Which SR-009 amp sounds the most realistic to you?
Oct 13, 2014 at 3:47 AM Post #16 of 82
ali-pacha said:
  David1961 is often praising about Psvane on BHSE, but I haven't read so much other member's statement.
BTW, Justin's statement about them is kinda rough : http://www.head-fi.org/t/439657/headamp-blue-hawaii-special-edition/6075#post_10944752
Even David acknowledges they are not-so-flawlessly operating : http://www.head-fi.org/t/677809/the-stax-thread-iii/3300#post_10893336
 
Other well-known options are Shuguang treasure 6ca7-z (proposed by Justin) or NOS Mullards (when you find them at a reasonable price).

Ali
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Golfnutz and The Attorney commented about the Psvane PH's sometime before I did, in fact because of the PH's reliability I wasn't going to get any, it was only because I was never completely happy with how the BHSE drove the 009's while using the stock mullard's and SED EL34's that I did.
And it's one of the best thing's I've done, which is why I've been mentioning so much about them.
 
Golfnutz has said the NOS mullard xf2's are better than the PH's with the BHSE, but I'll only try to get any once my PH's have packed up. 
 
Others have mentioned about noise coming from the PH's, and although I said there's a noise when I first turn the BHSE on, that noise goes to almost nothing after a couple of minutes. I can still hear something after that time, but only if I put my ears close to the PH's.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 4:33 AM Post #17 of 82
david1961 said:
  Golfnutz and The Attorney commented about the Psvane PH's sometime before I did, in fact because of the PH's reliability I wasn't going to get any, it was only because I was never completely happy with how the BHSE drove the 009's while using the stock mullard's and SED EL34's that I did.
And it's one of the best thing's I've done, which is why I've been mentioning so much about them.
 
Golfnutz has said the NOS mullard xf2's are better than the PH's with the BHSE, but I'll only try to get any once my PH's have packed up. 
 
Others have mentioned about noise coming from the PH's, and although I said there's a noise when I first turn the BHSE on, that noise goes to almost nothing after a couple of minutes. I can still hear something after that time, but only if I put my ears close to the PH's.
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Hiya! Thanks for joining in. I do recall seeing positive comments about the Psvane tubes from at least a few others in the past. They're much more affordable than some alternatives, so even if they're not totally reliable, it's not a problem for me. Would you say they produce the most accurate and realistic sound you've heard from the SR-009, or is it more beautiful than real life?
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 7:22 AM Post #18 of 82
Would you say they produce the most accurate and realistic sound you've heard from the SR-009, or is it more beautiful than real life?
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Since using the PH's, my 009/BHSE now give me the most realistic sound I've heard from any headphone combo, but because I've never heard a live recording of the music in my collection, I can't say for sure just how life like the SQ is from my 009/BHSE.
The SQ from my 009/BHSE is probably better than a live recording because all I get is pure music with no outside interference.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 8:13 AM Post #19 of 82
david1961 said:
  Since using the PH's, my 009/BHSE now give me the most realistic sound I've heard from any headphone combo, but because I've never heard a live recording of the music in my collection, I can't say for sure just how life like the SQ is from my 009/BHSE.
The SQ from my 009/BHSE is probably better than a live recording because all I get is pure music with no outside interference.
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That's good to hear. How much effect do you think your source has on the sound? I know you have a high-end CD transport. I plan on getting a DAC first, then perhaps later on add a music server that also plays CDs.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 9:45 AM Post #20 of 82
david1961 said:
   
....
The SQ from my 009/BHSE is probably better than a live recording because all I get is pure music with no outside interference.
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Positive ... unless you are comparing a live concert of acoustic instruments unplugged, i.e. without stage amplification, it's going to be a crooked comparison anyway. Depending on the position of the mics and your seat/position it will sound different anyway.
 
I also think I don't have a recording of the live session that I have attended. That's why I am looking forward to the release of Keith Jarrett's 2014 Solo concert at Carnegie Hall. I had a front row seat and heard the sound from below his Steinway and the reflections from the cover simultaneously but almost no hall reflections. Difficult part with the ECM releases usually these happen 3 to 4 years after the event, so there is a lot of time for the memory to get fuzzy
wink.gif
. On top of that, they had multiple mics directly above the strings, a position that no listener will ever have...
 
