. I too, feed the GSX Mk2 via an R2R DAC, the Aqua La Voce S2. Sounds fabulous together! As it is often stated in this forum, the GSX Mk2 is a very revealing amp as I do hear differences between the various file formats I am listening to. It occurred to me that particularly AIFF files tend to be glaringly bright. I don't know if it is a feature of my Aurender N100H streamer, or DAC, that has a problem with AIFF files. The best sounding file format so far, although I have only a few, is the wav format that tends to be reproduced just about right. FLAC files sound a bit veiled in the highs. But, my GSX Mk2 reveals the difference with ease!Can't go wrong with this pairing too me. No harshness at all.
)
Yeah, somehow it just wasn't the time for R2R DACS! I wonder how many potential GS-X Mk2 buyers he scared away with his review. It occurred to me that Tyll tends to easily criticise 'treble' issues. Maybe he just has exceptionally sensitive ears for the treble range. I wished I had this
That's the thing with such a revealing amplifier as the GS-X Mk2, it will let you hear your DAC like no other amplifier I've come across. I would recommend a DAC with balanced outputs as the GS-X Mk2 is a fully balanced amplifier and requires both balanced inputs and outputs to run balanced and allow you to access all of the power of the amplifier. I might add the Benchmark DAC3 HGC and Chord Hugo TT into the mix as it was also quite excellent. I'm currently using the Chord DAVE and when I need some extra juice for say the LCD-4 or Abyss-Phi headphones, the GS-X MK2/DAVE combo is quite spectacular!
That's a bit too much of a generalization in my opinion. The older 9018 Sabre chipsets did suffer from this treble issue caused by the overs not being properly taken care of by the rest of the circuitry. Not so much Sabre's problem, but rather the DAC designer's issue. There were some very well implemented 9018 chipsets. Thankfully the newer 9028/9038 generations take care of this within the DAC chip itself and has made the DAC designer's job easier in this regard.
You've made some excellent recommendations on DACs and I pretty much agree with all of them.
That's a bit too much of a generalization in my opinion. The older 9018 Sabre chipsets did suffer from this treble issue caused by the overs not being properly taken care of by the rest of the circuitry. Not so much Sabre's problem, but rather the DAC designer's issue. There were some very well implemented 9018 chipsets. Thankfully the newer 9028/9038 generations take care of this within the DAC chip itself and has made the DAC designer's job easier in this regard.
You've made some excellent recommendations on DACs and I pretty much agree with all of them.
I have had this exact setup at one point in time. When the new Benchmark DAC3 was first released I took them up on their 30-day trial period. It was a VERY good DAC and even had a pretty good amplifier section too (DAC3 HGC model). However, I felt the DAC3 HGC amplifier section was bested by the performance of the Headamp GS-X mk2/ (Yes, I was using Audeze LCD-3 phones)
^^^ this ^^^^
It's been a while since writing that review - December 2016. I don't recall ever characterizing its as "bright". Again, going from memory - I would perhaps characterize the DAC3 / GS-X combo as somewhat analytical. I think that's why I found the NOS Holo Spring to be a preferential pairing with the GS-X.
