Here is the ES-1 configuration I "settled" upon (I went with it if bold):
1.) ES-1 Electrostatic Amplifier - Without this option the sound is kind of thin
2.) Maestro Type Case Custom Build (2 cases) CNC Milled by Lockheed - I actually prefer the simpler standard ES-1 casework
3.) Power Transformers Plitron Custom Toroidal (Large) - You can never have enough power so going with the large Plitrons was a no brainer
4.) Cardas Silver Solder surcharge - Optimizing for the OII so I felt that silver in the signal path was a good thing; In retrospect was probably not needed as the power was more important
5.) Cardas GFRAL S/E RCA Inputs/ 2 Each - The stock RCA's seemed more than adequate
6.) Cardas Audio Wiring - Cardas wiring has always impressed me with its lack of sonic signature, YMMV.
7.) Jensen paper in oil coupling capacitors - Went with Audio Notes
8.) Audio Note Silver Foil in oil coupling capacitors - I want my headphone amp as clear and resolving as possible so the Audio Notes were chosen; I do not know if this would make much difference over Vcaps
9.) Vcap coupling capacitors - Went with Audio Notes
10.) 4 Channel GoldPoint Attenuator - Volume controls can be the weak point in a headphone amp so money spent here is IMO wise. This is still a cheaper option compared to the custom SP attenuators
11.) Audio Output Capacitors Large - This is a dynamic circuit upgrade so did not seem relevant
12.) Solen Plate Voltage Input Capacitor - I wanted good quality here since I quickly became aware of the price of good tubes
13.) High Frequency Bypass Capacitors - No one could adequately explain the advantage of these so I passed
14.) Black Gate Power Capacitors Stage I - Black Gates in the PS are always a good thing
15.) Black Gate Power Capacitors Stage 2 - In retrospect I probably should have sprung for the larger Black Gates
16.) Black Gate Cathode Capacitors - Didn't see the need for these when going with the next option
17.) Black Gate Cathode bypass capacitors ES - I do not like "sluggish" tube amps so this seemed like a reasonable upgrade
18.) Solid Silver Audio circuit upgrade (thick 99.99%) - I passed on this and always slightly wonder if I should have sprung for it, I find it hard to believe it would have made a massive difference
19.) Dual Umbilical cord upgrade for maximum separation - Together 19 and 20 maximize channel separation, which in my experience allows you to hear the best soundstage width and depth your cans/speakers are capable of
20.) Quad Regulators for maximum separation - Together 19 and 20 maximize channel separation, which in my experience allows you to hear the best soundstage width and depth your cans/speakers are capable of
21.) Quad Regulator Audio Note voltage reference filter capacitors - Since these are not truly in the signal path this seemed like a bit of overkill
22.) Quad Regulator V-Cap voltage reference filter capacitors - Since these are not truly in the signal path this seemed like a bit of overkill
23.) Add additional jack for Senn HE-60 - I couldn't leave my HE-60's out in the cold
24.) 3 selectable inputs (2 XLR, 1 RCA), 1 loop out (RCA), 2 preamp outputs (XLR) - I wanted to be able to use this with multiple sources and without an additional preamp
25.) Digital volume control with remote - I wanted to be able to use this as a preamp in a speaker system; The digital volume control has a totally seperate power supply, is totally separate from the attenuators and can be completely turned off; Allows remote volume control and muting, but not source slection; This is actually a future-proofing as I currently use a TACT amp for my speakers with digital inputs and volume control.
Tubes:
Output: 3D21W + adapters (OII, OI, HE-60)
Center: 6BL7GT (OII, OI), 6SN7W (HE-60)
Driver: 12AZ7 + adapters (OII, OI), 6SN7W (HE-60), 2C51 + adapters (HE-60)
