Where does the Headamp GS-1 Stand now?
Mar 13, 2012 at 4:09 PM Post #32 of 78
It's not true that the GS-1 (or similar amp) does better with low impedance headphones than high impedance.  You have to look at the context of when that circuit was designed.  Most amps at that time had very little output current capability and/or had very high distortion under low impedance loads.  This circuit improves in those areas.  Today, there are amps that have more voltage and/or more current if you need it, but the power levels of the GS-1 are well suited for the mass of high-end headphones that includes the Sennheiser 600 thru 800, Grados, etc...as well as for use as a speaker pre-amp.
 
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Mar 13, 2012 at 7:06 PM Post #33 of 78


Quote:
Today, there are amps that have more voltage and/or more current if you need it, but the power levels of the GS-1 are well suited for the mass of high-end headphones that includes the Sennheiser 600 thru 800, Grados, etc...as well as for use as a speaker pre-amp.


Love to know what amps are on this list that are at the GS-1 level of transparency and neutral balance?
 
Mar 13, 2012 at 9:45 PM Post #34 of 78


Quote:
Love to know what amps are on this list that are at the GS-1 level of transparency and neutral balance?

Dynahi 
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Mar 21, 2012 at 7:41 PM Post #36 of 78
I'd be curious to know how many here have a speaker rig - even a modest speaker rig. For some bizarre reason, many Head-Fiers seem to lump the Audeze cans and the HE-500 in with the HE-6, automatically assuming you need a 6-Watt headphone amp to drive them. FWIR, that simply isn't the case, but as Justin pointed out the GS-1 will function as a pre-amp : those wanting to run big orthos can use the speaker posts on their integrated/power amp.
 
Dont like the reviews of the GS-1/GS-X neutral sound sig ? Benchmark, CEntrance, Peachtree, RSA and  others all make variations on the 'Swiss Army Knife with a pre-amp' theme - whether any of these are going to give you the aforementioned transparency and flexibility of one of Justin's home amps is a question only you can answer. In any case, I dont get this obsession with finding a single headphone amp that drivee everything from high-sensitivity, low impedance IEMs to the HE-6 equally well (!) for under 1K when you can be killing two birds with one stone - driving speakers and orthos from a speaker amp. I was initially skeptical when I read that folk were happy with that setup, but there are numerous Head-Fiers who claim to enjoy their 'big' HiFiMan cans from a speaker amp - given the low cost of that option over a 6W headphone amp, I cant see how you can go wrong. Spend the money you save on better sources.
 
Of course, those with money to burn will always dash out and buy the biggest and best, but the OP seems to be looking for midrange budget solution that wont involve days/weeks of tube-rolling.  I understand the Head-Fi fascination with 'moar power !'', but there are times when it just gets silly for those of us who don't have a trust fund.  The GS-1 remains on the shortlist I have had for the last 2 years, but buying the amp before I get a decent source is just a waste of time and money. Even if it means holding off for another 2 years, I suspect that Justin will still be making and selling amps - they certainly dont seem to appear in the FS forum too often. 
 
Mar 21, 2012 at 8:31 PM Post #37 of 78


Quote:
- they certainly dont seem to appear in the FS forum too often. 


There's a very good reason....we (the owners) don't want to sell them. FWIW, the GS-1 works very well driving the LCD-3s.
 
 
Mar 22, 2013 at 8:52 PM Post #41 of 78
Well, just giving this thread a new bump, just to show some love for the GS-1. I've got one for wel over 2.5 years now and i love it, with either the DT880, T50RP and the SR325s and i dont plan on upgrading it, maybe perhaps getting the new modules. I am however, intrigued by certain tube amps(CSP2, raptor, EAR+, wa2, zana deux) but that would be more of a sidegrade.
Being in the "wire with gain" camp i really like what the amp does with the music, or doesnt for that matter. Kudos to Justin for building this beauty.
 
May 22, 2013 at 7:30 PM Post #43 of 78
This discussion thread is exactly what I need.
 
I was thinking to sell my GS-1 to upgrade to a Burson Soloist.  Now I will keep my GS-1 a little longer and check out some local meets before make the upgrade.
 
May 22, 2013 at 9:20 PM Post #44 of 78
Quote:
This discussion thread is exactly what I need.
 
I was thinking to sell my GS-1 to upgrade to a Burson Soloist.  Now I will keep my GS-1 a little longer and check out some local meets before make the upgrade.

Not sure I'd classify the Soloist as an "upgrade" to the GS-1. Both are very fine amps.
 
May 22, 2013 at 9:29 PM Post #45 of 78
Quote:
This discussion thread is exactly what I need.
 
I was thinking to sell my GS-1 to upgrade to a Burson Soloist.  Now I will keep my GS-1 a little longer and check out some local meets before make the upgrade.


I'd just get new modules from Justin if you haven't done this yet.
 

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