Honest Audiophile Impressions of the HeadAmp GS-X Mini

In this video I provide my honest impressions of the HeadAmp GS-X Mini with the Alps RK27 potentiometer.
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The Honest Audiophile research/review process: • Let's Talk - My resear...
Audio Terms/Definitions: www.stereophile.com/reference...
Recommended Gear:
Rosson Audio Design RAD-0: www.rossonaudiodesign.com/
Meze Empyrean: mezeaudio.com/products/meze-e...
Hifiman Ananda: hifiman.com/products/detail/290
Sennheiser HD600: en-us.sennheiser.com/best-aud...
Sennheiser HD660s: en-us.sennheiser.com/hd-660-s
Meze 99 Classic: mezeaudio.com/collections/all...
MrSpeakers Ether C (non flow version) danclarkaudio.com/
(similar to:) drop.com/buy/drop-mrspeakers-...
Meze Rai Penta: mezeaudio.com/collections/all...
Meze Rai Solo: mezeaudio.com/products/rai-solo
ADV. M5-12D: www.adv-sound.com/collections...
Empire Ears ESR: empireears.com/products/esr-b...
Tin Hifi T3: www.linsoul.com/collections/t...
Tin Hifi T2: www.linsoul.com/products/tinh...
Tin Hfi T5: www.linsoul.com/products/tin-...
Moondrop SSR: www.moondroplab.com/ssr
Monoprice Monolith THX AAA 788: www.monoprice.com/product?p_i...
Sony NW-A105: electronics.sony.com/audio/wa...
Sony NW-WM-1a: electronics.sony.com/audio/wa...
Mytek Liberty: mytekdigital.com/hifi/product...
HeadAmp GSX-Mini: www.headamp.com/products/gs-x...
Soekris DAC1421: soekris.modhouseaudio.com/soe...
Tor Audio Roger: toraudio.com/main.html#
Schiit Auido BiFrost 2: schiit.com/products/bi-frost-1
Massdrop THX AAA 789:
drop.com/buy/drop-thx-aaa-789...
Grace Design SDAC-B: drop.com/buy/drop-grace-desig...
Geshelli Labs Enog 2 Pro: geshelli.com/shop/ols/product...
Geshelli Labs J2: geshelli.com/jnog
Geshelli Labs Archel 2: geshelli.com/shop/ols/product...
Geshelli Labs Erish: geshelli.com/shop/ols/product...
Music recommendations:
tidal.com/browse/playlist/5bb... (in order of playlist)
Tingvall Trio “Beat” - piano tonality
Sinne Eeg “We’ve Just Begun” - multiple layer soundstage
Molly Johnson “What a Little Moonlight Can Do” - female vocal tone
Leslie Odom Jr. “Under Pressure” - male vocal tone
Eric Clapton “Change the World” - soundstage, layering and placement
Yo Yo Ma “Ecstasy of Gold” - acoustic instrument timbre
Adam Baldych “Spem in Alium” - acoustic instrument timbre
Pain of Salvation “Stress” - percussion balance
Michael Buble “When I Fall in Love” - orchestral dynamics
Patricia Barber “Code Cool” - sibilance check
Christian Scott “New New Orleans” - shouty upper mids
Tool “Chocolate Chip Trip” - imaging
Hans Zimmer “Why So Serious” - sub bass extension
Marcus Miller “No Limit” - bass control
Dave Holland Quartet “Conference Of The Birds”- bass check
Ilhan Eshkeri “47 Ronin”- orchestra and bass dynamics
Hans Zimmer: “2049” - sub bass extension
Cher: “Believe” - sibilance
Stanley Clarke - “Passenger 57 main title” - percussion, bass, separation and placement
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra - “The Pine of the Appian Way” - soundstage, imaging and separation
Houston Person - “You are my Sunshine” - tone and timbre
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[@jccortez]

Had this amp for two years now and pairing it with RME ADI-2 DAC FS. I don't really have any other headphone amps but I spent probably close to 80 hours reading reviews and researching before I ended up with the Mini. Good to see more positive reviews coming out and liking the Mini.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Yeah I love the GS-X Mini and glad you do as well.

