ES2a discussions \ reviews \ reasoning \ impressions

[TheAbyss2022]

I've decided that I will be using the Phantom to drive the 2a until T2 arrives. The tube plus mode brings a really nice warmth to the midrange and the timbre is so much better. I don't like using it as a pre to the Carbon cc as the carbons neutrality creeps back and stage is expended which I think is actually bad as the smaller stage on the Phantom helps the midrange sound more engaging.

If you are thinking about getting this headphone make sure that you have some tubes in your chain. This was the same with the Stax 009 for me, very neutral and needed some tube warmth to make it less sterile sounding.

 

[aokman]

I've decided that I will be using the Phantom to drive the 2a until T2 arrives. The tube plus mode brings a really nice warmth to the midrange and the timbre is so much better. I don't like using it as a pre to the Carbon cc as the carbons neutrality creeps back and stage is expended which I think is actually bad as the smaller stage on the Phantom helps the midrange sound more engaging.

If you are thinking about getting this headphone make sure that you have some tubes in your chain. This was the same with the Stax 009 for me, very neutral and needed some tube warmth to make it less sterile sounding.

With the amount of stuff in that thing, id be amazed if the tubes do anything at all and it isn’t just an EQ filter or the transformers natural frequency response…

 

[TheAbyss2022]

With the amount of stuff in that thing, id be amazed if the tubes do anything at all and it isn’t just an EQ filter or the transformers natural frequency response…

Completely incorrect, it's a hybrid tube amplifier with the option to bypass the solid state and go completely tube. I know the tubes work because I've tube rolled a few sets which all sound very different. My favourite pair is Sylvania, thicc and warm...

 

[Beyond The Blackwall]

I've decided that I will be using the Phantom to drive the 2a until T2 arrives. The tube plus mode brings a really nice warmth to the midrange and the timbre is so much better. I don't like using it as a pre to the Carbon cc as the carbons neutrality creeps back and stage is expended which I think is actually bad as the smaller stage on the Phantom helps the midrange sound more engaging.

If you are thinking about getting this headphone make sure that you have some tubes in your chain. This was the same with the Stax 009 for me, very neutral and needed some tube warmth to make it less sterile sounding.

I imagine tubes would suit the 2a very nicely. My TT2 / 007S may not be the best pairing for it, quite bright sounding. Flirted with the idea of adding a Schiit Freya to the chain. But desk space is limited and it might reduce transparency. The cost and availability of tubes is also a deterrent.

 

[TheAbyss2022]

I imagine tubes would suit the 2a very nicely. My TT2 / 007S may not be the best pairing for it, quite bright sounding. Flirted with the idea of adding a Schiit Freya to the chain. But desk space is limited and it might reduce transparency. The cost and availability of tubes is also a deterrent.

I think it will be worth it getting a tube pre amp. To me, synergy is more important than outright transparency.

It will tame the brightness and should provide better timbre and a more holographic stage.

 

[mulveling]

I've decided that I will be using the Phantom to drive the 2a until T2 arrives. The tube plus mode brings a really nice warmth to the midrange and the timbre is so much better. I don't like using it as a pre to the Carbon cc as the carbons neutrality creeps back and stage is expended which I think is actually bad as the smaller stage on the Phantom helps the midrange sound more engaging.

If you are thinking about getting this headphone make sure that you have some tubes in your chain. This was the same with the Stax 009 for me, very neutral and needed some tube warmth to make it less sterile sounding.

I recently listened to a old (og boards) KGSShv Carbon w/ 009 again (after several years), and was struck by how much I disliked the midrange. Very unnatural to me. I can sort of see why folks like Birgir hate 009, if they're being paired to amps like this. It's a similar story with ES2a. Though I think its midrange is for sure better than 009, it still needs tubes to shine and sound truly natural. And yes, I would agree with others its midrange is slightly recessed - again, this is a natural partner to tube amps which generally fill-in and flesh-out the mids. It's really a shame there is a dearth of all-tube e-stat amps. Some of the hybrids are pretty good (OK, the T2 is amazing) but I think for ES2a "more tubey" is better.

