Headamp products: Gilmore Reference vs GS-1

[greenhorn]

I tried to find reviews on the Headamp Gilmore Reference and I could only find information about the Headamp Gilmore Reference Balanced.

How is the Headamp Gilmore Reference comparing with the Headamp GS-1?

How is it comparing with the Headamp GS-X? If I understood correctly, when in production, the Headamp Gilmore Reference price was similar to the price of the Headamp GS-X today.

would this be correct: GS-1 < Gilmore Reference < GS-X ?

Are the GS-1 and the GS-X based on Gilmore designs, like the Headamp Gilmore Reference ?

Which is actually the best Headamp product (non-balanced)?

 

[Solude]

Goes a little something like this...

The Reference is the Balanced Reference for starters but with only half the amp board populated. The full power supply though.

The Reference has a monster power supply and a modified V2 amp board. This board is used on the Lite/GS-1/GS-X as well. The GS-1 has a smaller power supply with its final leg right up aginst the amp board. The GS-X continues the power supply relocate and uses a 2 transformer version of the Reference power supply.

The Reference has better parts while the GS-1/GS-X are better from a manufacturing and engineering design point of view. Sound wise no idea since I never owned a GS-1 or GS-X. Tell you this much you should be able to pick up a Reference for a lot less than a GS-X

 

[justin w.]

greenhorn,

There are only one or two Gilmore Reference amps that are NOT balanced. The Reference amps were custom made and one or two buyers did not want the balanced functionality.

The GS-1 and GS-X are not Gilmore designs, however at the moment, they are shipping with the Gilmore amplifier modules until a new design is available.

-Justin

 

[greenhorn]

Thanks!

 

[gpalmer]

Interesting question. I'd go with stock V2-SE < GS-1 < upgraded V2-SE. I haven't heard the GS-X yet so I can't compare them. I can't even guess on that one though since the upgraded parts in the Reference make a big difference whereas, to me, the GS have been more about getting excellent performance at a real world price than pushing the absolute envelope... I do have a unit coming where the GS-X is implemented with the brute force approach of higher end parts so it'll be interesting to see how that match-up goes.

Other than that though, the balanced reference is better than the V2-SE or GS-1, even in single-ended operation.

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

I compared my Reference in single-ended mode with the GS1 using Justin's new MOSFET modules at a recent meet. Driving headphones other than the K1000, it was pretty hard to disern a difference (granted this was only a few minutes at a meet). The new modules definitely pushed more power into the K1000, resuling in a better bass response (however the Reference can attain the same performance, but when driving the K1000 balanced).

That said, the new GSX with the MOSFET modules should be a real monster of an amp.

 

[gpalmer]

Did that amp have the stepped attenuator Peter?

 

[Iron_Dreamer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpalmer Did that amp have the stepped attenuator Peter?

Nope, standard ALPS blue. But, as I said, I listened to it for only a few minutes during a pretty bustling meet, though I did have Edwood's switchbox at my disposal. The K1000 difference was pretty "duh, look at me!" The fact that Justin has got the sound so close, while obviously improving the power output is pretty impressive.

BTW, slightly belated happy birthday, Greg! Long time, no speak!

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron_Dreamer BTW, slightly belated happy birthday, Greg! Long time, no speak!

Yeah, I see from your post count you've been busy!

I agree, it should be very, very interesting when that module comes out and we can get our hot little hands on it!

 

[Solude]

Must resist urge to re-enter the dynamics game

 

[gpalmer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solude Must resist urge to re-enter the dynamics game

Darn, buddy, you have a typo in that. You spelled "give in to" as "resist". Heck even I know better than that!