[jilgiljongiljing]

I've been very satisfied with the Gilmore Lite so far, but would like to venture into higher ground to see what benefits I can get, and also to just try something different. Requirements are that it has to be solid state. Price, the cheaper the better. The reason I'm leaving that open is to see how much higher up the ladder I need to go for an upgrade, and based on that I can decide how much I need to save, or how soon I can make the jump.

I'm not gonna attempt using tube amps at work. I'll be using it in my rig shown below, with Dacmagic and Ultrasone 680/Beyer DT770. Some of the amps I have looked at so far have been the Graham Slee Solo, Meier Cantate, GS-1. But I've known these for a while now, and kinda been out of the amp part of this site for a while so am not quite up to date with the new offerings in that range. So any suggestions for newer amps that have come out will be much appreciated.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Get another Gilmore Lite and turn both of them into a Gilmore Reference, or Dynamid. You'll be able to run it balanced, as well. A few years back, the Gilmore Reference was considered one of the finest amps at any price.

That, or go with a Beta22 in a three or four channel configuration. The Beta22 is wonderful - I need to stop dragging my feet with my build.

 

[boozcool]

I'm not sure what your price range is, but the Stello HP100 is (especially before the price increase) one of the better valued amps available, and would definitely offer a solid state step up. FWIW, I recently upgraded from an M^3 to a Stello HP100, and have not looked back
From most of the impressions I've read, the M^3 and Gilmore Lite are in a similar class, so the HP100 might be of interest

 

[atothex]

The M3 cannot properly be compared to a G Lite. M3 can be built a number of ways: with S11, balanced, bass boost, etc. For instance, the Gilmore Lite and GS1 are both Dynalos, and the GSX is basically a balanced Dynalo, aka Dynamid. Same basic amp design, but not the same amp at all.

As for newer solid state, the only thing that comes to mind that should be better than a GLite would be a Phoenix. I personally think the latest developments in interesting amps have been tubes and hybrids.

 

[boozcool]

For reference, I had an M^3 w/ bass boost, a variety of opamps (preferred OPA637s L/R and LT1028 Gnd), and STEPS PSU

 

[FallenAngel]

M^3 or PPAv2 with Sigma11 PSU are both great amps and maybe "better" than a Dynalo. Of course you can go with a Sigma22 for the Dynalo and it will be a nice upgrade. Basically, expect to spend over $500 for a "real" upgrade. Of course you can go with a Dynahi or Beta22 at about $1000 for a nice build and it'll kick ass!

 

[panda]

get some better fones instead. and add a DPS to the lite if you dont already have one.

 

[moonboy403]

I can't resist to recommending the Phoenix that I'm selling. It's a fine piece of equipment and held its own against a balanced B22 IMO.

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

Quote:

get some better fones instead. and add a DPS to the lite if you dont already have one.

First off, find me a DPS, and I'll get it. DPS isnt available and hasnt been for quite sometime, and I havent seen anyone who is willing to sell me the DPS alone. I've been looking for one ever since Justin stopped making them.

Secondly, the get better phones comment always gets me. I came back from owning the HD650 and trying the AKG 701's and settled for the Beyer DT770. I personally feel sticking to the sound signature you like and then trying to improve it is the best approach. Increments offered to the sound signature and presentation of a particular headphone have always been a better approach than to just throw money into upgrading to "higher end" headphones.

Also, now that this has been brought up, I need to justify my choice of cans as well. My usage is at work. Period. My best rig is always at work, and not at home, since I spend more time there than at home. For this very reason, I had to go for closed cans. I have no flexibility there, and its the same reason I'm asking for a solid state and not a tube amp.The HD650's were the exception, but I preferred the DT770's in many aspects so I stuck to it, right now, I quite like the Ultrasone 680's. So unless I'm gonna step up to something like the Ultrasone ED8 or something I dont see the point upgrading.

Although that would be a route I will take some time in the future. I'm done changing headphones for now, I've gone through quite a lot of them, and havent really changed the amp at all since I got the Gilmore Lite, thats the reason I want to step up. Its for a change, to try stuff thats out there, at the same time see if I can step higher up.

1000$ is pushing it for me right now. I was looking to see if I can get any improvements in the 500-600$ range. But if theres nothing significant to be had there, I'll just hold off and step up the 1k range after a while.

 

[XXII]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilgiljongiljing /img/forum/go_quote.gif First off, find me a DPS, and I'll get it. DPS isnt available and hasnt been for quite sometime, and I havent seen anyone who is willing to sell me the DPS alone. I've been looking for one ever since Justin stopped making them.

You can get someone to build you a sigma22 for your Gilmore Lite.

 

[Currawong]

Going by recommendations, if I was looking for an amp in that price range now, I'd wait until someone was selling an M^3 + S11 combo and nab it.

 

[jilgiljongiljing]

Quote:

You can get someone to build you a sigma22 for your Gilmore Lite.

Not a bad idea. Anyone know how much these usually run for, and who I should contact?

 

[dreamwhisper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Get another Gilmore Lite and turn both of them into a Gilmore Reference, or Dynamid. You'll be able to run it balanced, as well. A few years back, the Gilmore Reference was considered one of the finest amps at any price. That, or go with a Beta22 in a three or four channel configuration. The Beta22 is wonderful - I need to stop dragging my feet with my build.

ok what??!

There is afaik a Dynahi, Dynalo, Dynamight, and now a Dynamid?

What are the differences between them?

EDIT:atothex answered the Dynalo and Dynamid part, but what is a Dynahi and Dynamight?

 

[Cankin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamwhisper /img/forum/go_quote.gif ok what??! There is afaik a Dynahi, Dynalo, Dynamight, and now a Dynamid? What are the differences between them?

lots of info here:
http://djgardner.com/headphone/gilmore/

 

[atothex]

I've seen single-ended Betas and Dynahis sell for VERY little. $600 for 2 of the best designs ever? Ridiculous.

Rockhopper had a Sigma11 for $200 a while back, too. If you really want something soon, try getting a quote from YBM or MisterX or Thrice for a Sigma?

I think that between the Dynalo, M3, and CK2III, M3 is generally considered the best, but it's really all about how it's built and personal preference. I consider the Sigma power supply to be a must, though. It really is THE best DIY supply available, bar none.