Well IMO my K701/GS-1 combo sound so near perfect I have absolutely no interest into tiring anything else. In-fact I plan on building solely around this combo from this day forward.
Here’s the thing, if I plug the 701's into anything other then the GS-1 I find a slight roll-off on either ends. If I plug any other phones into my GS-1 I find the complete opposite. With mids being the strong points of both these masterpieces, Together you end up with absolutely incredible tear jerking mids that blend and extend beautifully. It’s like they were made for each-other.
What the GS-1 lacks in soundstage, detail, transparency, and dynamics, the 701’s make up for.
What the 701 lacks in warmth, body, and fullness the GS-1 makes all better.
Yes I do think the 701s outclass the GS-1 but they have such synergy, that together, they come so close to giving me the perfect response I had imaged in my head.
Only time will tell if I ever will reach this perfect response I’ve been searching for, but I really do feel this combo is THE first stepping stone.