[cooperpwc]

Yes and no.  You better have a DAC with a low output or volume control of some sort.  With the PWD2 at full output using the 846 I can't get passed 9 o'clock and those first steps are huge.  But since dropping the PWD2 15dB (70/100) I'm closer to 12 o'clock where steps are small.  Low gain obviously

Thanks. Foobar of course gives me fine 1db adjustments which I will use as necessary but I would rather not. My current DAC is 1980s Philips NOS technology and features an on/off switch. When I get my next (balanced) DAC I will keep the issue of volume control in mind.

 

[Frank I]

Frank, I see that you liked the GS-X MK2 with IEMs and you had the DACT version. So was volume control, for example with the Roxanne, any problem? The steps weren't too large?

I am really pleased with the above statement!

The Roxanne and UE 18 were dead silent on the Mk2. No issues with the DACT volume control.

 

[cooperpwc]

^ That is great news. Thanks!

 

[David1961]

I opted for the Alpha pot with my GS-Xmk2 and occasionally I'm wanting the utmost isolation, when I'm wanting that I always use my UM Miracles.
Today I've been listening to a few of my albums with my UM's / GS-X and with my UM's there was no unwanted noise.

 

[Solude]

Yep dead silent.  I considered sending mine back to swap to an Alpha now that I only use iems but dropping the input works and if I ever do sell it, the DACT has more resale value so... meh.

 

[purk]

I went with the DAC-T for the best possible sound quality.  If you have a source with digital volume control built-in, then a DAC-T is no brainner,  

 

[Gandah]

  I went with the DAC-T for the best possible sound quality.  If you have a source with digital volume control built-in, then a DAC-T is no brainner,  

+1
Yep that's how I use it.... however I have heard some people having channel imbalance problems when using a digital volume, fortunately I don't have this problem, but I imagine it would be quite annoying

 

[kazsud]

I am done really buying tubes for the WA5. I have plenty of backups and drivers and happy with the 300B I ma using so using the Mk2 lets me get more life out of those tubes by using them less hours per day.

 


Try using the GS-X as a pre-amp to the Wa5.

 

[Frank I]

That is an idea and I can try it  at some point and see how it sounds.

 

[listen4joy]

need serious advice to dac in range of 1000-1500$ to work best with HEADAMP GSX MK2 and hd800
all my songs are from computer
 
list
 
Matrix X-Sabre DAC
 Lavry DA11
Chord Qute DAC
Metrum Octave
Schiit Gungnir
NAD M51
Audio lab M-dac
Wyred 4 sound Dac 1
NuForce DAC-100
Musical Fidelity M1DAC
 
something better? 

 

[7ryder]

  need serious advice to dac in range of 1000-1500$ to work best with HEADAMP GSX MK2 and hd800
all my songs are from computer
 
list
 
Matrix X-Sabre DAC
 Lavry DA11
Chord Qute DAC
Metrum Octave
Schiit Gungnir
NAD M51
Audio lab M-dac
Wyred 4 sound Dac 1
NuForce DAC-100
Musical Fidelity M1DAC
 
something better? 

The Ayre QB-9 sounds great with this combo.  I liked the QB-9 so much that I bought the new DSD model in black since the rest of my kit is black.  I'm getting ready to sell the QB-9, so if interested, PM me.  It can be upgraded to the DSD version for $500.  I think Justin has a QB-9 as well.  BTW, this set up also sounds great with the Oppo PM-1 

 

 

[Rico613]

  need serious advice to dac in range of 1000-1500$ to work best with HEADAMP GSX MK2 and hd800
all my songs are from computer
 
list
 
Matrix X-Sabre DAC
 Lavry DA11
Chord Qute DAC
Metrum Octave
Schiit Gungnir
NAD M51
Audio lab M-dac
Wyred 4 sound Dac 1
NuForce DAC-100
Musical Fidelity M1DAC
 
something better? 

 Violectric V800 should be on your list.  Check around I think it has a very good reputation.

 

[CDWMcInSpots]

Possible candidates:

1. Lynx Hilo
2. Grace Design m903
3. Benchmark DAC2 series

 

[7ryder]

  Possible candidates:

1. Lynx Hilo
2. Grace Design m903
3. Benchmark DAC2 series

FWIW, I had the Benchmark before I got the Ayre.  Definitely prefer the QB-9 over the DAC2 with HD800s

 

[Solude]

  need serious advice to dac in range of 1000-1500$ to work best with HEADAMP GSX MK2 and hd800
 
Schiit Gungnir

 
No brainer.  In that range for the HD800 run don't walk for the Gungnir w/ Gen2 USB.