[KaiSc]

I'm the new owner of a bass-heavy K1000. I'm still feeling it out to understand it. Some treble glare, but I tame that with a Lokius. Technicalities are behind the TOTL cans these days, but the experience of listening is intoxicating. Reminds me of the Stax Sigmas to a large degree but being able to change the angle of the speakers, and the wide-openness of it, makes it unique.

I run it off a DNA Stratus via a 1/4 inch jack, but I would like to re-terminate to XLR (I mean, there's a K1000 label above it, how could I not?). Before I think about doing it myself I wanted to see if any K1000 owners have some experience and tips for me when reterminating? Thank you.

Edit: could I use something like this as an adapter to connect the 1/4" connector to the XLR jack? I'm worried it may blow the headphone, since it's intended for mics or as interconnects, not headphones (as are all similar adapters I've found)

The mentioned adapter has the wrong pinout, the 3-pin XLR male wouldn’t even fit into the 4-pin XLR female.

If you can solder and you want to DIY, get a 4-pin XLR male plug, for the pinout see below.


The audible result won’t be different than what you have with the DNA Stratus.
Due to the relatively high impedance of K1000 and the fact that the DNA Stratus feeds the same signal to the XLR and TRS, balanced operation changes very little.

Once in it, I’d suggest to get an 4-pin XLR female, and additionally build a little XLR4f to TRS adapter, so you can check other amps and / or connections too.

The pinout is:

SIGNAL	XLR	COLOR (3 variants exist)	TRS
Left +	1	white or transparent	Tip
Left –	2	black or brown or screen	Sleeve
Right +	3	red	Ring
Right –	4	blue or screen	Sleeve

 

[bigjako]

Congratulations on the unique classic. Stax may have done it first with the Sigma but as you mention having the ability to change the positions of the drivers gives you a lot of control. I have the Bass Lite (light wood box) and never got to hear the version you scored. They do not need much power from the speaker amp you might chose but they will definitely scale with better gear.
BTW, the Sigma I have is standard/low bias.

Check some DYI guys, should be no issue with 5 pin XLR wired in but check the wire guys….

Enjoy

Thank you sir! I have the NB Sigmas as well, and I think they're quite special. I'm running it off a headphone amp, the DNA Stratus, but one that was specifically designed for the K1000. The amp works wonderfully with other headphones, but since I got it I've kept my eye out for a K1000 and finally snagged a pair.

 

[bigjako]

The mentioned adapter has the wrong pinout, the 3-pin XLR male wouldn’t even fit into the 4-pin XLR female.

If you can solder and you want to DIY, get a 4-pin XLR male plug, for the pinout see below.


The audible result won’t be different than what you have with the DNA Stratus.
Due to the relatively high impedance of K1000 and the fact that the DNA Stratus feeds the same signal to the XLR and TRS, balanced operation changes very little.

Once in it, I’d suggest to get an 4-pin XLR female, and additionally build a little XLR4f to TRS adapter, so you can check other amps and / or connections too.

The pinout is:

SIGNAL	XLR	COLOR (3 variants exist)	TRS
Left +	1	white or transparent	Tip
Left –	2	black or brown or screen	Sleeve
Right +	3	red	Ring
Right –	4	blue or screen	Sleeve

Thanks very much for this, it's exactly what I need to brave the DIY route myself.

I do notice some difference between the 1/4" and XLR tap on the Stratus. Volume certainly, but also a fuller sound.

 

[KaiSc]

Thanks very much for this, it's exactly what I need to brave the DIY route myself.

I do notice some difference between the 1/4" and XLR tap on the Stratus. Volume certainly, but also a fuller sound.

In this case I think it’s worth the effort to connect the K1000 balanced.

 

[plakat]

Please don’t try to build an adapter from a balanced amp to an unbalanced headphone cable…

 

[bigjako]

Please don’t try to build an adapter from a balanced amp to an unbalanced headphone cable…

Yes, understood on that. But simply reterminating the cable from 1/4" to XLR should be completely safe, right?

 

[plakat]

Yes, understood on that. But simply reterminating the cable from 1/4" to XLR should be completely safe, right?

If the cable has separate ground per channel, then you could reterminate it. Might even want to cut off the original connector with 20cm cable and put an XL4 jack at the end

 

[KaiSc]

Yes, understood on that. But simply reterminating the cable from 1/4" to XLR should be completely safe, right?

Yes, and don’t cut it much shorter, it’s short enough!
Few cm won’t hurt.

