Does anyone know (have heard) the new anniversary edition G109-A?
I ask because i am considering an upgrade...
I got to compare my G103 to a V200 last week and was amazed at the difference it made to the sound of my Alpha Dogs (much improved).
Would a G103 -> G109 upgrade be a significant improvement?
(I cant really afford a G103 -> V200 upgrade...)
Cheers,
G
I just purchased a G109-A earlier today. Serial number 012/300. I couldn't resist the draw of a limited edition...
But even though I was initially curious because of the limited edition factor, it was really the sound that had me going for it.
The G109-A is fantastic, and has powered all that I've thrown at it so far (multiple IEMs, HD650s, HD800s, HE-560s, etc.) to reasonable listening volumes with room to spare.
While I normally listen to music at lower levels (around ~75dB), it should have no problem going much louder, as it's driving my HD800s very competently right now at only around the 9~10 o'clock position with stock (medium) gain.
I was with a few friends trying it out at the local headphone shop as they'd brought in 10 of the 300 units made.
Overall it's a very clean, neutral amp with a wonderful, extended treble response, and just enough bass punch/meatiness.
The store didn't have the G103 so I can't compare, but they did have other standard Violectric units.
I've found it has a cleaner, more extended treble response than even the V90, V181, and V281, which are great in their own right, but the treble on this G109-A is slightly better.
I thought I was just imagining things, but all of us trying it out felt the same way -- we made sure to compare with the above-mentioned three units.
There is a very, very slight bump in the sub/mid-bass, which gives the HD800s just enough 'oomph' for me.
Combined with the Anaxilus mod, they sound very tonally balanced (though it still sheds a very harsh spotlight on even the slightest hint of sibilance in recordings).
Although I'm not a big fan of stepped attenuators, the Alps RK27 has me spoiled because there are zero channel imbalance issues, even at the 7:30 position (just 2 clicks out of 40), and I'm very glad LP have decided to use it here as well.
There is also no issue of having most of the gain on the first half or so of the amp, with the rest of the volume knob being just there for show.
On a side note, having two headphone outputs is incredibly useful not for just sharing the music, but also for comparing different headphones.
Both outputs sound exactly the same, regardless of whether you're using the left, right, or both at once.
As everyone says, build quality is excellent as well, though it would have been nice if they'd bump the cost up a little more so we get a fancier beveled faceplate and a powdercoated casing.
But that's all right.
For those curious about the differences between the G109-A and the G109-S/P, I emailed Fried about it to learn more, and this is what he replied with:
The internal differences:
Although G109-A is basically a G109-S with only unbalanced inputs, it has the protective relay from the G109-P series. Second, we are using special "audio-grade" smoothing capacitors from Nichicon inside G109-A.
By doing so, the sound from G109-A has become a bit more powerful on one hand but also softer, richer with a wider soundstage compared to the "standard" capacitors we are using.
The external differences:
Additionally you will get a special front plate with golden silk screening and letters which are not printed on the surface but are in the surface due to a special anodizing process.
And there are the golden metalized feet instead of some standard rubber feet.
For amps within <$500, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find better value and performance for your money.
For amps within <$1000, it still remains a strong contender compared to other amps twice its price.
I suppose you'll just want to avoid it if you need balanced inputs, pre-out, or any other functionality apart from amplifying a single-ended signal for headphone output.