alphanumerix1
1000+ Head-Fier
looks good! how does it sound?
Gustard H20 headphone amp
- Thread starter mtoc
- Start date
My plan is to only listen with the H20 (with stock opamps) for a few days, and then do more direct comparisons with the Jotunheim, and maybe the micro iDSD, though at least with single ended outs those two seem to sound quite similar.
So far my impression is a vastly improved sound stage in that I am perceiving a lot more depth than I'm used to. I could simply misremember, though. Too bad the Yggy doesn't have two XLR outs, that would help with proper A/Bing.
The H20 sounds very detailed. The highs are a bit strident, though - so far.
Bass seems every bit as good as on the Jotunheim, if not better.
A few times it also sounded like something was briefly discharging, maybe (short pops). Maybe something needs to settle in, I have no clue.
This thing has insane amounts of power. It's plenty loud at 7:30 even on low gain. I'm using the 4-pin XLR out with my Ether C Flow right now, with Yggy balanced in. As has been mentioned before, the three gain levels seem a bit useless, as there's hardly any difference between them. The difference between the Jotunheim's two gain settings is much bigger than between the lowest and highest in the H20. Maybe that's different with the other outputs, I have yet to try those (and I don't have a headphone cable for the two 3-pin XLR outs). The volume cuts out relatively soon when turning the knob to its lowest setting, in that it could theoretically get a lot quieter before it mutes the output completely. On the bright side, I'm not noticing any channel imbalance, while the Jotunheim has some at very low volumes (much lower than I would ever use).
The volume knob is big and smooth, feels better than the Jotunheim's. Its volume indicator is not at all visible from where I sitting, because it's on the base of the knob, which is covered by the top from this angle. That's a silly design choice. The case is a fingerprint magnet, but it looks nice.
I'm definitely tempted to try the SS3602s right now, but this is plenty good for the next few days.
So far my impression is a vastly improved sound stage in that I am perceiving a lot more depth than I'm used to. I could simply misremember, though. Too bad the Yggy doesn't have two XLR outs, that would help with proper A/Bing.
The H20 sounds very detailed. The highs are a bit strident, though - so far.
Bass seems every bit as good as on the Jotunheim, if not better.
A few times it also sounded like something was briefly discharging, maybe (short pops). Maybe something needs to settle in, I have no clue.
This thing has insane amounts of power. It's plenty loud at 7:30 even on low gain. I'm using the 4-pin XLR out with my Ether C Flow right now, with Yggy balanced in. As has been mentioned before, the three gain levels seem a bit useless, as there's hardly any difference between them. The difference between the Jotunheim's two gain settings is much bigger than between the lowest and highest in the H20. Maybe that's different with the other outputs, I have yet to try those (and I don't have a headphone cable for the two 3-pin XLR outs). The volume cuts out relatively soon when turning the knob to its lowest setting, in that it could theoretically get a lot quieter before it mutes the output completely. On the bright side, I'm not noticing any channel imbalance, while the Jotunheim has some at very low volumes (much lower than I would ever use).
The volume knob is big and smooth, feels better than the Jotunheim's. Its volume indicator is not at all visible from where I sitting, because it's on the base of the knob, which is covered by the top from this angle. That's a silly design choice. The case is a fingerprint magnet, but it looks nice.
I'm definitely tempted to try the SS3602s right now, but this is plenty good for the next few days.
alphanumerix1
1000+ Head-Fier
yeah best to get a good handle on the stock sound and see how you go from there.
You can add the op amps at any stage.
You can add the op amps at any stage.
wesxf
New Head-Fier
what did you do to that circular thing?Surgery complete.
The cover of the toroidal transformer? It looked like this when I opened the amp up. Maybe some glue residue? Same with the scratches on what I assume are heatsinks.
snip3r77
Headphoneus Supremus
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I wished they have a single port for the Balanced output
snip3r77
Headphoneus Supremus
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....so, you're happy now?
It’s discontinued and no single balance
BassDigger
500+ Head-Fier
Please explain. You're saying something (the H20?) is discontinued, and something (???) doesn't have the 4-pin balanced connector?!?
I don't understand. Can you supply a link?
emarshal
New Head-Fier
Is it possible @snip3r77 is thinking of the H10?
snip3r77
Headphoneus Supremus
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you're right. may bad
saw the H20 ,
balanced single port - checked
3.5mm - there isn't
why life is so unfair LMAO
how does h10 compares to h20?
Maybe you'd like the Massdrop THX AAA 789. 3.5mm, 6.35mm and 4-pin XLR. Don't know any other amp that has them all. Though 6.35mm to 3.5mm adapters aren't that big a deal in my opinion since they are so compact.
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