HeadAmp Gilmore Lite mk2 Headphone Amp (on Massdrop)

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Peter78, Oct 8, 2017.

  1. Ksorota

    Ksorota Friend

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    based on what Justin has stated on headfi it is going to be The same size or a slightly bigger box than the amp chassis. [​IMG]
    Looks about the same size. HeadAmp will Update the original GLMK2 chassis to match the new white LED and lettering. I’m partial to the amber, but not sure is they will add an amber light to the ps.

    Their is still a chance he is working on a larger unit as well, but it hasn’t been mentioned in a while.

    The 800$ price is a bit on the high side, but in reality the only benefit of spending more is to go balanced. I got rid of my GSX mini in favor of the GLMK2, for a couple of reasons but mostly because I could not make the most of the balanced circuit and i felt the lite is hard to beat for the price, particularly used at 300$ And sheer the cap mod.

    I’m very much looking forward to the power supply!
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    This belongs to @zerodeefex. Have @Vtory send it to you after he is done. Super curious if a good LPS will sound better than the switcher, which this one has. I think the switcher is holding it back. It's super detailed (both gross and micro detail), but with neutral sources and neutral headphones, the highs were too jumpy. It seemed to work best with darker sources and bassy or laid-back headphones like ZMF Verite and HD650. Curious what you may think. Measurements here as you are already aware: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/gilmore-lite-mk2-measurements.8600/
     
  3. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    The Dedicated power supply is a switcher, but does look like a well built switcher with inductor filers and isolated transformers at least. Looks also well regulated and with a delay relay.

    I am planning on gutting my DIY and putting linear PSU in a separate box and the amp board n a box like the Lite mk2. I've been thinking about this for awhile and now only speeds up this project.
     
  4. Hrodulf

    Hrodulf Prohibited from acting as an MOT until year 2050

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    It's a slightly modded Golden Reference clone supply, the same that's being used in the GSX mk2. I use one per channel in my CFA3 amp. As PSU's go, it's one of the better options. I'd like to see some extra filtering on the SMPSU variant, can't tell how well the GRLV handles high frequency crud.
     
  5. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    I did not remember that I bought this at all. I saw this alert and thought "wtf is @purr1n thinking? Is he confusing me with someone else in his dotage?"
     
  6. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Wow, @zerodeefex does that mean you didn't even touch your amp since last Nov? :eek:

    upload_2020-7-31_22-27-40.png
     
  7. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    If you think this is the first time I've bought random shit for the forum and have never used it, you'd be mistaken.
     
  8. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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  9. TheIceman93

    TheIceman93 El pato-zorro

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    I'm a big fan of the Mini: HeadAmp GS-X mini Impressions
     
  10. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Of course, brother. All you! I heard from Marv I need to get a 5 pin DIN connector to do an LPS.

    Anyone have specs on power requirements? I'm too lazy to look it up but I'll try to build an LPS later this year to try with it
     
  11. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Lite2's stock power brick is with +/-16V and 1.05A. I believe the same voltages and a little higher current limits (just in case) would suffice.
     
  12. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Wtf. This sounds eerily familiar to the original. Even the DIN connector looks the same. I need to dig out my original and DPS. Might have a compatible power supply here right now.

    @Hands want me to ship you the original and DPS as well if I can find them? The power supply might be drop in compatible, bwhahahaha.
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Sure, why not?
     
  14. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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  15. svperstar

    svperstar Acquaintance

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    Got my Hifiman Arya in last night. The only amps I have on hand is the Gilmore Lite mk2 and an Asgard 2 buried in my closet.

    headamp is vague on the actual power of the mk2 on their site saying "up to 1.5 watts". I assume the vagueness is due to it being limited compared to modern day cheap and powerful amps.

    Before the Arya got here I assumed it would sound good but be just slightly lacking in power. Thats exactly how it is. I can turn the mk2 all the way to the max on the Arya. It sounds good but I feel like the Arya is being held back a bit due to lack of power.

    I've been in the hobby for 16 years now and haven't gone balanced and I would rather not.

    Debating getting the SMSL SP200 since it is the cheapest way to get THX power and has the same power output from its XLR and regular jack so no recabling.
     
    Last edited: Aug 7, 2020
  16. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    2V source (typical SE dac out) and max volume on Lite 2 would create roughly 15Vrms at maximum.
    (For 35ohm load, actual power would be limited by its current capacity)

    Anyway that's ear-destroying level. And not consistent with my memory of Arya, either. They didn't need high power to get loud enough.

    Something wrong seems going on in your chain.
     
  17. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    THX is not going to be as dynamic/lively. Just because it specs well doe snot mean it sounds really good. Same for balanced.

    And never found Gilmore lacking in power. Only for HE6 or something silly.
     
  18. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

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    Even with HE6 (I am testing with my HE6SE), 11 o'clock pot position would be enough for me at peaks in low headroom tracks. HE6SE is 7-10 db less sensitive than Arya by the way.
     
  19. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    Just looked at details on this again. It looks l;ike they are running two Mean Well IRM-20-24 switcher power supplies for +/- 24V DC, then regulating down to the +/- 18V rails. I would have built it more simply, but then again they have to keep up with UL safety with the safety caps and the fuses.

    On my DIY, I have a linear supply based on the Studer 900 console power supply that takes in 24V and spits out 18V just like this, but via normal step down transformer and diode bridge. I can only guess this regulation for the DC conversion is likely similar design to the Studer 900 as that circuit is copied quite a bit.
     
  20. svperstar

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    Sensitivity is 90 db according to Hifiman:

    [​IMG]

    I'm on my work laptop working from home. I am going Topping D10 -> Gilmore Lite mk2 -> Hifiman Arya using MusicBee with WASAPI out.

    I ordered the SMSL SP200. Amazon has great returns so if it sounds bad I will just send it back.
     

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