I think to strive for the perfect reproduction is a little illusional, like a full filled dream. For me personally I am happy if I have the impression of "being there" at the live event and just forget about all the equipment. That usually depends much more on the recording itself than the playback equipment.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 10:28 AM Post #21 of 82
music alchemist said:
 
That's good to hear. How much effect do you think your source has on the sound? I know you have a high-end CD transport. I plan on getting a DAC first, then perhaps later on add a music server that also plays CDs.
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The source I have [IMO] is an incredible piece of audio equipment and has a lot to do with just how well my 009/BHSE sound, however it was with that source I was using with the BHSE when I had the stock mullard and SED tubes plugged in, and as I've said I was never totally happy with the SQ, but with the PH tubes the SQ has gone to another level.
 
One head-fier on the Abyss thread has posted saying the source isn't that important, and another on the same thread thinks headphones are the most important in a system, I disagree and think the source is the most important piece in a system.
 
Since selling the GS-Xmk2, I use my Pico Slim with my main source which is a SACD/DAC, and the SQ I get from my LCD-XC,  HD-600 [ custom silver cable ] , and UM Miracles is extremely good, but I believe my source is the main reason for that.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 10:39 AM Post #22 of 82
icebear said:
  Positive ... unless you are comparing a live concert of acoustic instruments unplugged, i.e. without stage amplification, it's going to be a crooked comparison anyway. Depending on the position of the mics and your seat/position it will sound different anyway.
 
I also think I don't have a recording of the live session that I have attended. That's why I am looking forward to the release of Keith Jarrett's 2014 Solo concert at Carnegie Hall. I had a front row seat and heard the sound from below his Steinway and the reflections from the cover simultaneously but almost no hall reflections. Difficult part with the ECM releases usually these happen 3 to 4 years after the event, so there is a lot of time for the memory to get fuzzy
wink.gif
. On top of that, they had multiple mics directly above the strings, a position that no listener will ever have...
 
I think to strive for the perfect reproduction is a little illusional, like a full filled dream. For me personally I am happy if I have the impression of "being there" at the live event and just forget about all the equipment. That usually depends much more on the recording itself than the playback equipment.
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A lot of music I have in my collection is by Mike Oldfield, and with the 009/BHSE his songs in which he's playing an acoustic guitar is the closest to life like sound I've heard from a headphone combo. I've never heard Mike play live, but I've heard my ex-girlfriends son play a guitar. 
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 10:49 AM Post #23 of 82
david1961 said:
  The source I have [IMO] is an incredible piece of audio equipment and has a lot to do with just how well my 009/BHSE sound, however it was with that source I was using with the BHSE when I had the stock mullard and SED tubes plugged in, and as I've said I was never totally happy with the SQ, but with the PH tubes the SQ has gone to another level.
 
One head-fier on the Abyss thread has posted saying the source isn't that important, and another on the same thread thinks headphones are the most important in a system, I disagree and think the source is the most important piece in a system.
 
Since selling the GS-Xmk2, I use my Pico Slim with my main source which is a SACD/DAC, and the SQ I get from my LCD-XC,  HD-600 [ custom silver cable ] , and UM Miracles is extremely good, but I believe my source is the main reason for that.
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They all seem to play an essential role, so I'll try to get the best source components I can...but I also want to test between them (subjective listening, objective measurements, etc.) beforehand to make sure the difference I hear is worth the extra outlay.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 3:20 PM Post #24 of 82
music alchemist said:
 
They all seem to play an essential role, so I'll try to get the best source components I can...but I also want to test between them (subjective listening, objective measurements, etc.) beforehand to make sure the difference I hear is worth the extra outlay.
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I once owned a SR-007mk1 which some regard as the best headphone ever made, and the amp I had to drive it was the SRM-007t.
I got that combo in 2000 and at that time my source was a Musical Fidelity CD player [ I can't remember the model ].
 Because I wasn't impressed with the SQ using that source with the stax combo, in 2005 after having saved some money I decided to get an Esoteric X-03se and although the SQ improved, I still wasn't that impressed.
In 2011 I auditioned the K-01 and after hearing it I knew I had to have it, but in order for me to own one I had to use the 007mk1's + 007t + X-03se as part exchange.
 
Because I was never happy with how the 007mk1's sounded while using the SRM-007t + X-03se, I didn't hesitate in using them to get the K-01.
 
Around July 2012 I heard the SR-007mk1's along with my 009's with my BHSE and K-01, but at that time I was using the SED tubes. When I heard those two Earspeakers with the SED's in my BHSE, the 007's sounded better with some songs, and the 009's sounded better with other songs.
Earlier this year while using the PH tubes, I heard the SR-007mk2's along with my 009's and the 009's were in a completely different league, plus the way I like to hear SQ the 009's sounded a lot better than when I heard the SR-007mk1's with the BHSE.
 
