High-end Headphones with the Headamp GS-X Mini

Thanks to Headamp for sending over a GS-X Mini for review.
For this review, I used some of the best headphones available in 2022, such as the Audeze LCD-5, Meze Elite and Final D8000 Pro.
Thanks also to Headamp for sponsoring this channel.
headamp.com
Don't forget to read the FAQ! hear.audio/faq
------------
Become a supporter, see my reviews and product impressions in advance, and get my buying advice any time:
www.hear.audio/go/support
------------
I have been using Backblaze’s unlimited cloud backup to protect all my data - terabytes of it - for a flat monthly or yearly fee, for years. I highly recommend them as a backup solution.
www.hear.audio/go/backup
------------
00:00 Start
01:18 About the GS-X Mini
02:12 Inputs
02:53 Outputs
03:07 Attenuator options
04:14 Pre-amp output
05:34 Review set-up
06:36 Sound
07:46 Headphones impressions
08:30 Luxman P-750u comparison
09:02 Singxer SA-1 Soncoz SGA-1
10:24 Overview of impressions
11:55 The Law of Diminishing Returns
12:53 How to get my advice

[@klaymoon1]

To my old ears, GS-X mini sounded better than GS-X. Yet, for the price, I did not find it spectacular. I actually followed it from the pre-release. If I remember correctly the announced target price was around $1,100-1400 at first. Then, after initial positive reviews from the prototype, they suddenly increased to around $2,000. That just put me off, so I didn’t order it.

[@adamjohari]

Your comment made me totally put off by this amp

[@max1492a]

same here

[@xyanide1986]

Great review as always, puts things in perspective and context. I agree that you're in the law of diminishing returns, but lots of people seem to forget the 2nd hand head-fi market. Once I have my sights set on something I'll keep trawling through various websites until I find a decent deal.

[@VBYTP]

Finally, the review I've been waiting for! I have been trying to decide between this and a Master 9 for months but didn't want to pull the trigger on either until I knew your thoughts. I'm about to watch the video now, and then order an amp!

[@zackw4941]

I haven't heard the GSX Mini, but I did recently pick up a Master 19. I would attribute everything Curawong said about the GSX to the Master 19 as well. Except that the audio gd house sound is probably more nuetral than warm, but in a very natural sounding way. I also bought the R1 DAC and it is replacing my Denafrips Venus. It is a very good combination with both the Master 19 and my Audiovalve Solaris tube amp. I listen on LCD-4. I have had a few other solid state amps cheaper and more expensive and this is my favorite.

[@petercraig389]

Master 19 is a really solid amp that delivers. Have it here driving the Arya and HE6se. It drives both Hifiman with ease and authority.

[@jasonkong1000]

@@zackw4941 I have master 19 and R1 DAC. Love the combo!

[@MisterChibs]

Went and searched "Muddy Waters - Folk Singer" after watching. At first I found the "digitally re mastered" version. It sounded what I would expect any old recording to sound like. Meh. Noticed the album cover art looked different than the one you flashed on the screen, so I re-searched and picked the other one. Okay, I thought to myself. THATS dynamics. Any more realism and I would have to politely ask Mr Watters how he got in my house. Listening to the album now with Meze Empyreans and GSX Mini. I assure you, the returns aren't diminishing with the smile this setup consistently puts on my face. I wish Justin continued success! He's a pleasure to deal with. Great review as always!

[@aceofspades6667]

Muddy Water Folk singer is one of if not my most favorite albums of all time. I own it on Vinyl, Flac, CD, and will stream it on high res. IMO this album sounds best the further back you go in time for sources. The absolute best it can sound is on Reel to Reel tap; it's just fantastic. vinyl is a close second from original pressing not the newer one. Vinyl is much more accessible and cheaper than the tape.

[@petercraig389]

I'm an Audio-gd fan and the Gs-x mini looks like a well built amp also. Definitely nice looking in blue.

[@jarvinco9993]

Hi Amos, Any comment on how the gsx mini compares to the audio gd master 9 which ive also heard so much about from your previous reviews?

[@lamarhooks8351]

Not sure if someone else already asked but how would you say the GSX-mini compares to the A-GD Master 9? I could have missed it but I did not hear you compare those 2 components.

[@iantetley3773]

Well I’m glad I got a singxer s a1 with a bifrost the next thing I’m looking at what would be a sub $1000 headphone which would take advantage of all that horse power?

[@aceofspades6667]

The lux amp looks near perfect can’t wait to hear your review of that. Not a gsx Mk2 or mini fan so pass on those products for me. Volot + Soloist 3GT + Hypsos & Oor are all on my shopping list.

[@olimphus26]

I'm split between this or the ifi pro ican. I already own the pro idsd dac/amp but don't know if I should complete the stack or go with a different amp.

