Getting ready to go away and take the WM1Z/Utopia headphones with me - using the 1Z as a DAC connected to my iPhone. Duh - the lightbulb just went off - my new iPhone 15 Pro Max has USB C. The Apple CCK kit I always used will not work. I have a 3rd party USB C hub which will allow me to...

Agreed

I find the X9000 need more power to come alive. I use a Kerry T2 with mine Since most of my listening is 2 channel I also subscribe to the theory of - source first. The X9000 scale up with a better source. The accusation they do not do bass is simply not true. While I realize most cannot...

So with some having mixed feelings on the X9000 which Stax model (excluding the 007) is now their totl? 009? 009S? 009BK?

As new HeadAmp GSX mk2 purchased in February 2021. I asked Justin to customize this for me and use a variable volume control. I do not like the fixed step DACT as the predefined steps do not provide enough flexibility for controlling the volume. Hardly used as I have many toys here and most...

All good Buy any more tubes lately - EL34?

Arrived this evening. Just a quick post to say this amp lives up to its mythical status. From cold the best my OG Utopias have ever sounded. I am sure more is to come. Build quality, packaging and presentation of the highest quality. Performance equally so. The last photo gives you an idea...

I already know that perhaps I needed to be clearer as the reissue will be hitting any day now - thus the reason for my question

any comments on this ECP DSHA3F Ravenswood 3F

Has anyone tried the TL-1b with a HeadAmp GSX MK2? Although my primary listening is STAX I have been tempted to try a CA-1a

Original Vykari owner here - I have not had any problems at all

since you brought up the analog analogy, I will simply paraphrase MBE Ivor Tiefenbrun founder of Linn Products Glasgow - LP12 Source first always…. There is a lot of information inside those grooves. One needs the best source possible to extract it. Lesser sources will leave some music behind...

While I play around quite a bit with headphones (Stax), at the end of the day I remain primarily a 2 channel guy. In that world "source first" ALWAYS rules. It should be the same here, imho, however frequently it is not. While I realize totl DAC's are a luxury for most I have been fortunate...

Correct me if I am wrong however wasn't the CFA3 designed for hard to drive headphones (ex. Susvara). Easy to drive, like the Utopia, will perhaps be better with the GSX MK2?

hmm…that might be me 😆 I even had two headphone friends over - one who also listens to 2 channel via a Rossini- and both were impressed by the mini Tron cables as well. I use a Graceline level 2 xlr in my Stax/T2 system and just bought a second hand set of Black Cat 3202 xlr's for another...