[sensui123]

I had both the LAu and GSX mk 2 (still own the GSX mk 2) at the same time.  Reason for me selling off the LAu and the Liquid Glass was to downsize....but they were really good amps IMO (albeit a bit pricey).  I think Cavalli stuff has a certain sound to them.....dare I say musical/pleasing and not really transparent in the likes of GSX mk2.  I've found it's a love/hate relationship for most for Cavalli amps but I personally enjoyed their signature from owning Liquid Fire, Liquid Glass, and the Liquid Gold.  
 
Right now the GSX barely gets ran since I've been down the rabbit hole known as STAX and I'm in the midst of waiting for my Stellaris....but every time I do listen to the amp, it's a bit too transparent for the likes of my HD800 but it's still all pleasure with my HD650.  After the Stellaris I'll prob get the HE1000 (now ver 2....) back in my stable to listen to on the GSX/Stellaris again.....that was a nice pairing with the GSX (as with most planar/dynamics I've had in the past).  

 

[Vangelis]

I have not posted to this thread before. I'm close to pushing the button on a GS-X MKII. I just have a couple hurdles I need to get past to make the decision. It appears that the Gs-x mkII volume control is only configured in one way now? I did not see volume control options drop-down order menu. Which volume control is the best sounding and is there enough stepped attenuation with 24 steps?

In the past I've found power supply chassises should be separated from low level circuitry. Has anybody noticed a audio degradation by stacking them or inverse, a sonic benefit by separating them?

Thanks

 

[cladane]

Hello,
 
I purchased the GSX-mk2 and I agree that it drives any headphone you through at it.
It will emphasize those headphones somewhat bright like a Dharma D1000, HD800, Abyss (not bright but has an upper treble uttered), ODIN. Be careful of the DAC and interconnects (silver ones).
Separating the power supply can't be bad.
 
Having a Moon HA430, the GSX is a real change. Up to you to compare with your own headphones.
Myself I sold the GSX and bought a Luxman p700u and a VIVA 2A3 with KR Audio HP tubes (Stellaris competitor).

 

[Hi Rez]

In the past I've found power supply chassises should be separated from low level circuitry. Has anybody noticed a audio degradation by stacking them or inverse, a sonic benefit by separating them?
 

If they are stacked you may notice some 60 hz hum, more noticeable on medium and high gain or with sensitive headphones.  If you stay on low gain, you likely wouldn't notice it.  Probably best if you separate them, either side by side, or vertically by 8 inches or so, but I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over it if you can't.

 

[Whazzzup]

medium gain its not noticeable. High gain yes some hum in the black. Because of desk setup i have no  choice but to stack

 

[T Bone]

  If they are stacked you may notice some 60 hz hum, more noticeable on medium and high gain or with sensitive headphones.  
If you stay on low gain, you likely wouldn't notice it.  

^^^ this ^^^
I have the amp stacked atop the power supply.  The hum is minimal.  I only noticed it when I was trying to evaluate the noise floor of a new component.  I've never noticed it during actual music playback.
 
That being said, I bought a sheet of mu-metal to experiment with.  I'm going to stick it on the bottom on the amp and see if it makes a difference  in the high gain setting.  Is it necessary? no.  I just needed an excuse to try it.  

 

[cooperpwc]

I have not posted to this thread before. I'm close to pushing the button on a GS-X MKII. I just have a couple hurdles I need to get past to make the decision. It appears that the Gs-x mkII volume control is only configured in one way now? I did not see volume control options drop-down order menu. Which volume control is the best sounding and is there enough stepped attenuation with 24 steps?...

Thanks

 
I see that Headamp quotes a price range for the amp. So I am guessing that they will contact you on your choice of volume control after you order.
 
Personally I am loving the stepped attenuator - and I do not find the detentes to be too large. But many on here are loving the continuous control.  

 

[justin w.]

We discontinued the Alpha potentiometer option and now just have the DACT stepped attenuator. The price difference is for the red panel color. Almost all orders were with the DACT, so we decided to discontinue the pot option. We still have some of the pots, so by request we could still do that volume control for now.

 

[Vangelis]

The DACT volume control is the how the GS-XMKII is configured now. I haven't seen too many complaints regarding not enough steps on the control. One big issue is that a solid state $3000 headphone amplifier should not have any audible hum regardless of the gain setting. The two chassises always shown stacked together in photos suggest that it's designed to be stacked. If the proximity of the power supply is an issue, then the power supply should be a more utility looking black box chassis with smaller dimensions that is requires to be placed far away from the low level control section. Only reason I make issue of this is my limited shelf space and will probably require the chassises to be stacked and I don't want to sonic a compromise as such.

 

[Pale Rider]

I have the DACT in my HeadAmp, and an ALPS RK50 in my Carbon CC. Plenty of steps for me in the DACT. Both work very well. 

 

[Whazzzup]

alpha is cool too

 

[cooperpwc]

  We discontinued the Alpha potentiometer option and now just have the DACT stepped attenuator. The price difference is for the red panel color. Almost all orders were with the DACT, so we decided to discontinue the pot option. We still have some of the pots, so by request we could still do that volume control for now.

 
DACT is a nice default feature Justin. I suggest that you should put it on your website in the Specifications - Mechanical section.

 

[biosailor]

Sorry for being a bit off-topic, but the thread has come to a stall, so I might just as well ask for expert advice:
 
I am in the process of adding power amp/speakers in combination with the GSX-Mk2's pre-amp. I was searching the internet for a long time and I came up with the Odyssey Stratos amp (http://www.odysseyaudio.com/products-stratos-stereo.html). It seems to be a heavy muscle amp (2 x 150 W), built like a tank, class A/AB mode, and importantly, with balanced inputs. Looks like a very reasonable power amp. It's a bit difficult to find reviews, but it earned the Product of the Year Award in 'The Absolute Sound' (http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2014-product-of-the-year-awards-solid-state-power-amps/).
 
Up to now, I was absolutely in favour of the Sierra-2 loudspeakers from Ascend Acoustics (http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/SRM2/srm2.html), but I heard great things about Tekton Lore (http://www.tektondesign.com/products.html). Half the pice of the Sierra, and they have raving reviews (http://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/tekton-design-m-lore-floorstanding-loudspeaker/).
 
Does anyone have experience in combining these components with the GSX Mk2 pre-amp. Or can anyone come up with a better solution?
 
Thanks for input, and sorry for deviating a bit from the normal thread!

 

[icebear]

off topic reply send by pm

 

[ZGojira]

I am about to get a GS-X mk-II, however, I have noticed that for the same price I could get a Woo Audio WA22 and a Bryston BHA1.
 
My main cans are HD800 (balanced), D7000 (SE), and as a balanced pre-amp for a 727A+sr-009.
 
The most important thing for me is detail, and everything else takes second place. So I am wondering how the Bryston BHA1 compare to the GS-X. This way I could use the WA22 for non critical listening...
 
Is it better to get two amps instead of the one?
 
For comparison, I previously had a Ragnarok and was mostly satisfied with its performance, I can no longer use it but it ran dangerously hot.
My main DAC is a Holo Spring.
 
Please let me know if I can provide any other information that might help