Apologies if I was vague about that. I am talking about the Holo Spring L3 KTE, running in NOS mode, fed from an I2S source (such as the Singxer Su-1). This is the setup that folks are talking about as being right up there with the Adagio / upgraded Pavane, at significantly less $$$. Lots more detail in the Pavane thread, for those that might be interested.
Joined the club of the owners of this beautiful beast. Bought the gorgeous champagne color unit that was demoed on CanJam NYC 2018. Thank you Peter very much for excellent discussion we had and of course for the opportunity to buy the amp. What can I say: WOW.... This is so far one of the best headphone amplifier I owned/own (WA-6, Vio V281, Cayin iHa6, ifi iCan Pro). Usually I listen to my rig 2-3 hours a day, but yesterday I spent almost 6 hours re-inventing my music collection. What a pleasure. This AMPLIFIER will stay in my house forever.
I have one small question to those who are using Sennheiser HD800s. I was running mk2 via RCA inputs feeded from my Ibasso’s DX200 line output. HD800s via balanced 4 pin. Ibasso’s volume was at max. At high gain setting my comfortable volume level was at about 85% of the max (probably 4-5 clicks from max). Is it a kinda normal? Actually at low level I was not able to get comfortable listening level at all and at medium gain Volume level was at it’s max. I am above 50 and my ears are not really young anymore but with iCan pro and V281 at their highest gains level settings I never go above 50-60% of the volume. Today I will be using my Edition X v2. What gain setting you guys recommend/use for them?
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.
+1. If you read the Inner Fidelity review of the GS-X Mk2 it seems pretty obvious to me that the DAC pairing was not ideal. Likely an Auralic Vega. I used to own a Vega DAC and I would never, ever want to pair that DAC with a GS-X Mk2. Usual Sabre 9018 traits in the treble - tending to bright / shiny / glassy / nasty - at least in comparison to the NOS DACs I have heard.
The review ended up recommending careful paring of headphones to the darker / treble rolled side of the street. To me, that is completely backasswards. Pair this amp with the right DAC and you can use whatever headphone you like. Just my 2 cents, but it is backed up by my (limited) experience with the GS-X Mk2 and the experience of others. My favorite pairing right now is the HD800S, edging out the modded HEKv2. That headphone just wouldn't work with a Vega DAC in the chain, I'm sure.
Yes, I do remember that review! It almost prevented me from buying the GSX Mk2!!! Just thinking what I would've missed! You are perfectly right, a good DAC is absolutely essential! I'll look into the Holo Spring. Thanks for the tip!
Yes, it's odd, I know. But they offer an AES upgrade that can be retro-fitted. I am thinking about having it upgraded. It would be a tough time, though, without being able to play music till it is upgraded and sent back to me!!! I'll write Aqua Hifi a mail and ask how long it would take. Keep you posted.
Got my Odyssey Audio Khartago amp FedExed today! When I carried the box to my listening room, I was surprised about the weight of the box. This amp is a heavy bugger! Unpacked it and indeed, it's a BIG thing! Had to dash off for work, but left a little earlier in the afternoon to connect the amp to my audio chain.
I had to re-arrange my speaker plugs from SpekOn to banana plugs. That took a while and I realized how nice those plugs are. I wished that SpekOns became standard plugs in all amps!
Then came the big moment to plug speaker cables in, and to connect it to the pre-amp outlet of the GSX-MK2 (balanced Neutrik cables). Switched everything on and from my Aurender N100H I streamed Miles Davis' Bags Groove (24 bit/192 kHz WAV file).
Right out of the box, the sound was smooth, extremely pleasant, even though the amp hasn't settled at all. I was surprised about the resolution of the system, about the bass response, but most of all, how natural the system sounds. Just beautiful, no glare, no shrill, just totally natural. And this thing hasn't even burnt in! I'll leave it on for the next two weeks and see how it settles in.
BTW, I did have to switch the pre-amp of the GSX MK2 to high gain!
Here are some pictures I took.
Nothing like a little cat hair to properly burn in your new gear!
Congrats on the new amp - that's a very respectable rack of equipment you have there!
Nothing like a little cat hair to properly burn in your new gear!
Congrats on the new amp - that's a very respectable rack of equipment you have there!
Thanks, T-Bone! The cat took the amp immediately into its possession! Just showing this because at the heart of it all resides the GSX-MK2!!! A superb headphone amp/pre-amp!
I hope I'll get back to more headphone listening, too!
Hi folks, I received my Holo Spring Level 3 Kitsune dac. Its amazing. Planning to upgrade my amp to the GS-X mkII. Sounds like there are a few folks that run this combination. Before I hit the buy button, I would appreciate if you can give me your take on
- the pairing
- Does the chamapage color match the copper on the Holo. Its a bit hard to tell from pics but I'm trying to decide between the silver or the champagne
That's a new color from headamp there may not be more than a few in the wild. The pics I have seen of the color on the gsx and bhse make it look much more subtle compared to the how the copper pops on the holo dac.
That's a new color from headamp there may not be more than a few in the wild. The pics I have seen of the color on the gsx and bhse make it look much more subtle compared to the how the copper pops on the holo dac.
I had the two side by side last weekend and noticed that they probably used a very similar dye color. The holo DAC panels are polished so they're going to appear darker and more vivid
Hi folks, I received my Holo Spring Level 3 Kitsune dac. Its amazing. Planning to upgrade my amp to the GS-X mkII. Sounds like there are a few folks that run this combination. Before I hit the buy button, I would appreciate if you can give me your take on
- the pairing
- Does the chamapage color match the copper on the Holo. Its a bit hard to tell from pics but I'm trying to decide between the silver or the champagne
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