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winterfog
31
Dec 8, 2017
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Received mine earlier this week. Great sound, very pleased so far. Very similar to my original Gilmore Lite, with four major noticeable improvements so far, in order of importance: (1) A different, rounder, arguably more natural-sounding tone. The original Gilmore Lite had (to some ears) a kind of sharp or emphasized treble, and that is completely gone in the mk2. I think some people will appreciate this change, but it does make it somewhat difficult to compare the sound of the original GL and the mk2 in other respects. I need to do a lot more serious listening, and probably burn-in/warm-up, before I have more to say on the sound. (2) A somewhat more powerful output stage, though there wasn't really any problem with the original to begin with. For reference, comfortable listening had the volume pot at around 10:00 with my HD600 on the mk2 instead of around 11:30 on the original GL. I think on my LCD-2 I maybe turned it up to 1:00 at the most. So there's plenty of headroom on my most-used phones. (3) A much nicer, super-smooth volume pot and knob with perfect channel matching throughout its range. In contrast, the original GL had a little grit and some noticeable unevenness at very low volume levels. (4) A nicer feeling and larger case with nice sticky-rubber feet that is much less apt to slide across your desk. Weight is approximately the same. Linear power supply is the same size and specs.
I will post some comparison pictures later, and possibly more sound impressions if I am satisfied that I've come to any conclusions.
Dec 8, 2017
Huxleigh
84
Jan 20, 2018
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winterfogReceived my own Gilmore Lite mk2 earlier this week, and my early impressions jive with yours. I'm particularly enjoying it with the TH-X00 Ebony, perhaps on account of that headphone's lower impedance taking better advantage of the available output power. The amp's a solid enough performer with the Sennheiser HD 600, although my modded HD 650 sounds just a bit flabby in the lows. However, the HD 650's upper midrange comes off smoother than the HD 600's more forward bite. And while I haven't done much listening yet with the HD 800 SDR, the potentially problematic mid-treble region was inoffensive enough on cursory inspection.
Thus far, this seems like quite a good headphone amp. Especially at the Massdrop rate, modest as the discount is.
Jan 20, 2018
Deutsche78704
23
Mar 20, 2018
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winterfogI'm debating between this amp and the Lyr3. Can you tell me more of your impressions? I'm going to use it to power the Mrspeakers Aeon open.
Mar 20, 2018
Huxleigh
84
Mar 20, 2018
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Deutsche78704Two very, very different amplifiers. I haven't heard a Lyr 3 yet (which only just debuted at the time of this writing) and I don't expect that too many other people have either.
That said, if the Lyr 3 lives up to its billing as an improved version of the Vali 2, then I'd probably have that over the GLite mk2. Though I enjoyed my time with it, the GLite just didn't have enough grunt in the lows for my taste. I'd venture that may have something to do with the power supply, but that's pure speculation.
It is rumored that HeadAmp may introduce a power supply in a separate chassis for use with the GLite mk2. Something to consider. But HeadAmp's product development cycles are quite lengthy, if the past is any guide.
Mar 20, 2018
JustinWilson
134
HeadAmp
Mar 20, 2018
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HuxleighWe will, later this year. Can add it later. BTW, MrSpeakers has the Gilmore Lite mk2 as well
Mar 20, 2018
Huxleigh
84
Mar 20, 2018
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JustinWilsonCool, thanks for the update! It's good information for prospective buyers to be aware of.
Mar 20, 2018
Deutsche78704
23
May 4, 2018
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HuxleighI've had this amp for a couple of months now and I find it resolving, very refined, and actually maybe a hair warm. It's an excellent match for my Aeon Flow Open and Bifrost Multibit Dac. It's heads and shoulders above the Jotunheim in every way. If someone said this amp costs 2x the price I wouldn't bat an eye.
May 4, 2018
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