Emooze
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2009
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- 13
Ok I'll see what I can do for impressions. My background is primarily a Grado SR80 and JVC RX700 on an M3 straight from my laptop. Same for the eXStata. I'm using Lambda Nova Classics on the SS eXStata with a maxed PS.
First impression was that this setup was astonishingly clear. Almost painfully so on a bad recording/rip. One thing I notice (might be my ears) is that if there's a particularly complicated song, it's hard to pick out individual details on all my other cans. Not so here. I could tell you each instrument being played and focus on just that one. The clarity might end up being a bad decision because it hasn't punished me by being liberal with the volume yet. Cranking it another degree never subtracts from the sound. I don't think I could stand the volume at which this amp distorts nor do I want to find out.
One thing that is gone but I think is just from using electrostatics is resonance. I listen to some ambient electronic music and I hate when a note is obviously overemphasized somehow and it becomes really annoying. Haven't heard that so far.
I wouldn't consider the sound to be particularly bright or harsh though. I get the impression that it might be a bit darker than my Grados. The highs aren't painful when I reach that critical level but they're definitely still there. The Grado's can reach well down into sub bass but the stat's just have so much more. Not more to the point where it sounds like some badly tuned car sub but with a punch that reminds me of a good 8" subwoofer. I heard someone once say on listening to thunder "it doesn't rumble, it cracks." That would be a good way to describe the way this sounds.
Vocals scare me, Frank Sinatra whispering into my ear is a bit disconcerting the first time around. The JVC's are unbelievable on vocals and I didn't think it could get better but this is just soooo much better.
From a new guy to stats talking to those looking into it; go for it. And then beg Alex to make more of these, this is definitely the amp to start with. To those who have been around stats, maybe you can comment on what I'm hearing is the phones or the amp but I am so glad I chose to do this.
Few technical details: Running the amp open air right now, heatsinks never get more than warm to the touch. I think the M3 got hotter. There is little to no noise at all. All I hear is definitely the noise from my laptop. The triads have a little mechanical hum but I cant tell unless i put my ear to them.
Questions? Comments?
First impression was that this setup was astonishingly clear. Almost painfully so on a bad recording/rip. One thing I notice (might be my ears) is that if there's a particularly complicated song, it's hard to pick out individual details on all my other cans. Not so here. I could tell you each instrument being played and focus on just that one. The clarity might end up being a bad decision because it hasn't punished me by being liberal with the volume yet. Cranking it another degree never subtracts from the sound. I don't think I could stand the volume at which this amp distorts nor do I want to find out.
One thing that is gone but I think is just from using electrostatics is resonance. I listen to some ambient electronic music and I hate when a note is obviously overemphasized somehow and it becomes really annoying. Haven't heard that so far.
I wouldn't consider the sound to be particularly bright or harsh though. I get the impression that it might be a bit darker than my Grados. The highs aren't painful when I reach that critical level but they're definitely still there. The Grado's can reach well down into sub bass but the stat's just have so much more. Not more to the point where it sounds like some badly tuned car sub but with a punch that reminds me of a good 8" subwoofer. I heard someone once say on listening to thunder "it doesn't rumble, it cracks." That would be a good way to describe the way this sounds.
Vocals scare me, Frank Sinatra whispering into my ear is a bit disconcerting the first time around. The JVC's are unbelievable on vocals and I didn't think it could get better but this is just soooo much better.
From a new guy to stats talking to those looking into it; go for it. And then beg Alex to make more of these, this is definitely the amp to start with. To those who have been around stats, maybe you can comment on what I'm hearing is the phones or the amp but I am so glad I chose to do this.
Few technical details: Running the amp open air right now, heatsinks never get more than warm to the touch. I think the M3 got hotter. There is little to no noise at all. All I hear is definitely the noise from my laptop. The triads have a little mechanical hum but I cant tell unless i put my ear to them.
Questions? Comments?