine. If you do not have sharp hearing, you might not be bothered by it, but if you're even a little edgy or have any sensory sensitivities, this will probably be a deal breaker in a moderately quiet room. I hope in the future Helder or Retrosix offer a full amp kit complete with a power cleaner and speaker. Also, for reference I installed it with the clear speaker. Come on guys, let's rescue some old tech!

Listed on the website for GBA, received the amp and will not work, none of the solder points work anywhere on the board as the don’t align correctly, and after contacting Retro modding I received no help beyond asking what problem I was having, after explaining what I ran into and asking for recommendations on how to proceed or if the solder points were different I never got an answer back, this was probably 3-4 months ago. However I did order a few other products from them and I am very happy with those.

This flex amp is overall very easy to install and sounds really good! My complaints are for one the build quality for the price is a little lack luster. The pads where the speaker wires are supposed to go both tore off with minimal force. I ended up having to use my other flex amp to find alternative mounting points. It still works good though. I also think the sound is a bit crackly but that could be fixed with a recap and maybe one of those power smoother flex cables. I think this is the best amp mod I have seen yet though.

even after adding the power filter, it amplified too much background noise that never went away at low volumes. had to take it out

Was loud. Is good. 10/10.

of one the most needed mod on the gameboy. needed to at least hear what you are playing. great work

It's not stated that it's the older version being sold.

Works pretty well, VERY loud. It also amplifies any background noise from the console, so if you don't want any extra humming or static you'll probably also need a power cleaner board and/or new capacitors.

It was not clear at the time of order but the one sent is the older version of the amp that is harder to install. I will not attempt to see to the little SMT capacitor. The newer version has different solder points that is easier to install. I'll just consider this a lesson learned and move on.

Helder's Game Tech GBA Flex Amp

Made my gba really loud, love it.

This amp will blow you away. Loud enough to annoy everyone around you! Sadly I had to remove it because it didn't fit in the BoxyPixel case I had. Such a shame, guess it will have to go into the next build.

Was an easy install and makes a ton of difference in the sound quality.

I mean, it certainly lives up to the description. This amp is crazy loud (too loud in my personal opinion), but it functions as intended and sounds good. Do beware of the hissing noise that comes with the extra power draw on the motherboard.

Works great as intended, though beware of the extra buzzing noise even after replacing caps and installing a power cleaner.

Nice little amp that really kicks up the volume. Only downside is that even with the Helder power cleaner I get a hiss at no volume. Before installation my gba was silent. I'll probably just live with it since I usually have my volume up.