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KGSS sonic characteristics

post #1 of 8
9/23/09 at 4:50am
Thread Starter 
I am considering O2/KGSS. I will not be able to try before I buy for practical reasons.

I am curious to hear more about the sonic characteristics of the KGSS.When it is described as "powerful" does that imply that it is a rock-amplifier rather than an all-round amp? Or is it transparent and good with all styles of music?

I listen to classical and jazz. I want neutrality most of all, not euphony.

TIA

Nic

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post #2 of 8
9/23/09 at 4:53am
The KGSS is fully DC coupled so yeah, it is very neutral and transparent. All electrostatics need a lot of power to really shine regardless of the music being played so this is far from a rock only amp.
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post #3 of 8
9/23/09 at 7:10am
Thanks a lot, that helps me also. I'm also hesistating between high-end dynamics and O2/KGSS
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post #4 of 8
9/24/09 at 1:12pm
Koss ESP950 gets good reviews when run on KGSS, Stax or BH amps – supposedly competitive sound a lot cheaper than O2

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/com...-950-a-368067/

apparently the supplied E90 energizer can't be praised by an audiophile - does the cheap plastic box really have more to do with that than the sound I wonder?
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post #5 of 8
9/24/09 at 4:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jcx View Post
Koss ESP950 gets good reviews when run on KGSS, Stax or BH amps – supposedly competitive sound a lot cheaper than O2

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/com...-950-a-368067/

apparently the supplied E90 energizer can't be praised by an audiophile - does the cheap plastic box really have more to do with that than the sound I wonder?
The Koss 950 is a good current model phone, more in the Lambda league. I wouldn't rank it close to the 007's. It's amp is ok and that's about it. Generally the Koss phones sound better from a big stax amp.
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post #6 of 8
9/24/09 at 4:43pm
The Koss 950 is a good headphone made better by the KGSS, but it does not play in the same league as the O2. The O2 simply has better bass, detail, and tonality and they are good for anything you throw at them. When you hear the them for the first time the bass will shock you; it was overwhelming when I first heard it. Once, that initial impression fades you are left a superbly balanced phone. I think that initial bass impression is responsible for their dark reputation.

Another consideration is your source; it matters as much as your amplifier if not more. I have switched from the denon 2900 to the marantz sa-15s1 and there was a shift from more warm to neutral that was quite apparent. So if it neutral you are after, make sure your source is neutral otherwise your phones won't be.
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post #7 of 8
9/25/09 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the positive comments. The KGSS looks like a good choice for me.

But it is still ugly as sh*t. Is there anything less ugly which is also not too euphonious?...

I have seen enough negative comments about the current Stax amps to steer clear, but I am curious about the SRM-600 after seeing Spritzer comments about it.

Nic
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post #8 of 8
9/25/09 at 5:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nicolashodges View Post
I have seen enough negative comments about the current Stax amps to steer clear, but I am curious about the SRM-600 after seeing Spritzer comments elsewhere about it.

Nic
However, the Stax 717 has a very good reputation with the 007's in this forum. You can pick up a used one for less than $1,000.00 I can't say how this compares with the KGSS but there seem to be so many of the latter design.
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