PS Audio GCHA

[spacemanspliff]

http://www.psaudio.com/products/gcha...r_overview.asp

In a few words I would like to describe this amp/dac.

DETAIL, CONTROL, neutrality, precision, balance.

It's like hearing an Omega speaker. Amazing detail, speed and tone. Just so precise and balanced. It upscales the Darths nicely to a level of midrange I've only heard with a K340/1000 and a tube amp.

I would love to a > b with an Opera.

Top tier "semi-affordable" amp/dac combo Imo.

 

[xenithon]

I concur, but I always found it a little too neutral....resulting in it sounding a little cold and sterile. Fantastically detailed though! Perfect if you have an overly warm or euphonic source.

 

[GarryH]

Hi Spaceman,

Quote:

I would love to a > b with an Opera.

Check out my thoughts here:
[size=x-small]http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...highlight=GCHA. See post 388.[/size]

[size=x-small]Cheers,[/size]
[size=x-small]Garry[/size]

 

[KenW]

I enjoyed it. Found it aesthetically pleasing from the standpoint of it being "neat" and clean. Like its lines. DAC was decent and having USB made it very convenient. I didn't find it to excel in anything but it didn't turn me off either. Just a good, solid performer. I know many didn't care for it, but I liked it.

 

[spacemanspliff]

I agree that it a distinctly SS amp. The dac is exceptionally neutral and detailed. Coupled with the Darths it exhibits a sound which can only be described as accurate. I do not have a proper power conditioner for it atm as my Duets power cartridge is faulty and PS is backordered on them atm so I believe that the dynamics and extension are a bit less than they will be. However, the "full volume at any level" cell technology works just fine and the amp itself is smooth as silk from top to bottom. I can live with this amp and don't see anything short of a full balanced rig taking its place. I am sure the Opera has a slight edge on it musically but not in detail. I doubt any single ended amp in this price range is more detailed.

 

[philodox]

What are you comparing the DAC to? I found the amp to pair nicely with RS1's, but it didn't seem to like any other headphones I threw at it. From a technical standpoint, the volume control they use has a lot going for it, but the amp circuit is pretty basic from what I remember. Definately decent value for the money... it and the UPC200 are the only two products from PS Audio that I would ever touch. I'm going to overgeneralize here, but everything else they sell is overpriced and lacking substance.

 

[spacemanspliff]

Comparing the Dac to the iMod. They are very similar in many respects. Both provide a clear picture of the music with almost zero coloration. This piece will really give you a transparent view of the sound. Since my Darths are on the warm side I would gather that the 650s would be another good match. The cell technology really is fun b/c I get a pretty full plate even at very low volumes.

 

[Kees]

An amp like that with Darths is indeed a very good combination.
I love my Darths with my Prehead, also a very neutral, detailed, "dry" amp.
It tightens the bass and brings detail in it without making it sound thin.
Congratulations on a very satisfying combo.

 

[Skylab]

No doubt, with the ultrawarm deep open Darths that Spaceman has, this is likely an extraordinarily good match.

The deep open Darth Beyers are really something to experience. I know they aren't neutral, but I love listening to them.

 

[sacd lover]

Space, how does the PS Audio compare with Sound Quest SQ-84 integrated Speaker/Headphone amp you used to own?

Is the SQ-84 as quiet with headphones?

 

[spacemanspliff]

The Sq-84 with K340s or Ultrasones = YEEEHAAA!!

It's pitch black even with IEMS.

It was as shimmering and glowing a tube amp as there ever was and I miss the %$^&@#*! out of it BUT

it was too warm for the Darths and I could not afford to keep it and a proper Darth setup so sadly it had to go. Righteous sounding amp for the $$. It did as well with speakers as cans to boot.

you make me sad thinking about it. I will get another with some Omega speakers .

 

[skullguise]

I always thought the GCHA had a nice synergy with the AKG K701's. They didn't make it "super WOW" exciting, but there was this eerily organic placement of images in space that I haven't heard with many other amps, including Singlepower MPX3 with Grado HP2 and recabled Senn 650's.

I agree with the Grado matching, though. I had a chance to hear an RS-1, HF-1, and GS-1000 on this amp, and it did very well with each. Oddly enough, some had complained that the GS-1000 treble was artificial and lacking compared to the RS-1. With the GCHA driving each, I found the exact opposite. The GS-1000 had the most pristine highs I had ever heard from any Grado.

The GCHA got even better in my system when I tried different power cords and vibration control/weights.....

 

[spacemanspliff]

Hmm this is cool. I still don't have a power conditioner or any other tweaks yet but this amp/dac does Heavy Metal very right. I am impressed by the dynamics and speed of this model. It can take a blurry fast, dense screaming metal song and present it in a very pleasing fashion.

 

[sonic32]

Another thing about the GCHA is how well it's made, very solid and understated and looks much better in person than any photographs I've seen. Sweet amp!

 

[spacemanspliff]

Yeah it's very large for a headphone amp. Very clean lines and a great touch feel to the volume knob. The ability to have such precision in the volume with the cell tech is again very cool. I can listen at low enough levels to be able to hear people speaking to me while still getting a full range of sound from the cans. neat.