What should I buy next? SR-009? - Page 9

 

Handmade in Germany.

 

If I were to consider the SR009 and appropriate amplifier, I would also consider a source component that can deliver in the same league. I think a good example is David Mahler's system. The source will cost you many times the SR009/amp. If you were to consider vinyl, even more.

"I myself am not putting a number on it - I am saying if people feel the HD800 is very close to the 009's performance but the 009 is just a bit better, people would still buy the 009 because: 1) Enthusiasts are OCD and must have the absolute best, often no matter what the cost, even if its eking out minute differences. 2) The 009 is more luxurious, both in build and price/perception - so even if there were no difference those interested in the "best" would have bought. So if it were true (taken for granted in this case) that an HD800 were "90% of an 009", it would not be true that 'nobody' would have a 009." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I've been in the high end industry for 3 decades and the above response, a few pages back,very clearly summarizes the situation. From this thread I'm gathering the 009s are to some degree better than the HD800s in most folks' opinion. Now, just how much better is impossible for anyone to judge without hearing them for themselves. I'm buying both, maybe I'll report, but that's just another datapoint from someone you don't know, so you just will have to listen for yourself. Part of the human condition, espeically for the subset of humans who check out this high end forum, is to wonder about the next "better thing" Let's remember to enjoy the music with what we have and keep the bulk of the focus on that!

No contest, speakers. Period. 

You're right, made in Germany, never realized that.  The point was they were different companies.

 

While top-flight MSB would be great for someone with the deep pockets who doesn't mind the ridiculous charges for their upgrades/add-ons, one shouldn't feel it a prerequisite for a Stax system or be dissuaded from a 009 system if they can't afford it.  There are plenty of cheaper DACs that are very transparent.  Vinyl is a different rabbit hole altogether.

 

At this point I have auditioned or owned over 15 USB-capable DACs from the 1K-16K price range (really trying to stay away from anything pricier due to the speed at which the market changes), and transparency and detail were not even close to linear based on price.  The PWD (2K street) and NAD DACs perform way past their price point for example, while some other products (Lampy LVL 5, Weiss 202) seriously underperformed based on price.  One shouldn't feel the need to spend "many times" on source - a NAD->BHSE->009 rig would (and has) given me great pleasure without really feeling I'm "missing out."

 

I think the ratio that some suggest for source/headphones/amp where source is so high either came at a point where many were using vinyl (between all the components involved you can end up spending a pretty penny) or at a point when headphone gear was cheap (HD650+melos etc) and computer DACs were in their infancy.  

Edited by Radio_head - 2/2/13 at 5:06pm

I'm mostly vinyl now (well right now, all vinyl) but when I get a new digital source I'm seriously considering the Jkenny DAC as I've heard from a few trusted ears that it _destroys_ some of the DACs they used to own costing many, many time the Jkenny's price.

Price has (almost) nothing to do with performance. I bet it'd sound great with an 009 rig.

That being said my favorite digital source I've heard was the Resolution Cantata which can be had around 4k.

Edit: But I still think a well thought out vinyl rig blows away the digital front ends I've heard. That's why I have a TT now.
Edited by MorbidToaster - 2/2/13 at 5:11pm

I've never seen a new Cantata (new 24/192 boards, Pont Neuf) in decent condition hit 4K.  The cheapest I've ever seen one was what I ended up selling mine for.  Definitely a top tier digital source.

For DAC components I was thinking discrete. dCS, MSB, EMM labs, MPS that league to couple with finest quality headphone systems. Moving away from off the shelf chip based DACs. I feel it's a matter of sensible quality matching. 

 

ADD: The finest quality headphones are relatively cheap.

I saw one with everything on the gon for 4.3 recently. I couldn't care less about the bridge thingy.

Hmm, would totally have re-bought at that price.  Newest boards?  Maybe the used price is going down now that DSD is all the rage and the Cantata doesn't have it.

i cannot stressed enough that in the case of bhse+009, for the source its all about synergy. I use neko d100 mk2 and very very happy with it. I recently auditioned a calyx femto and sorry to say, albeit its a great dac, it doesnt synergize with the setup. And this a 6-7k street price dac. And my lowly neko is only <1.5k.

 

What I could want from my neko now is more soundstage, bit more of separation and a moar gain If I can find dac with these characteristic , I maybe interested to upgrade. And with such a delicate system, upgrading without an audition is pretty much a wallet suicide.

 

Now Calyx Femto + BHSE + 007, this maybe a different story though.......

Edited by forbigger - 2/2/13 at 10:59pm

My BHSE is still on the construction table, but I will be using vinyl and my AudioNoteKits DAC 4.1 for sources.  The NOS, tubed output, DAC should be the right shade of musical and laid back for the BHSE/009 combo.

 

NIce. Very nice. I would like something like that. Is your vinyl system in the same league as the AudioNote DAC?

Moderately - VPI Scout with Benz Micro cart + Eddie Current Phono Amp

Pricejapan is showing the 009 at a very low $3655 right now shipped to USA/Canada. Is this right??

-Daniel

The Yen is finally coming down in value so yes.