The base model with the Alps potentiometer has fine volume control, very smooth and precise. You may be thinking of the DACT stepped attenuator that is an option. It only has 24 steps that some people don’t like.
I have a DAC with remote volume control that I’ve used with the Mini. I set the volume of the Mini just slightly higher than I want to listen with the DAC turned up full. That way the DAC doesn’t need to attenuate too much, but if a quiet track comes in I can still turn it up a little. There is also a switch to select between headphone or pre amp output. The Mini works well as a pre. That same DAC with volume control doesn’t sound nearly as good directly into a power amp as it does using the Mini in between.
I seem to be in the minority here but I love the DACT stepped attenuator... With a variable voltage DAC, I've not had an issue at all and the signal path is shorter and more "pure" with reduced distortion and cleaner noise floor.
I had the MK II with the DACT attenuator and I wanted to throw it out my window. The clicking and distortion every time I changed the volume drove me nuts. Plus, overall it was a little bit more shrill and bright than the Mini.
I had the MK II with the DACT attenuator and I wanted to throw it out my window. The clicking and distortion every time I changed the volume drove me nuts. Plus, overall it was a little bit more shrill and bright than the Mini.
looking for a solid state amp that'd reliably drive all the following reasonably well.
current desktop source is an adi-2, but I've also been running an old pioneer djm-600 with some vinyl and other assorted dj gear.
am just starting a bottlehead crack amp, but i'd like solid state for reliability, transportability, less risk buying used, and use with lower impedence gear.
thingthis amp. is it it? have i found it? nirvana?
hoping to stay around 1k used, 1.5 k if there's an insane deal somewhere.
main cans below, listed in order of how much i care about them being good synergy:
-Fostex TH-909
-Rosson Rad-0
-Verité Closed (might sell unless they're insane with a better amp)
-Sennheiser HD600 (mostly keeping to pair w/ the crack)
-Moondrop Variations & probably a pair of IER-Z1R's or Campfire Bonnevilles soon (probably fine off the adi-2)
looking for a solid state amp that'd reliably drive all the following reasonably well ....
current desktop source is an adi-2, but I've also been running an old pioneer djm-600 with some vinyl and other assorted dj gear.
am just starting a bottlehead crack amp, but i'd like solid state for reliability, transportability, less risk buying used, and use with lower impedence gear.
thingthis amp. is it it? have i found it? nirvana?
hoping to stay around 1k used, 1.5 k if there's an insane deal somewhere.
main cans below, listed in order of how much i care about them being good synergy:
-Fostex TH-909
-Rosson Rad-0
-Verité Closed (might sell unless they're insane with a better amp)
-Sennheiser HD600 (mostly keeping to pair w/ the crack)
-Moondrop Variations & probably a pair of IER-Z1R's or Campfire Bonnevilles soon (probably fine off the adi-2)
looking for a solid state amp that'd reliably drive all the following reasonably well.
current desktop source is an adi-2, but I've also been running an old pioneer djm-600 with some vinyl and other assorted dj gear.
am just starting a bottlehead crack amp, but i'd like solid state for reliability, transportability, less risk buying used, and use with lower impedence gear.
thingthis amp. is it it? have i found it? nirvana?
hoping to stay around 1k used, 1.5 k if there's an insane deal somewhere.
main cans below, listed in order of how much i care about them being good synergy:
-Fostex TH-909
-Rosson Rad-0
-Verité Closed (might sell unless they're insane with a better amp)
-Sennheiser HD600 (mostly keeping to pair w/ the crack)
-Moondrop Variations & probably a pair of IER-Z1R's or Campfire Bonnevilles soon (probably fine off the adi-2)
You don't need any kind of serious amp with IEMs, but as long as you have a 4-pin XLR termination on your headphones, the way I'd summarise the amp is that it's a slightly warm, very punchy amp, but not the last word in resolution.
looking for a solid state amp that'd reliably drive all the following reasonably well.
current desktop source is an adi-2, but I've also been running an old pioneer djm-600 with some vinyl and other assorted dj gear.
am just starting a bottlehead crack amp, but i'd like solid state for reliability, transportability, less risk buying used, and use with lower impedence gear.
thingthis amp. is it it? have i found it? nirvana?
hoping to stay around 1k used, 1.5 k if there's an insane deal somewhere.
main cans below, listed in order of how much i care about them being good synergy:
-Fostex TH-909
-Rosson Rad-0
-Verité Closed (might sell unless they're insane with a better amp)
-Sennheiser HD600 (mostly keeping to pair w/ the crack)
-Moondrop Variations & probably a pair of IER-Z1R's or Campfire Bonnevilles soon (probably fine off the adi-2)
Agree with everything @Currawong said. I’d caution that the Mini does not play well with sensitive IEMs unless you use something like Ifi’s IEMatch. You’ll get a strong hiss on sensitive IEMs. Amp also performs best on high gain - very noticeable difference between low and high gain, as observed by many others on this thread.
