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Aristaeus vs Blue Hawaii vs WES for Stax MK 2?

post #1 of 24
11/21/11 at 3:51pm
Thread Starter 

 

Hello, 

I am looking for a amp for my Stax MK2 (have been using now for a year Stax 323-II !) and I have difficulty to find anyone who heard both Aristaeus and Blue Hawaii. Would appreciate any thoughts. I know there is a old threat on that subject, but precisely, it is a old one! I am referring to the newly available Aristeaus (not the one which was made many years ago -- or are they the same?) and to the Blue Hawaii SE.

 

Also, would appreciate it a lot if someone could give me the DIMENSIONS of those amps (I live in NYC and space is always an issue!). 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

Verwandlung

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post #2 of 24
11/21/11 at 4:15pm

the aristaeus has never changed, afaik - same chassis, same dimensions, same circuitry.  justin has posted the dimensions for both amps around here somewhere, though I know the search function on this forum is pretty poor

 

 

though I havent actually heard the O2 through an aristaeus, I have heard the O2 through an HEV90 - no contest, the BHSE trounced it

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post #3 of 24
11/21/11 at 4:16pm

Hello verwandlung,

 

Aristaeus:

  AMP  10" W x 10" D x 3" H + Height of Tubes

  PSU Same Dimensions (Minus Tubes)

 

BHSE

   AMP 15.5" W x 13" D x 4.5" H + Height of Tubes

   PSU 7.5" W x 13" D x 4.5" H

 

GRod

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post #4 of 24
11/21/11 at 4:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GRod View Post
BHSE

   AMP 15.5" W x 13" D x 4.5" H + Height of Tubes

   PSU 7.5" W x 13" D x 4.5" H


Wow, it doesn't look that big in the pictures!  That's a lot bigger than I was expecting.

 

Does anyone have any pics with the BHSE referenced against other well-known gear?

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post #5 of 24
11/21/11 at 4:20pm

compared to a set of Omega 2 Mk 1s: 

 

http://www.headamp.com/electrostat_amps/bhse/images/bhse_gray_high.jpg
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elysian View Post


Wow, it doesn't look that big in the pictures!  That's a lot bigger than I was expecting.

 

Does anyone have any pics with the BHSE referenced against other well-known gear?



 

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post #6 of 24
11/21/11 at 4:24pm

Yeah, I had a bit of trouble putting that pic into reference given the angled perspective.  I never really thought about how small the O2 looked compared to the amp case.

 

It looks like the amp won't fit into my Ikea Corras.  I guess I have to move the Corras and put the amp on top.

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post #7 of 24
11/21/11 at 4:40pm
Heard them all, blue Hawaii is the one to get.
The aristaues voiced for the HE90
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post #8 of 24
11/21/11 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 

Eureka! Thank you Grod. I was hoping that it would be a little smaller though.

I have heard that the Blue Hawaii generates a lot of heat. Do you think that it might cause some problems if it is placed under a table at about 4 to 5 inches under the top? Need to make sure that my cats don't play or lie on that hot gem! 

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post #9 of 24
11/21/11 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 

Oh, forgot this: how about the tubes? Are those very expensive? Do they need to be replaced often? Also, do you think there is a possibility that those tubes may eventually become illegal (as for some 100 watts incandescent will be soon)? 

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post #10 of 24
11/21/11 at 5:38pm

Tubes are EL34s.  You can get a quad of new production SEDs which are great for only ~$120.  You can also spend 400-500 on some of the most desired old NOS EL34s.  They should last you many years and I don't think they'll be illegal.

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post #11 of 24
11/21/11 at 5:39pm

Have you ordered your BHSE yet, or are you going to build one?  As of a few weeks ago, Justin said that only a few spots were available in batch 2.

 

New production tubes aren't that expensive.  You can get a new production quad of Genalex KT77 (Gold Lion) or Winged C (SED) EL34 for under $150-200.  If you use your amp like a normal person (normal stuff like no more than 8-10 hours/day, turn it off when you're not using it, avoid turning it on and off every few minutes, keep it ventilated, etc.), you should easily get 3-5 years of use out of your tubes.  Chances are the biggest danger to your tubes is boredom.  You will get bored and curious within 6mo, and try rolling something else.

 

Vacuum tubes and incandescent light bulbs are two different devices; the current legislative efforts in various countries specifies incandescent light bulbs.  Vacuum tubes aren't getting banned anytime soon.

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post #12 of 24
11/21/11 at 5:55pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks. Actually, even if they ever get banned, there is always a possibility to buy a lot of them.

 

To answer your question Elysian, I haven't ordered it yet. I will be ready to do so sometime in January or February at the latest. Do  you think that there will be a batch 3 or will that be it? If so, doesn't mean that I shouldn't expect to get an amp before what, 2 to 3 years!!? 

 

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post #13 of 24
11/21/11 at 6:42pm
Thread Starter 

Does anyone have an idea as to whether there will be a batch 3 for the Blue Hawaii SE and, if there is one, how long it may take before receiving the amp? 

Thanks again.

Verwandlung

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post #14 of 24
11/21/11 at 7:55pm

Justin has said he'd like to take the profits from the two batches he's working on and apply them to another batch of BHSEs, iirc.  The BHSE will be facing competition from the Liquid Lightning and Electra soon, though, so high-end electrostat amp supply may soon outweigh demand.

 

I would contact Justin ASAP and see if there are any slots left in batch 2.  As far as wait times go with Headamp, you should ask an astrologer.  If you want to get in for a BHSE and can afford to put down $1-1.5k on the 25% deposit, I'd do that right away.

 

Just from my personal state of mind, I wouldn't order a BHSE unless you're okay with waiting at least 12mo+.  You most likely would be able to get an A-10, Electra, LL, or WES much sooner.


Edited by Elysian - 11/21/11 at 7:56pm
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post #15 of 24
11/21/11 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 

Elysian, did you have a chance to compare those amps with Stax MK2? That is the first time I hear about them! Don't think there were available a year ago when I was looking for that. I was just assuming that the best amp for the cans I have was the BHSE. If it is in fact the case, I don't mind waiting about a year to get it. Anyone you heard of who had a chance to listen to those amps with Stax cans? 

Thanks.

v.


Edited by verwandlung - 11/21/11 at 8:09pm
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