BUDA+DPS or GS-X for use with HD800 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

shellylh · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:18 AM

I am planning to get a *solid state* balanced amp for use in my main rig to complement my Woo Audio WA5 LE (for those times that I don't want to heat up the whole house). I will mostly be using it with an HD800 (balanced) but will also use it with HD650 (balanced) and a variety of other cans unbalanced. The balanced source will be an ECD-1 and the Marantz SA8001 (unbalanced) for SACD. Of course, perhaps the source may change in the future (UDAC?) but that probably won't be for a while. Right now, I have the GS-1 as my solid state amp.

I have settled on either a Headroom BUDA+DPS or a GS-X. Right now I am leaning towards the Headroom BUDA+DPS because it seems (according to some) to have really great synergy with the HD800's. Also, the wait time is shorter and they have a 30 day return policy. If it doesn't live up to my expectations, I can always send it back and think about the GS-X.

I am not interested in the Phoenix or any Rudister amps. As good as the B22 is, I think I will stay away from it for now because of the hassle of finding a builder who knows what they are doing and having support for the product in the long run (I would like to stick with a reputable company and I trust both Headroom and Headmp). I also like the small form factor of the BUDA+DPS and the option of having a BUDA+UDAC+DPS stack in the future.

Any thoughts? Has anyone actually tried the HD800 with both the BUDA and a GS-X? Thanks!

Edit: I wasn't sure if this thread should go in Summit-fi or not, please move it there if that is where it belongs.

moonboy403 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:21 AM

I was just going to tell people not to recommend the Phoenix for ya!

shellylh · #3 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonboy403

I was just going to tell people not to recommend the Phoenix for ya!

LOL! Thanks.

IPodPJ · #4 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:39 AM

Well I can't comment on the GS-X because I haven't heard it but I can tell you I did not like what I heard from the BUDA at CanJam with the HD800. I know you don't want a Phoenix for the heat issues but I would highly encourage you to take another look at finding a builder for the balanced B22. It is probably the best SS amp I've heard with the HD800 alongside the Phoenix. If you're going to spend that kind of cash, isn't it worth waiting a little longer to get the best you can for your money?

moonboy403 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ

Well I can't comment on the GS-X because I haven't heard it but I can tell you I did not like what I heard from the BUDA at CanJam with the HD800. I know you don't want a Phoenix for the heat issues but I would highly encourage you to take another look at finding a builder for the balanced B22. It is probably the best SS amp I've heard with the HD800 alongside the Phoenix. If you're going to spend that kind of cash, isn't it worth waiting a little longer to get the best you can for your money?

Shelly doesn't want a B22 due to the same reason that she doesn't want the Phoenix: heat.

You had no idea how hard I tried to get her to order a Phoenix or build a B22.

IPodPJ · #6 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:52 AM

The balanced B22 we had at the meet did not get hot. And Shelly said nothing about the B22 getting hot.

pedalhead · #7 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 08:24 AM

Hope you don't mind me chiming in, but I'm also seriously considering the BUDA for my HD800s. IPodPJ, I've heard a number of other comments suggesting the combination is a good one. I'd be interested to know where you felt they were lacking? Cheers.

shellylh · #8 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 08:31 AM

I have heard that some B22's can get hot depending on the build but maybe that is just a rumor. I had discussed this with moonboy in a PM and so this is what he was referring to. Also, the B22 will be pretty large and I want to keep the amp on the smaller side (not to mention the B22 can be quite costly and I want to keep my costs as low as possible). Remember that this is going to be sort of a "backup" amp to my Woo so I don't necessarily have to have the "best." Basically, there are too many unknowns with the B22 right now (quality of builder, casing size, heat, cost, time to build) and I just don't want to deal with that right now (too busy).

I also heard the BUDA+UDAC+DPS at CanJam and thought it sounded good. Of course, it was the second setup I heard with the HD800 (the first one being a SE Headroom UDA+DAC) so maybe I just liked the sound of the HD800? I can't really say unless I get one for myself and use it in my current setup.

atothex · #9 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 08:48 AM

Well, the point of the GS-X over the GS-1 is the ability to go balanced.