[@PerChristianVeberg]

Thanks for another succinct review with good comparisons on good gear. Today I got a Dynalo from Felitsa Audio in Vietnam. The price, makes this an exception to any rule of diminishing returns. I have so far listened to my LCD2, LCDMX4, Quad Era 1, Beyer T1, and two of my AKG K1000s, and me and SuSy Dynalo are in love, but how closely related are they? I can't seem to find anything on it :-)

[@Currawong]

Warning! Felitsa Audio are known to have extremely bad builds that fail after some time. Please read from here: www.head-case.org/forums/topic/10783-megatron-electrostatic-headphone-amplifier/?do=findComment&comment=859576

[@PerChristianVeberg]

@@Currawong Thanks for information! I'll refrain from recommendations, and pray I luck out.

[@PerChristianVeberg]

@@Currawong I understand and respect your need to keep to the absolutely highest standards, but there are also plenty of seemingly happy customers adding their praise on Ebay, and the unit I got looks good. (Time will tell, but I do order stuff from USA were warrantees are only two years or even lower, while I am used to 5 years by law as example) The same coven of wizards on head case have given Warwick Acoustics an almost equally bad review for their estats, and favorites Audeze has had qc issues as well. I simply melted when I read in the link you provided that he had used US army silver wire from 1965. I imagine some other parts from the terror they experienced could have sneaked into the builds as well. US army tubes and transistors and what do I know? I will write and ask for his side of this story. Anyways thanks for the heads up!

[@theodorezurla496]

How do you think the gsx mini will pair with the He1000v2?

[@skelewolf8431]

Hello!! I have a question regarding the headphone amps you have used. Do you consider the Aurorasound Heada to be the best you've ever heard? Or do you recommend an amp like the Luxman p-750u over the Heada?

[@Currawong]

hear.audio/faq :)

[@MagnumOpus007]

Would this amp be a good match with the Abyss 1266?

[@SweetLead]

Zeos Pantera / Zreviews compared the GS-X Mini to the SingXer SA-1. And he said they sound the same. Definitely a must buy for me is SingXer SA-1 because I live in Europe and headamp has no resellers in Europe. If I ordered from US, I would pay extra taxes and it is too expensive for me. And I'm still saving a lot of money with that. I’m glad it sounds very similar. I was informed that SingXer SA-1 is the best solid state amp for my future sennheiser hd 800 s headphones. At first I wanted to buy a topping a90 with hd 800 s but I found out that this combination would sound too flat and sterile and it would be a boring sound in music.

[@Currawong]

With what source? With what music? I doubt he was using a TT2 or listening to the same music.

[@SweetLead]

@@Currawong I don't know with what music. But with DAC: MUSICIAN PEGASUS R2R DAC, Headphones: DT880, LCD-X, ETHER, CELESTEE, HD600

[@AnakChan]

To touch on something more "controversial" - burn in. With DACTs if one listens to one volume more so than another, does that mean some registers may not get as much burn-in than others?

[@Currawong]

I don't believe that most resistors burn in. They are only susceptible to heat -- that is, their value can change (very measurably) depending on how warm they are.

[@mr.dynamite2543]

Wouldn’t you need to burn in each resistor INDIVIDUALLY for optimal performance? Meaning you would have to put many hours on each of the 24 steps of volume, or at least the steps you would listen to most. One of the drawbacks of stepped attenuators.

[@Currawong]

Resistors don't need burn-in. They are more susceptible to temperature (measurably so). It's mostly some types of capacitors that are affected by use, as I understand things.

[@mr.dynamite2543]

@@Currawong you're probably right but you're opening up a can of worms with that comment. Lol! I have the Luxman BTW, I'm interested to hear your opinions when you review it.

[@Dieselmateo]

Where can i buy those wooden headphone stands??

[@Currawong]

Unfortunately they are no longer made.

[@xyanide1986]

You can find similar ones on Etsy

[@marcorasero6003]

What do you think of the HeadAmp GS-X mk2 (not Mini)? Between the HeadAmp GS-X mk2 (not Mini) and audio gd master 9, which is more neutral? What are the differences between the 2? Thank you very much.

[@Currawong]

I've never had a GS-X here, so I have no idea.

[@marcorasero6003]

@@Currawong Have you already heard it at a fair? What do you think?

[@Currawong]

Not for years and I don't remember.

[@marcorasero6003]

@@Currawong From an engineering point of view, the gs-x is incredible. 4 separate modules and separate power supply by the rest.

[@johndavis1217]

Luxman discontinued in North America?

[@Currawong]

The new version, the P-750u Mark II, won't be sold outside of Japan. If they replaced the dual-3-pin XLR sockets with 4.4mm pentaconn ones, that would have a great amp for the US and EU.

[@Currawong]

I only know about this amp. I have no idea about other models. www.head-fi.org/threads/luxman-p-750u-headphone-amp.900882/post-16538399

[@galenkhai7156]

can it drive the Susvara to an enjoyable listening experience though?

[@redrich2000]

First!

[@Currawong]

NOTE: A 4.4mm Pentaconn connector wont be available on this amp for YEARS. Sorry if you thought you'd be able to get that output any sooner. Don't forget to read the FAQ! www.hear.audio/faq. I didn't talk about headphone driving power in this review, as I didn't feel it to be necessary. Unless you're driving Susvaras to a loud level, you'll be fine with this amp and pretty much any headphones.