Mini-Review: HeadAmp KGSS vs Blue Hawaii SE - Page 6  

Thanks for the great review. When you say that in order to appreciate the BHSE one needs a “really good source,” I would be curious to know whether you think that the Bel Canto DAC 2.5 would qualify. 

Thanks

V.

Thanks Asr, 

Do you have any idea how long a BHSE can last? I assume that those amps are build to last many years, right? Would it be fair to assume that 10 years from now, 20 years, it would still be working fine? I am asking because I am not intending to “upgrade” all the time!  I guess I would rather buy the BHSE and use it with my Bel Canto DAC 2.5 and MK2 for a few years and probably get a better source, say, in 6 or 7 years. Would this make sense, or is there something I am missing here?

Thank you very much for your appreciated reply.

Best,

Verwandlung 

tubes wear out, will need replacing every few years "a typical oxide-cathode glass power tube, such as an EL34, will last about 1500-2000 hours"

the Gilmore's power supply uses electrolytic caps, I assume Justin uses them too - they may need replacement every few decades

moving parts like volume control and switches may go eventually depending on use

Thanks jcx.

I was told that Justin at Headamp may eventually replace the KGSS, that is, build a solid electrostatic amp but, as he told me, at the quality level of the BHSE. This is the kind of thing which would interest me pretty much. Especially because it would require a little less care (at lest no tubes to replace every now and then). Although, I am not sure I cant wait too long to replace my Stax 323ii, which I am using now for my MK2!

Best, 

Verwandlung

Quote:

Originally Posted by verwandlung 

  I guess I would rather buy the BHSE and use it with my Bel Canto DAC 2.5 and MK2 for a few years and probably get a better source, say, in 6 or 7 years. Would this make sense, or is there something I am missing here?

 

Sounds like a good plan to me. I doubt that everybody who have BH have 10K sourses.  I just guess that 90% of BH owners have <2K sourses.  Do not recall but somebody around here have Pico DAC as a sourse for his BHSE.   Bel Canto DAC 3 is hard to beat in under 2K category.  I have Mytek 96 studio dac that I paid $600 and going to keep it until I find  something drastically better.  I think it depends on  what kind of sound you after.

cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by vvs_75 

Sounds like a good plan to me. I doubt that everybody who have BH have 10K sourses.  I just guess that 90% of BH owners have <2K sourses.  Do not recall but somebody around here have Pico DAC as a sourse for his BHSE.   Bel Canto DAC 3 is hard to beat in under 2K category.  I have Mytek 96 studio dac that I paid $600 and going to keep it until I find  something drastically better.  I think it depends on  what kind of sound you after.

cheers!

I would suggest the Neko D100 it costs 1400$(1300$ promo) some one from the Canada program liked it better than Bel canto dac3, the wyred 4 sound dac 2 and the PS audio cullen 4. https://www.nekoaudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=289&p=673#p673

Even though I didn't hear the Bel canto I did hear the neko and definly can vouch for the neko, the most musical dac analogue like yet detailed DAC I have heard.

You can test it on your home before buying since the US and Canadian program is still going on.

Anyone heard anything about the successor of the KGSS? Justin mentioned it in passing in an email, but without telling much about it, as to whether or not he already had something in mind that he would like to build and when it would be. Just told me that he had his hands full with the BHSE now!

Probably the KGSSHV, google it for more info.

The KGSS successor would most likely be the KGSSHV.

At the moment it is only available as a DIY build. Nobody manufactures it proffesionally.

Dont hold your breath for HeadAmp to make one.

As you mentioned, they are swamped with BHSE orders.

Cavalli Audio will be releasing a newly designed solid state stat amp soon.

It is called the "Liquid Lightning". Keep an eye out for it.

FWIW, I have a Neko D100 MkII DAC for sale.

Quote:

Originally Posted by livewire 

The KGSS successor would most likely be the KGSSHV.

At the moment it is only available as a DIY build. Nobody manufactures it proffesionally.

Dont hold your breath for HeadAmp to make one.

As you mentioned, they are swamped with BHSE orders.

Cavalli Audio will be releasing a newly designed solid state stat amp soon.

It is called the "Liquid Lightning". Keep an eye out for it.

 

FWIW, I have a Neko D100 MkII DAC for sale.

I certainly will! Has anyone heard it so far? Is it supposed to sound better than the old KGSS? How does it compare with the BHSE?

Incidentally, someone who apparently knows Justin told me that Justin told him that there is little chance he would build a KGSSHV, since it would directly compete with the BHSE and that it doesn't really make sense to divide the labor one two different competing amps! Is there someone else you know of who may decide to manufacture that thing? 

Quote:

Originally Posted by verwandlung 

I certainly will! Has anyone heard it so far? Is it supposed to sound better than the old KGSS? How does it compare with the BHSE?

 

 

 

 

I built the first KGSSHV thanks to the designer, Kevin Gilmore's generosity giving me the plans early on.

It sounds great, but keep in mind that it is solid state. It does not have the same rich presentation as the BHSE.

The tubes add that extra dimension if you will, without sounding too lush or euphonic as most tube amps do.

The BHSE is one of those designs that has no equal in the commercial world.

The KGSSHV is basically a KGSS with more output voltage swing. (450V to 500V vs 350V)

It also has a modern beefed-up current limiting power supply. 

It is more adept at driving the higher end stat phones such as the SR-007.

Recently there was a group buy for the DIY KGSSHV board sets.

About 150 sets were sold. Two of them have been completed so far.
 

Thanks livewire. I wouldn't be able to build such thing myself. do you have pics of completed amps? also, any idea how much the cost? 

Thanks again.

Best, 

Verwandlung

It just just occurred to me that your question, two posts back was referring to the Cavalli amp.

It was debuted at the recent RMAF show in Colorado. Many gave it a listen, but I know nothing other

than it is still undergoing some final tweaks before being unleashed to the public at large.

I'll post a few pics of my KGSSHV shortly.

It is an "econo-build", no pretty case, just the basics.

It cost me $1000 in parts, I did the labor.

Before you ask, I am not in the market to build these for others.

Too many other projects right now.

If you have it built for you, expect to pay a minumum of $2000 for parts and labor.

If you want fancy cases and controls, the cost could rise up another $1000 easily.

First pic is on the test bench under test. I had not cleaned up the cabling yet.

Last pic is the KGSSHV debut at a local show earlier this year.

(click pic to enlarge)