[TheHighlander]

You are the 2nd person to use that type of input level into the GS-X, and report that 9 oclock is a good volume to listen with Low Gain. I appear to be the odd man out on this one. I don't listen at loud volume so I must have something setup up slightly different than you.

I am using a XLR headphone cable, but I wouldn't think that would lower the volume. My headphones are ZMF Verite Closed (300 ohm, 99db sensitivity). Maybe you are running lower impedance headphones?

VC Ironwood, same as you.

 

[hiImGrant]

This is exactly why I moved away from the RME and use the bifrost2. As a software engineer, it’s too complex to just get it to work. I guess if I were an electrical engineer it would probably be cake.

 

[darmccombs]

This is exactly why I moved away from the RME and use the bifrost2. As a software engineer, it’s too complex to just get it to work. I guess if I were an electrical engineer it would probably be cake.

We both have it working very well. We just seem to be getting different volume levels, or my volume preference is louder than I thought.

 

[Little Bear]

If you want another data point, my Oppo 205 is putting out 4.2 V (rms) via the balanced connection to the Mini, and with the Mini set to high gain, I listen moderately loudly at 10 o'clock using my HD800S. 300 ohm, 97 dB sensitivity.

edit: And I'm using the HD800S with the SE headphone output.

 

[TheHighlander]

This is exactly why I moved away from the RME and use the bifrost2. As a software engineer, it’s too complex to just get it to work. I guess if I were an electrical engineer it would probably be cake.

Maybe can be the the volume of the music. Or if you using SE or XLR output. For example. When I listen to classical, vocal music sometimes I need to pump the volume above 12:00 o clock volume position on high gain with he1000 v2 using SE cable.

 

[Astral Abyss]

Probably also depends on whether you have the DACT or ALPS attenuator.

 

[darmccombs]

Probably also depends on whether you have the DACT or ALPS attenuator.

If the attenuator can effect volume differences, then will add as a reference that I have the DACT.

 

[DaYooper]

I think they both affect volume: the farther you crank them the louder it plays.

 

[Noobzilla]

That mesh amazon drawer I posted earlier doesnt look so bad as an amplifier stand

 

[Vangelis]

I recently got the GS-X Mini and am working on optimizing the setup. I only have 2 decent interconnects. One is a set of custom RCA's with furutech connectors. I don't know the wire used. The other is a set Purist Audio Design Venustas XLR.

From what I read, the XLR should have aquieter background. In my super limited testing this was true. But the Purist XLR seemed to reduce the highest frequencies a little bit, removing the airiness or openness of the sound. The RCA cables didn't do this, but thet didn't have as low a noise floor. I'd like to try a different set of XLR that don't lose the highs.

Do you have any XLR Interconnect recommendations at $300 or less? A length of 05.m to 1.5m would be best for me.

To make a realistic comparison between RCA single-handed and XLR balanced you need to use the same cable, terminated to the two different connectors. If you’re looking for hi resolution XLR cables you might look at it a used pairs of WireWorld Silver or gold Eclipse on both Audiogon and US Audiomart. Your dollar will go a lot further on a used pair and these are excellent by any standard.

 

[darmccombs]

Check out Audio Envy, great bang for buck interconnect, 1m <$200.
https://audioenvy.com/product/monitor/onestian-gl-pair/

To make a realistic comparison between RCA single-handed and XLR balanced you need to use the same cable, terminated to the two different connectors. If you’re looking for hi resolution XLR cables you might look at it a used pairs of WireWorld Silver or gold Eclipse on both Audiogon and US Audiomart. Your dollar will go a lot further on a used pair and these are excellent by any standard.

Thanks for the XLR cable suggestions. I will check these out.

 

[Andrew Rieger]

Possibly a dumb question but I was wondering if there is any risk with turning on the GSX Mini with a power strip 'on' switch rather than the power switch on the front of the unit. I plugged my amp into my power strip and turned the strip on, not realizing that the amp's power switch was already in the 'on' position. I know some amps are not supposed to be turned on this way because they have power sequencing with the amp's dedicated power switch. Is it possible that I damaged something?

 

[hiImGrant]

Possibly a dumb question but I was wondering if there is any risk with turning on the GSX Mini with a power strip 'on' switch rather than the power switch on the front of the unit. I plugged my amp into my power strip and turned the strip on, not realizing that the amp's power switch was already in the 'on' position. I know some amps are not supposed to be turned on this way because they have power sequencing with the amp's dedicated power switch. Is it possible that I damaged something?

Seems unlikely to cause any problems imo. This amp isn’t graceful in its on/off behavior in the first place (audible pops and whatnot). Anyone who knows otherwise please correct me

 

[Andrew Rieger]

Seems unlikely to cause any problems imo. This amp isn’t graceful in its on/off behavior in the first place (audible pops and whatnot). Anyone who knows otherwise please correct me

Thank you. Funny, we have almost the exact same setup. Bifrost 2 -> GSX Mini -> Aeon 2 Open / Focal Clear.

 

[vonBaron]

Anyone compares GS-X mini to Benchmark HPA4?