Overall, it’s a really solid midfi amp with a rich timbre and slightly warm tone. It’s smooth, for sure, but it will still let you hear the difference between DACs. A lot of folks mistake laser-etched transients and bright, brash highs for clarity and resolution, but these are qualifies you may not find in the very best, most expensive amps. Musicality and smoothness are traits that should be treasured.
I’ve run my Mini off of a Chord Mojo, Chord Hugo 2, Dangerous Music Convert-2, BorderPatrol SE-i and Chord Dave. All played nicely - I’d say say I liked the BorderPatrol the best, even though it really softened the bass a lot. Hugo 2 was a great match as well.
I’m researching this amp as one of maybe two or three that are considered A-list for my Abyss 1266. I’ve researched and found reviewers, owners, and even the guys at Abyss all state it’s a solid match for the AB 1266 (only higher up is the A+ tier of WA33 and Formula S; both too pricey for me). I’ve only seen one comment (page 183) that stated the GSX Mini is insufficient for the AB 1266.
I’m deciding between the Mini, Burson 3xgt, and Ferrum Oor. Leaning towards the Mini, but curious if you guys agree that these three I just named are roughly equivocal.
I’ve had the Mini for about a year. Solid enjoyable amp. Agreed on never use low gain (even with easy to drive phones) as clearly sounds inferior, less fleshed out in mids. I am however guilty of not reading most of this thread. My question may have been addressed earlier, but I find that the amp sounds best for me with my dac on fixed output and Mini volume pot low. But a friend suggested all amps have unity gain at 11-1 on the dial and I should adjust my dac output accordingly to get that volume on mini there (11-1 o’clock). But my setup sound HORRIBLE that way. Dac on variable around maybe 70 or 80. MUCH prefer the sound the first way with dac 100% fixed output. Any thoughts here?
I’ve had the Mini for about a year. Solid enjoyable amp. Agreed on never use low gain (even with easy to drive phones) as clearly sounds inferior, less fleshed out in mids. I am however guilty of not reading most of this thread. My question may have been addressed earlier, but I find that the amp sounds best for me with my dac on fixed output and Mini volume pot low. But a friend suggested all amps have unity gain at 11-1 on the dial and I should adjust my dac output accordingly to get that volume on mini there (11-1 o’clock). But my setup sound HORRIBLE that way. Dac on variable around maybe 70 or 80. MUCH prefer the sound the first way with dac 100% fixed output. Any thoughts here?
Some amps work best with a specific voltage or range of voltages, and DACs output that different ways on their volume pots. So when both devices have a pot there often a game of turning both at the same time to find the sweet spot.
For a while i was using a Gustard A26 straight into the gs-x mini. The A26 was a fixed, and i controlled the volume using the pot on the gs-x. No issues sound great.
I now use a holo spring 3 KTE that doesn't have a pre-amp, so it's fixed out all the time. So I would have to use the pot on the gs-x mini. HOWEVER I have other equipment that needs a pre-amp, so I'm leaving the GS-X mini at full, high gain, and using the pre-amp to control volume. Zero issues all the time and sounds great with everything.
Yes the “all amps have best dynamics between 11-2 on the dial” theory seems to me and in my experience to be a gross generalization and should be case by case assessment depending on what’s upstream. It may differ. Dramatically.
Yes the “all amps have best dynamics between 11-2 on the dial” theory seems to me and in my experience to be a gross generalization and should be case by case assessment depending on what’s upstream. It may differ. Dramatically.
I have noticed that sometimes the noise measurements are done at like 90%, so there might be a reason to instead of turning to full to turn to 90%. So that is worth trying methinks. However i have tried that with the gs-x mini and i do not believe it to me an issue. even on very sensitive or resolving equipment.
I would like to add to prior comments that MA X Sabre 3 dac/streamer really feeds the GSXM a detailed well fleshed out musical signal and I conclude that there is good synergy between the two. Very happy with this combo. I am excited to also acquire today my first tube amp. Auris Nirvana IV and will report on that over there. Not looking to sell GSXM. Want one of each type.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
