blessingx Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 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)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessingx Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Todd had 2 pairs of HD800s, I balanced one but the other one stayed single-ended for the duration of the meet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessingx Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Ah cool. Didn't realize. Maybe increases the odds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
episiarch Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikongod Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarium Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I'd throw a MisterX built CKKIII in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penger Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 What about an M^3 w/ S11? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSloth Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I haven't heard much about the CKKIII. I can't work out exactly where it's aimed in the market. < a B22? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Its slightly worse then a M3, if that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCool Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blessingx Posted June 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadphoneAddict Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarium Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Which headphones did you feel do not work with the ckkiii? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 When I had my grado 225s, I thought the CKK was not a good match with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icarium Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 OP might be okay if he doesnt own those headphones then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinp6301 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falkon Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penger Posted March 22, 2010 Report Share Posted March 22, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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