This is a shot in the dark: Can any of you tell me whether any of the Focal headphones do justice to the Stellaris. Do they see into the music better than other premium headphones? In fact, I have found that the Stellaris reproduces music in a fantastic way on a pretty wide variety of...

There is also the EML 2A3-S (Solid plate) to consider. I far prefer it to the mesh-plate, which I found to be great in the treble, but lacks "body" in the mid-range. I have not tried the EML 300B 2.5, but I have a number of other 2A3 tubes, anyway.

According to the owner of Audio Note (UK), AN(UK) will never get into the headphone business, but they have co-operated with Donald in certain elements of the design and furnishing parts. I don't know any more than this. Ask Donald, if he can build an all silver Stellaris. One thing is for...

I don't think Audio Note (UK) produces a really high-end 2A3 amp, but the Empress Silver Signature mono blocks certainly has a pretty polite sound signature, but still captures the inner details and never falls behind, dynamically. However, it doesn't have silver OPTs, or silver coupling caps.

M17, I'm sure Donald can do that, but I warn you it will probably end up as basically an AN(UK) amplifier. You may or may not like the sound. It's pretty polite.

Thanks again, St.P. There's a long thread on the HD600, here, on head-fi. It's not as warm as the HD650s. I have never tried them.

Thanks St.P. I agree with you about HD650 100%, but what about the HD600, which I have never heard?

I am the owner of one of the first handful of Stellaris amplifiers. I'm thinking of upgrading my headphones to a newer generation of cans. Does anyone have the Focal Clears? How do they sound? I'm really hesitant about this because I had a terrible experience with the HD-800. I did upgrade a...

The LCD-X is a whole different kettle of fish than the two LCD-2 models and the LCD-3. It's far more analytical.

If anybody who gave up on the Original LCD-2 and still has them: if you can afford it, get it fazorized. It makes a huge difference. I had given up hope after buying one of the first. Now I am very happy. They have imrpoved my enjoyment of all kinds of music (classical, early indie groups...

There is big difference between listening to one's headphones and listening to the music.

I've never been able to figure out how to quote anyone. Nonetheless in reply to the comparison of the LCD-2 and the LCD-2 + Fazors, the latter has better bass, is more balanced through the sonic range (less warmth) is a lot more detailed and has better "inner resolution" of instruments and...

I bought a couple of $1K headphones and was sadly disappointed, so I went back to my HD650 and AKG 7xx. Before that, I had purchased a first generation LCD2. Didn't like it. This Spring, I sent them back to the factory and the Fazors installed. This resulted in a very large improvement to my...

I'm guessing you are right. But aren't there equally expensive amps that get more attention? Any of them SETs? My hunch is that they are way outnumbered by SS addicts, but I am too happy with my Stellaris to bother to look. I also see on Head-fi that there are number of high-end DAC users...

This isn't going anywhere, is it?

K4star, I used the HD650 on my modified Stratus and I now use them on my Stellaris with very good results. I can highly recommend them.

The filaments on the 5U4G light up the second you push the on button. Many other rectifier types have filaments that light up after the other voltages. There is some debate if this shortens the life of the 5U4G compared to other rectifiers. Many DIYers add a slow start circuit to the 5U4G.

That depends on your definition of "totally different". The typology is the same. The power supply is a different circuit. The driver and output stages are the same, but the Stellaris uses much better components, all around. AN(UK), the OPTs being quite different (much better than) in the...

Yes, that is certainly true, even for the first version of the stock model of the Stratus. I was probably one of the first to modify a Stratus: I did so based mainly on Doanld's suggestions. I didn't do that much (dig around on the Stratus Thread, and you'll find it there), but the impact was...

Probably the biggest differences between the modified Stratus and the Stellaris are in the power supply and output transformers of the Stellaris.

This shouldn't come as a shock. Consider the price tag (+2X that of the Stratus) and the fact that newer (and modified) versions of the Stratus have much improved sonics at only a small increase in price. Why buy the Stellaris? It has vastly improved dynamics and inner detail resolution, plus...

Power transformers convert AC voltage from your mains up or down to another AC voltage, and block DC votage; Input and output transformers are used for impedance matching from the input signal to the driver or from the power tube to speaker. Interstage transformers either transform the impedance...

I'm writing here about my Impressions of the Stallaris, instead of the Stellaris thread because I was a long-time Stratus owner who decided to take the plunge, without hearing it first, and after a good deal of thought. First, let me say that the Stratus is an outstanding amplifier, especially...

I think you need to ask this question over on the Stratus thread.

Mine is 0004.