GK1 vs others

jake3 · « **on:** 29 Mar 2004, 11:43 pm »

How does the GK1 compare to other more expensive preamps? I have just auditioned a Conrad Johnson PV10B and found it to be very muddy/sloppy in the bass, with rolled off highs, although the midrange was nice. It was only a day old, but still it sounded pretty ordinary. What can I expect from a GK1? Do valve preamps need time to run in or is this just the base model CJ so I shouldnt expect too much?

System
ME 550 II, Audiovector M3 AG, Denon DVD2900, Denon AVR3300, Nordost Blue Heaven, Tara Labs interconnects.

DSK · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 03:44 am »

Jake,
Only your ears can tell you whether it is better than more expensive pre-amps TO YOU.

It replaced my US$3500 BAT VK-30 (with NOS tubes) and was better by a very wide margin. The BAT sounded slow, dark, undynamic, undetailed and very veiled in comparison. Although relying on some memory here, it also clearly bested other pre-amps I've auditioned including, Audible Illusions M3A, Electrocompaniet, GTA SEP1, Acurus, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Perreaux etc.... and that was with the stock tubes and stock cermet pot in the GK-1 (later replaced with TKD's best attenuator and Siemens gold pin 7308's) and without any BlackGates, Rikenohms etc etc (that I still haven't got around to doing).

Darl, who voiced the GK1 with Hugh, found it superior to a number of expensive pre-amps including ML's and others. In older threads, comments have been made by others who preferred the GK1 to Bottlehead Foreplays, Audio Research REF 1's etc. Not bad considering the Ref 1's were US$8k+.

I doubt you would find a better sounding pre-amp anywhere for the price, and even spending up to US$10k would not assure you of getting a better sounding pre-amp. You would need to audition them to be sure. Chances are you could save some big $$$ and improve other aspects of your system for greater overall improvement. Plus, for tiny $$$ you can tweak the GK1 further for even greater performance or to better suit your particular tastes.

I'd love to hear a nicely modified GK-1 up against a CTC BlowTorch or CJ Art to see how much difference there is, but I sure aint gonna spend US$15k to find out.

Even if you did major upgrades to each of your other components, I doubt you would need to upgrade from the GK1. In fact, you may find yourself desperately saving $$$ to upgrade your other components so you can hear everything that the GK1 is capable of. I know I would certainly upgrade my Plinius SA100/3 and Sony SCD-XA777ES before I'd even contemplate replacing my GK1.

The biggest hurdle is getting your head around the idea that the GK1 can sound so damned good for so little $$$. I'm sceptical by nature so, despite all the praise, I certainly wouldn't have done it had I not been able to audition it myself. The difference was immediately obvious, but still hard to believe.

Tubes usually settle down in a few hours, although a brand new pre-amp could take several weeks to fully reach its best.

Good luck with your journey.

jake3 · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 06:19 am »

DSK, thanks for the reply.
It certainly sounds promising. I shall explore further.

stvnharr · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 07:44 am »

Jake,
The CJ-PV10 series is CJ's lowest level preamp series. I've not heard an ART, but in past times I have heard CJ pre's and one can do better.
The GK-1 is a little gem of a preamp!!!
I run a pair of 55W Nirvana mono's with a BAT VK-30SE (far superior to the non SE version), and it's all pretty good.]
I also have a GK-1, but it's a long long story.
Forget CJ, go with Aksa!!!!!

AKSA · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 08:48 am »

Thanks Darren, Steven,

Now when are you coming to Australia, Steven? Some time soon?

We have lattes to get through, man!

Cheers,

Hugh

stvnharr · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 05:04 pm »

Hugh,
As they write on head-fi

ygpm.

Steve

stvnharr · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 06:31 pm »

Correction, yg email.

DSK · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 10:25 pm »

Quote from: stvnharr

The GK-1 is a little gem of a preamp!!!
I run a pair of 55W Nirvana mono's with a BAT VK-30SE (far superior to the non SE version), and it's all pretty good.]
I also have a GK-1, but it's a long long story.
Forget CJ, go with Aksa!!!!!

Steven,
Can you tell us the long long story? I'm intrigued.

Cheers,
Darren.

AKSA · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 10:53 pm »

Darren,

Steven lives half the year in Wyoming where he has a BAT VK30SE and an AKSA 55W Nirvana. He spends the North American winter in southern Australia, however, where he also has a GK-1. He's not compared the two side by side at home, but spent long hours at my home in Rosanna listening, chatting, sipping lattes. You two guys would get along famously, so when Steve is back here next I will ask you and Spices all to dinner!

Cheers,

Hugh

DSK · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Mar 2004, 11:31 pm »

Hugh,
Thanks for the explanation and many thanks for your perpetual hospitality.

Cheers,
Darren.

jake3 · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Apr 2004, 04:45 am »

Just out of interest, and I hate to break up your little social gathering here, but the CJ preamp sounded terrible on the first night, but improved dramatically within 3 days.
The improvements over my existing setup were noticeable but not enough for me to purchase a valve preamp.
Increased bass response and a bit more midrange punch were nice, but really the difference was minimal. I guess my gear is already pretty good.

Now for the question....So what can a GK-1 do?

You may now return to your lattes gentlemen...

econ · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Apr 2004, 10:21 am »

Quote

Now for the question....So what can a GK-1 do?

