justin Posted May 19, 2006 Report Posted May 19, 2006 New amplification modules from HeadAmp are coming soon. What I expect will be the final prototypes should be ready in a few weeks. At that time, I'd like to have a limited beta program to allow current GS-1 owners to try the new modules in their own system. If you own a GS-1 and are interested, post here or email me at [email protected]. I will update this post later with a detailed FAQ about the modules. Thanks, Justin
Guest sacd lover Posted May 19, 2006 Report Posted May 19, 2006 Yoo hoo ... I am interested. Will you do my GS-1 please, pretty please.
akwok Posted May 19, 2006 Report Posted May 19, 2006 What's in these modules? Any specifics? How will it sound compared to the current Gilmore modules in the GS-1?
n_maher Posted May 19, 2006 Report Posted May 19, 2006 What's in these modules? Any specifics? How will it sound compared to the current Gilmore modules in the GS-1? I will update this post later with a detailed FAQ about the modules.
akwok Posted May 19, 2006 Report Posted May 19, 2006 Just want to verify that it gets answered in the FAQ,
Post Posted May 19, 2006 Report Posted May 19, 2006 If there's any plans for the new AE-1 module, consider me for a beta too!
justin Posted May 20, 2006 Author Report Posted May 20, 2006 To answer Akwok's questions... What's in these modules? Any specifics? This is an all-new module designed in-house. It will be the first non-Gilmore amplification circuitry I have offered in a home amp. It is a 100% discrete design, real Class A circuit. The output consists of a pair of Hitachi MOSFETs designed for audio -- good for a substantial couple of watts in this circuit. How will it sound compared to the current Gilmore modules in the GS-1? If I had a marketing guy, he'd probably be telling me to say that there is "no comparison" between my new modules and the Gilmore circuit or to throw out some juicy words that audiophiles will eat up. I'm not going to do that. I've done plenty of comparisons between my module design and other designs to know that I have created a very solid product. Out of respect for Kevin's work, that's about as far as I will go here. The reality is, if you've ever tried an A/B switch test between two amplifiers and you couldn't tell the difference, the same will probably hold true with my new design. An exception is with the AKG K1000, where there is a very noticeable difference in the A/B test especially in bass response - the power output of the new module is definitely needed here. I am far from owning every headphone in the world, so there are likely other similar differences waiting to be heard. It's important to me to continue offering discrete designs, which I feel separate my products from most of the others on the market. It also gives me the peace of mind to know I've done all I can to create the best sounding amp within my abilities.
ojnihs Posted May 20, 2006 Report Posted May 20, 2006 Sound great, thanks Justin. I'm looking into buying a GS-1 sometime soon, so I'll be in touch. Nice avatar, it's cute.
TheSloth Posted May 20, 2006 Report Posted May 20, 2006 Are you planning to take this design into your Gilmore Lite (which I assume would no longer be a 'Gilmore' anything)? What do you plan to charge for these new modules, and are they user changeable? Are they your personal design, or do you have a design team, or are they based on previous designs, such as your Gilmore Dynamic implimentation? Always been curious about your amps.
justin Posted May 20, 2006 Author Report Posted May 20, 2006 Sloth, Are you planning to take this design into your Gilmore Lite (which I assume would no longer be a 'Gilmore' anything)? The Gilmore Lite will still be for sale, as is. However, when the time comes, I will design a new home amp at that price point to replace the Gilmore Lite. I don't know at this time whether that amp would be based on the new module design, or another new circuit. But it would absolutely be based on one of my own designs. What do you plan to charge for these new modules, and are they user changeable? I will likely charge something like $199 for the GS-1 and $299 for the GS-X (which requires twice as many modules), but this is not definite. They will become standard on the new amps. They can be changed easily. The module boards are socketed and also secured by 2 small phillips-head screws. Are they your personal design, or do you have a design team, or are they based on previous designs, such as your Gilmore Dynamic implimentation? This is my personal design and HeadAmp is a one-man shop. The design is based on previous experiences and knowledge, other designs through research, and what I have learned during the design process. Work on the new module design began last November.
Tyll Hertsens Posted May 21, 2006 Report Posted May 21, 2006 Nice to see you in a post, Justin. Congets on the new amp design, I look forward to hearing it at a meet somewhere along the line. If you don't mind me asking a question: What are the power supply rail voltages you are running?
justin Posted May 22, 2006 Author Report Posted May 22, 2006 Nice to see you in a post, Justin. Congets on the new amp design, I look forward to hearing it at a meet somewhere along the line. If you don't mind me asking a question: What are the power supply rail voltages you are running? The amplifiers have already been built for +/- 16.4V, so the modules are designed around these voltages.