[@michaelskramii2245]

Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough review Dave - and good to see you back :) That ano blue is pretty too.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated. My pleasure, you're welcome for the review.

[@brandonburr4900]

Nice review! Had my eyes on onemof these for a while...with that same exact color and standard volume control. Seems to be a terrific amp from what others have said to. Headamp makes some great amps ! Wish more folks would review this and other headamps. Thank you!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesome amp, highly recommend. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

[@garethevans4125]

Nice review sir! Your comments in the A90 made me chuckle.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoy the reviews.

[@ThayneHardy]

Nice Class A Headphone Amp. The blue matches your Rosson Audio Design RAD-0 headphones and your office. Well done!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks 💯❤️

[@GregoryfromTrier]

Hi Dave. As usual a great review and honest review. The GSX is a fantastic musical amp. I saw the Kennerton Gjallahorn behind you during this review. Will you review it one day?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.. The GS-X Mini ❤️❤️ Yes the Gjallahorn review will be coming.

[@jimmyd7289]

Great review Dave. Love your channel. Just wondering if you could share your thoughts on how the GS-X Mini compares with the Burson Conductor 3X Performance?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Different type of gear as the Burson is a dac/amp combo and the Mini is an amp only and I wasn't able to test the Burson as an amp only. Also I haven't heard the Conductor in quite awhile since the review so I am going off memory. The Burson Conductor 3XP reminds me a lot of the pairing between the GS-X Mini and BiFrost 2 that I talk about in the review. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

[@BigJalapeno]

What a great review! I'd like one of these on metallic green. Have you tried any worthy bass head earphones/headphones recently?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated. Worthy bass earphones or headphones, hmmm. Rosson RAD-0 CTM Da Vinci X Kennerton Gjallahorn Ultrasone Edition 8

[@bretspangler8717]

I have been looking for a headphone amp/preamp and this looks very promising. I am currently using a Ray Samuels Predator DAC/Amp and it just does not fully control my Sundaras, the bass tended to get loose when I turned it up so I tended to turn it down to reduce the distortion, something I have only experienced with the Sundaras. perhaps it is just the headphones. Interested in any light you might be able to shed on my issue. Thanks, new subscriber, enjoyed your review.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I've never heard the Predator and don't know anything about it. The Sundara is a power hungry headphone and can be amp picky. Sounds like it isn't getting powered correctly which is why you're getting distorted bass as the volume increases. The HeadAmp GS-X Mini is an excellent pairing with the Sundara.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Love the purple face plate ..but blue is Sharp! This is something to aim for 👍 Great review 🍻

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Purple is amazing for sure. Yeah the blue matches my office and Rosson RAD-0 perfectly. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@TheHonestAudiophile You’ve been a good companion on those long shifts at work. Btw, I just got the Ikko OH10 this afternoon..without any break in ..OMG. If this is what good IEM’s have to offer ..I’ve been missing great sound all my life 🥲

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@@carminedesanto6746 I'm glad you enjoy the OH10. I'm also glad you enjoy the channel.

[@N3ukenInD3K3uken]

7:42 not an unreasonable nickname all things considered

[@carbon_wavelight]

Great review Dave. I'm torn between this and the Burson Soloist 3XP. Would you say they are very different from each other?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Sorry I haven't heard the Burson Soloist 3XP, I've only heard the Burson Conductor 3XP, Playmate 2, Fun and Funk.

[@ItsXev]

I've tried both! They're honestly both very, very good. You really can't go wrong with either one. I ended up with Soloist mostly for the sake of funds and the Soloist has a bit more "faster/precise" sound to me that I just ended up liking more in the end of the day. It's not far off though. GS-X Mini offers a better overall User Experience, though, with the pre-amp switch, gain switch, and RCA pre-amp outputs. Soloist doesn't have RCA out, only XLR out, and using the digital menu + volume knob + volume knob "push-in button" offers a slightly frustrating experience to change anything with it.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Awesomeness. Thanks for the impressions.

[@aceofspades6667]

keep in mind with the Soloist you need to budget for the supercharger as it greatly improves the treble.. you can also roll op amps to give the amp the flavor you prefer.