So while they all have an important role to play, I believe the source comes first, then the amp, and then the headphones.
If someone else thinks different then that's their choice, so I'm not going to get into an argument about it.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 3:30 PM Post #25 of 82
david1961 said:
  I once owned a SR-007mk1 which some regard as the best headphone ever made, and the amp I had to drive it was the SRM-007t.
I got that combo in 2000 and at that time my source was a Musical Fidelity CD player [ I can't remember the model ].
 Because I wasn't impressed with the SQ using that source with the stax combo, in 2005 after having saved some money I decided to get an Esoteric X-03se and although the SQ improved, I still wasn't that impressed.
In 2011 I auditioned the K-01 and after hearing it I knew I had to have it, but in order for me to own one I had to use the 007mk1's + 007t + X-03se as part exchange.
 
Because I was never happy with how the 007mk1's sounded while using the SRM-007t + X-03se, I didn't hesitate in using them to get the K-01.
 
Around July 2012 I heard the SR-007mk1's along with my 009's with my BHSE and K-01, but at that time I was using the SED tubes. When I heard those two Earspeakers with the SED's in my BHSE, the 007's sounded better with some songs, and the 009's sounded better with other songs.
Earlier this year while using the PH tubes, I heard the SR-007mk2's along with my 009's and the 009's were in a completely different league, plus the way I like to hear SQ the 009's sounded a lot better than when I heard the SR-007mk1's with the BHSE.
 
So while they all have an important role to play, I believe the source comes first, then the amp, and then the headphones.
If someone else thinks different then that's their choice, so I'm not going to get into an argument about it.
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Ah, yes, I remember you mentioning how some songs sounded better to you on each headphone. Another reason I would like to get the BHSE is because it's usually said to be the best amp for the SR-007, which should be a good backup and complement to the SR-009.
 
Hm, but you do seem to enjoy the SR-009 more than other headphones.
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Oct 13, 2014 at 5:43 PM Post #26 of 82
music alchemist said:
 
Ah, yes, I remember you mentioning how some songs sounded better to you on each headphone. Another reason I would like to get the BHSE is because it's usually said to be the best amp for the SR-007, which should be a good backup and complement to the SR-009.
 
Hm, but you do seem to enjoy the SR-009 more than other headphones.
biggrin.gif
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I've only heard the 007mk1's while using the SED tubes with the BHSE, and I've only heard the 007mk2's while using the PH tubes. 
So if the 007mk1's while using the PH tubes sounded anything like the 007mk2's did, then obviously the 009's would be in a different league. [ to the way I like to hear SQ ].
 
Yes the 009's with the BHSE [ using you know what tubes ] are easily the best sounding headphones I've ever heard.
k701smile.gif

I did hear the Abyss at a recent Hi-Fi show, but because of the outside noise I couldn't hear that thing properly.
 
Oct 13, 2014 at 5:56 PM Post #27 of 82
david1961 said:
  I've only heard the 007mk1's while using the SED tubes with the BHSE, and I've only heard the 007mk2's while using the PH tubes. 
So if the 007mk1's while using the PH tubes sounded anything like the 007mk2's did, then obviously the 009's would be in a different league. [ to the way I like to hear SQ ].
 
Yes the 009's with the BHSE [ using you know what tubes ] are easily the best sounding headphones I've ever heard.
k701smile.gif

I did hear the Abyss at a recent Hi-Fi show, but because of the outside noise I couldn't hear that thing properly.
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Well, many of the most experienced people say that the SR-007MK2 sounds awful compared to the original SR-007, so I wouldn't sell them short. Some even prefer the SR-007 over the SR-009, but I don't think I would, since most agree with you that it's in a different league.
 
I forgot to ask, did you compare your source with a variety of more affordable ones? Once money isn't an issue, I have no problem with spending a small fortune on my audio system, as long as it sounds that much better to me, but for the time being, I'll have to work my way up the echelon, so to speak.
 
Oct 14, 2014 at 3:30 AM Post #28 of 82
music alchemist said:
 
Well, many of the most experienced people say that the SR-007MK2 sounds awful compared to the original SR-007, so I wouldn't sell them short. Some even prefer the SR-007 over the SR-009, but I don't think I would, since most agree with you that it's in a different league.
 
