HeadAmp Gilmore Lite mk2 Headphone Amp (on Massdrop)

Spoiler: Probably NSFW

Stunning as always Justin.

Can you share any info regarding power output etc?

 

I haven't had the benefit of doing as many comparisons as some of the others here, but I've been happy with my setup:
Yggdrasil(Analog 1)->GSX mk2->LCD3

I was happier before my LCD3 needed a driver replacement(twice), but I'm still OK with what I've got. I didn't have the benefit of doing comparisons against lots of comparably priced gear, so I just made some educated guesses based on interwebs reviews like the now deprecated https://www.head-fi.org/threads/battle-of-the-flagships-58-headphones-compared.634201/ and hoped for the best.

I'm not sure I understand comments describing the GSX-mk2 as being a "sandpaper amp" when used with HD800 variants when it seems like everyone is always trying to find ways to tame the HD800s treble. I tried those cans once at B&H in NYC (arguably a terrible way to demo things) and lasted maybe 5s before I ripped them off my head. Just didn't seem reasonable for general purpose listening.

 

Heres the pre-order page. If someone who has heard a GSX II and Gilmore Lite manages to get some head time on it I;d be interested to know which way it leans.

Show conditions are difficult of course.

https://www.headamp.com/order/headamp-gs-x-mini-balanced-headphone-amplifier-pre-amp/

 

Has anyone heard both the GL mk 2 and the jds labs el amp? Using a Modi Multibit and Vali 2 mostly right now but looking for a good SS amp with $500 being my max. The el amp is $280 but gets high praise for neutral transparent amp and this is $500 with similar power and similar praise for being a neutral transparent amp.

I will be mainly running my Lcd-2c and HD 700 as well as looking for a used focal Elex to add to my collection

 

Well, this site loves the HD650, so I understand why people try taming it. Most solid state amps have a glarey quality to them, so it exacerbates the issue.

That said, the issue is the 6Khz ringing. That's easily fixed with the normal HD800 (which makes it a lot easier on the ears,) and the HD800S doesn't have the issue at all. It becomes quite enjoyable after that. People have further nodded thr treble to be smoother on here at the cost of some of the soundstage (but the treble extension remains the same.)

 

I can confirm that it wasn't put up on massdrop again

...until it was. And currently is with 1 day left to join.

 

Yes, we I did make an exception to that and did a Cyber Monday promotion with Massdrop

 

Well, glad you did. Hope the drop did well. This amp is in my sights and I'll be grabbing one used as soon as I sell off some other gear (which is always a hard thing for me to do).

 

The original Gilmore Lite was my first "real" headphone amp way back in like 2004.

Didn't get the mk2 because I don't know if its really an upgrade from the Asgard 2 I'm using these days.

The lack of a spec sheet also.

 

I picked up this amp up. Got here yesterday, first time Fedex has ever dropped a package at my house before I woke up.

Love the sound of it. Wish I still had the original Gilmore Lite to compare and contrast.

I'm curious what a good preamp would be to put between my DAC and the GL if I wanted to add a bit of tube sound? I haven't had a tube amp since my Little Dot decided to die on me a few years ago.

 

Just add a tube buffer, you don't want more gain.

 

I did still have my original GL when my Gilmore Lite mk2 first arrived, and I compared and contrasted them at the time. To my ears, the original and the mk2 sounded very different from one another in tone and style of presentation, to the point where it was hard to directly compare them. But eventually it became clear to me that the mk2 is better and more technically capable.

The original GL had some treble issues: emphasis in the upper FR combined with some metallic "etching" or "grain" and lack of subtle low-level resolution up top. This could give a perception of clarity and PRaT, with certain headphones and certain music, especially rock. But its technical deficiencies were pretty clear when compared directly to better boxes, including the mk2. Bass response was also somewhat light and hollow.

The Gilmore Lite mk2 has much more finesse and warmth in its mid- and upper-range. There's a 3D depth and body to the presentation and resolution that just isn't there with the original GL. Attack, decay, air, staging: all are better on the mk2. The original GL sounds clear but flat by comparison. Bass texture is also better on the mk2, benefiting from the same sense of depth. The mk2's superiority really shows itself with strings & orchestral music.

 

Thanks for the impressions. Also I think the mk2 really brings out the strengths of the 650. Out of my Asgard 2 I find the 6XX/650 and Audeze LCD-2 are different but in the same category.

Out of the mk2 I prefer the sound of of the 6XX over the LCD-2 tho the LCD-2 in no way sounds bad, the mk2 just really pairs well with the 6XX. Keep in mind I have the original version non-Fazor LCD-2 and Dekoni Velour pads so YMMV

 

I can confirm the Gilmore Lite mk2 is a great pair with my HD600. The body/depth in the presentation suits it well.

I also have a pre-fazor Audeze LCD-2.2 and would agree that the Gilmore Lite mk2 isn’t the most compelling amp pairing I’ve heard with that headphone. My LCD has better synergy with my other amp currently-on-hand, the Meier Audio Corda Classic FF. To be clear, the LCD / mk2 pairing sounds very good in its own right, and the Corda Classic isn’t a perfect match either. It’s more a question of how well the presentation flatters the LCD’s strengths.

 

Thanks @Justin for the quick delivery and a sweet little amp. Sings with the Gungnir Multibit + Auteur.

Haven't compared it to my Lyr 3, not sure if/when I'll spend the time to see if my own experience mirrors that of members such as @Ice-man with these 2.

My plan is to move the GL mk2 to computer desk for use with HD6X0. Thinking of going Modi 3 D/S (+ Eitr that I already have) to replace old HRT MicroStreamer.

 

This thread's making me want to build a dynalo. How does the GLmk2 pair with the HD800 (esp. a superdupont resonator modded HD800)?

 

Anyone find that this sounds better after its warmed up? Am I imagining? Is that a class A thing?

 

Not a class A thing. The bias is set and auto adjusted by the temperature. It should only take about 20 minutes.

 

Thanks. This amp with the HD6XXs is my first headphone rig so I don't think I can offer useful impressions. (I only listened very quickly to the 6XXs with my GO V2A to confirm that a big 500 dollar amp would be a noticeable improvement - it was, better dynamics and fullness of sound were most immediately noticeable). But so far I'm not disappointed. The extension, dynamics and clarity I hear from the 6XXs are better than I expected based on reading about the HP for so long (FWIW). Using the GO as a DAC for now.

 

It's a really nice combo. Do yourself a favor and avoid "upgraditis" for a good while, at least in terms of headphones and amps.