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Front view of HeadAmp GS-X mk2 Balanced Headphone Amplifier / Pre-Amplifier with knobs and input ports on white background

HeadAmp GS-X mk2 Balanced Headphone Amplifier / Pre-Amplifier

$2,995.00

Factory B-Stock items undergo the same rigorous testing as all our premium HeadAmp amplifiers. B-Stock items may feature discontinued colors or minor cosmetic blemishes that do not compromise the exceptional quality and performance of the amps!

The GS-X Mk2 is HeadAmp's flagship amplifier for dynamic and planar magnetic headphones. Used by numerous high-end headphone manufacturers in their development labs, this headphone amplifier that gets the clearest sound possible from your cans.

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Our Take

The GS-X Mk2 delivers the quickest, cleanest, most transparent sound you will find in a headphone amplifier, and does so regardless of the headphones you pair with it. You'll simply hear the character of the headphones themselves, and the connected source, as the GS-X does its' part to supply all the power your headphones need, without coloring the sound.

Across the Board Performance

The GS-X is carefully designed to provide the same level of experience whether listening with high sensitivity, multi-driver in-ear monitors, low-impedance current-hungry planar magnetic headphones, or low-efficiency, high-impedance headphones. The combination of extra low-noise transistors, careful part matching, and an adaptable gain setting work together to give your entire collection of headphones just what they demand.

With a circuit that has evolved and matured over a 15-year period, the GS-X Mk2 is the most powerful, linear, and transparent amplifier that we have ever produced. Pushing up to 6W of class-A power into balanced headphones, the GS-X Mk2 can tame the toughest headphone loads on the market, while its low-noise circuitry delivers an equally brilliant performance with sensitive in-ear monitors.

Only the Highest Quality

The GS-X Mk2 is a carefully handcrafted piece of audio equipment, with painstakingly matched components, and the highest standards for build quality in the business. Every GS-X Mk2 is tested extensively throughout the build process, as well as before, and after an extensive burn-in process to ensure the best possible performance.

More Than a Headphone Amp

In addition, the GS-X Mk2 makes a fine preamp for your stereo speaker system. With its high input impedance, low output impedance, multiple I/O options, 3-way gain control, and precise volume control, the GS-X Mk2 can fit into almost any stereo rig, and provide the same wonderfully transparent sound output that it does with headphones.

Features

• Balanced 4-pin XLR Output

• 2x SE 1/4" Headphone Outputs

• Low, Medium & Hight Gain Options

• Input Selector Switch

• 2 pair Single Ended RCA Input

• 1 pair Balanced 3-pin XLR Input

• 1x stereo pair RCA Active Pre-Amp Outputs

• 1x stereo pair XLR Active Pre-Amp Outputs

• 1x stereo pair RCA Loop Outputs

• 1x stereo pair XLR Loop Outputs

3 Year Warranty on all Parts and Labor


Technical Specs

Output Voltage
+/-20V Dual Mono

THD
0.003% / 1KHz

Power Output (HP/Balanced):
8W/25-ohm, 6W/50-ohm, 3W/100-ohm

Operating Voltage
115/120VAC

Power Consumption
40W

Dimensions/Weight
Amp: 14.5x9x2.5”, 5lb
Power Supply: 14.5x9x2.5”, 7lb

Overall rating: 4.962963 / 5 from 27 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The HeadAmp GS-X mk2 Balanced Headphone Amplifier offers exceptional sound quality, praised for its clarity and transparency. It is meticulously crafted with high-quality components and provides powerful, low-noise performance suitable for various headphone types. Additionally, it functions as a versatile preamp for stereo systems.

Summary topics

  • Sound Quality: 27%
  • GS-X Mk2 Performance: 16%

Review topics: [].

Review highlights

  • "I'm extremely satisfied with my GS-X Mk2, the Amp delivers unprecedented clarity, power and very dynamic sound."Dmitrij
  • "I haven't experienced a better headphone sound, its true pleasure and fun to listen with it."Dmitrij
  • "The GS-X mk2 presents music extremely clearly and analytically."Shagatron

Reviews

GS-X Mk2 brings my cans to life

"I love the GS-X Mk2. I was looking for a level of clarity, transparency, definition, detail, and punch which would work well for my big Audeze LCD XC which have current hungry big drivers and my Final A8000 IEMs which have intense clarity via their tiny beryllium drivers. The results are staggering, The detail is so precise and the weight and life are now embedded in the Audeze which were lagging with other less current friendly amps. The dynamic range is staggering - from the detail and delicacy to the slam and weight. The GS-X Mk2 are just brilliant."

Charles R. (5/5)

Class A Classic

"Lovely detail, class A sound, excellent build quality. Works nicely as a preamp as well. Very happy upgrade from my previous purchases."

Mark R. (5/5)

Amazing HPA for Classical Music

"I was able to pick up this puppy at a discount for being B-stock, and it looks and functions as good as any new amp I ever used. Transparency as far as recording quality, power cable selection, and headphone used. Dynamic range on classical music is outstanding. Absolutely no noise -- I put in a CD to play, hit pause, adjusted to the highest gain setting and full volume and heard nothing thru the headphones. I am using a modified AKG K501 headphone (Moon Audio blue dragon hard-wire dual-differential cables to replace original 3. 5mm single ended), and the tonality in this combination is amazing. Information I found online about this headphone state that it is very hard to drive, but the GS-X mk2 on the lowest gain setting maxes out volume for my ears at only 12 o'clock on the stepped attenuator. Just started using a HiFiMan Edition XS as a first foray into planar magnetic headphones, and am still only using the lowest gain setting just a few clicks higher volume than the AKGs. I had originally gone with a B-stock GS-X mini, but after a week saw that I could upgrade to the GS-X mk2 for only about $500 more. Thanks to Justin for accommodating my exchange."

