The HeadAmp GS-X Thread - Page 58

Hey you don't have to justify your pricing!

Hey you don't have to justify your pricing!

Thank you for the nice comments on my set up.

 

Because I've got XLR interconnects to the GS-X, and RCA's to the BHSE, and because the K-01 has XLR & RCA settings built in which one or the other can be selected in seconds, I can be listening to a song from the SR-009 / BHSE then the HD-600 / GS-X by changing the setting on the K-01 which like I said takes seconds. This is why I'm able to hear the difference in SQ between the SR-009 / BHSE and HD-600 / GS-X in no time. And this is why I said the difference in SQ isn't as wider gap as some might think.

 

I could posts my impressions on what I'm hearing but not only am I not very good at it, but unless most had the audio gear I have, they wouldn't know what I'm hearing.

Last night I decided to listen to the SR-009 / BHSE / K-01 after they'd been on power for over 3 hours. I listened to two of my CD's both by Jean Michel Jarre, Equinoxe and Oxygene, I also decided to listen to them in the dark and what I heard was the most life like sound I've ever heard from an headphone set up. Obviously headphones IMO can't touch speakers for trying to replicate life like sound, but still that headphone set up was very close.

 

The photos are the two settings on the K-01.

 

 

 

 

         

Edited by David1961 - 3/23/13 at 4:22am

^

I've got several sources that can deliver RCA and XLR out at the same time. I belive that's fairly common.

 

McIntosh MCD500 even has two of each, one fixed and one variable pair of RCA + XLR out.

What I believe David is getting at is the Esotric's ability to have the same output level for both RCA and XLR, making comparisons that much easier. 

Why not just feed the K-01 into the GS-X balanced, then take the loop out to the BHSE (or vice-versa) and then level match using the volume knob?  What am I missing?

 

--Mark

 

Thank you Birgir. That's part of what I was trying to do, I'm not trying to make out the Esoteric can do things other sources can't, because I know they can. The other point I was trying to make was I can listen to the same song from two different headphones and amps, but obviously not at the same time. Only one of either the XLR or RCA can be used,not both at the same time. I did something similar when IanG brought his LL to my place and we connected his LL and my BHSE to the K-01.

Placed my order for the GS-X couple days back, at the old price and will need to wait 3 months.

 

I've been using the Yulong D18/A18 combo, which are extremely nice for enjoying music but they're very forgiving and sometimes make things sound better than they should. Now want to try something radically different and want to ask which DAC I should pair with the GS-X to give the most neutral, transparent and revealing setup.

 

Is Master 7 a good choice, and what about X-Sabre?

That Master 7 would be very nice on the GSX II. The GSX is one of, if not the most revealing amps I've heard. The smooth presentation of the Master 7 would come across very neutral with a hint of warmth for the HD-800. Darryl had that hooked up and I was commenting how this could be an end rig and leave any curious thoughts to the contrary to history.

Grace Design m903 has independent volume control for RCA, balanced TRS and headphone out. In addition there's an offset function (+/-) for at least the line outs.

 

Lynx Hilo has independent volume control for balanced TRS, XLR and headphone out, offset functions and much more. On the other side, each output has its own DAC circuit, and the main XLR line out is different from and supposedly better than the two others which are meant for monitoring purposes.

 

I believe professional audio equipment often have more such flexibility features than domestic hifi equipment.

 

On both these and my other sources, all outputs are/can be live at the same time. Outputs with volume control can be muted/turned down. On the Lynx Hilo you can turn on and off (just about) everything. At the moment I don't remember whether one can turn off outputs on the Grace Design m903, but they can be turned completely down.

Edited by CDWMcInSpots - 3/23/13 at 10:00am

 

GS-X mk2/ PWD2

GS-X mk2 / Master 7

 

Both are just great together.  As long as your source is up to snuff - the GS-X mk2 won't disappoint.  I would not restrict the amp by using a forgiving DAC.  Just get better material.

I've heard X-Sabre > GS-X > HD800. It will be my rig for a long time.

 

Alright boys.  Could you give me your listening impressions of the GS-XII vs. the LF.  I am happy with my LF but would love to read your impressions.  

Damn, I just have a NuWave DAC.... do i need to be saving my pennies for an upgrade???