Life after AKG K1000... - Page 2  

Dang, I just looked at his associated components - Cary CD player, Cary 300SEI... I wish I had heard a K 1000 through that rig!

Best,

-Jason

I have missed the K-1000 since I sold them. I have always thought about buying another pair and I may just do it soon since they are going to be discontinued.

Hirsch is right: they are totally unique. While they are finnicky about amplification, when paired right they sound fantastic.

It's tough, this headphile/audiophile road. You could have perfectly great individual components yet end up with a musical non-synergy. Looking over your previous speaker system and headphone rigs, I think I understand some of the issues you might have had.

For example, the Von Schweikert VR4Jr's LOVE very stout, linear SS amp with tons of bass control. The amp doesn't have to be expensive, just clean, and I have never heard those speakers reach their potential with tube amps. They also absolutely LOVE pristine source/preamp. BTW, I'm not very fond of most AR preamps, even Ref 1/2.

Your current Cary 303/300 and 300 SEI would "seem" to match K1000, but I strongly believe K1000's real strengths require very fast, linear, neutral source/amp, tube or SS. Some of the best sounds out of my K1000 came out when I had Resolution Audio Opus21 mated to brutally neutral Marsh A200S SS amp. But that combo didn't match well with my speaker setup, so I had to sell Opus21.

Anyways, if you go back to K1000, I would suggest Cary 303/300 SS output->something like Almarro A205a amp->K1000. Can't lose with that combo.

There are tons of worthy headphone/amp combos out there, and there's no easy way other than to listen to some. Also, when it comes to electrostats, one truly needs to find out for himself whether he's an electrostatic lover, or not.

Simply put... yes (IMO)

It might be easier to answer this question if you stated what you liked/disliked about your previous headphones.

Looks like it, doesn't it?
I'm still kicking myself for missing the sale of your second pair. I thought it was the thread for the first sale and didn't even bother to check it.

- I'd order another K1K. I have the RA-1/RS-1 - HD600 with ASL MG head (black plate NOS tubes) - they are both great but the K1K is on another level. From what I've heard you'd have to spend a lot more money and give up soundstage to get something with a little more detail and possibly smooter sound??

Also, the VR4jr will be hard to beat by anything (preferences aside) without spending a lot more money. I own them and the only upgrade I'd consider is the next step up in the VS line.

The good thing is you can always buy again used and be in the same boat.

There is nothing wrong with K1000, when upgrading my system the improvements just got bigger and bigger instead of the opposite. K1000 never showed its weaknesses, my audio system did!
If you have dirty power and vibration in your system then K1000 will sound bright and thin, but after you completely fix those problems you will get high resolution with lot of warmth, which sounds fat, heavy and fast!

K1000 are the last pair of headphones I will ever own, even if they release a K2000.

Hm.. when people talk about the shortcomings of the 650, usually "no bass" and "no soundstage" aren't the leading complaints, as far as headphones go.
There are other headphones with more speed and slam to the bass, but the 650s put out plenty of low freq. energy, and they don't roll off too early either, especially compared to the K1000s. The K1000s will probably sound more open and unique in their soundstange, so it's a good thing you ordered them again. For the bass roll-off issues, others have recommended the subwoofer than you were considering.
BTW, what happened to your speakers, you said you had these speakers before, did you sell the VR4Jrs? Was it an issue of practicality or did you not like them?

Honestly, I can't imagine the Almarro A205A sounding as good as the Cary 300SEI that pawlowski6132 already owns. I'd spend that cash on hard-wiring the K1000s http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=160756

I finally got myself another set of K1K