[superfred21]

Everyone has their opinion, some audiophile considers that SR 009 is not worth 1000 euro.
I has the abyss and SR 009 two great headph

 

[David1961]

Everyone has their opinion, some audiophile considers that SR 009 is not worth 1000 euro.

I has the abyss and SR 009 two great headph

You're right, some will think the 009's aren't worth their price just like some won't the Abyss.
I can't say that about the Abyss because I haven't heard them yet, but my 009's with the set up I have are easily the best sounding headphones I've ever heard.

Like me, some will think that if they spend a lot on headphones or an amp or source it'll be worth the cost.
Now with the BHSE I think it is, but when I got the Esoteric K-01 in 2011 it cost me £15,000, and because of that I thought I was getting £15,000's worth of audio equipment, it was only recently when I saw it could be got via PriceJapan for £7850 ( or around that price ) that I realised I'd actually got £7850 worth of audio gear.
I'm still thinking about seeing the K-01 at £7850 even though in the UK I've seen it for £19,995.

IMO, the K-01 is some piece of audio equipment though.

 

[Music Alchemist]

You're right, some will think the 009's aren't worth their price just like some won't the Abyss.
I can't say that about the Abyss because I haven't heard them yet, but my 009's with the set up I have are easily the best sounding headphones I've ever heard.

 
Out of curiosity, have you compared the SR-009 to the SR-007 (original model) on your BHSE? Some (but not most) prefer the latter by a wide margin, and it is also said to be a better match for the BHSE.

 

[David1961]

 
Out of curiosity, have you compared the SR-009 to the SR-007 (original model) on your BHSE? Some (but not most) prefer the latter by a wide margin, and it is also said to be a better match for the BHSE.

 
When you say the SR-007 original mode I'm guessing you're referring to the mk1, if so then yes.
In 2012 I got to hear IanG's 007mk1's along with my 009's driven by my BHSE, and at the time I preferred some songs with the 007's, and some with the 009's.
However the tubes being used at that time were the mullard's that came with the BHSE, and I was never happy with how my 009 / BHSE sounded with those tubes, the 009's sounded thin and with some of the songs in my collection the highs were painful to listen to.
The Psvane EL34PH tubes I got changed that, I hear more body to my 009's with the most life like sound I've heard from a headphone, in fact because I don't want to be without hearing my BHSE with the PH's, I bought another quad for if or when something happens to the first quad I got.
 
A few months ago I heard the SR-007mk2's along with my 009's again driven by the BHSE but this time using the PH tubes, and at that time the 009's were in a completely different league.
 
While using the PH tubes, the 007mk2's sounded similar to the SR-007mk1's I once had, which at that time they were driven by the SRM-007t.
Both the 007mk2's driven by the BHSE using PH's, and the 007mk1's driven by the SRM-007t I had sounded veiled with not much life to them, the 009 / BHSE combo using the PH's is something different.
 
In the UK, the chances of me hearing the Abyss with a high end amp and source are quite slim, so a comparison between the Abyss and my 009 set up probably wouldn't be fair.
Because of that I mightn't try the Abyss after all,  but even if I did get to hear the Abyss and I liked the SQ coming from them, as they look there's noway I'd buy them anyway.

 

[Music Alchemist]

   
When you say the SR-007 original mode I'm guessing you're referring to the mk1, if so then yes.
In 2012 I got to hear IanG's 007mk1's along with my 009's driven by my BHSE, and at the time I preferred some songs with the 007's, and some with the 009's.
However the tubes being used at that time were the mullard's that came with the BHSE, and I was never happy with how my 009 / BHSE sounded with those tubes, the 009's sounded thin and with some of the songs in my collection the highs were painful to listen to.
The Psvane EL34PH tubes I got changed that, I hear more body to my 009's with the most life like sound I've heard from a headphone, in fact because I don't want to be without hearing my BHSE with the PH's, I bought another quad for if or when something happens to the first quad I got.
 
A few months ago I heard the SR-007mk2's along with my 009's again driven by the BHSE but this time using the PH tubes, and at that time the 009's were in a completely different league.
 
While using the PH tubes, the 007mk2's sounded similar to the SR-007mk1's I once had, which at that time they were driven by the SRM-007t.
Both the 007mk2's driven by the BHSE using PH's, and the 007mk1's driven by the SRM-007t I had sounded veiled with not much life to them, the 009 / BHSE combo using the PH's is something different.
 
In the UK, the chances of me hearing the Abyss with a high end amp and source are quite slim, so a comparison between the Abyss and my 009 set up probably wouldn't be fair.
Because of that I mightn't try the Abyss after all,  but even if I did get to hear the Abyss and I liked the SQ coming from them, as they look there's noway I'd buy them anyway.

