astrostar59
BannedMember of the Trade: Aries Cerat Espana, Auriculares High-EndAKA Headstage, headphoneweekend
The crazy thing is we (Mulveling and I) share the same reference point right down to the source. His amps used to be mine except the Carbon including Rrs9200m's prototype Mjolnir Mini KGSSHV. And I can confirm that each KGSSHV do indeed sound different from one to another including the prototype Mjolnir Mini (RGS9200m) and current Mini. They are all excellent sounding amplifiers in my opinion and I'm pretty much in agreement with his earlier post outlining the sound of each amp. Mike has continued to turn down my invitation to do a BHSE vs. KGSSHV Carbon comparison/shoot out, so I figure he has a much better things to do.
Firstly, my Carbon is 17mA, and since you seem very interested in Carbons it might be wise to ask builders who have tweaked that setting about its effect on the sound.
I think it's extremely unlikely that you'd be displeased in moving from your 009/450V to a Carbon like the one I have. Especially since you report your DAC to be warm. It should be a perfect pairing, and you'll gain a notable bump up in resolution and soundstage. Again, the Carbon I have is slightly laid back if anything. Just not as warm and thick as the 450V/Sanyo. Nobody can give you a guarantee over the internet, but I think you'd be happy with a Carbon.
It seems like you fear brightness. Does this come from your own experience with the 009 on other gear, or from reading opinions of those who dislike the 009?
Hah, I feel the same way about the 007 Mk Is...but especially when paired with the 450V/Sanyo. Also the L700 are truly excellent Lambdas; certainly not suffering from the bass ailments you describe. They also pair extremely well with the Carbon (though they can't fully take advantage of the Carbon's great soundstage).
Hey, thanks guys. I am coming to a realisation that indeed a Carbon KGSShv could be a step up from my much loved KGSShv Sanyo. The soundstage comments and fast pace has me excited indeed. If the Carbon is a step up, how has this been achieved I wonder? Is it the fact the Fetts can take much more heat and thus more amps, with typically 10 amps on an off-board KGSShv bumped up to 17 amps or even 20 amps with the Carbon. I believe the BHSE is 20 amps. Also I note the KGSShv has 8 Fetts per side, and the Carbon only 4 on the heatsinks or is it 6 with the 2 vertically mounted. And do these have higher gain with less parts thus less 'loss'? I have no idea, no doubt should be asking Kevin G. I also note the Carbon iOS typically 400V and my KGSShv is 450V.