Question about amps for the Stax SR-009 - Page 19

Originally Posted by n3rdling 

HD800 is easily brighter than the SR009, especially from a low output imp amp.

Originally Posted by purk 

Reading this thread really pushing me over the edge.  I now have the SR007 + SRM-717 and really want to upgrade to SR009.  Given the warmer tonal characters on the 717, it gotta be really good match with the SR009.  I auditioned the SR009 out of the DIY T2 and never found it to be that bright.  I thought that it is pretty darn neutral if not just a tad north of neutral.  IMO, the HD800's treble is "hotter" than that of the SR009.

 

@ Spritzer.  Glad you are enjoying the HD800.  You really need to make your Dynalo a balanced amp.  The HD800 sounds even better balanced with treble smooth out too.

Originally Posted by purk 

 

Yup, I couldn't stand them in a stock form so I upgraded mine with an upgrade cable which resulted in a good improvement with smoother top end.  The brightness was no longer an issue when I ran it balanced out of my GS-X.

 

 I was going to PM you this.  How about the SR009 & HEV90 pairing?  Good or bad and how does it compared to your BHSE?

Originally Posted by arnaud 

Purk, I was about to congratulate you but I realize we need a little more effort to push you over the edge . I must warn you though, there's no coming back!
More seriously, looking forward to reading the impressions from someone as experienced as yourself. I can't say for the T2 / BHSE but I can't imagine you getting deceived with the 009 out of the 717 amp coming from a HD800 rig.
I personally had to perform more drastic mod than recable to make the hd800 to my liking so I can't imagine you being turned off by the 009 tonality for instance. Besides this proclaimed brightness irritative to some and unless you like to listen rather loud, it's delightful!
By the way, as for the "brigthness" of sr009, actually it's more in the mids/upper mids rather than treble that people might have issue I think. The treble is very resolved and natural and it isn't sticking out in the least bit. The issue from some people with its "brigthness" is a problem with the overall voicing (and optimal listening level which is much lower than something like the omega 2). In that sense, the hd800 issue is a little different with a peak in the upper mids that sticks out and needs attenuation (and probably the scoop in the mids below that, see what anaxilus and co have done recently over at purrin's forum, it seems quite promising).
For soundstage, I prefer the precise layering and placement of the 009 to the extremely wide / deep albeit slightly fuzzy soundstaging of the hd800 but some may prefer either one based on tastes (also the hd800 seems to keep improving with the amplification, I did not looking something better than luxman p1u).
In the end, if you have the disposable income and the upgraditis itch, I don't see a reason why you you stop yourself (evil grin). We are way past the fotm fever at this time, and you've already tried it a bit so it's not like you may be completely surprised by what you get.

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Fuzzy imaging/SS from the HD800 is just the source/amp chain.  It can lock in just fine and certainly better than most if not all dynamics.

Originally Posted by spritzer 

The HEV90 could drive the 009 but I'd make damn sure it is the last version of the amp or better yet, the Aristaeus. 

 

I also agree that the 009 brightness and bass issues come from the voicing or rather the diaphragm material and how it's treated.  This change came late in the design phase and appears to me as a step too far. 

 

The Hd800 has no problems being driven off low impedance amps as that isn't the problem, it's how the amp reacts to their rather specific needs.  Take amps like the SPL Auditor and the M3, both fine amps but both sound like **** with the HD800.  Way too bright and edgy which is clearly the amp not liking the load. 

Originally Posted by spritzer 

 

The Hd800 has no problems being driven off low impedance amps as that isn't the problem, it's how the amp reacts to their rather specific needs.  Take amps like the SPL Auditor and the M3, both fine amps but both sound like **** with the HD800.  Way too bright and edgy which is clearly the amp not liking the load. 

Originally Posted by spritzer 

The Hd800 has no problems being driven off low impedance amps as that isn't the problem, it's how the amp reacts to their rather specific needs.  Take amps like the SPL Auditor and the M3, both fine amps but both sound like **** with the HD800.  Way too bright and edgy which is clearly the amp not liking the load. 

Originally Posted by complin 

I've tried many different headphone amps both SS and Tube with the HD800 and found them unlistenable

 

However; having recently acquired one of Justin's little Gilmore Lite and dedicated power supply I can listen in pleasure at last!  This is a Z Ohms output which differs from everything else i've tried so don't know if this has any bearing on situation?

 

Originally Posted by purk 

 

Do you expect the HEV90 to be able to drive the SR009 better than the SRM-717 or 727A?

Originally Posted by complin 

I've tried many different headphone amps both SS and Tube with the HD800 and found them unlistenable

 

However; having recently acquired one of Justin's little Gilmore Lite and dedicated power supply I can listen in pleasure at last!  This is a Z Ohms output which differs from everything else i've tried so don't know if this has any bearing on situation?

 

Originally Posted by t-h-e-p-i-m-p 

how well does the 009 work with a stock 323s amp ? 

Originally Posted by n3rdling 

SR-009 - Neutral
SR-007 - Slightly dark
HD800 - Bright

All measurements I've seen also generally confirm this