I can personally say Ray is an amazing person with so much care for the audio gear he engineers- one question/clarification - is that the STAX SR-009 no 's' on name?
Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org
John Massaria
Audio Addict
There are 2 Staxes. There is the original SR-009 and an updated SR-009S. Both are still being sold. Ray used the SR-009.
protoss
Excellent story and journey 
I can not believe he upgraded the A10. This got me intrigued.
Can you eventually get the 007 and try it out and see how it is?
I can not believe he upgraded the A10. This got me intrigued.
Can you eventually get the 007 and try it out and see how it is?
John Massaria
I am loving my RSA amp but like you - I have the Apache - just in case some of your readers need a solid state powerhouse for conventional headphones I wanted to share and I wanted to add this- loving it more each month (with the new 4 - OPA627bp I am really digging it soooo much! I am going back and forth with different OPAs Sparkos Dual Discrete Op Amp SS360 and just ordered 4 SS2590 pros - I plan on adding to my review as compared to the 4 1611's Ray installed and really sound amazing as well. I love RSA and loved how Ray gave such personal attention - here is my review for those who need convential amplification for headphones/preamp by Ray Samuel's https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/up...limited-revision-4-newest-version-2020.24732/
best56
Great history
Audio Addict
@protoss On the 007MKII, I am not sure where I could find a pair short of buying. If you are in the Chicago area, contact Ray by PM and he may let you audition his.
Audio Addict
In follow up to @John Massaria comment, my updated Apache to revision 4 shipped back today.
PS:. I did not think the S2590s would fit in the two outside DIP sockets??
PS:. I did not think the S2590s would fit in the two outside DIP sockets??
Audio Addict
Just a quick update. Even with Revision #4 to the Apache paired with my Utopias and the DirectStream DAC, this setup still falls short of the A-10 Thunderbolt II / Stax setup.
iFi audio
That's a very cool story, @Audio Addict, thanks for sharing!
Jacobal
How much did you spend on the upgrade tubes? Was it worth it?
Audio Addict
The A-10 comes with them so it is included in the price. I think he has run out of the NOS 12AX7 now.
Jacobal
Oh ok, I assumed you tube rolled in your reviewed.
Audio Addict
It came with the following NOS
1 Raytheon 12AX7 / Matched grids
2 Matched Pairs of Raytheon 12AX7
Matched Quad of Tung-Sol 5687
Matched Pair of Sylvania VT231
1 Raytheon 12AX7 / Matched grids
2 Matched Pairs of Raytheon 12AX7
Matched Quad of Tung-Sol 5687
Matched Pair of Sylvania VT231
Jacobal
Were those stock good enough?
Audio Addict
They pair really well. There really is no reason to tube roll.
Jacobal
But you said in the Cons that “requires NOS for best performance”. What was that about?
Audio Addict
I made an assumption since the vendor delivered it with NOS tubes. My thought process was why would a vendor include NOS if they thought new tubes would do a good job. I may have jumped to that conclusion without actually trying new tubes.
Audio Addict
For anyone interested, Ray mentioned he is burning in the last A-10 Thunderbolt II he will build as he is out of chassis. I told him it should go into the Smithsonian!!
John Massaria
yes or audio hall of fame
