I thought it would be interesting to share listening experiences on top headphone amplifiers (not electrostatic) and see if there is some kind of consensus as to what the ultimate amplifier might be currently. I have heard the Viva Egoista on the Abyss, and own the Aries Cerat Genus with the...

I have ordered this Aries Cerat SET integrated amplifier called the Genus for my speaker system, and currently run the Violectric V281 headphone amp to my LCD4s. BUT the Genus also has a true headphone output from the output stage with both high and low impedance setting. The best sound on any...

Aries Cerat Kassandra Ref II NOS tubed DAC I recently changed my DAC, and thought I would start a thread talking about this brand here. Not many will have heard of Aries Cerat (based in Cyprus). I came across them via some buddies who owned the same Audio Note DAC 5 model I had until recently...

This is a hugely covered and exhaustive debate over the last few years. Caveat: this is my findings in my system, and YMMV and it is IMO. Also to those who own both, ignore.   I had the 007 MK2s circa 2013 Black model SZ3xxxx. It was used with a KGSShv Sanyo off-board (I had 2 of the same...

I have spotted a Fraud sale of an MSB DAC on AGon. I told them and they have taken it down.    I spotted the pictures of the MSB stack were different (the heatsinks at the front where it meets the legs).   So AGon doing there job, but take care guys. I was buying an Audio Note DAC 5 for...

Hi Guys   I have read some magazine reviews, but wanted to hear a view on the TotalDAC USB cable from those who have one in their system.   I am not someone who believes a USB cable quality has no effect on the sound, but I am wanting to get an idea just how much of a benefit the cable from...

Hi Folks After I bought the PS Audio P10 to power my DAC, KGSShv. Plinius SA-103 power amplifier last month, and hearing how it cleaned up the sound in my gear even more, it got me thinking....   Is there any more (hopefully) affordable gems hidden in the rest of my source gear. I have...

I have read so much on this subject that seems to conflict and disagree, confuse and generally talk up the science of the 2 routes.   I am coming from a 100% Redbook perspective, with no interest in the higher res formats, I am interested in views and experiences from members who have spent...

Hi Guys I know it's early in development, and I am not sure how far it has got. It might be too early, but has anyone actually heard a KGSShv carbon with the 009s yet? If so, how it is, and where does it sit as regards the KGSShv off-board?   I for one am very interested in the carbon...

  Look, get to listen to a great NOS DAC with tubes, them come back and say it is rubbish. You might just surprise yourself!    Delta-Sigma as in oversampling has it's fans, and NOS has it's fans. The NOS camp is a lot smaller, IMO because less folk have actually heard it at home. It is hard...

Hi all My Border Collie jumped on my phones lead and strained the cable at the clamp area, resulting in it cutting out in the right earpiece.   So, I have replaced the cable with a genuine Stax part. Soldering was a bit fiddly as the wires are really thin. I found the best way was lay the...

Hi All I have a question.   I have the 717 and a pair of SR-007s. I use a valve based standalone Audio Note 3.1 DAC with a line stage inside which is very smooth, no edge or digital harshness.   So, the SQ I am getting is great, very happy. However, I have found I vastly prefer using my...

Hi All I have a good condition 1 year old pair of SR-007s, but I need to replace the cable.   My Collie dog decided to leap on me and it has snagged the cable at it's entry point into the cable clamp.   So, I have dismantled the units down to the speaker panels out, cut the old wires and...

Hi All I would be interested in Stax users views as regards tubed front ends. We see a LOT of users with BHSE and KGSS and other tube energisers/amps. For me, before I started taking Stax listening above an hour a week, and was mainly using Horn speakers, I had moved away from solid state front...

Hi All I have the SR-007 MK2.5 and having only heard the MK1 for a quick demo don't know the difference in SQ.   But I think I read the MK2s has the port blocked up? Is this right, and if so where is it?   Can it be unblocked?   Will it increase the damage / fart factor when I take them...

Hi All   I have had Stax headphones for years, and always seemed to use them periodically, never enough in my view.   So, having upgraded my trusty Lambda Nova Signatures and SRD6 to some SR-007 MK 2.5s and a SRM-717 amp, I decided to install them permanently in the studio where I spend most...

Hi Guys   I heard this amp a few weeks back. It is truly special, a real smooth sound with awesome bass and that tube mid range I love so much. It ain't cheap, granted, and it is a kit (though complete kit). I takes about 8 hours to build.   The parts inside this baby and the sound on...

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Hi all I am a tube lover, and run an all Audio Note DAC-Pre-Power system, but also use SR-007 MK2 and a Stax SR-717 amp.   I have owned quite a few DACs over the years from Naim, Meridian and Musical Fidelity. 7 years ago I came across the None Oversampling DACs and fell in love with the...

Hi All I might be in a minority, not sure, but coming from a tube based SET system (Audio Note) I naturally leaned towards a Tubed DAC for my Stax SR-007s Mk2s with SRM-717 and Speaker system.   I did own various solid state DACs (UK boutique units) but build an Audio Note DAC 1.1 kit back...

Hi All I have taken the plunge, and ordered the M2Tech EVO USB convertor, and was wondering if buying the M2Tech external clock made much difference.         I would use a Mac Mini with external drive, and use the USB connection into the EVO, then run Coax RCA out to my Audio Note...

Hi All   I have a good Transport (CEC) and run that into an Audio Note DAC Signature (tubed) into Stax SR-007s. I love the sound and DON'T want to loose it!   However, I am very interested in playing music via the Naim UnitiServe. The WAV files would then be sent digitally via the...

Hi All   I have built some Audio Note kits, and run a DAC kit which is really great sound for the money.   I note Audio Note kits (Canada) have brought out a kit Headphone ampl It has got to be the cheapest way to get top quality into those headphones, and the kits are fun to make!  ...

Hi All I have been a hifi enthusiast for 20 years, and have swung from Turntables with Solid State amplification to CD with initially Solid State amps then moved to Tubes. Like many I would think, I have trod an expensive and sometimes fraught path to Musical Satisfaction. And from that path I...

Hi all   I have my Stax SRM-313 connected through my Audio Note tubed pre-amp output, and set the volume on the Stax to full and have the pre-amp at 1/4 for good volume. I think it sounds good.   What is the norm? Do you guys connect it direct to your source or via a tape loop on your...