I forgot to ask, did you compare your source with a variety of more affordable ones? Once money isn't an issue, I have no problem with spending a small fortune on my audio system, as long as it sounds that much better to me, but for the time being, I'll have to work my way up the echelon, so to speak.
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Although I've never heard the SR-007mk1's while using the PH tubes with my BHSE, I believe Richard [ The Attorney ] owns a pair of mk1's, and also has some PH's. So Richard might like to tell you how the 007mk1's sound with the PH's.
I'm not sure if Richard has heard the 009's with his BHSE while using the PH tubes though.
 
When I auditioned the K-01 there were several sources I could've listened to, but I didn't because to me the K-01 not only sounds amazing, but it's also a thing of beauty, and not only that it's built like a tank. So because of those three things I wasn't interested in listening to anything else.
Someone else might like to advise you on a less expensive source.
 
Oct 15, 2014 at 2:20 PM Post #29 of 82
Hi Music Alchemist
There are other amp choices besides the (very good) BHSE. I was going to buy the BHSE but was a bit concerned over the amount of tubes I have, as I already run tube speaker amps and a tubed Audio Note DAC. So I got a DIY'er to build me a KGSShv off-board. I then took that amp round to David's and we both liked the sound very much. It was a different signature, and I think David liked his BHSE better. To me it was very close and had tons of drive and bass dynamics yet great on vocals (like a good tube amp), so I was pleased. I got to spend 1/3 of the BHSE cost and have no tubes. I am not saying the build of the BHSE can be beat mind, when you see it in the flesh.
 
Both the above will drive your 007s very well. And also make the 009s should you get those in the future sound sublime.
 
There is also the LL2 which some say is much better than the not so well regard LL1. The rest are pretty much all tubed, and I don't rater any of them (production models). The DIY KGST is supposed to be real good though, and can be built for £1400 approx.
 
I agree with David about the source. I bought the Metrum Octave II NOS DAC to sue while I was away from home with the 009s.
When IO later got back to use my Audio Note DAC the difference was huge! It is all digital but the way the DAC handles the music and the quality of the power supplies has a massive effect on the SQ. You know, if money is a bit tight, there is the Audio Note DAC 3.1 or 4.1 kit for 3100 US. I built mine it is every bit as good as the finished product DAC which retails at £10k.
 
Good luck with your search.
 
Oct 15, 2014 at 2:34 PM Post #30 of 82
astrostar59 said:
  Hi Music Alchemist
There are other amp choices besides the (very good) BHSE. I was going to buy the BHSE but was a bit concerned over the amount of tubes I have, as I already run tube speaker amps and a tubed Audio Note DAC. So I got a DIY'er to build me a KGSShv off-board. I then took that amp round to David's and we both liked the sound very much. It was a different signature, and I think David liked his BHSE better. To me it was very close and had tons of drive and bass dynamics yet great on vocals (like a good tube amp), so I was pleased. I got to spend 1/3 of the BHSE cost and have no tubes. I am not saying the build of the BHSE can be beat mind, when you see it in the flesh.
 
Both the above will drive your 007s very well. And also make the 009s should you get those in the future sound sublime.
 
There is also the LL2 which some say is much better than the not so well regard LL1. The rest are pretty much all tubed, and I don't rater any of them (production models). The DIY KGST is supposed to be real good though, and can be built for £1400 approx.
 
I agree with David about the source. I bought the Metrum Octave II NOS DAC to sue while I was away from home with the 009s.
When IO later got back to use my Audio Note DAC the difference was huge! It is all digital but the way the DAC handles the music and the quality of the power supplies has a massive effect on the SQ. You know, if money is a bit tight, there is the Audio Note DAC 3.1 or 4.1 kit for 3100 US. I built mine it is every bit as good as the finished product DAC which retails at £10k.
 
Good luck with your search.
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Thanks for the info!
 
Since this is going to end up being a five-figure investment, I want to make sure to get the best components I can. (I know that quality is somewhat subjective.) I would rather save up for something excellent in the long run than collect lots of "good enough" gear, only to get rid of it (possibly at a loss) later on. My plan is to just start off with a (relatively) affordable DAC like the WDS-1, then eventually upgrade to something so expensive I'm not going to mention it (yet)...but only if I hear it and it sounds that much better.
 
I actually know someone who is working on building multiple units of the DIY T2...but the parts alone are pretty rare and expensive. I haven't seen many comparisons between it and the BHSE, but it seems to be only "very slightly" better, so probably not worth the trouble.
 
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