[MLGrado]

  You're just a breathe of fresh air now aren't you?   You've made two comments on this thread with zero content.
I'm sure you have plenty of experience - way beyond my own.  Why don't you share some of that knowledge instead of making snide remarks.  That would be helpful.  
 

 
I like your original question.  I have an LCD-X (2016 revision) and come tax refund time, I am debating whether or not to ditch the LCD-X for the Focal Utopia, OR keep the LCD-X and go for a bigtime amp upgrade.  I suspect the biggest change in sound would come from the headphone upgrade, though.  

 

[Pawn]

I know, very true. Some people get carried way from all the hype and end up regretting it. Just because an expensive piece has better numbers over a cheap one doesn't mean the human ear can pick it up.

 

[Pawn]

Has the person asking checked out AudioGD? I've read their products are better than both RS and Cavalli.

 

[purk]

Between the two, I would go with the Liquid Gold.  I have to admit that this is an excellent sounding amp.  However, I would like to add that the ECP DSHA-3 or DSHA-4 should be as good if not a better candidate.  What is your go to headphone?

 

[justin w.]

To be fair, majority of amps over $1000 are ripoffs.

 
i'll tell you what's a rip off, i watched a video last week where a guy paid near $10k to get a full set of white stitching instead of black inside his new 911!
 
coulda dealt with the black and bought a Stax SR-009 and BHSE to come home to! (ok he can probably just buy both)
 
But over the long term, many of these expensive audio products are actually quite cheap considering the value they can maintain. Orpheus owners have gotten to enjoy the world's best (or 2nd best to some) headphone system and when they sell it they will have made money! You can't say that about many other hobbies that don't sit in a locked box or in a frame on your wall.

 

[purk]

   
i'll tell you what's a rip off, i watched a video last week where a guy paid near $10k to get a full set of white stitching instead of black inside his new 911!
 
coulda dealt with the black and bought a Stax SR-009 and BHSE to come home to! (ok he can probably just buy both)
 
But over the long term, many of these expensive audio products are actually quite cheap considering the value they can maintain. Orpheus owners have gotten to enjoy the world's best (or 2nd best to some) headphone system and when they sell it they will have made money! You can't say that about many other hobbies that don't sit in a locked box or in a frame on your wall.

Very true.  The BHSE retains its value like no other amps in the business.  Same can be said to the GS-X MKII, and Aristaeus to a degree.  
 

 Originally Posted by Pawn 

To be fair, majority of amps over $1000 are ripoffs.

You are right too given the the keyword of "majority".

 

[Pawn]

Haha good argument. True

 

[purk]

Not to mention $10K interconnects.

 

[Pawn]

Oh yeah. There are really out of this world. The MIT does look good though

 

[T Bone]

The gs-x mk2 by headamp is a solid contender and very valid alternative

 
Originally Posted by wink /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Get the Headamp GX Mk II..  

 
Originally Posted by twsmith /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I second that -- you can't do better.  

 
 
Thank you to all of you who suggested the HeadAmp GS-X mk2.  I just acquired a pre-loved GSX from a fellow Head-Fi member and I am truly enjoying it.