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Comparison Review: RSA Apache vs. Headamp GS-X - Page 2

post #16 of 60
7/1/07 at 8:41pm
Excellent review. I have never heard these amps side by side, but I have heard both, and I agree with your comments.
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post #17 of 60
7/1/07 at 8:54pm
since the gs-x is only 1800$.......it must surely be a bargain compared to the rsa apache.
Is the gs-x the more nutral one?
How does one choose between the pre-amp and headphone section since there's no switch on the gs-x?
dom
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post #18 of 60
7/1/07 at 9:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by euclid View Post
this reminds me of the Grado/Senn debate, i could talk up the superior transparancy and resolution of HD-650 all day, explaining every nuance of the subtle tones of the Senn house sound, but at the end of the day 50% of you are bored stiff by Senns and reach for Grado instead, thats what you have to decide.
Well put. Thanks for taking the time to write the review. Much appreciated.
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post #19 of 60
7/1/07 at 9:43pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by klenkar View Post
since the gs-x is only 1800$.......it must surely be a bargain compared to the rsa apache.
Is the gs-x the more nutral one?
How does one choose between the pre-amp and headphone section since there's no switch on the gs-x?
dom
the GS-X has no selection, the poweramp must be turned off to switch to headphones. likewise the headphones must be unplugged to run only the poweramp. my poweramp has about a 30 minute warmup time and its a hassle to be turning it on and off, thats why i was excited about the Apache selection switch.

FWIW i talked to Ray about some points of confusion. the chasis are the same in the side extrussions only. the front/rear face plates and top/bottom plates are custom for each. i assumed it was an "off the shelf" chasis with a custom faceplate but thats not the case.

the preamp and headphone output does have seperate buffers. so when the preamp is selected the headphone circuit is shunted to ground, and vice versa. this accounts for the varying impedances and the unused inputs are all shunted to ground as well, this addresses Cheseberts questions.

FWIW i do prefer the seperate powersupply design, im not sure if it truely represents a sonic improvement but i assume that i does reduce the noisefloor, plus its much more convenient to place two mid size enclosures than to find a spot for one hulking chasis, also its much easier to get close to the wall socket with a 2 box design.
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post #20 of 60
7/1/07 at 9:44pm
Thank you for the great review. At the meet I was going between these two amps for most of the second day (from across the room). It comes down to preference as you stated. The Apache gave me something the GS-X could not. It would be interesting to hear the GS-X with a superior source. Maybe at another meet in the future.
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post #21 of 60
7/1/07 at 9:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnsonad View Post
It would be interesting to hear the GS-X with a superior source. Maybe at another meet in the future.
Or upgraded MOSFET amp modules.
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post #22 of 60
7/2/07 at 12:56am
Thanks for giving us even more need-to-know info! Great stuff to know, and I completely agree with your assessment of the GS-X's sound. How would you characterize the sound of those Grover interconnects? And based on your listening with the two amps, what are your impressions of the Meridian G08?

I didn't see you mention that the Apache is half discrete and half op-amp (AD797) while the GS-X is fully discrete, so I'll do that for you now.
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post #23 of 60
7/2/07 at 4:58pm
So overall would you say the GS-X is a better choice if for the primary function as a pre-amp, and headphone amp as secondary?
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post #24 of 60
7/2/07 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Asr View Post
I didn't see you mention that the Apache is half discrete and half op-amp (AD797) while the GS-X is fully discrete, so I'll do that for you now.
Is the op-amp changeable? AD797 is nicely dense and warm, but I imagine some people would like to try some other op-amps, maybe AD744, which I like.
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post #25 of 60
7/2/07 at 6:20pm
I do believe the op amp is rollable.
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post #26 of 60
7/2/07 at 7:21pm
Ray confirmed in an earlier post that the op-amps are rollable.
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post #27 of 60
7/3/07 at 12:46am
euclid,

A very informative review. One question I have which you can probably shed some light on is whether, if the source is single-ended, you noticed any difference between using balanced headphones and single-ended headphones. In other words, if the source is single-ended, is it or isn't it worth rewiring headphones so that they are balanced?

ctemkin
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post #28 of 60
7/3/07 at 12:48am
i'm curious, if you're rolling opamps, how many would you have to replace? are they dual opamps? (referring to the Apache)
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post #29 of 60
7/3/07 at 1:35am

The Apache....

Quote:
Originally Posted by cotdt View Post
i'm curious, if you're rolling opamps, how many would you have to replace? are they dual opamps? (referring to the Apache)
Four op-amps.
Ray Samuels
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post #30 of 60
7/3/07 at 2:13am
for those who have yet to see the clear/white Apache, check it out. amazing!

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpo...&postcount=135
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