aravaioli
100+ Head-Fier
I finally managed to acquire about a month ago a GS1000i on Ebay and I vastly prefer it to the "e" version I owned briefly. I no longer have it with me so I could not do an A/B comparison with my Lehmann Linear and Grahams Slee Solo Ultra linear diamond edition (the Graham Slee is a particularly good match for all my Grados). It does not show the sign of those forward to shouty mids that had me turning down the volume on the GS1000e to lower volumes than all my other Grados; those reminded me the Focal Elear for mids forwardness and dynamism (but most certainly without the half kilo weight and the recessed highs). The "i" model are also darker and more laid back, just as described by so many others, with deep bass and just enough mids and highs for my personal taste. Those are keepers for me, however not my #1 choice which remains the PS1000. There is just more in the sound of the PS1000, mostly in the mids and highs, and possibly not only there. I do not appreciate much difference in terms of soundstage, which is the part that the GS1000e possibly did best than anyone else (save HD800, of course).
My current ranking of all Grados I own or have owned is:
1. PS1000
2. GS1000i
3. GH2 = PS500e
4. PS500
5. GS1000e
6. SR-80e
My current ranking of all Grados I own or have owned is:
1. PS1000
2. GS1000i
3. GH2 = PS500e
4. PS500
5. GS1000e
6. SR-80e