I see during several of the FET-A reviews the Gilmore Lite/GS-1 were understandably brought up as natural competitors, but as reviewers didn't have the HeadAmps on hand at the time, I wondered in the last few months if anyone has had a chance to A/B (especially with Senns)?

Okay, let me switch the question - I see Todds photo of the FET-A has the HD800s propped on top. Anyone get a chance to listen to them on the FET-A at CJ? Todds floor HD800 was balanced, but there were others floating around or perhaps he had a SE adapter? Thinking of a small Duet/FETA rig for transportable duties, but still considering the HeadAmps.

Todd had 2 pairs of HD800s, I balanced one but the other one stayed single-ended for the duration of the meet.

Ah cool. Didn't realize. Maybe increases the odds.

I'm curious about this myself. I had been looking at the GS-1 as my next likely upgrade from my current GLite (I had Asr's for a while and really liked the sound), but people seem to be saying very good things about the FET-A, and its smaller size would be an advantage for me.

I realize this isn't of any use as a comparison, but I'm happy to testify that the GS-1 is doing a fine job driving my HD800s right now. Will say this, with such a neutral headphone off such a neutral amp, good recordings sound wonderful but crappy ones are pretty much unlistenable. Anything with a hint of "sizzle", in particular, is quite painfully well-portrayed.

I have heard an older Gilmore G22/22 next to a FET-A at a mini-meet at davederek's (head-fi handle) house and someone else whose name I forgot.

For point of reference, the source for the dynamics was the Musical Fidelity A5 which has never let me down at mini-meets at Dave's house.

The overall sound of wire with gain was running full tilt with the Gilmore, dunno what else to say about it that hasn

I'd throw a MisterX built CKKIII in the mix.

What about an M^3 w/ S11?

I haven't heard much about the CKKIII. I can't work out exactly where it's aimed in the market. < a B22?

Its slightly worse then a M3, if that helps

I spoke with Marshall awhile back when I was considering getting a CKKIII from him and he told me that he preferred the sound of the CKKIII even though he received far more orders for M^3s. I would imagine, like most things in this hobby, it's a matter of preference.

The ever kind Voltron has lent me his FET-A for a few days. The dimensions come close to the Duet, which may make a very convenient transportable combo. And possibly superior price-performance (for phone use) to various one-box solutions (Benchmark, Grace, Lavry), while admittedly losing a lot of functionality. It seems fewer use one-box setups than once did, however some over in the HF HD800 thread (well, last I checked) still seem to be aiming for one.

Anyway, will see over next few days on the SQ and synergy fronts.

I thought the FET-A sounded pretty good with the HF-2 in the TTVJ room, but I didn't bother to try it with the HD800. Sorry.

I spoke with Marshall awhile back when I was considering getting a CKKIII from him and he told me that he preferred the sound of the CKKIII even though he received far more orders for M^3s. I would imagine, like most things in this hobby, it's a matter of preference.

I personally feel that the m3 works well with every headphone but it is not the case with the ckkiii.

Which headphones did you feel do not work with the ckkiii?

When I had my grado 225s, I thought the CKK was not a good match with them.

OP might be okay if he doesnt own those headphones then

Thats true

I liked the CKK with the 580s and 600s, but I dont know how that would translate to how the 800s would sound with it, and the HF-2s seem to be different sounding from the other john grados, so theres that

I got a chance to try to absorbine_sr's FET-A(forgot source) vs. morphsci's GS-X (with 840C) a few months ago oddly enough with single ended K340s. I preferred the FET-A sound sig but GS-X was technically much better. GS-X had better imaging and more extended highs. FET-A was tubey with rolled off highs. If I were to choose between the two, I'd pick the FET-A but that's a personal preference.

I would imagine that the GS-1 would have similar performance as the SE output of the GS-X. I would also guess that the difference would have been more subtle with easier to drive phones. You might want to ask Jim. He might have been able to A/B them.

Dredging up this old thread in hopes someone might have heard the FET-A with either the HE-5's or AD2000s and may be able to offer some comparison to the GS-1. IIRC Asr was able to but his FET-A was having noise issues? I have a 2ch b22 and a Pico DAC if it helps in making a comparison.