GS-1000 sounding harsh with distant vocals

[gswpete]

I recently purchased a GS-1000 and while I can hear the potential it offers (seamless natural sound with a huge soundstage), the vocals sound distant and the highs are a bit harsh with the various amps I've tried (GLite V2, LDII++, META42). With tube rolling I've managed to bring the vocals closer and smoothed out the highs, but that led to out of control bass.

My question is: Are there amps out there that can bring the vocals forward, non-harsh highs and at the same time have controlled impactful bass?
My source is a 1212M digital out -> Fully modded ART DIO.

In comparison, the HD650 and MS-Pro are much less demanding on amps to get decent sound

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Blackmore]

Ah, yes thats the main problem, correct amp. With my Aspen vocals are up front and not harsh at all. I use Mullard tube.
Give them the burn time, like 150 hours or something.

 

[gswpete]

I've read that the RA-1 also works really well with the GS-1000. Will it bring the mids forward and tame the highs? RA-1's look like they can be bought relatively easy compared to some of the more expensive amps that work well with this headphone.

 

[Blackmore]

It would be my first choice, buying RA1 I mean, if my current amp didn't drive them well.
You can find some shop to try them out, before buying them I mean. Also you can buy them lightly used pretty easy and not paying that much money.
Otherwise search on amp forum about matching GS1.

 

[pearljam5000]

anyome had any exprience with GS-1000 paired with SP EXTREME standard?is it a good match?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackmore /img/forum/go_quote.gif It would be my first choice, buying RA1 I mean, if my current amp didn't drive them well. You can find some shop to try them out, before buying them I mean. Also you can buy them lightly used pretty easy and not paying that much money. Otherwise search on amp forum about matching GS1.

 

[mastercheif]

I heard some GS-1000 at the NYC bi-annual meet. The only amp I thought really brought out the best in the GS-1000s was the Ray Samuels B-52. I don't know if you are looking to spend that much, but it was an increadable combo.

 

[robm321]

I think the RA-1 is the cheapest way to get a good sound with the GS-1000. Don't expect the vocals to every be as upfront as the HD650.

What source are you using? These unfortunately aren't plug and play like other Grados. They apparently were made for high end systems. But give them a solid system throughout, and you will be rewarded with incredible sound.

They definately need burn in. BTW, I haven't heard the other 2 amps with it, but the Gilmore Lite was a big no no. Bright and harsh.

 

[Jeff E]

This appears to be a good deal on a used RA-1.

Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of the seller.

 

[Audiofiler]

I think these cans stink, go ahead and PM me, and will take your "harsh" pair off your hands for you --problem solved / wallet saved. .

 

[cantsleep]

using an amp will solve the problem, in a bit. right. but i dont like using an amp(as well as other devices) to correct the faulty headphones. instead, i use an amp to improve the sound of 'already good enough' headphones.

the word 'faulty' isnt right but you guys know what i mean..

 

[iamoneagain]

I'd recommend the RA-1 as well. When I had this combo, I liked the GS1000. The only problem was the bass wasn't as controlled as other amps. I went on to try the GS-1 and a Ray Samuels HR-2.

While the GS-1 was very fast and the bass was tight, the fun was gone and they were very harsh. Very bad combo with my setup at the time.

The HR-2 brought back the fun with the right opamp but then the vocals and guitar were distant. Swapping the opamp made the guitars sound better but then the harshness was back and the fun was gone again.

I eventually gave up on the GS1000 and got a PS-1, which I'm extremely happy with. I got the hear the GS1000 on my current amp, Mapletree HD+ purist, and the mids were way too distant. Had the sucked out feeling. I actually tried them on a number of amps at the meet and even the highend amps didn't do it for me. The mids were always just a bit recessed for my taste even on the best setup.

So out of all the amps I've heard the GS1000 on, the RA-1 was the best for just an enjoyment factor. Technically, it falls short but what good is tighter bass, resolution and a little bigger soundstage if the overall sound doesn't do it for you.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantsleep using an amp will solve the problem, in a bit. right. but i dont like using an amp(as well as other devices) to correct the faulty headphones. instead, i use an amp to improve the sound of 'already good enough' headphones. the word 'faulty' isnt right but you guys know what i mean..

Amp synergy/mating is important for very revealing headphones.

No wonder you can't get any sleep with your cynical attitude

All headphones in your inventory have stated faults. Let's not pretend the headphones we like are perfect and the "others" are faulting. You probably just didn't like the GS-1000 sound, or maybe you didn't have a matching system with it.

 

[cantsleep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robm321 /img/forum/go_quote.gif No wonder you can't get any sleep with your cynical attitude

good thing you pointed that out. i thought i was pretty positive minded one but it seems like im becoming more cynical as time goes. i guess i gotta work on that now

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantsleep /img/forum/go_quote.gif good thing you pointed that out. i thought i was pretty positive minded one but it seems like im becoming more cynical as time goes. i guess i gotta work on that now

Sorry if I took your post wrong then... I thought you were stating that the GS-1000 was broken and that you didn't like using and amp to fix it. But after this post you may have been stating something in general about what you like to use an amp for (make better rather than change the sound).

 

[Roam]

As far as I'm concerned there's no amp which will fix the distant sucked out mids on the GS1000 and keep the highs in check while controlling the bass. What you're hearing is the inherent sound of the headphone and nothing short of a fancy DSP unit or actual physical alterations to the headphone is going to significantly alter it. It is what it is and it's not changing. The adage of putting a bandaid on a person with a broken leg comes to mind, you're doing something but you're not helping the situation nor fixing anything.