Just got my PS-1s .... WOW

[Zanth]

Congrats on the new phones. The PS-1's have the most liquid midrange of any phone I have ever heard. Something truly unique and very satisifying to these ears.

The highs and lows aren't too bad either

As for tracking these down...considering they are rarer than even the mighty Orpheus, I suspect that these phones, given time, will demand very high prices. Only 250 were made max, and that was a guesstimate based on parts, the number could actually be lower, but not higher.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Even if I could justify the cost of the PS-1, I am not sure I could handle owning them. Having that much money caught up in something like a single headphone seems odd (IMO).
Now having said that I would love to hear the PS-1, K1000, and some R-10's. I would be nice to have some ear time with all three, to get a real sense of how they compare to more modest setups. It could be that I would walk away believeing they were worth their cost, but until I hear them I can't help be be skeptical. Right now I actually am very intrigued by the K1000 (maybe because they are not going to make them anymore). I would love to hear their 'different' sound. In order to deal with this dilemma I might just pick up some K601's! Either that or get a better CD player. I feel my source is the limiting factor in my cheap setup. At the same time though, I get so much more 'bang for the buck' buying more music than any of these equipment purchases.

...decisions...decisions.

 

[Nomad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodi at the moment I think it's nearly impossible to find them .. I found mine a while ago really , when they were still available start praying maybe it helps

Don't say that! I started to look for one now.

I prefer to be in denial.

 

[boodi]

so not a word on burning in ?
ps-1 owners wanted..

 

[KenW]

I've not reached 10 hours with mine yet but I will say that these are sweet grados! They've certainly got the bass that I love and have supplanted the 650's for a good bit of my music. I think these are keepers. So far, I've not noted any significant change but it's way, way early. Maybe at the 100 hour point? We'll see.

 

[boodi]

thanks for answer...it's probably true that breaking in improvement may be less noticeable on ps-1 then on other hi-end cans, because of the big bass that's fun from beginning .
But I'm very confident they change , they're changing in fact the bass keep in tighting more; yesterday it was a whole super bloat really , and not extended ( I was quite suprised , my hp-2 trounced them in every regards ) , today is more solid .
I'd just like to know others opinions .

 

[rab10]

Brianknewbie, can you contrast the PS-1, RS-1, and the MS2i please?

I read somewhere here that the RS-1 had a colored warm sound and I was puzzled by that statement. I thought the sound was forward, had sparkly highs, and outstanding mids.

Thanks!

 

[Blitzula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRedwings19 Sorry dude sold off my spare ps-1's only have my pair left. Even though I only think they are so so, you won't be getting them.... I am giving them to my niece.

What are you listening to with your Ipod now?

 

[Yikes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by adhoc usually you dont - because they quietly slink away and sell them. if there's one thing more painful than making an extremely expensive purchase that you find out you dont like, it's letting others know. i'll oblige them, and not publish names, but really - you'd be surprised how many people the search function turns up who start threads in the headphones forum asking about stax setups, buy them, start their own 'mini review'/'impressions' threads and then eventually post in the FS forum.

“if there's one thing more painful than making an extremely expensive purchase”

Not specifically Stax, but any expensive headphones. No reason to single out Stax.

 

[Usagi]

The PS1 did appear to have some bloating at first, but this is to be expected with most headphones in the beginning; at least with the ones that I've heard and owned.

 

[neilvg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR6ofpain Even if I could justify the cost of the PS-1, I am not sure I could handle owning them. Having that much money caught up in something like a single headphone seems odd (IMO). Now having said that I would love to hear the PS-1, K1000, and some R-10's. I would be nice to have some ear time with all three, to get a real sense of how they compare to more modest setups. It could be that I would walk away believeing they were worth their cost, but until I hear them I can't help be be skeptical. Right now I actually am very intrigued by the K1000 (maybe because they are not going to make them anymore). I would love to hear their 'different' sound. In order to deal with this dilemma I might just pick up some K601's! Either that or get a better CD player. I feel my source is the limiting factor in my cheap setup. At the same time though, I get so much more 'bang for the buck' buying more music than any of these equipment purchases. ...decisions...decisions.

My experience has been that headphones in the upper tier (> $800) generally don't offer perfection, but a particular coloration or refinement in a certain portion of their reproduction. A lot of people feel let down by $$$ (and $$$$) phones because they expect to be transported, wowed, moved, touched, and blown away all at the same time. Most of these more expensive phones at least require a great deal of time spent getting to know them, and building a system around them. K1K's sound sibilant and can be thin with too much treble energy. R10's can also get piercing and require a good source and amp to blend the fantastic midrange with the bottom end correctly. L3K's to me need to be revoiced

Can't stand that upper midrange, but bass impact is phenomenal. HE60's can err on the slightly metallic side with a very fast midrange. A good amp (such as the 007t) will generally slow these phones down and add some much needed warmth. No comment on HE90's as I've never heard them out of an HEV90 (to be fair), but from my experience they are not Daddy's to the HE60's at all, just entirely different phones.

To me, the sweet spot for the money and to really get a taste for what the headfi ethos is all about, is the HD600/or 650. These phones are amazing, but when configured properly with good cabling and an awesome amp, will blow you away. To this date, for me (as if that matters) a balanced HD650 out of an SDS-XLR (but maybe some other balanced amps as well) just BLOWS ME AWAY. Nothing I have heard comes even close.

Neil

 

[donlin]

I think the key to PS-1's is using the right amp. I tried it with many and the PS Audio GCHA is the only one that I've heard that properly controls the bass and still lets the liquid midrange through.

 

[VR6ofpain]

Maybe I need to borrow my brothers HD-600's and give them a listen through my Gilmore Lite...well I'll more likely have to bring my GL with me and listen to them at his place next time I visit him. When I heard them through both his CD player directly and through his ASL HB1 I was very underwhelmed. In fact I walked away more impressed with my SR-80's which were less than a 1/3 the cost.

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donlin I think the key to PS-1's is using the right amp. I tried it with many and the PS Audio GCHA is the only one that I've heard that properly controls the bass and still lets the liquid midrange through.

what other amps did you try for the ps-1 ?

I'm intrigued by the gcha , but it's a rather new and unknown product ..

 

[donlin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boodi what other amps did you try for the ps-1 ? I'm intrigued by the gcha , but it's a rather new and unknown product ..

I have tried the Grace, Headroom Max, Aural Audition, Raptor, Grado HPA-1, Melos SHA-1.