Sonoma Acoustics Model One may warrant comparison to other TOTL electrostats ! Interesting.
The Sonoma would not be easy to compare because, if I understand its description, the electrostatic headphone only works with their own amplifier. And the amplifier has a built-in DAC that only has a USB input?
Gee, the Model One (M1) is so new, there's not much info about them yet.
I think they have a hi and lo analog input in the class A amp section of the amp/dac combo.
Site says they are high bias, but dunno the exact voltage, or power needs to drive the headphones. Depending on these factors, comparisons to other stats may be easy or tricky, but possible, and it has been done before with other brands stats in run-offs.
It may be as simple as plugging into a Stax amp, if all matches, like a KS-H3 or using an adapter cord with a powerful Stax amp as in the case with ESP-950.
If not, it's trickier, but still possible, yet may be oranges to tangerines, rather than to apples analogy.
Using 2 of the same stat amps, but 1 amp with modified bias voltage can offer a standardized baseline; the slight voltage difference may not affect amp's presentation to 2 different headphones, and allow comparison of them. Same can be done with a speaker-amp tapped out into 2 same energizer/transformers, each one specific to bias voltage needed.
Trying to recall, it seems an stat amp was/is made with variable bias voltage (not just normal & high-bias, but variable-voltages); if so, 2 of those could compare Model One cans to other brand stat cans, as close to oranges vs oranges.
With this can run-off, it then leads to know how different the Model One sounds switched over with it's own dedicated amp - that amp may even be able to drive other stat brands, just don't know much about it yet.
If all else fails, each dedicated system can be run-off vs the other; that can be oranges to apples or oranges to tangerines. Sorta think like KingSound amp with KingSound headphones vs Stax amp with Stax headphones. These type reviews have been done before. Somehow we will get comparative tests.
(Multi) Stax & Airbow guy here, like yourself; also have KS-H3 and ESP-950, so always curious about new comers in the stat market like the new HiFiMan, Mr Speakers and Sonoma Acoustics. Brand competiton can be a good thing. Really interested in the new SR-L700, expecting to get one in future.
Hopefully didn't sidetrack here, but there are these 3 new stats at RMAF, all three look exciting to learn more about !
