Rode PSA1+ vs Triton Audio FetHead
A side-by-side look at Rode PSA1+ and Triton Audio FetHead for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Rode PSA1+
The broadcast boom arm standard, upgraded with spring damping
See site
Check price on Amazon
Triton Audio FetHead
27 dB of Class A FET gain in a 130mm in-line body
See site
Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Rode PSA1+ | Triton Audio FetHead | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Permanent desk studio setups with heavy broadcast microphones like the Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic | Podcasters and broadcasters using low-sensitivity dynamic mics who need a slim, transparent gain stage that sits right at the mic body |
Key features
Rode PSA1+
- Supports microphones from 94 g to 1.2 kg weight range
- 37" horizontal reach and 34" vertical travel
- Spring damping for smooth, controlled arm movement
- Fully integrated internal cable management channel
- 360-degree rotation at base and elbow
- Mounts via C-clamp or threaded desk insert (both included)
Triton Audio FetHead
- 27 dB amplification at 3000 ohm load
- Frequency response: 10 Hz - 100 kHz (+/- 1 dB)
- Class A FET circuit, 22 kohm input impedance
- Powered by 24-48V phantom power, balanced XLR in/out
- Compact form factor: 130 x 30 mm
- Compatible with dynamic and ribbon microphones
Pros and cons
Rode PSA1+
Pros
- Spring damping makes repositioning smooth and precise - clear upgrade over PSA1
- Internal cable routing keeps the desk clean without aftermarket cable clips
- Weight range handles every major broadcast mic including heavy-hitters like SM7B
Cons
- Fixed desk installation - not designed to pack away or travel
- Full extension requires significant desk clearance around the mic position
Triton Audio FetHead
Pros
- Extended 100 kHz frequency response adds air to dynamic mics
- Slim cylindrical body sits flush on the mic with no bulk
- Transparent Class A gain with a clean noise floor
Cons
- Requires 48V phantom power - dead without it
- Single channel only
- Slightly less gain than Cloudlifter CL-1 (27 dB vs. 25 dB - CL-1 claims up to 25 dB peak)
The verdict
Choose Rode PSA1+ if
Permanent desk studio setups with heavy broadcast microphones like the Shure SM7B or Rode PodMic.
The original PSA1 was already the default choice for serious desk studios, and the PSA1+ genuinely improves on it. The spring damping makes positioning feel deliberate rather than floppy, and the internal cable channel is a real quality-of-life improvement -…
Choose Triton Audio FetHead if
Podcasters and broadcasters using low-sensitivity dynamic mics who need a slim, transparent gain stage that sits right at the mic body.
The FetHead and the Cloudlifter CL-1 compete directly for the same use case, and the choice often comes down to character versus utility. The FetHead's 27 dB gain and 10 Hz - 100 kHz bandwidth give it a slightly extended…