Headamp GS-X Mini Headphone Amp & Preamp RE-Review - 60% of the Time it Works All the Time

[@TimWismer]

Great review. The time and emphasis you spend on synergy issues is much appreciated, since many reviewers barely touch on synergy issues, if at all.

[@dmarcus1260]

Nice review. I boxed up my GS-X Mini after I purchased the Ferrum Oor/Hypsos stack earlier this year. This review makes me want to revisit the GS-X Mini, especially the pairing of the Fostex 900's and the HifiMan HE1000SE. Last April I a/b the GS-X Mini and the Ferrum Oor using the Gustard X26 Pro DAC. The headphones used to make the comparison between the two headphone amps was the Abyss Diana TC. The Oor seem to have more power handling the Diana TC.

[@Michael_mki233]

26:04 Easily solved, just put more money into the DAC! I mean, what's $6k, $8k, or even $20k in the grand scheme of things? Don't answer that, by the way...do _not_ do as I do, lol.

[@sorcerermax5111]

I bought Topping L30II amp last week and I am blown away by how awful it sounds. Tried with multiple Dacs and whatever sound the DAC gives, this amp when involved in the chain was degrading the sound by making the sound thin, flat, lacking bass and sounding un-dynamic. It was also cutting all the notes short without the natural extension of notes. I was using Xduoo-XA10 before and that amp was sounding so fuller, natural and dynamic with any Dac I connected to it. It is like night and day difference. Both amps had a complete black background with all my headphones. Also Topping amp gets way too hot like you can't touch it when in use but Xduoo XA-10 though being class A was always comfortable to touch cuz it is well ventilated. Topping amp also heats up the jack of my headphone cable when connected to it. No more topping products for me. They are only good for measurements on ASR I guess

[@ayushbhaumik7980]

I too had a topping L30 II and I agree it sucks, it is only good for meauring sine waves. Replaced it with a Aune X7S headphone amp and never been happier. It not only sounds more natural in tonality than the topping but is also better at resolution and can make my Beyerdynamic Amiron Home headphones slam harder in the bass too.

[@808lilmac]

the Mass Kobo model 248 and model 433 japanese amps around the same price give almost the exact same sound profile as the gsx mini I consider them a much better alternative because they really are smoother in their presentation and slightly technically superior. Also pairs well with a lot more headphones. They might be lacking in the power wattage provider but somehow they feel as if they are a lot more powerful than they should.

[@aceofspades6667]

Cfa3 is coming to headamp 🔥🌶️🔥

[@brendanliddell240]

Thanks very much. Will you be reviewing the Schiit Mjolnir 3 anytime soon?

[@jonasschimrigk8333]

This.

[@808lilmac]

The mjolnir 3 to me is schiits greatest perfomance to price ratio amplifer ever made, not including the asgard 3. The amp is crazy good for the retail price. They have 2 watts @32ohm but they perform a lot better than most of the 6 and 8 watts amplifiers because of its design. Susvara? No problem. He1000v2/se? No problem. Abyss stuff? No problem. Utopia? No problem. Low impedance sensitive dynamics? No problem.

[@hiraksarma3068]

This and Holo Bliss are the reviews I am eagerly waiting from Wave, hope someone loans him these to review 🙂

[@808lilmac]

@@hiraksarma3068 I really like from wave that even tho he could get a lent mj3 tomorrow for example I know he wouldnt put out a review until he has fully analized the product. In depth with great ear.

[@kurt120032002]

well that was misleading... We were promised a "self promotion" 😂 on a more serious note, this is somehow confusing. GoldenSound said it is an amp that you get and not have to worry about anything because it will sound good. 3rd since you already have a Violectric, I think a V550 would have been a better choice. It has verry little warmth, but pairs well even with dacs like iDSD Neo, as for headphones, the only one that will not work are the ones with very elevated to begin with base like Campfire Polaris 2, while driving everything including Susvara.... Arya V2 for example, never goes to 50% on single ended dacs, and around 20-25% with balanced dacs, with 0 dB gain, and 21 dB. I have no idea how it pairs with Fostex 90x headphones.