Anyways, you can shoot YBM an email for a quote on a Beta. If it doesn't have to be the absolute best, then why not ask for quotes for a balanced CK2III or M3? Might be able to find more builders for those, too.

IPodPJ · #10 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedalhead

Hope you don't mind me chiming in, but I'm also seriously considering the BUDA for my HD800s. IPodPJ, I've heard a number of other comments suggesting the combination is a good one. I'd be interested to know where you felt they were lacking? Cheers.

It was paired up with the UDAC. The combo sounded edgy and artificial, anything but smooth and analog-like.

Kees · #11 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 09:46 AM

The GS-X won't give you balanced output from unbalanced input. The BUDA does and so do Rudistor amps for instance.

Born2bwire · #12 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 03:16 PM

BUDA, mainly because I have been thinking about a similar setup and have been disappointed in the lack of reviews of the system with the HD-800.

shellylh · #13 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atothex

Well, the point of the GS-X over the GS-1 is the ability to go balanced.

Anyways, you can shoot YBM an email for a quote on a Beta. If it doesn't have to be the absolute best, then why not ask for quotes for a balanced CK2III or M3? Might be able to find more builders for those, too.

Let's stay on topic. I asked about two products and specifically said that I wanted to buy a GS-X or Headroom BUDA. I do not want to find a builder and get something made at this point. Headroom and Headamp both carry warranties (5 and 3 year respectively) and I am willing to pay more for a known product with good support. Plus, I trust the products.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kees

The GS-X won't give you balanced output from unbalanced input. The BUDA does and so do Rudistor amps for instance.

I will have a balanced source (Electrocompaniet ECD-1) but this is good to know since I may be using it on occasion with a SE SACD player.

I understand that there may be few (if any) that have heard both the GS-X and Headroom BUDA with the HD800 for an extended period of time or side by side (I have heard the BUDA and I have heard the GS-1 with the HD800 so maybe I will just have to make up my mind for myself). However, I thought I would ask anyway.

atothex · #14 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:09 PM

OK, well objectively speaking, I feel that the GS-X has more of an established reputation. It's known to be one of the top solid state amps available, while the BUDA is relatively new to the game. Also, the BUDA is a $1700 chip amp, which may or may not bother you. It definitely makes me think twice. I've only heard the HD800 from the BUDA, so I can't compare the 2 sonically. The whole Headroom/HD800 synergy thing seems to mostly be coming from CJ, where their room was basically the only one that had balanced HD800s and a decent solid state amp. And yes, it sounded pretty darn good to me.

The size and warranty on the BUDA are better, though. In the end, I think both companies are great for the community, so either one is money well spent.

shellylh · #15 (**permalink**) 08-02-2009, 05:41 PM

Isn't the BUDA essentially a Headroom Balanced Max (which has been around for a while but in a larger case and more options)?

Yes, the fact that the GS-X is fully discrete is certainly very appealing and this is what keeps pulling me back that way.

I guess I am just worried that the BUDA has better synergy that the GS-X with the HD800 for some reason. This is probably not the case, just the fact, that few people have heard the GS-X and HD800 together.

Quote:

Originally Posted by atothex

OK, well objectively speaking, I feel that the GS-X has more of an established reputation. It's known to be one of the top solid state amps available, while the BUDA is relatively new to the game. Also, the BUDA is a $1700 chip amp, which may or may not bother you. It definitely makes me think twice. I've only heard the HD800 from the BUDA, so I can't compare the 2 sonically. The whole Headroom/HD800 synergy thing seems to mostly be coming from CJ, where their room was basically the only one that had balanced HD800s and a decent solid state amp. And yes, it sounded pretty darn good to me.

The size and warranty on the BUDA are better, though. In the end, I think both companies are great for the community, so either one is money well spent.