Back when I heard that Carbon I also heard a KGST, and sadly it wasn't too much better in midrange - and much worse in bass / dynamics / slam. Some of the hybrids probably lean more heavily into their SS side versus tubes. My old KGSShv is an IXYS 500V, which is my favorite flavor of all, and its midrange is much better than most other SS amps (the exception being the 450V w/ Sanyo parts). But it's still not as good as tubes, for headphones like the 009 and ES2a!

IMO

 

[TheAbyss2022]

It's really a shame there is a dearth of all-tube e-stat amps. Some of the hybrids are pretty good (OK, the T2 is amazing) but I think for ES2a "more tubey" is better.

I think the new Headamp Grand Cayman is a new full tube amp coming out soon. Saying that, they've been teasing it for like 6 years now so who knows lol.

I can't even listen to the 2a on the Carbon cc anymore. It's too sterile and boring for me. I'd rather sacrifice some resolution to get the results the Phantom on tube plus mode is giving me.

 

[fidgeraldo]

I can't even listen to the 2a on the Carbon cc anymore. It's too sterile and boring for me.

I told you...Paltauf is the best!

Cheers!

 

[TheAbyss2022]

I told you...Paltauf is the best!

Cheers!

That's not a fault of the carbon. It drives it to a top level but the tonality and neutrality of the 2a doesn't synergise well with the carbon.

When it comes to the CRBN 2 and Stax 007 MK1, their sound signatures are already warm so they synergise very well and the best I've heard with the Carbon at home.

 

[fidgeraldo]

That's not a fault of the carbon. It drives it to a top level but the tonality and neutrality of the 2a doesn't synergise well with the carbon.

That's why I said Paltauf is the best, because it has fantastic synergy with any headphones.
You name it...Paltauf is delivering.

Cheers!

 

[aokman]

I think the new Headamp Grand Cayman is a new full tube amp coming out soon. Saying that, they've been teasing it for like 6 years now so who knows lol.

I can't even listen to the 2a on the Carbon cc anymore. It's too sterile and boring for me. I'd rather sacrifice some resolution to get the results the Phantom on tube plus mode is giving me.

Linear is linear lol… if you want a STAX amp sound then just progressively roll off the high frequencies past 1Khz or so…

 

[Kiats]

I’m actually listening to the ES2a right now off a Stax 007t with CCS mod by @spritzer , fed by Holo Spring3 KTE and it sounds great!

 

[dleblanc343]

Here is a shot with two of the black units with different cables on the same table. The Stax cable and the PC-Triple-C option. Both cables are 2.3M long.

I asked about spare pads and Benson said “the spare pads are not the same from the default pads. The spare pads are the same pad as in ES1A. The default pads are not sold separately and the es1a pads are sold as extra for people who like pad swapping and want to try a different tuning.”

I should have ordered a set of the ES-1a pads but I neglected to do so. I did, however, order my unit with a narrower (by 2cm side to side) and thicker (4mm vs standard 3mm) headband frame to improve clamping force and seal. One thing that multiple reviewers noted about ES-1a was that it had a rather weak clamp force, and I experienced the same thing. I noticed with some added pressure creating a better seal, the bass response improved - hence Mr. Wong accommodating me with that option as he had done for several other clients on the ES-1a. It’s killing me that I can’t audition these yet despite the fact that they were delivered last Monday since I’m still on holiday. The only thing I can listen to are my travel BT ANC Focal Bathys

Any interesting observations comparing both the STAX cabled unit vs the Triple C Furutech cabled unit?

I like the ergo of conventional STAX but if the SQ boost is palpable on the latter, I may be swayed...

Edit: @Dingding123 I noticed you also had one of each on your desk/ trials. If you have any listening impressions on sound variations, please do share

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Any interesting observations comparing both the STAX cabled unit vs the Triple C Furutech cabled unit?

I will have an opportunity to test both cables later this month and I'll provide impressions on how they differ if at all.

 

[fidgeraldo]

Can anyone compare the sound of the Stax SR-L700mk2 and the ES2a?
I don't mean the quality, but the sound signature.
Thanks.

Cheers!