This is my first post and I'm here looking for some advice and guidance.  So where to start?

I'm currently running a PC based digital system using Foobar 2000, mostly playing CD rips (to WAV), MP3 and AAC - no audiophile HD stuff here, I'm afraid!  To further emphasise my philistine credentials, much of my listening is done whilst working at said PC and not, therefore, giving the music my full attention.  Mostly that music is rock, blues or indie.  The rest of the system is a Chordette QuteHD DAC, GS Solo (circa 2005 or 2006) and a pair of unmodified Mr Speakers Ethers. 

Basically this combo makes a sound I enjoy...but I got caught up in the whole hifi forum thing when researching the Ethers a couple of years ago, which can be dangerous.  For a while I was quite taken with feedback regarding some of the Violectric headphone amps, but I've been swithering and holding back because all my purchases are made unheard and tend to rely on 'feel'.  There's always been a nagging doubt somewhere in the back of my mind that's held me back in this instance.

Then I came across a review of the ULDE and at first I dismissed it.  But something stuck with me and further research has got me wondering about this amp.  Recently I've been frequenting the GS site and forum, coming across some interesting options.

Firstly, it looks like it might be possible to upgrade my Solo to a ULDE for less than 50% of a new one, assuming the older chassis is suitable for conversion.  Is the slightly different older casework able to take the new innards?

Secondly, and more contentiously, I've discovered GS cables.  At this point I should declare my general scepticism in this area.  Having said that, it's not stopped me buying a few budget cables from the likes of Wireworld and Ixos but I can't say they do much for the system, other than make it look a bit more visually appealing.  Maybe it's because £30/£40 cables/interconnects don't make much difference, I don't know.  Would a sceptic like me hear a difference if they placed a pair of Lautus interconnects in the signal path, do you think? 

The thing is, a ULDE upgrade, Lautus interconnect and Lautus USB could be had for less than the cost of a new ULDE and they could be phased in progressively.  So here's the challenge, for those who've experienced the differences each of these three options can make; are they able to quantify the relative differences delivered by each option, in their estimation?

Any constructive thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks all.

An interesting suggestion.  However the cost of Bitzie/USB cable combo is more than the ULDE upgrade. Plus there's x, the unknown factor of how the Bitzie sounds in comparison to the Qute.  I'm happy with the Qute and have no thoughts of replacing it any time soon.

Rick,

Tony,

Yes, I have the PSU1.  The Solo serial number is 0205-70, which suggests it might date back to February 2005, even longer ago than I remember!

I'll request a ULDE on loan and see how it sounds.  I'm a little intrigued by what the "valvey" sound is, especially as the 'Stax mafia' tend to describe the KGSSHV Carbon as being the most valve-like sounding of all the Kevin Gilmore designed SS estat amps.  Anyway, I'll shut up about estats, before I get thrown off this forum!

Cheers,

Andrew.

I'd like to start this post by thanking Graham Slee and Jon Berg (Fatmangolf) for the opportunity to try a ULDE via the loaner scheme.

I won't regurgitate my recent audio history as that can be found in the OP, other than to say that most of my listening for the last ten days has been Chordette QuteHD -> ULDE -> Mr Speakers Ethers, apart from a brief session with my HD650's taking over from the Ethers.

My immediate reaction to the ULDE was that it felt a bit forward, in my face and a bit congested.  However that impression passed after a few days.  The next thing I felt was the sound was a bit crisper and cleaner out of the ULDE than the Solo.  There also seemed to be a bit more sparkle and lustre.  Initially I thought that might be a problem in terms of brightness but, again, after a few days I rarely felt it was 'too much'.

A couple of days ago, I thought it was time to compare the ULDE to the Solo.  Trying to volume match as best I could by ear, the results were interesting.  First off, it doesn't seem that there's that much of a difference between the respective sounds - there were no 'hearing things I'd never heard before' moments.  To be honest, my experience with audio gear is that I 'hear things presented in a way I've not heard before' rather than the former.  As I continued to listen, though, the Solo started to sound a bit dull in comparison to the ULDE and not as enjoyable to listen to.  Paradoxically, given that bit of sparkle, the ULDE is easier to listen to at higher volumes and is less fatiguing to my ears.

In conclusion, I have enjoyed the ULDE over the Solo but ultimately I don't think it's going to be for me.

I can’t believe it’s more than two and a half years since I trialled the ULDE through the loaner scheme.  At that time, I decided not to upgrade as I was attributing some of the ‘in your face’ sound I was hearing to it.  With hindsight, I now know the main culprit was the Qute HD DAC I was using at the time.  The ULDE was simply highlighting that DACs presentation, I guess, which I now think of as ‘trying too hard’ with all elements of the sound clambering for my attention at the same time.

However, I still had the notion that I was looking for a new amp so spent a few months looking for something a bit more restrained and respectful of my personal space.  Six months on, I found an amp that seemed to fit the bill and it certainly made a positive difference. 

Then the first happenstance occurred.  The new head amp was from the same manufacturer of the Qute’s predecessor, which was a little USB DAC.  A couple of weeks in I decided to try it with the new amp.  That’s when the penny dropped and I realised the sound characteristics of the Qute were ‘too much’ for my tastes.  At this point I also added a Lautus USB cable to my set-up.

Twelve month’s later, I upgraded the little USB DAC with its bigger brother.  A few weeks later I also added a pair of CuSat 50 interconnects.  By this time, I’d become a cable convert, previously having been a member of the ‘a cable is just a cable’ community.  I was also getting to the point where the upgrade path that started back in 2017 was almost complete.  Or so I thought…

Towards the end of last year, the plan was to get a Deze headphone cable for my Mr Speakers Ethers.  I thought I remembered seeing a thread about getting that cable supplied with non-Audeze terminations.  It was when visiting the Forum to find that thread that the second happenstance took place. 

It occurred to me that I’d never once paired my old Solo with the new DAC.  When I did, it was a wow! moment.  So much so, that within a few days, I’d contacted John Cadman with a view to upgrading it to an ULDE.  A big thank you to John for all his help and advice.

When the upgrade arrived, the first thing I noticed was what I’d heard with both GSP cable upgrades – a delicacy and clarity in the treble bands along with a sweetness of sound.  The next thing I started to notice was the sound had more depth and textures, especially with acoustic instruments and voices.  Finally, over the next few weeks, I started to become aware of greater separation, and that’s what stands out for me most now – separation, separation, separation!

There’s one further observation I’d like to make about the sound I’m now hearing.  It’s the “m” word – mellowness.  There’s just a hint of mellowness with some material that I absolutely love.    

Finally, in the spirit of second chances, as I type this post I’m finally listening to the ULDE/new DAC combo through my old HD 650s for the first time.  Previously, when I’ve compared them to the Ethers, I’ve felt they’re a bit dull with some muddiness, maybe.  Now all I hear is crispness and clarity and don’t remember them sounding this ‘fast’ and light of touch. 

Do they impart a bit more tension and drama to the music?  Not sure, but I think they’ve earned the chance of a bit more ‘game time’.  They don’t ‘bring the thunder’ or the heft of the Ethers at high volumes but conversely appear to be more involving at lower volumes, if a little unforgiving at those higher volumes.   

In conclusion, and with apology to Ash - perhaps if I’d taken his advice regarding the DAC back in 2017, I may have got here sooner - I can now say the ULDE is definitely for me!