Itll froth the milk of your cappucino with such perfection ,it'll transport you to Italy, to a cafe in St. Marks Square, on a balmy summer evening, admiring the beautiful signoras and signorinas strolling by.

As a complement to an Aksa amp it adds ..........well .... richness , a new dimension to the sound .
But words fail here.

Your system:-

ME 550 II, Audiovector M3 AG, Denon DVD2900, Denon AVR3300, Nordost Blue Heaven, Tara Labs interconnects.

Can I suggest without being unduly rude the AKSA55 N just blows the ME away utterly in detail ,soundstaging ,musicality( speaking here as an ex ME550II owner ). Have you considered an amplifier upgrade as well as preamp ? Beautiful looking speakers those Audiovectors how do they sound ?

Hugh, is there a Aksa55/GK1 in brisbane jake 3 might audition ?[/quote]

AKSA · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Apr 2004, 11:05 am »

Paul, Jake

Yes, Keith-Louis Eichmann, the inventor of the Eichmann RCA plugs.

He has a GK-1 and an AKSA, so is an excellent choice.

I'll contact him, get back to you. He's in Brisbane, should be happy to demo both, very committed audiophile (as you would expect!!).

Cheers,

Hugh

jake3 · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 Apr 2004, 11:09 am »

How do they sound? The Audiovectors are the HiFi world's best kept secret. They are astonishing in their clarity, soundstaging, imaging and all the other audiophile hyperbole you can think of. The midrange has authoritive drive and presence with a lovely neutral warmth, be that with either snare drums or vocals.
The highs in particular are pure and lifting, yet never overly bright. Steve Nelson's vibraphone on Dave Holland's Quintet records float ethereally through the room, wafting with ease, yet always precise. You cant help but smile.
The bass is tight and fast, although the CJ preamp has proven it responds to good equipment by rewarding a valve preamp with increased bass.
If you have never heard a pair of Audiovectors you have missed out on something very, very moving.
As for being in Italy, the Audiovectors already take me there. You may wonder why I think I need more? I auditioned the CJ preamp to see what else is possible. Yes, I gained more dynamicism, a stronger bottom end and an increase in mid range punch, but the benefits were not enough to justify the price of this particular valve preamp. Interestingly, only the bass really changed "flavour", although at the expense of a little precision.

As for the ME, well I am sure there are a lot of amps out there that will do better. And, if I had the money I might just buy a Krell or McIntosh, but we have to be realistic. Hence my interest in a supposedly excellent DIY valve preamp.

My question is and has always been, is the GK-1 better than other similar products. What is its equivalent?
If I hear it I will know...

jake3 · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 Apr 2004, 11:17 am »

Hugh, I am keen to hear the GK-1, and looking forward to an audition if at all possible. Thank you for looking into it.

fos · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 Apr 2004, 11:59 pm »

g'day jake,

i have just run up my gk1 for the first time, looks a bit rough mounted on a slab of mdf but sound wise its already a great improvement on my luxman co2 solid state pre amp. listening to cat stevens at the moment, there is a very nice roundness to the music, very enjoyable.

and get this almost no hum!

just a pity i have to pull it all apart now to laquer the boards

are you coming across on wed?

foster

jake3 · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 12:33 am »

Possibly Fos. I'll give you a call.

EchiDna · « **Reply #17 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 12:42 am »

unless you really give the GK-1 a hammering for the next few days, Tuesday will be a bit early for a fair assessment of the GK-1. Mine took at least 100 hours to completely burn in. Comparisons with others? I've heard the lot, but system synergy does come into the picture here, not to mention personal preference... I've heard many other pre's but not with my amp, speakers source and importantly my room. Whatever you hear in someone else's setup has to be taken with a (albeit small) pinch of salt.

Carlman · « **Reply #18 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 02:11 am »

Quote from: EchiDna

Comparisons with others? I've heard the lot, but system synergy does come into the picture here, not to mention personal preference... I've heard many other pre's but not with my amp, speakers source and importantly my room. Whatever you hear in someone else's setup has to be taken with a (albeit small) pinch of salt.

This is the where a demo will help. Even if you read a review where they've covered all the bases about a room, gear, etc... even if... you hear it yourself at someone's house... you won't know what it 'really' sounds like until it's IN YOUR system.

Also, anyone that tells me x 'blows away' y and they're both respected pieces of gear, I suspect the opinion. Clearly that person thinks one is better but 'blows away' doesn't tell me how. So, judge for yourself. There's plenty of people that would think my system sounds dreadful compared to something else they've heard and others just the opposite. Judging preamp's is difficult. Tubes make it more so.

If you host a gathering, you'll get to hear things you hadn't even considered that might help you more than you realized. You'll also hear where the differences are important for your particular setup. Maybe this is old hat to some but, it's something I've learned/experienced recently.

I wish I could hear the GK-1. I'd really like to hear it w/ the phono stage.

I also can't wait to hear the difference from my amp with upgrades... when's that Nirvana+ coming out, Hugh?

-C

jake3 · « **Reply #19 on:** 3 Apr 2004, 02:29 am »

Echinda, Carlman, all good points.
I think I may get to hear the GK1 soon, but not in my system alas.
I heard the CJ preamp in my system which is most important.
I think I'll just have to buy a GK1....