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I think Justin is always building amps, so much so that he rarely has the time to update his website. If you want something of his, it'd be best to just contact him to get an ETA or get on the list.
Soundwise the GSX is very similar to the amp I own, however with the new MOSFET based modules he is working on, the bass is a bit more taught and better controlled yet, especially with hard loads like the K1000. Given that you're using the DAC1 to drive your 650's balanced, a true balanced amp is the next (albeit expensive) step, if one feels the need.
I've only heard the MicroDAC very briefly, just long enough to know that it sounded good, but not long enough to really know just how good. My experience with the PS Audio DAC is likewise. I don't know how much time you have at work to really drift off with the music, but I'd be skeptical that it's enough time to warrant the price difference.
Well it's not as if I think the DAC1 is a POS, even a Zhaolu! It just had a few minor but noticeable flaws. I can understand how a newer one might rectify those problems, especially in light of the improvements Aqvox made in their DAC in just a year (although it did have more extensive internal changes). Hopefully I can figure out where a current DAC1 stands come the National Meet. I did get about 18 months (maybe it was a bit more) of happy use from my former DAC1, not to mention plenty of miles, and escaping Katrina. The DAC1 will always be a good memory, of my first really high end system.
I know.. I meant the Headamp in the DAC1 is crappy compared to the others on the list.. I hope I made the opera cut..I would love to do A/B with the Opera & DAC1!! Hell..I might even sell my DAC1 & get a Opera if it impresses me that much..Even without Optical..
I must say that I am at this very moment listening to the DAC-1/HD650 "Iron_Dreamer mod" setup with the HD650s in balanced mode directly off the DAC-1's XLRs via the Zu Mobius, and am very happy that your crazy idea took hold of my wallet! My DAC-1 is newer than yours was (it's silver for one thing) so it might sound a bit better than your "old" one, but I think it sounds pretty darn good. It's certainly turned me into a balanced-rig-believer, that's for sure.
Of course, reading your latest awesome review has left me plotting my next upgrade!
BTW, do you know if Justin is actively in build mode? It seems his GS-X page hasn't been updated since it went up. Any idea how a GS-X would compare with your GL Balanced Reference? I'm still impressed with the build quality of my GL Lite, which I'm now using at work. I think a real balanced amp would be the next logical upgrade for my home rig.
Have you heard the Headroom MicroDac? I think it sounds pretty good; I almost dropped $1K for a DAC for work (I was thinking of the PS Audio DL III) but then I gave my head a shake and only spent $300! You should see my co-worker's eyes bug out when I tell them what my "low-end" work setup costs.
Thanks again for the great review Iron_Dreamer.
Yeah, it's funny.. When I just got into headphones I thought 300 for an amp was crazy..Now I spent almost 500.00 for my BADA12 (including tubes). & last yr I wasn't going to spend over 250.00 for a DAC.. Then bought the Modded GM DAC for 330.00.. DAC3 for 550.00.. Now the DAC1 for 870.00.. Funny or sad..(or Both) I have no problem spending 1,000 or more for an amp.. & don't think it's expensive..Ofcourse when you read about 2 grand & up amps/dacs you get desenatized to the high price..
I fully agree with you, kool bubba ice! The problem with these "hobbies" (it's more like madness though) is that each purchase can be rationalized within the context of previous purchases.
For example, let's say you've spent $150 on headphones, $200 on an amp, and $200 on a DAC. 3 months later, you're itching for an upgrade, so you get $300 headphones because "hey, I'll just sell the old ones for $120, so I'm just spending $180". Then you get an amp+DAC for $600: "I'll sell the old amp and DAC for $320, so I can get this sweet all-in-one for just $280, what a great deal!". Six months later, you've got $300 cans and a $600 amp+DAC. Then you see some $500 cans, and you think "My cans cost half of what my amp+DAC costs, I need something less mid-fi to match the rest of my rig. I'll sell the old ones for $250, and for just $250 I can get into the half-$K woody club!"
By now you have a setup costing $1100, so an upcoming upgrade of $200-$300 is just a fraction of that... You get my point. And on and on turn the wheels of perdition
I don't know how much time you have at work to really drift off with the music, but I'd be skeptical that it's enough time to warrant the price difference.
Actually the problem I have is that the sound is so good, I find myself focusing on the music and not my work!
I think my next upgrade will be IEMs for work. I'm thinking about a pre-order on the new Westone 3's.
__________________ Home PC: FLAC->Foobar2k->USB->Edirol UA-1EX->Toslink->Benchmark DAC-1->Zu Mobius (balanced)->HD650 Work PC: FLAC->Foobar2k->USB->Headroom MicroDac->Gilmore Lite->UE Sound Attenuator->UE triple.fi 10 pro
I fully agree with you, kool bubba ice! The problem with these "hobbies" (it's more like madness though) is that each purchase can be rationalized within the context of previous purchases.
For example, let's say you've spent $150 on headphones, $200 on an amp, and $200 on a DAC. 3 months later, you're itching for an upgrade, so you get $300 headphones because "hey, I'll just sell the old ones for $120, so I'm just spending $180". Then you get an amp+DAC for $600: "I'll sell the old amp and DAC for $320, so I can get this sweet all-in-one for just $280, what a great deal!". Six months later, you've got $300 cans and a $600 amp+DAC. Then you see some $500 cans, and you think "My cans cost half of what my amp+DAC costs, I need something less mid-fi to match the rest of my rig. I'll sell the old ones for $250, and for just $250 I can get into the half-$K woody club!"
By now you have a setup costing $1100, so an upcoming upgrade of $200-$300 is just a fraction of that... You get my point. And on and on turn the wheels of perdition
Yes... I do that too.. I sold my modded XDAC3 with PS for 760.00 & just paid 110.00 to get my DAC1.. I'm looking into a SS mp..HR-2/NX-33 balanced.. I really want an end all upgrade Amp for around a grand..& since I make less then 20,000 a yr.. My buget won't allow me to spend 2,000 on an amp..I'm already pushing it now..I like my BADA12, but I'd like a better noise floor & blackground..Get a minor hum with sensitive cans, SA5000.. & when the fan comes on I get a slight buzzing in the right channel..
It just had a few minor but noticeable flaws. I can understand how a newer one might rectify those problems, especially in light of the improvements Aqvox made in their DAC in just a year (although it did have more extensive internal changes). Hopefully I can figure out where a current DAC1 stands come the National Meet. I did get about 18 months (maybe it was a bit more) of happy use from my former DAC1, not to mention plenty of miles, and escaping Katrina. The DAC1 will always be a good memory, of my first really high end system.
Hell..I might even sell my DAC1 & get a Opera if it impresses me that much..Even without Optical..
Linear Mode