[@blejzerosamigos6115]

Thank you for this review,🎉have you heard/reviewed Burson amp? I wonder where does it fall in this category.thanks again great work

[@1800Swagg]

Thanks for the follow up on this Amp. Much appreciated! I bought one now too. Not sure if I like it more than my Liberty HPA though since this one can be a bit bright. Still debating. Great review as always.

[@TheSaassaf]

Thanks 🙏 for the review ! Not long ago you reviewed the Matrix mini I pro4 , have you tried it as a DAC to the gsx mini ? I wonder if they pair good 2gther

[@eugeneroytberg1375]

Great review! Have you tried the Wells Audio Milo? Would love your thoughts on that. Thanks!

[@ephebe106]

90% of the time with the Quad Era-1 for me. Curious about that 900 series now.

[@bmsrtr]

I know you don't like the clear mg at all lol, but how do you think it would pair with the mini?

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️ No one had one for me to test drive up here in Toronto…so I saved up and went with the Bryston BHA-1 Headphone/ Preamp…well, buy local I guess..and I love it! Have a great week.

[@chronometa]

That one doesn't get much love it seems. Because they are slightly pro audio they add a bunch of stuff I don't need and bloats the price

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@chronometa yup

[@chronometa]

@@carminedesanto6746 I wanted to get their DAC but they have like 10 hdmi outputs I will never use.

[@rumblerumble2276]

Do you leave it turned on all of the time?

[@wavetheorysound]

Not this one, no. I usually give it several minutes to warm up and then turn it off when I'm done with it for the day

[@baderq8ty99]

could you please review the violectric V222, considering it's a violectric product, there's a surprising lack of information/reviews on that amplifier

[@808lilmac]

The vio v222 is an incredible amp, usually requieres a brighter dac, its the bassiest out of the violectrics. Its similar to the v281 but not as technical, its the most fun oriented Violectric (with the extra bass, depth and holography)

[@808lilmac]

And also remember to worry not, its technical performance, resolution, detail are phenomenal for the price and for this kind of tuning.

[@baderq8ty99]

@@808lilmac i just got the bifrost 2/64 (upgrade from smsl su-8s) much better but i'm not sure if the v222 would work with that, maybe the smsl skewed my hearing because the bifrost sounds almost too bassy so far (just a week in so not sure yet )

[@SIZLL]

Ironically I have a completly different view on the v222 than the guy above me. The current violectric line is very neutral. The best thing to do is pair it with a r2r dac. As an owner of both a v281 and v222 they seem to be polar opposites.

[@baderq8ty99]

@@SIZLL that complicates things lol, opposites in what way? the tonality, dac pairing, detail/sound stage, etc. that would be great to know

[@GalPal-km8ht]

Did you by chance listen to the Meze Elite with the GS-X Mini?

[@wavetheorysound]

Unfortunately no. Never had the at same time.

[@GalPal-km8ht]

@@wavetheorysound thanks for responding, if you don’t mind one more question. You said the dacs seem to push through and present themselves well, which is your favorite DAC with it?

[@wavetheorysound]

@@GalPal-km8ht since the Mini is brighter and more forward in its presentation I prefer warmer and smoother dacs with it...Holo Spring series, Denafrips Pontus II. I also liked OG Bifrost 2 through it, which means Yggy is likely also a good match. However, it's very dac friendly. Just get something you like and it will likely be fine.

[@GalPal-km8ht]

@@wavetheorysound thanks currently have the topping e70V and thinking of maybe the Eversolo A6 or nothing. Will look into some of those you mentioned. Appreciate the advice!

[@brianthomas3354]

which version of the Yggdrasil do you suggest? l@@wavetheorysound