I guess I'm not understanding why you don't wish to compare your amps to each other anymore.. I know amps like the supermini have a different intended purpose (although you wouldn't know it by fixup's remarks on his website), but the gilmore and meta42 would both serve the same purpose. Based on price one would think that the order of sound quality (from best to worst) would be:

gilmore -> meta42 -> supermini

but let's say the meta42 happens to sound better than the gilmore using identical sources/cables.. or even if the supermini sounded better than the meta42.. these options would be surprising, but honestly that would be the kind of information we'd value most here at head-fi. Most of us want to have a pretty good idea what we're getting before we buy it, and if in person auditions are not possible (as is the case for me and many other members reguarding somewhat rare specialty headphone equipment), we only have other people's opinions to base our purchases on (or goto a head-fi meet ).

I really doubt JMT would be upset if you found the gilmore superior to a meta42 (no matter how maxed out). The gilmore is significantly more money than all but a super-exotic meta42. And I don't think fixup would take offense to finding a meta42 superior to his supermini v4 given that it (probably) costed 2-3x as much. So basically I'm just wondering why you seem unwilling to compare your amps under the same conditions.

Also, I believe MiniDisc uses a lossy compression? I could be wrong.. but if so you'll never maximize your music's potential with even the greatest MD player on earth.

-dd3mon

MD uses lossy compression but it's very good. Much better than MP3. I can however tell a difference between MD and CD sometimes in most music, and almost definitely in quiet yet detailed sequences. Why not keep the CD->MD deck and get just a decent CD?

i am green with envy lou!

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exactly. The best MD deck in the world won't erase the fact that MD is a LOSSY format. For portability, its awesome. For a home based system. . .

Excellent choice Lou. I received my Gilmore from antness this past Monday and have put at least 80 hours on it thus far. This amp is a joy to listen to and has exceeded my expectations. It completely outclasses my Creek. My RS-1s have been my main headphones for a while now but I think the Gilmore has cemented this. In fact, I'm considering selling my HD580s. Well...maybe not. Could never be satisfied with only one pair of headphones!

Now I have to put more research into new interconnects

andrzejpw
OK I am convinced that the mini disc for portability only. Now is there a decent 500.00 cd deck good enough for my amp and A1000. Also members are asking me to compair the GILMORE to my MAX Out META42. Do you think that is ok and fair to JMT. I have much respect for him and dont wont to say that one amp is better than his or is wrong thinking?

JMT feel free to step in at any time here..

Given the price differences I'm sure JMT would not be insulted if you stated that you enjoyed the gilmore more than his meta42 (in fact I bet he expects it for that kind of money..). Kelly expressed this exact opinion for an tangent-built meta42 vs. his gilmore.. I would be very surprised if you found the sound of the meta42 better than your new gilmore.. but I don't think anyone has compared these two amps with your current cans so anything's possible

-dd3mon

I don't want to speak for JMT, he is more than capable of doing that for himself.
But, he didn't invent the Meta, he builds them.
I think he would welcome a comparison.

A guy working on the assembly line in a Chevy plant wouldn't give a crap if you decided to compare Fords and Chevys.

As far as comparisons they're only opinions. I've got an Altoids and a CMOY amp that JMT built for me. He's working on a META42 for me right now. It depends on it's uses. Sometimes I use the Altoid... sometime I use the CMOY. It doesn't concern me that the CMOY outclasses the Altoid. I use both. I'm one of those people who love gadgets. How many people here only have one set of headphones? Probably none! We're all striving for new experiences... but we also like to go back and visit old ones too. Personally I'm not sure I'd want to comparisons of DIYer's amps against each other. That starts to hit the ole' pocketbook if you get my drift. Corporations? Sure. Small businessmen/women who do it for fun? Don't think so. It's just the respect factor for me. At some point I'll want to get Jon's Maxed out META for home use. I also want to get a few things from Meier Audio and perhaps a pair of RS-1s. But for now I'll take small steps thank you! And no... he's not paying me to type this!

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You're a sick man lou. Sick!! Seriously, that MO META is one tough cookie to beat. I seriously hope that you like the Gilmore even more that it, but don't know if it is better or not.

Make sure to let us know what you think of the two amps, and which one you prefer.

ServinginEcuador
wow man you call me a sick man for what having a hobbie Have you ever heard the gilmore amp? I bet that you have not. Now now that ant nice of you to say I am sick like many other members LOL Have you ever seen my META42? No. Now I only have a mini to mini With my META so I have to use the jack out of my source but with the gilmoe I can use the rca in back of my source to out put and it is a line out not a headphone jack. But you might be right I just might be sick all my life but it sure ant because I got the gilmore amp. Its really not nice to call members sick so I will forgive you

I have never heard the meta and can't compare, but I am listening to a antness gilmore amp now.You will not be disapointed with the gilmore, it is a flaming bargin for what it cost.Antness did a good job on this one.

Lou:

Personally, I'd really like to hear what the relative pros and cons to both of these amps are.

If you want to pick up a good source for $500 or so (redbook CD only?), I'd suggest looking for a good used ADCOM GCD-750. You might luck out and find one for that price. They sound wonderful as stand-alone decks, and I've yet to find anything that I thought was as well-constructed.

Just my $.02, for what it's worth.

I had good luck in the past with the AMC CD8b. Not the best, but you can get it for under $200 I don't know if it can be beat at that price. Opamps can be rolled as well

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I don't think he meant it in an offensive way Lou. I think a good number of us would fall into this category if we took a good hard look. Compared to other hobbies this one really is not that expensive. Look at what a great home theater system will set you back for instance.