 
Yeah, those tubes are on my wish list. I've heard great things about them.
Once I get into the high roller lifestyle, I may bring equipment to other countries...so who knows, maybe you could hear a future Abyss system of mine someday!

 

[David1961]

A lot is said about headphones and headphones amps but very little about the source. I had the GS-Xmk2 and the headphones I used with that amp were my LCD-XC's and HD-600's, I also sometimes used my UM Miracles. After selling the GS-Xmk2 I started using my Pico Slim with the two full size headphones + CIEM with that portable amp connected to my K-01, and the SQ I get from those headphones and CIEM while using that very small amp / K-01 is very impressive, in fact I don't really miss the GS-Xmk2 but that's mainly because of my 009 / BHSE.
The point I'm getting at is my source is like a boost to the amp being used, so unless the Abyss is difficult to drive then there's a good chance it would sound very good with my Pico Slim / K-01, after all the Apple earbuds did even though at certain times there was crackling.

 

[rdreyer]

I have had good results driving the Abyss with the following:
 
• HiFi-M8
• Benchmark DAC1 (headphone jumpers set to 0)
• Auralic Taurus mk2
• ECP Audio Black Diamond
 
The Black Diamond is my favorite, as it plays up to the strength of the Abyss in terms of openness, soundstaging, imaging and dynamics. It's also dead quiet and effortless.
 
Much more important than amp matching is fitting the Abyss properly on one's head, especially in terms of having the pads almost gently floating against the sides. I gradually pulled the pads away from my ears, until everything clicked into place, and the soundstage opened up. It's as sensitive as placing speakers in a room. 
 
Renaud

 

[rdreyer]

I forgot to mention the (by far) best deal for driving the Abyss: the Schiit Vali. It plays really well with the Abyss in terms of sound staging, dynamics and smoothness.

 

[David1961]

Anyways, it sounds like David will be at a shop - which might have some 'high-end' gear. I'd hope a Mjolnir, BHA-1, Conductor would be sufficient enough to you to compare against the BHSE. Which I'm not sure again if you've heard either.

I think it was the Bryston BHA-1 that was used when Ian heard the Abyss at the Hi-Fi lounge, so if we go to that place after the Hi-Fi show then that's probably the amp I'll hear the Abyss with.
I don't know what source will be used though and seeing I believe the source is the most important part of any audio system , IMO it will make a difference to the SQ I'll hear.
So unless the source being used is a K-01, or another source to that level, I'm still not sure if the comparison between the Abyss / BHA-1 / Source ? and 009 / BHSE / K-01 would be a fair one, but I'll give my honest thoughts after I've heard, I'll also mention the source being used.

 

[Kiats]

I think it was the Bryston BHA-1 that was used when Ian heard the Abyss at the Hi-Fi lounge, so if we go to that place after the Hi-Fi show then that's probably the amp I'll hear the Abyss with.
I don't know what source will be used though and seeing I believe the source is the most important part of any audio system , IMO it will make a difference to the SQ I'll hear.
So unless the source being used is a K-01, or another source to that level, I'm still not sure if the comparison between the Abyss / BHA-1 / Source ? and 009 / BHSE / K-01 would be a fair one, but I'll give my honest thoughts after I've heard, I'll also mention the source being used.

Totally agree, David1961. People do tend to overlook the source and then wonder why the same amp or headphone sounded different previously.

 

[purrin]

 
purrin I was just looking at your signature and noticed this - PC > Wyrd > Modi > Mjolnir > Abyss
Can I ask the reason you're using a $99 DAC?

 
Not just an $99 DAC. A $99 weird gimzo which imparts mystical properties on the Modi.
 
The reasons?
 

• Too cheap to buy another M7/OR5.
• Waiting for Yggy or possibly springing for an MSB Analog.
• The Wyrd + Modi is really good for $200.

 

[David1961]

I've seen the Abyss priced at £4524 in the UK, so while not £4700 like I mentioned in one of my posts, £4524 still isn't cheap.


See I didn't mention (IMO ) how ridiculous they look. Oops, I just did.

 

[Kiats]

I've seen the Abyss priced at £4524 in the UK, so while not £4700 like I mentioned in one of my posts, £4524 still isn't cheap.


See I didn't mention (IMO ) how ridiculous they look. Oops, I just did.

Hahaha! David.... ;p

 

[alvin sawdust]

The price in the UK is the more ugly aspect of the phones.

 

[David1961]

Also IMO the price of the Abyss in the UK is ugly, but there's a choice on whether to buy a pair or not.