GS-X Mk2 Amp

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

  1. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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  2. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    Can any of the experienced SBAFs suggest an SBAF approved price point for this amp? The 1/4 deposit is the same as the full price for the GS-1 . Seems a bit steep to me. I don't know anything about amp design but this is one of the most expensive SS on sale.
     
  3. Rotijon

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    Like all headamp stuff, it is undervalued. You wont find a better amp with the fit and finish as good as the mk2 for anywhere near that price tag.

    There is secondhand units available if you want.
     
  4. JoelT

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    Undervalued? Well, that's highly subjective. The finish quality is very nice indeed, but a lot of folks have issues with the GS-X's treble presentation (myself included). Sonically it's definitely not for everyone. I see the amp as a conditional recommendation only.
     
  5. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

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    Undervalued in terms of sum of parts and finishing.

    Link them up to a good R2R. Im not saying its everyone's cup of tea (just like every amp out there), but on a sheer value proposition, and second hand value. You really cant go wrong with a GSX MK2.

    Just like schiit, nobody ever says its too expensive. If any other make made these, it would be a 5k amp.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2015
  6. Judeus

    Judeus Facebook Friend

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    I'm interested a comparison between the
    gsx and the cavalli liquid gold
     
  7. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    From everything I’ve read the GSX seems to be a legendary product and I would love to be an owner someday but from a value perspective I’m not so sure.

    It is significantly more expensive than most so called ‘TOTL’ SS amps from the other big players like Bryston, Schiit, Violectric, Oppo etc. Justin, as an essentially one man operation will not have the pricing power that a big company like Oppo has which sells a shit load of blue ray players and amps.

    (I believe he manufactures in batches of 30 to 100 pieces at the most in a year)

    My guess is that they would pay a fraction of what he does for quality casework and components. They can then pass some of these savings on to the customer and obviously pocket the rest.

    The man has every right to charge what he wants but I hope to hear from audio/EE engineers whether the price to performance ratio is better than the larger players.
     
  8. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    If you do a little research and find peoples BOMs for the DIY Dyna-hi (essentially the same amp) builds and factor in the cost of Justin's exquisite casework I suspect you'll see the value proposition immediately.

    I would guess Headamp's profit margins aren't that different from other well respected boutique amp makers like Eddie Current. I don't think either Craig or Justin is in it for the $. They do it because its what they love doing and they charge and amount sufficient to keep the operation going.
     
  9. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    Yes, I would argue here though that the amount of amps the companies you listed pump out far greater volume than Justin's one man operation. If you were to do a comparison you would have to compare it to the prices of what I would call more boutique manufacturers. For example you can't compare an Eddie Current Zana Duex S ($2,389) or a Balancing Act ($3,989) to a Schiit Lyr 2 ($449) in terms of price (the customer is different and their needs are different). Whether people like him here or not Kevin Gilmore who correct me if I am wrong here designed the architecture of the boards that the GS-X uses (he is huge in the DIY community with his schematics). I would also be curious to see how much that new ABS Gamma 3 amp is going to be (looking at the design and beauty I would be shocked if it's not at least over $3k).

    You also have to add the customer service piece to this equation as well because out of the companies you listed only Schiit comes to mind when I think world class customer service. In the more boutique brands such as Eddie Current and Headamp you get that same level of service (Justin answers all my emails within an hour or two and is very intuitive when I describe my needs).

    I mean look at the Chord Hugo TT they sell their amp/dac combo for $4,800 and their Dave is $12.5k and they are a production amp company.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2015
  10. Rthomas

    Rthomas Friend

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    You have a point. I would love to see if I can make out the difference between something like the integrated amp in a Benchmark DAC 1 and Oppo HA1 vs a GSX Mk 2.....

    If I can't I would save a lot of money! :D

    BTW I look forward to your impressions when you get yours. I have an HD650 on the way. Everyone at Head case seems to hate Cavalli Audio while the GSX Mk2 is highly respected.
     
  11. Hands

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    Hard for me to think any amp that sounded so rough is any sort of value. :p But at close to $3K I thought it was a joke. You might disagree.

    Black Widow sounded noticeably better. Namely because it didn't sound like sand paper. Much cheaper too, though maybe harder to get.

    Hell, sharp as it may be some times, the Ragnarok was a much better value. I don't care if it's some massive company or one guy making it. If it is overpriced and/or doesn't sound good, then it's simply overpriced and doesn't sound good.
     
  12. JoelT

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    That's where I fall as well. I find it hard to correlate value with sound that I don't want to listen to. Too much treble sizzle for me (for lack of a better term), but I can see where some people like it. Clearly there were people who loved it at Tyll's Big Sound shootout.
     
  13. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    I couldn't possibly disagree with you more on all three amps you discuss.

    This is why there is no substitute for personal experience in this hobby. Different people have different tastes.
     
