[zotjen]

The other day I received my Gilmore V2 amp built by Antness. I'm still burning it in, but wow! What a difference this makes compared to my Headroom Little, especially with my Senn 580's. Most noticeable is the lower bass. My Grado 325's don't sound too shabby either and I'm amazed that I'm still hearing details I never heard before. The amp does seem to get a bit hot though, and I'm wondering if this is normal.

I guess the big question now is what comes next? Should I add crossfeed, upgrade the power cord, etc? For now I'll just enjoy the amp as is until I get the upgrade bug which will probably happen sooner than later.

Tom

 

[guzzler]

should run hot, it's class A after all and the inefficiency that goes with it!

you could check out PinkFloyds X-Feed, think they cost about £35... might just be, but i've always thought power cords costing $800 are an absolutely false economy!

g

 

[Habib]

Congrats on your new V2, I am still waiting for mine... Can you tell me what source you are using? It's not in your profile, I am just nosey

 

[zotjen]

Quote:

should run hot, it's class A after all and the inefficiency that goes with it!

Just how inefficient is it? By how much can I expect the electric bill to go up each month?

Quote:

Can you tell me what source you are using?

Habib, I'm using my Technics SL-P220 cdp which I've had for over 15 years now. Interestingly enough, it's been acting up this week. The laser is skipping all over the place, some weird things have been showing on the display, and earlier today when I was selecting a track, it started to play by itself and wouldn't shut off until I hit the button to open the tray. It's been awful humid here in NY the past week, and I'm hoping the humidity has something to do with the problems I'm having. I'd hate to have to buy another cdp right now, especially after just shelling out money to buy the Gilmore.

Tom

 

[usc goose]

by inefficient i think he's just talking about in regard to amps. class a i think has something like 15% of the electricity going through boosting the signal with the rest of it lost to heat.

i don't think it's going to drain more electricity than a light bulb or something.

(but i could be wrong)

 

[kartik]

Quote:

Originally posted by zotjen I guess the big question now is what comes next? Should I add crossfeed, upgrade the power cord, etc? For now I'll just enjoy the amp as is until I get the upgrade bug which will probably happen sooner than later. Tom

Been there, done that, wearing the T-shirt!

After thinking I had made my final purchase with the headphone amp (Philly Audio, not Gilmore though!) I have spent an additional $160 on cables + X-feed. Now Jim, at Philly Audio, is trying to convince me to upgrade my stock tubes to Mullard El-84s and Telefunken ECC88s and Mullard 5AR4. And then there is my source too. I will need to consider an SACD/DVD-A player soon.
AAAARGHH!!!
The upgrade bug is a chronic infection, there is always something new. As eveyone says: sorry about your wallet!

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by zotjen I guess the big question now is what comes next? Should I add crossfeed, upgrade the power cord, etc? For now I'll just enjoy the amp as is until I get the upgrade bug which will probably happen sooner than later.

Congrats on your Gilmore!
This is a good little amplifier for my RS1.
i'd suggest source upgarde or suitable power cord/IC upgrade.

 

[guzzler]

you'll get far more from a source and IC upgrade than you will with a power cord "upgrade"

g

 

[pbirkett]

Actually, I disagree... a decent power cord has always had more effect than an interconnect for me... the main thing that improves is bass and smoothness/detail of sound.

Edit to say, I dont agree that you need to spend too much on one though, a good one like the Audusa Eupen or Signals Blackcurrent will set you back no more than $100, and makes a significant improvement IMHO.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

In my view:

source >>>>>>> interconnect > power cord

Using stock interconnects can ruin a good system while one can still have a nice system with only using stock power cords (only at night though heh).

Biggie.

 

[pbirkett]

I agree that stock interconnects can ruin a system, but once you start using half decent ones, there isnt as big a difference as some would suggest IMO. I have had a variety of interconnects, ranging from £10 to £100. Ironically, the DIY one costing £15 was best. However, they all sound very similar in the end.

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by guzzler you'll get far more from a source and IC upgrade than you will with a power cord "upgrade"

A power cord upgrade on a digital source, assuming you have a decent one to start with, can make a nice improvement. A power cord upgrade on amps have been hit and miss for me, tho.

 

[pbirkett]

Quote:

Originally posted by kuma A power cord upgrade on a digital source, assuming you have a decent one to start with, can make a nice improvement. A power cord upgrade on amps have been hit and miss for me, tho.

I agree. I tried powercords on my Rotel amp, and if anything, the sound was worse. On the Corda however, the improvement was dramatic...

 

[Chops]

Quote:

Originally posted by zotjen It's been awful humid here in NY the past week, and I'm hoping the humidity has something to do with the problems I'm having. Tom

If you think it's bad up there in NY, try living down here in Florida sometime!

 

[mjg]

I use the magic power AC with the gilmore. Noticable noise reduction (My power was dirty I guess).

I would recommend you go with zu cable varial off an audiogon auction. Awesome IC and what I've used with my gilmore. I used the maudio revo with my gilmore as a source also, with zu cable pivot. This combonation was excellent.

Enjoy the new amp!