Justin_Time
500+ Head-Fier
40 years ago, when I started to dabble in High-End Audio, I would go gaga when I hear a new piece of equipment, quickly sold my old gear (at a significant loss) to buy the new gear.
Now, all I can say is that the new gear sounds...different. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it is not. With more time, some of the flaws that you fail to notice in the glow of the honeymoon begins to emerge.
Only with long-term listenting can you get the true measure of any great piece of gear.
I have had the GS-X Mk2 for a few years now. I was a little cryptic in my assessment quoted by cooperpwc due to the nature of the post, but here is what I had to say about it in a much longer post in the High-Enf Forum:
"HeadAmp GS-X Mk2 (~$3,000)—This was the best solid-state amp I had the pleasure of using. A word to the wise: the GS-X Mark 2 has a delicate, silky smooth sonic signature that may not be to everyone's liking. I loved it. With the most difficult headphones extant, the PS1000, the GS-X Mark 2 managed to do the near-impossible. The sound was detailed, very clean and oh so smooth—never analytical or sterile—with a mere hint of harshness left. The center image receded a few rows back, but the focus was tight with plenty of air within a spacious sound-stage. The bass had slight bloom that helped produce a big slam. With the HD800, the GS-X Mark 2 reprised the same outstanding performance in focus, center image and presence. Most important of all, the sibilance was completely eradicated: the sound was sweet, with feather-light details. The bass with the HD800 was deeper, tighter but leaner than with the PS1000, resulting in a more nimble but slightly less thunderous slam. But that sound-stage! It was hard to believe that it could come from a pair of headphones. With the LCD3, the "dark" caramel sound was completely resolved into a clear, smooth and open midrange with just a slightly dark, muffled overtone (resonance?) in the background. The focus remained tight. The center image was front stage which gave the LCD3 sound the "you-are-there" quality that many love. The bass was strong and tight, so some may miss the huge slam of the usually over-ripe LCD’s bass. It was with the HE-6, however, that the GS-X Mark2 really left the competition in the dust. Gone were the hardness in the mid-range, replaced by a smooth but well-articulated sound with silky transient and plenty of details. The focus, center image and sound-stage were the best I ever heard from the HE-6 endowing the sound with the presence and air of live music. The bass was tight and solid with tremendous impact. The GS-X Mark 2 consistently delivered the best or near the best performance for all headphones I tested here.
NOTE: I have also listened to two other excellent SS amps, the GS-1 (sold-out) and the Beta22 (DIY), but did not discuss them here as they are not accessible to everyone as new production units. You can find either unit in the resale market or build the Beta22 yourself if you have the skills and inclination. "
In a few years, I will know what I think of the Ragnarok.
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