  14. velvetx

    velvetx Gear Master West/Vendor Spotlight Moderator

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    I agree many people at HC don't like Cavalli Audio but I personally really enjoyed what I listened to at the show (it sounded what I would describe as liquid, syrupy, and fun easy listening). To grow on what many people in thread are saying before people get too far off track is that everyone has different tastes no one is right or wrong. In certain situations and pairings it's quite possible that people would like the GS-X over any other amp. In other cases people would choose something else. That's the beauty about being a community and being able to hopefully try things yourself and make a decision prior to purchase based on your wants and needs. Feedback from the community is great because everyone is a great sounding board. There are people who say the negative things you may not want to hear but should hear them and then there are people who agree with you on the positives.

    You kind of have to figure out for yourself if something is worth it to you. What is your budget? What is it that you look for in an amp (connections, absolute best sound, better bass, accurate treble)? What is your end-game and are you ready to be at that point? For me I am ready to be at that point which is the reason why I chose the GS-X over any other amp I had listened to previously. The funny thing is at some point in time I may change my tastes and find something else which is endgame for me. Endgame for me is vinyl and unfortunately at many of the shows it's mostly FLAC or DSD files I listen to so it's quite difficult to figure out whether or not vinyl would sound good on amp x (vinyl endgame is @drfindley fault).

    My honest to goodness recommendation if you had to buy something right now and wanted to stay budget minded I would choose Schiit. If you are really that concerned whether or not an amp or dac are worth the extra money I would not continue wondering and instead just go with Schiit they have great value and are also a great starting point. They have a good resale value so you wouldn't lose too much money on your purchase. I don't say this because I like Schiit as a company I say this because that is where I started. I started with Schiit prior to them having any upgrades or version 2s. I almost spent $2k on a Burson amp prior to hearing Schiit and trust me I am happy I didn't. Trust me when I say even I am somewhat biased as I don't have the issue with treble as more experiences listeners do (don't know whether this is a good or bad thing) and I am much more bass focused in my decisions.

    There is no right or wrong here as it's all subjective. You may have to splurge to try to travel to a meet or a show where people have a ton of gear for you to listen to and then you might be able to make a better decision.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2015
  15. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Also quite true, TMoney. :)
     
  16. Rthomas

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    Absolutely. Sbafs can agree to disagree. One of the best thing about the community is figuring out who does good work and rewarding them with our business.

    I have nothing against Cavalli Audio, I've never heard any of their amps but when reputed industry veterans including Kevin Gilmore on Head case point out shoddy workmanship that is a big red light for me and negates a dozen positive subjective reviews. Anyway that's all I want to say on the topic. Anyone have a 230v GSX they want to sell me ;D.
     
  17. cooperpwc

    cooperpwc Friend

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    I have one (230 volt mk2) but it is not for sale until I find something that I would rather own. :)
     
  18. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    That has all been responded to by Mr. Cavalli himself. Look it up on the old forum.

    Jeez some myths die hard.
     
  19. ultrabike

    ultrabike Measurbator - Admin

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    I'm having a hard time associating $2800 worth of amp (ANY amp) with value proposition. TOTL and perhaps great performance? maybe (The GS-X is not the universal amp that everybody likes - nor are the rest mentioned in this thread). Value proposition? I don't see it.

    References (GSX/Dynahi BOM):
    http://www.djgardner.com/headphone/gilmore/
    (Don't know how the Dynahi BOM referenced above is worth about $2800 in parts)

    I heard the GS-X mkII. It's Ok. Just don't use analytic or bright cans with it.

    Honestly not looking into buying one. This is not meant as a cheap shot at Justin or KG. I just can't justify $2800 for a headphone "value" amp to myself and my wife and call it bargain, cuz of parts and workmanship. A used car maybe.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2015
  20. cooperpwc

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    ^ I appreciate that this post bucks the trend around these parts of referring to the GS-X mk2 as a Dynalo. It is a big step in the right direction.

    I think that Justin's care and attention to detail deserves to be factored into the cost equation. Not everyone is a DIY builder. It takes a long time to get the amp (traditionally - it seems that he is catching up) because every part is carefully sourced and matched. And the overall packaging is exquisite. No doubt Schiit has changed the value equation by mass-producing with simple functional cases and without building in the traditional audiophile mark-up. (Their approach makes sense. Schiit is no charity and I am guessing that there will be a substantial payday down the road. Good on them.) But I would like to see a Schiit headphone amp with the speed and musical energy that the GS-X mk2 produces. If they could do that for a $1,000 less as an established company standing behind the product (not some DIY builder using a Hammond case), I would tip my hat. (Full disclosure: I have only heard the Magni and Ragnarok.) Anyway this is not generally a crowd that appreciates those qualities. "Birds of a feather" and fair enough. But it is good that we have a thread that reminds that there are other tastes out there.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2015

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