[@TheSaassaf]

Hey Thanks for the review What do you think is the best DAC pairing with the gsx mini to maximise their soundstage ?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

The pairing I enjoyed and used daily was with the Mytek Liberty DAC ii

[@TheSaassaf]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Thank you 🙏

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

@TheSaassaf my pleasure, you're welcome

[@jimashby43]

It would match my car, Electric Storm Blue.

[@MohamedSamir-gn3hg]

really want to hear your review about the Beyerdynamic TYGR 300R!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

If a TYGR 300r is sent in to the channel, I will gladly review it.

[@timh4255]

I have a topping a90 and I completely agree with your opinion of it, it is very disappointing. Not engaging at all, very flat, no impact when you need it. Its OK with some electronic music I think though. This gsx mini seems to be more what I'm looking for. Do you not have a denifrips Aries 2 yet? If you have one by now did you try it with the gsx mini? Good review man, very thorough.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

HeadAmp GS-X Mini is a great amplifier that puts the A90 to shame. Haven't heard the Denafrips as of yet .

[@herseyberry4655]

It a beauty but out my range unless I rob a bank. On day I swore that in the 80's I would get high end stuff. Been rocking low tier gear since and impressed with what I had and have today. I just need that xduoo balanced 232.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I am glad you have found your happiness in your budget. Sonic bliss is all that matters, no matter the price point.

[@Oneminde]

I'm trying to figure out the tube amp I see in the background. What is that ?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Tor Audio Roger toraudio.com/main.html?v=64# Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sH-XhoJ8fNqLf68

[@brianthomas3354]

Couldn't tell, and not sure if you mentioned it, but did you get the satin blue or polished blue?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Mine is the satin blue 💙

[@brianthomas3354]

@@TheHonestAudiophile Thank you 👍🏻

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

My pleasure, you're welcome.

[@ChildrenOfDesire]

How do you feel the iFi Pro iCan compares to this amp?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Here is a link to my Pro iCan Signature review, comparison to GS-X Mini @ 17:17: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4nQioCNps6rpsk I don't recall enough about the original as I haven't heard it since the review to do a comparison. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHqVlXenmZyniKc

[@chronometa]

They jumped that price up quite a bit

[@farhanakhtar8252]

Could you review the Singxer Sa 1? Great videos btw!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I'll try! If a Singxer SA1 is sent in for review I will gladly give it a listen and a review. Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

[@mr.dynamite2543]

Anybody get popping sounds through their headphones when powering up or down?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I had no such issues.

[@pietossing]

Measurements say the SE is kinda bad. Are you using this balanced?

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I use it both balanced and single-ended and have no complaints. Measurements don't tell the entire story. My ears are the final judge for me.

[@dododale-ni7bf]

Questyle cma800I will eat that x-mini for breakfast in 2 minutes!!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

I've not heard the Cma800i. I hope to at some point. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@pietossing]

update the discord invite please. fix it to never expire. need a new one to join. thanks!

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Sorry Discord has been discontinued.

[@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.

[@TheHonestAudiophile]

Haven't heard the SA-1. Look forward to hearing your impressions.

[@xray111xxx]

Let's see this is a most capable amplifier. At almost $1800.00 it better be. The build is terrific fully balanced and a nice power supply and so on. Sure would love one. It isn't for me. Just the Topping a90 is not for me either. Been doing this forever like over 50 years. I love and hate high end because it is a club many times for the chosen few, not necessarily my friends or family or me. I am a patient plodding person. I love the high performing bargains. This isn't one of them. If you have means, and this fits your system and use case. Buy it already and enjoy. I agree that the 789 is clinical and sterile. The a90 very matter of factual, got that. Many are still buying them. If they are part of the hype machine that are driven here on the `Tube from other reviewers or you. Cool. Hopefully the viewer here is intelligent and honest enough to know what they really want and not just coming here or other channels and pull the trigger. High End audio is an addiction and the rabbit hole only gets deeper. So keep it real, keep it honest. If you think you want this amplifier and this review helps you awesome! If not, just keep looking. There are many options out there. Schiit, JDS labs, Topping, SMSL, Soncoz, Burson, and a bunch more. This isn't the holy grail of headphone amplifiers for everyone. Guess what? That's okay. Buy what You want, not what someone tells you is what you want. Yes nice review. Just making reality flow here.