Ben Gramain Posted May 22, 2006 Report Posted May 22, 2006 Would it be possible to order the GS-X with the Gilmore and the new modules?
justin Posted May 22, 2006 Author Report Posted May 22, 2006 Would it be possible to order the GS-X with the Gilmore and the new modules? Ben, It would depend on whether or not I still have Gilmore module boards left when the new modules are ready. I don't intend to offer both...so..."while supplies last"
boodi Posted May 22, 2006 Report Posted May 22, 2006 justin is the new modules' Gs-x ( balanced ) going to cost same as the Gs-x that's on sale now
justin Posted May 23, 2006 Author Report Posted May 23, 2006 justin is the new modules' Gs-x ( balanced ) going to cost same as the Gs-x that's on sale now boodi, I will not be increasing the price of the GS-1 or GS-X, or any amp that uses the modules. I will say though that each of these modules costs at least 3x as much to build, not including any of the R&D costs which have included 4 prototype runs and a lot of work.
Salt Peanuts Posted May 25, 2006 Report Posted May 25, 2006 Woohoo! I've been looking forward to this! I'll be impatiently waiting for their release so I can try them out with my K1000's.
elnero Posted May 26, 2006 Report Posted May 26, 2006 I mentioned it before but I'll post here and send you an email as well, I'm definately interested in beta testing the new modules.
bhd812 Posted May 27, 2006 Report Posted May 27, 2006 Justin put me down for some of the gilmore Modules before you run dry..I will pay the cost also. can you compare (with respect to both of course..) the highs or the overall sound between the two? what were you aiming for as far as sonics off headamp's modules that would differ from the gilmore sound? mosfets? are those the thingys used in the m3 design?...dumb question I know but I firgure I ask..to lazy to look it up..lol have you done any pre amp listening with the new modules or just all headphone use when designing them? thanx...
909 Posted May 28, 2006 Report Posted May 28, 2006 Billy I thought for some reason you sold your GS-X? Justin I look forward to hearing these new modules at the So. Cal Meet in August.
boodi Posted May 29, 2006 Report Posted May 29, 2006 Justin put me down for some of the gilmore Modules before you run dry..I will pay the cost also. can you compare (with respect to both of course..) the highs or the overall sound between the two? what were you aiming for as far as sonics off headamp's modules that would differ from the gilmore sound? I'm very interested too on your own opinion ( differences between the two ) Justin . Thanks .
TheSloth Posted July 13, 2006 Report Posted July 13, 2006 Did anyone receive any modules yet? When are they supposed to be shipping?
Guest sacd lover Posted July 13, 2006 Report Posted July 13, 2006 Did anyone receive any modules yet? When are they supposed to be shipping? I talked to Justin yesterday and the modules are still weeks away from completion.
justin Posted August 3, 2006 Author Report Posted August 3, 2006 Here are some early RMAA test results from the current round of prototype modules. The results so far are excellent -- only 0.0014% THD with a tough 10 ohm load, the baseline for the soundcard is 0.0007% THD. This test is done in HIGH GAIN (8.5x or 18.5dB) A couple things about these results: you will see the volume level is about 0.2dB higher in one channel, that is due to normal (actually better than average) volume control mismatch. Had I done this test with a stepped attenuator it would be exactly even. The stereo crosstalk rises at high frequency, however still inaudible, this is also due to the volume control. The high frequency roll off in the graph also only exists in the test setup, it is flat to about 500KHz unless I decide to bring it down some. The noise level graph is also not very meaningful as it is limited by the sound card, and it shows only 3dB of noise is introduced over the source signal at high gain of 18.5dB. This amp passes my test of using an ultra-sensitive IEM (Shure E3) and listening for any hiss at the high gain setting. You can tell there is a difference flipping the power switch on and off but if I didn't tell you the amp was on you would say there is no noise coming through the IEMs. My goal was to have a noise floor as quiet as the Gilmore design, and that is the case. I would be very surprised if a quieter amp exists. With a AKG K701 load, much easier than a 10 ohm load, the distortion is not measurable with my test setup. There is no difference in the results between no load and an AKG K701 load. The module has also been designed to be unity gain stable. http://www.headamp.com/10_ohm_high_gain.htm 10 ohm load, high gain http://www.headamp.com/no_load_high_gain.htm no load, high gain
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