The HeadAmp GS-X and GS-X MK2 Thread

[HeadAmpTeam]

Peter,

I do enjoy the amp Do you have in plans a new TUBE amp in addition to GSX MK2? That would be nice to have

We're considering a number of future designs/products, so nothing is out of the question. I'd certainly like to see a tube or hybrid amp for regular voltage headphones at some point. It's all up to @justin w. though, so the more people the chime in, the better we know what to make next!

 

[biosailor]

We're considering a number of future designs/products, so nothing is out of the question. I'd certainly like to see a tube or hybrid amp for regular voltage headphones at some point. It's all up to @justin w. though, so the more people the chime in, the better we know what to make next!

I might well be the only one here in the forum who uses the pre-amp section of the GS-X Mk2 (if not, please correct me). I very, very much like the pre-amp feeding my power amp, it's gorgeous sound! But, wouldn't it be a good idea to sell the pre-amp section as a separate entity, for example, as a line stage pre-amp. Many speaker people could profit from a great pre-amp!

 

[T Bone]

I'd certainly like to see a tube or hybrid amp for regular voltage headphones at some point.

I would be very interested in a hybrid amp - best of both worlds!

 

[adamdos]

I'm glad you're enjoying the amp. As others have said the RCA inputs only utilize half the amplifier, so you are not getting the maximum possible output power. Also, a higher-voltage-output source will also allow greater volume, like the Mytek Manhattan II DAC that was connected when you heard the amp at CanJam. With a powerful balanced source, high gain should only be needed for the most power-hungry cans like the Susvara and LCD4, and one typically won't need to go beyond 50% volume for listening at normal-loud levels (up to 80-85db) even with those cans.

As far as others saying that high gain is too powerful, just use the gain that's most suited to your source's output level, the sensitivity of your headphones/speakers, and your desired listening level. Contrary to speculation otherwise, the gains shouldn't "sound" different, and the switch effectively makes the 24-step attenuator have 72 possible volume levels.

Acquired Cayin’s idac6 from fellow head-fier - thank you again Llamaluv for excellent deal. Now I am “fully balanced” and finally can use all gains. Hi-gain is really too powerful but still usable. Fully satisfied with the results. IMHO Idac6 is a great pairing with GS-X mk2 for the fraction of cost of R2R DAC, so for those who are on a budget or do not want to spend multithousand dollars give it a try.

 

[kingkikapu]

Can somebody with champagne amp and holo spring dac upload a pic of them together? I’m looking at that or the black model (I’m a sucker for murdered out).

 

[llamaluv]

Can somebody with champagne amp and holo spring dac upload a pic of them together?

Shoot, I was going to do this before leaving the house this morning but forgot. Will post a pic this evening. They look nice together.

Very favorable first impressions with this new arrival. Sometimes it's hard to tell for a while if a new piece of kit is going to be a keeper. This does not fall into that category. Very impressed!

 

[llamaluv]

Hopefully these indoor-light smartphone pics give a good enough sense of how the two look together.

 

[joseph69]

Hopefully these indoor-light smartphone pics give a good enough sense of how the two look together.

Beautiful!
I believe some wanted to compare the copper color sides of the Spring DAC to the champagne color of the GS-X for those going to have both visible.

 

[T Bone]

Beautiful!
I believe some wanted to compare the copper color sides of the Spring DAC to the champagne color of the GS-X for those going to have both visible.

The sides of my stack are not visible at all - so it’s black face plate to black face plate.

I have my amp in a bookshelf in my home office - the sides are not visible at all

 

[joseph69]

The sides of my stack are not visible at all - so it’s black face plate to black face plate.

I have my amp in a bookshelf in my home office - the sides are not visible at all

The color combo's wouldn't bother me, but I know some were asking about the contrast between these colors. I guess those who asked are keeping their units totally visible. I keep mine totally visible on separate stand away from each other.

 

[HeadAmpTeam]

We are loving the excitement over the new Champagne color, in fact, we're already ordering more Champagne parts for it!

 

[llamaluv]

When plugging in just a single headphone using a single-ended jack, is there a recommended/preferred port to use?

 

[joseph69]

When plugging in just a single headphone using a single-ended jack, is there a recommended/preferred port to use?

No, use whichever you want.
Both SE outputs will be active when switched to the RCA output so you can listen to 2 headphones at the same time for quick comparisons, or for 2 people to enjoy at the same time.

 

[HeadAmpTeam]

No, use whichever you want.
Both SE outputs will be active when switched to the RCA output so you can listen to 2 headphones at the same time for quick comparisons, or for 2 people to enjoy at the same time.

What he said. Lol.

You can also do the same thing with balanced headphones, you just need one to have a 4-pin XLR and one to have dual 3-pin XLR (or use an adapter).

 

[biosailor]

The feedback I have read is that the I2S input is necessary for the Holo DAC to compete at the Pavane level. Not that the USB is bad, just that it isn't playing in that league unless being fed I2S and using NOS mode. Again, never heard the Holo unit myself, so I am just parrotting those that have heard both. The point is that getting to Pavane/Adagio performance levels for about 1/3 to 1/2 the price is no small feat and should make the Holo DAC KTE unit worth serious consideration for anyone in the market for a DAC to mate with a GS-x Mk2 (or a great NOS DAC in general).

Just got an incredible offer from Cristian Anelli to trade in my La Voce S2 DAC for a La Scala Optologic. I am melting like Swiss ice cream in the sun Wont't happen tomorrow, though. I hope Cristian keeps the quote active for a while!

Imagine, the GS-X MK2 paired with La Scala, this is true Italian opera!!!