 

[Sandro Sena]

Hi @bigjako,

Tell us how your affair with the K1000 is developing. Besides the virtues, have you noticed the defects? Have you accepted them? That is, has it turned into love?

If not yet, and if you want to love it (after all, love involves a kind of choice as opposed to passion), try a speaker amp, and especially a tube speaker amp. It is worth the effort.

Cheers!

 

[ESL-1]

Yup, a speaker amp is what they like and need. I used to use an old Dynaco 35wpc tube amp.

When the Dynaco stopped working I substituted an NAD power amp with the TOTL pre-amp from Adcom, the
GFP-750 which includes complete passive circuitry along with active. That feature alone is superb.

The phones definitely scale. They can be quite an adventure.

Enjoy

 

[bigjako]

I'm using a DNA Stratus which, while not a speaker amp, was designed specifically for the K1000. All other cans barely get to 2 on the volume knob, but the K1000 gets it up to 6. I don't know the power measurements of the Stratus but I don't feel these are lagging in any way on the Stratus.

I'm still fairly early in my enjoyment of them, so I don't want to say too much. I use a Lokius to reduce the treble a little and am having fun turning up the bass, as these can handle them. My Atriums are the 'better' cans, but the K1000 presents the music in a rather unique and customizable way, so I'm having fun putting them through their paces. The headstage is unique - not wide like an 800S or room-like, like a Sigma. It's more like a speaker setup in a very spacious room (I'm not a speaker man, though, so take that with a grain of salt). These are both fun and exciting, I keep coming back to the word "experience" because that's what these are for me so far, an interesting headphone experience. They aren't unseating the Atrium or the JAR 650 as all-purpose daily drivers but they're unique enough that they complement them.

 

[ShaolinGrump]

Oh man…day 3 on these.
Digital front end > Pine Tree Unity Twin Triode Buffer / Attenuator (various 12a*7 tubes) > Dared MP-2a3C amp (~8wpc) > Pine Tree custom speaker tap to XLR4 adapter box > OEM K1000 XLR4 female hardwired cable

Earspeakers set only about 10deg open.
Rear foams were both flat. I repacked with a medium density furniture foam. Fit is SNUG. Don’t listen and try to chew stale Sour Patch Kids.

Such excellent bass!! Not any treble glare to complain about. I’m using Bauer crossfeed but no other DSP tone control.

I use Hifiman HE6se v2 on this same setup. That is fantastic and immersive. The K1000 are so interesting and open, even set close to the head. I’m super grateful to have the AKG up and running. I built up this system hoping to find a K1000. I didn’t expect to find such a near mint set with the late serial number.

 

[ESL-1]

Oh man…day 3 on these.
Digital front end > Pine Tree Unity Twin Triode Buffer / Attenuator (various 12a*7 tubes) > Dared MP-2a3C amp (~8wpc) > Pine Tree custom speaker tap to XLR4 adapter box > OEM K1000 XLR4 female hardwired cable

Earspeakers set only about 10deg open.
Rear foams were both flat. I repacked with a medium density furniture foam. Fit is SNUG. Don’t listen and try to chew stale Sour Patch Kids.

Such excellent bass!! Not any treble glare to complain about. I’m using Bauer crossfeed but no other DSP tone control.

I use Hifiman HE6se v2 on this same setup. That is fantastic and immersive. The K1000 are so interesting and open, even set close to the head. I’m super grateful to have the AKG up and running. I built up this system hoping to find a K1000. I didn’t expect to find such a near mint set with the late serial number.

I have to get mine out of the closet to enjoy again. They really are quite special when set as you have.

As I am currently down sizing the collection. I think I will probably still hold on to them. Too much good stuff, running out of space.

Have a great time, we both know you will.

 

[OptionTrader]

I have to get mine out of the closet to enjoy again. They really are quite special when set as you have.

As I am currently down sizing the collection. I think I will probably still hold on to them. Too much good stuff, running out of space.

Have a great time, we both know you will.

I have two sets of K1000's and I'm not letting them go. Ever.

 

[pcourtney]

I bought my K-1000's about 20 years ago, and still using them to this day, I was lucky to score a Red Wine Audio Signature amp back in 2007 ( with no volume control ) , then tried many DAP's before settling on the Lotto PAW 6000 - gotta say I'm really happy and I can honestly say I don't feel the feel the need to chase small SQ improvements that no doubt would cost me a small fortune !