KGSShv Carbon - hows it sound with the 009s?

[aldavey]

Just of out curiosity, if one was to purchase a 10 month old Carbon set to 230V how easy would it be to switch to 120V (I'm living in the UK but i'm planning on moving back to Canada in about 2 years)?

My Icelandic Carbon dual voltage. i.e. suitable for US/UK with a simple internal switch. Highly recommend Spritzer,he’s a gentleman and great to deal with.

 

[georgep]

Just of out curiosity, if one was to purchase a 10 month old Carbon set to 230V how easy would it be to switch to 120V (I'm living in the UK but i'm planning on moving back to Canada in about 2 years)?

You should find out before buying as to whether the builder used a dual voltage transformer. It is fairly easy to tell from an internal picture of the transformer, but unless there is a voltage switch inside or outside, you will need someone competent and capable of re-wiring for the correct voltage (unless you are willing and able to do it yourself). There isn't much cost savings in going single primary over dual primary (a few dollars at best), so most builders use dual voltage transformers - though it can add size, so sometimes only a single primary transformer will fit a particular case design depending on who you transformer maker is (like with some DIY T2s). As Jim pointed out, step-up transformers are an option. But I get that it sometimes doesn't feel right for everyone.

 

[szymonsays]

I got a response from Mjonir audio who have told me it is quite easy to switch the voltage Thanks for the replies, guys!

 

[tunes]

Can the KGSSHV Carbon drive planar magnetic headphones or is it strckly for electrostatics? I have a CHORD DAVE and looking for the next headphone upgrade and cannot decide between STAX SR 009, Abyss PHI, and new Meze Empyrean. Clearly the need for a $5,000 amplifier to drive the STAX or PHI is a reach and some DAVE enthusiasts feel that the introduction of an amp in the chain is a detriment. I have heard that no headphone can deliver the speaker-like 3D out of Head sound field of the new Abyss PHI but I have not heard it with the proper amplification and without show back ground noise to corroborate that assertion.

 

[aldavey]

Can the KGSSHV Carbon drive planar magnetic headphones or is it strckly for electrostatics? I have a CHORD DAVE and looking for the next headphone upgrade and cannot decide between STAX SR 009, Abyss PHI, and new Empirian. Clearly the need for a $5,000 amplifier to drive the STAX or PHI is a reach and some DAVE enthusiasts feel that the introduction of an amp in the chain is a detriment. I have heard that no headphone can deliver the speaker-like 3D spoons field of the Abyss but Inhave not heard it with the proper amplification to corroborate that assertion.

Carbon and 009, HMs and Dave, SOTA, unless you can afford T2, then you can relax!

 

[tunes]

Carbon and 009, HMs and Dave, SOTA, unless you can afford T2, then you can relax!

What is T2?

 

[HoloSpice]

The T2 Medium Tank was an American design that replaced three prototype medium tank designs started in the 1920s for an experiment conducted by United States Army. The T2 tank never saw combat and left prototype stages and was not mass-produced with only one built in 1930 by Rock Island Arsenal.

 

[aldavey]

What is T2?[/QUOT

What is T2?

T2 is a Stax state of the art long discontinued amplifier. Stax licensed the design to Dr. Kevin Gilmore who is the genius behind all The Stax amplifiers that actually bring out the stellar qualities of Stax ear speakers. The only way to aquire a Contemporary T2 is to commission a DIY builder. if you are lucky enough to manage this, look for a cost north of 10,000 USD. Then if you are unsatisfied with that god help you.

 

[JimL11]

Can the KGSSHV Carbon drive planar magnetic headphones or is it strictly for electrostatics?

Dynamic and planar magnetic headphones can be driven by the same type of amplifier, but electrostatic headphones have totally different drive requirements. Instead of requiring 1-10 volts and 10s to 100s of mA, electrostatic headphones require 10s to 100s of volts and 1- 10 mA. There are a few amps out there that are able to drive both, most often by using transformers for one or the other type, but they are generally considered compromises.

