GS-X Mk2 Amp

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by velvetx, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Maybe I was editing my post while you where replying. It happens.

    Perhaps one day I'll buy something un-cheap-bastidly like. But no immediate urgency.

    Given time, I would love to study some of the schematics and designs discussed here. Maybe learn or re-learn things. But no rush.
     
  2. n3rdling

    n3rdling Friend

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    "You guys" would make sense if that actually, you know, involved me. I have 3 posts in that thread and didn't even get involved in any of that mud slinging.

    I made my comment because I detected what seemed like an attempt to start a witch hunt over HeadAmp safety concerns, behavior that "you guys" supposedly vehemently oppose from KG/spritzer. :p
     
  3. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    Nah I understand. Maybe I'll try to listen to the GS-X mk2 with some HD6x0 again. Could proly bring my own. I pretty confident that combo will work pretty well.
     
  4. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    Yes, perhaps you see our perspective now. Ultra can correct me if I'm wrong but that seemed like it was obviously done to juxtapose the issue. Difference is we give the benefit of the doubt.
     
  5. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Someone remind me who the amp measurement pro is of our group?
     
  6. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    Merv has access to a pretty good analyzer. As do I.
     
  7. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Reason I ask is did someone actually want to do measurements for the GS-X mk2? Or have they already been done?
     
  8. Maxvla

    Maxvla Friend

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    Issue persists with HD600s, I'm afraid.
     
  9. n3rdling

    n3rdling Friend

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    Don't worry, I see all :)
     
  10. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I have not seen such measurements. If someone wants to ship it to Merv, OJ or AtomicBob I'm sure something can be worked out.

    I can do it too, but I only have a 2i2 for it. Maybe later I'll get a QA400, but that will have to wait.

    That said, the 2i2 seems pretty decent for balanced measurements.
     
  11. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Marv or OJ one of you guys interested since you both are in Cali (maybe when I get it and put some hours on in it in January when I get back from CES I'll send it out for measurements)? If not, it's going to bob if he wants.

    Let me know.
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I can bring measurement gear up north if we end up meeting in the last week of December. We are still finalizing amp measurement standards.
     
  13. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I should have the amp by then so if I can we can do that if you want/have time. I'll also have my emotiva DAC if anyone wanted to measure that as well.
     
  14. Mr.Sneis

    Mr.Sneis Friend

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    I am a long time fan of Headamp and at one point in time the GSX was my end game amp.

    Long story short turns out it wasn't but I am grateful to have learned and moved on and have no huge ragrets.

    If you are planning to go HD800 and GSXmk2 I am hoping you are at least modding the 800's or shooting for the S or you better plan to adjust your expectations.

    Interesting to see the ruffled feathers from these two threads to say the least!
     
  15. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Some people just have strong opinions no worries I think the good news is the HD 800s was announced so the focus has changed :) .
     
  16. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

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    I have always enjoyed this amp at meets and shows, but have always listened with darker headphones and never the HD 800 (at least not that I can recall). Last weekend I was able to plug my own Oppo PM-2 into the SE output of the GS-X Mk II and it was the best I had ever heard those cans sound. More spacious sounding and lots of impact. Still not a detail monster, but those are the cans and I felt I heard as much detail out of the PM-2's as I was ever likely to hear out of Headamp's setup at the NY Meet.

    Anyway, I am not really in the market for a $3,000 amp (even though my wife acknowledges the red GS-X looks really cool) and if I were I would probably want to upgrade from the PM-2 anyway. So, given that I like that synergy I was wondering what others might recommend as having a similar signature but costing less money. The Ragnarok comes to mind and I recall that being a good match for the Oppo (and most cans I tried), but the form factor for that may not work for me due to its size, and it is well over $1,000 and ideally I would like to stay under that. Would a used Gilmore Light or GS-1 fit the bill or are they lower power and thus not really comparable. What about a used GS-X Mk I. Any recommendations are appreciated.
     
  17. Eric Farrell

    Eric Farrell Friend

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    Dynahi (if you can find one) -- moar power + smoother ride = goal met
     
  18. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    @velvetx

    I think you're going to really enjoy your new amp. Mostly because of your headphone inventory. Granted my auditions were at meet conditions, but I quite enjoyed the GSX Mk2 with my HD650s and any Audeze headphone. But I couldn't stand the amp paired with the HD800 (modded or not) or the HE-560. Both headphone were quite fatiguing even after very short listens.

    But after you have your amp you really need to audition the HE-6. It was the best combo, by far, of the eight or so headphones I've heard paired. It's not often there's a headphone amp that can impose its will on the hungry HE-6. I'd be quite surprised if you said the pairing was disappointing...
     
  19. purk

    purk New

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    Can't agree more regarding the Dynahi. I sold my GS-X MKII after my Susy Dynahi and ECP L2 had landed. I remembered the GS-X MKII and HEK combo was quite stellar however.
     
  20. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    You know, I never really saw anyone talking about the bass of the GS-X mk2.
    I got a good sense of the soundstage, transparency & etched glaring highs from all the impressions, but strictly on the low end, how does it compare to other TOTL amps?

    Usually overall bright amps don't go too deep from my experience, but I haven't seen anyone complain too much about it.
     

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