Ron was asking how GFS compare to Opus1 and AtlasSL. (I throw in AtlasSL because I like it) I only have about 20 hrs on GFS but can state a few obvious that I hear without thinking what to look for. Once again, my AtlasSL is on Axiom/927. The GFS/3012R and Opus1/SAT on AS2000.
- GFS and Opus1 have the same level of extraordinary clarity. If AtlasSL is on AS2000, it likely has the same clarity also. Why I suspect so? Because before my AS arrived, the clarity of EMT, Kronos and Techdas were at the same level and I had Opus1 and AtlasSL on all of them at the same time. I didn’t find Opus1 any more transparent or clear than AtlasSL. Next week I will put AtlasSL/Axiom on AS and I will know for sure.
-All three are very very dynamic, involving, create great presence.
- Orchestra is quite a distant awaywith GFS. I don’t know how many rolls, but even farther back than AtlasSL. Mike and Ron might not agree. I sit 5.2 meters away from my speakers and the orchestra was quite a distant back away from my speakers. So it felt far for me. While Mike does near field if that makes any difference. The Opus is most upfront. Each cart you will get very different view and hearing of a symphony. But on jazz AtlasSL and GFS have more realistic size and scale of a band when talking “they-are-here” perspective.
- GFS’s high, on every instruments, is most vibrant of the three. Very refreshing. Yet the extension is not as good as the other two. More time will extend more?
- AtlasSL’s midband attacks, surges = Opus1 > GFS.
- Opus1’s vocal tone is most refined and ear pleasing. GFS and AtlasSL are more less the same on this regard. Every so often can hear “hairline” (I don’t want to say roughness) in sound.
- For decay, room ambient, woody sound Opus1 is best. GFS and AtlasSL about the same.
- GFS and AtlasSL have no immersive effect like Opus1.
- Instrument distinction is best with GFS. Listen to John Fahay’s After the Ball, I wish I knew How it would feel to be Free. This song has many instruments jamming at the same time. GFS pretty much makes different brass and string instruments sound more distinctively to one another at busy play than the other two carts. On orchestra, although sounding distant away, the GFS enable me to differentiate different instruments really well. So it could still fools me real like listening in the hall on back row. Very different kind of fools me real from Opus1 that makes me see everything hear everything up close.
That’s it for now. Any particular sound aspects you want me to look for just let me know.
Kind regards,
Tang
You'll hear the GFS improve quite a bit after 100 hours. You're very early on with it still. I think you notice improvements in ease/resolution, immersiveness as you put it, extension and even more vibrancy.
I didn't notice the distance, but I don't listen to much orchestra music...so I'm not a good commenter here.
Keep the reports coming, I just suspect you'll find the GFS to take a lot longer than you'd expect...it's always good...just more to come !
