[Jens]

Although my GK-1R is not quite finished as far as the enclosure goes (the guy who is going to make the front and rear panels is coming around today), it is now beginning to break in beautifully.

This baby does something very special: It brings back life into the music!

I had a very special experience yesterday. I had put on a remastered edition of Mike Oldfield's 'Platinum' (CD), which I played a few weeks ago using my old preamp. At that time I was thinking that this was an OK recording, but at the same time that it was a bit dull.

Not so with the GK-1R in the system! Everything sprang into life, the layers in the recording became quite clear, and the sound was ever so sweet - what a top end!

I then proceeded to play several other recordings. The liveliness of the GK-1R is not fake or artificial. If you take a really dull recording, it will still be dull, but other really good recordings that I played sounded great, sometimes with almost explosive dynamics.  

Sorry about the rant, but I couldn't help sharing this with you.  

I can hardly wait to get my GK-1R properly broken in (I think this will probably take a week or two more)  

(I still a minor issue with some slight hum/snarl, but as always Hugh has been ever so helpful, and I have a few things that I need to try out over the weekend).

But Hugh - this is a world class product  

Cheers,

[AKSA]

Thank you Jens,

High praise indeed, gratefully acknowledged, though I must give strong credit to Darl Singh, who did all the listening tests and built the original prototype as I muttered incoherently to him about schematics on the 'net phone.

Now, how's that hum?

Cheers,

Hugh

[Jens]

Thank you Jens,

High praise indeed, gratefully acknowledged, though I must give strong credit to Darl Singh, who did all the listening tests and built the original prototype as I muttered incoherently to him about schematics on the 'net phone.

Now, how's that hum?

Cheers,

Hugh

The praise is well earned - and credits are certainly extended to Darl as well (are you there, Darl?). The only thing I can put a finger on (after extended listening) is a tendency towards massiveness in the upper bass (using the SS output for the bass system). I am thinking that this may get ironed out as the GK-1R gets even more broken in.

Hum's still alive and kicking.

However, since I'm having some redecoration done in my listening room (our sitting-room) at the beginning of next week, I have to take the system apart anyway - as it has to moved a few metres to make room for the builder - this is a good opportunity to start from scratch to see if I can pinpoint the source. I will probably start doing this today.

I going to try and short the ground lift resistor as you suggested, but apart from that I have a few other tricks up my sleeve.

Will keep you posted.

Incidentally, I ordered the 10 mm alu front panel a couple of days ago along with a beautifully made volume control knob. More later.

Cheers,