The HeadAmp GS-X and GS-X MK2 Thread

[Solude]

I read it as he didn't want to insult you not that you had insulted him.

 

[rgs9200m]

'hope so. Thanks. Justin may have the highest quality-to-price ratio of anyone out there (true for a long, long time), so I'd never want to be negative or nit-pick about Headamp.

 

[icebear]

  I read it as he didn't want to insult you not that you had insulted him.

+1. Exactly my impression too.
No insults either way. He just knows how much a cable cost by material but can't do a one off, given this is outsourced. And rather to charge a ridiculous amount (others apparently don't have a problem with doing so), he says no.

 

[AppleheadMay]

Indeed, he said he didn't want to be inslulting by giving a ridiculous price quote.
Like the $800 mentioned for example.
The stock cable that comes with the GS-X really feels like decent quality material by the way, I doubt using another cable would have much impact on the sound. But if you need longer you won't have much choice other than going with one of the custom cable makers. I think I read about one other brand than SAA but can't remember which.
On the other hand I remember a couple of people (there probably aren't many people who have that cable) were impressed with the SAA cable. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course but I wouldn't spend that money on a power cable when the stock one is so well made. He makes umbilical cables for Headamp, EC and Woo.
I would dare to spend that kind of money on a headphone cable though, has far more impact on the sound IMO.
 
Really enjoying my GS-X by the way, haven't heard or had a SS amp that sounded that good yet. Impressed!

 

[AppleheadMay]

 
I just told him that I can't make custom one-off cables right now. But $800, sign me up! 

 

 

[rgs9200m]

Yep, I'm surprised none of the various power cord makers out there (like Voodoo cable) doesn't seem to offer umbilicals.

 

[kevin gilmore]

warning to people that might buy fancy umbilical cables.
 
tom had a real krell ksa5 destroyed by such a manufacturers product
because they did not bother to ever measure a real cable and ended
up getting the power supply voltages flipped. Blew up a bunch of parts
and took me several hours to fix.
 
something like that happens to a bhse or gsx, and the repair price
is going to be almost the price of a new one.

 

[rgs9200m]

Well, actually, about 6 years ago I did get the Stefan umbilical for my B52 (I think it was cheaper), and it worked fine. (Ha! I still have it. Maybe I can trade it...)
I can't recall an audio difference, but it was longer and more flexible so I liked it. Does the BHSE use the same umbilical as the GS-X/2?
Stefan sells his as a BHSE-compatible one.

 

[rgs9200m]

Off topic, but to Kevin, thanks for designing that KgssHV. One awesome amp! Can't believe how natural and satisfying it sounds. And not even that expensive. 
I was curious if Headamp ever considered offering a KG stat solid state amp for folks who did not want a tubed one. 

 

[AppleheadMay]

  warning to people that might buy fancy umbilical cables.
 
tom had a real krell ksa5 destroyed by such a manufacturers product
because they did not bother to ever measure a real cable and ended
up getting the power supply voltages flipped. Blew up a bunch of parts
and took me several hours to fix.
 
something like that happens to a bhse or gsx, and the repair price
is going to be almost the price of a new one.

 
Something I had never even thought of. Thank you for the warning, I'll most certainly heed it!

 

[rgs9200m]

Just by the way, if anyone is deciding between the Dact stepper and Alpha continuous attenuators on their GS-X, FWIW, I have the Alpha one in my KGSS-HV and the amp sounds excellent, with fast bass and a nice silky high and gobs of detail.

 

[icebear]

I went with the DACT just for the heck of it.
Theoretical it might be "more perfect"

in channel balance esp. in lowest volume setting but who is listening there anyway?
 
I'm using medium gain and volume at about 10 to 11 o'clock with my HD800 (from balanced source, about 4V output) and the steps for adjustment are absolutely sufficient. Both attenuators Alpha and DACT are totl parts. I seriously doubt there would be any overall audible differences with either one.

 

[rgs9200m]

Thanks icebear.
Oh well, looks like no longer umbilical for the GS-X is practical. So, since this is for desktop use, like in Jaws, for me, You're Gonna Need a Bigger Desk.

 

[AppleheadMay]

Although I ordered the DACT at first I changed the order to an Alpha afterwards.
I never heard the DACT so I can't compare.
The reason was I seem to prefer low impedandce/high efficiecy headphones and I didn't want things to get too loud too fast.
With the TH-900 I can now easily go well past 12 on low gain setting. On medium 12 is pretty loud.
I'm pretty happy with my choice but as I said I have no idea if the DACT would have offered less space/control on the volume scale or not, I never heard it.

 

[nepherte]

  Although I ordered the DACT at first I changed the order to an Alpha afterwards.
I never heard the DACT so I can't compare.
The reason was I seem to prefer low impedandce/high efficiecy headphones and I didn't want things to get too loud too fast.
With the TH-900 I can now easily go well past 12 on low gain setting. On medium 12 is pretty loud.
I'm pretty happy with my choice but as I said I have no idea if the DACT would have offered less space/control on the volume scale or not, I never heard it.

I have the DACT. We can always do a comparison if you're really interested. We're at least in the right country With the HD800 on low gain, it's around 9 to 12 o' clock. My DAC outputs a 6.2Vrms signal.