 

[JimL11]

Also note that although the majority of frequent posters on Head-Fi prefer the 009 or 009S, there is a significant minority of listeners that prefer the 007, particularly with the port mod, such as Tyll Hertsens, the previous editor for InnerFidelity, Bob Katz, noted recording engineer, as well as myself. I conducted an informal poll at the Albuquerque/New Mexico Head-Fi meet last year and out of 6 people, half preferred the 007 and half preferred the 009 (driven by a BHSE). And of course the 007 has the advantage of being half to two thirds of the 009's price.

Also, if you are willing to build your own amp the price drops even more.

 

[paradoxper]

Can the KGSSHV Carbon drive planar magnetic headphones or is it strckly for electrostatics? I have a CHORD DAVE and looking for the next headphone upgrade and cannot decide between STAX SR 009, Abyss PHI, and new Meze Empyrean. Clearly the need for a $5,000 amplifier to drive the STAX or PHI is a reach and some DAVE enthusiasts feel that the introduction of an amp in the chain is a detriment. I have heard that no headphone can deliver the speaker-like 3D out of Head sound field of the new Abyss PHI but I have not heard it with the proper amplification and without show back ground noise to corroborate that assertion.

Other pooped amplifiers can drive 'em all.

But

T2

 

[biscottino]

Also note that although the majority of frequent posters on Head-Fi prefer the 009 or 009S, there is a significant minority of listeners that prefer the 007, particularly with the port mod, such as Tyll Hertsens, the previous editor for InnerFidelity, Bob Katz, noted recording engineer, as well as myself. I conducted an informal poll at the Albuquerque/New Mexico Head-Fi meet last year and out of 6 people, half preferred the 007 and half preferred the 009 (driven by a BHSE). And of course the 007 has the advantage of being half to two thirds of the 009's price.

Also, if you are willing to build your own amp the price drops even more.

Surely we must respect the tastes of every listener,
i had the 009 for 6 years and I have now gone to a 009s.
Just sounded out of the box, the 009s got me puzzled, but now that he played for over 300/400 hours, I can say that I consider it a step forward to 009, especially in the midrange, the sound has a little magic that does not I felt in 009, in general I hear a higher quality on the voices and the single piano.
The high range is still extended as well as 009, I do not feel any particular differences.
As in all things, too hasty judgments can lead to wrong considerations to not real judgments, however I have already opted for a 009 Black Edition, my Carbon is excited at this idea.

 

[JimL11]

Precisely my point. IMHO Stax has not one, but three top headphones, the SR007, SR009, and SR009S. For an individual listener one or another of the three may suit their preferences the best, regardless of cost. Because they have differing sonic characters, and different synergies with specific amplifiers and associated systems, it should not be assumed that the more expensive headphone is necessarily "better" or "state of the art" for everyone. The difference in price between the least and most expensive is enough to buy a very fine amplifier.

 

[biscottino]

Precisely my point. IMHO Stax has not one, but three top headphones, the SR007, SR009, and SR009S. For an individual listener one or another of the three may suit their preferences the best, regardless of cost. Because they have differing sonic characters, and different synergies with specific amplifiers and associated systems, it should not be assumed that the more expensive headphone is necessarily "better" or "state of the art" for everyone. The difference in price between the least and most expensive is enough to buy a very fine amplifier.

I agree with you 100%, also because Stax has left in the catalog all the models, so one can choose one of the 3 models that you mentioned.

 

[szymonsays]

Hi guys, just bought a second hand SR-009. I'm basically looking to venture into the Stax world as i've had a Stax itch for a long time. For those of you who have upgraded from the KGSSHV to the Carbon, would you say there was a night and day difference? I'm currently contemplating going with either the KGSSHV or the Carbon, but i'm not sure if paying almost twice the price of the KGSSHV to get a Carbon is worth it.