Lawrence (5/5)

GS-X mk2

"The is by far the best headphone amplifier I have ever heard. It is the most neutral, transparent and resolute of any I have had experience with. It makes even my modest priced headphones better and my best soar to new heights. I highly recommend this amplifier to anyone looking for the possible performance."

Art G. (5/5)

Needs a balance control

"II love these products--all of them--and the best sound I ever heard on HPs was the original STAX 009 on the Blue Hawaii. Having said that, I will not spend thousands of dollars on ANY amp that cannot provide either a balance control or dual volumes. I think that consumers have a right to expect this. The later AHC of TAS expressed similar feelings."

Jeffrey T. (4/5)

Uk Buyer GSX-Mk 2

"I live in the UK and have long followed the Audiophile scene in the USA and occasionally bought the odd cable but never been brave enough to delve into the hardware market. However, I read the reviews about HeadAmp’s GSX-Mk2 headphone amplifier and I made the decision to up my stress levels and send for one to partner a Chord Dave and Focal Utopias. What followed was a seamless process that was straight forward and stress free. I contacted Justin who customised the amp for use with UK 240 volts supply and helped me with shipping options. From HeadAmp departure in the USA to receiving the GSX-Mk2 at home took 4 days and that included being informed about, and paying, custom taxes and duties. Box and product arrived in pristine condition and once a UK PS Audio IEC power cable had been delivered the GSX-Mk 2 was connected and up and running. Focal Headphones in place I test for that clean, detailed and transparent sound I have been searching for. First up were the, I Heard it Through the Grapevine and Acoustic Revenge tracks from Antonio Forcione Live cd, followed by the Touch Wood High Res download by the same artist. These are followed by a Rosenberg Trio playlist and then Jorma Kaukonen’s Come Back Baby from Stars in My Crown which in its own right is a great recording but the GSX-Mk2 provides all the cleanliness and detail that I am looking for. I have over the years owned a number of Chord products and as much as I like their DACs I have never been a fan of their amplifiers as for my taste in music, they lack both warmth and liveliness when you want to up the tempo. To test the warmth and musicality I play some tracks from the Hans Theessink and Terry Evans True Blue cd and a playlist of some Boz Scaggs from his Out of the Blues, Dig and Boz Scaggs albums as well as some Jason Eady (all streamed from a Nas). I love the harmonies and that all embracing sound that draws you into the music. The HeadAmp has me convinced. Finally, I go back to my jazz and blues musical roots that enable me to see if the HeadAmp can drive music as the studio or live recordings intended. I play some Duke Ellington Back to Back quickly followed by an Allman Brothers Band mix, some tracks from a Marshall Tucker Band playlist followed by Joe Bonamassa Blue Deluxe high res as well as an Eric Clapton Live Blues playlist. What do I think? Well I struggle with cliché’s and I am not renowned for waxing lyrical about equipment but the HeadAmp GSX-Mk2 has added that icing on my headphone nirvana cake. I couldn’t be happier with the sound and above all I cannot thank Justin and the staff at HeadAmp for all their help and support. Come on UK audiophiles. Take a step in the USA Hi-Fi waters!!!!!"

Ian D. (5/5)

Joyful!

"So musical. Drives my Abyss Diana DZ's effortlessly and has both warmth and detail. Customer service was also first class! Thoroughly recommended!"

Paul C. (5/5)

Loads of clean power

"I bought this amp to drive my Empyrean II & HE1000 Stealth 'phones, and I couldn't be happier with it. So clean and neutral and so. much. power. I use the high gain setting, but it's not necessary, plenty for tracks with slamming bass even on medium. Plus it's beautiful to look at. Heed the advice (rather than the pics on the site) and don't stack the components or you'll get a (barely audible) hum on high gain. It's not there at all if they're side-by-side or on separate shelves like in the pic. Better heat dissipation too."

Steven F. (5/5)

Gsx Mk2

"This amp produce clean and enjoyable sound. This is the best solid state amp for my Lcd-4 what i have heard. It doesn't sound cold or sterile, only with little warmth and good control. The bass is tight with good amount of mass. I highly recommend this amp for Audeze headphones."

Esa O. (5/5)

Awesome Sound with All Headphones

"The new GS-X mk2 is an awesome sounding headphone amp! This is my first all solid state amp. I own the Eddie Current Aficionado and McIntosh MHA200 tube amps, and Cary HH1 hybrid. I’ve listened to my HiFiMan HE1000 v2, Audeze LCD-5, and Grado PS2000e (Kimber Kable Axios balanced cabled) and they all sound amazing with Tidal streamed music on my Aurender A30 or CD’s with my McIntosh MCD600. I thought the amp would be harsh with the PS2000 but it was incredible; even more revealing. I could even hear things on Tidal MQA R.E.M. albums I didn’t hear before, including Michael Stipes lyrics! They deliver the power to make my ZMF Atrium LTD Koa and Aeolus sing. All these headphones have balanced cables to get that 6W of class A juice. Highly recommended."

Michael K. (5/5)

Q&A

Hi, is the GSX MkII available with 220-230 operating voltage? Thanks
Yes it is

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