Objective and idle reports on the internet? Anyhow I don't think that a decent opinion can be formed without having it in your house for a good period of time. The used market is active enough that it should be easy to try for yourself, plus meetups to give at least a taste. Doesn't have to cost anything either, there is a member here who has owned nearly every headphone for little cost, just selling for what he bought them for.
The other issue is that I see market distortions because of the opinions of a few individuals. In Stax, the favored headphones and amps are impossible to find, and the disliked ones easy and cheap. Interestingly my opinions (owning both) are opposite to the supposed consensus.
My 2cents, certainly this won't stop people from basing their listening decisions on other opinions.
I meant that some aspects of sound are objective enough to translate into impressions accurately. And once you read enough impressions of people's experiences with each amp, you get a better feel for what you want to go after. ...Though in the case of these amps, they're all so good that it's tough to gauge, so yes...while it is naturally better to hear it for yourself for extended periods, again, the issue is that these amps are very expensive and not many people could afford to buy them, even if the strategy is to buy one, sell it, buy another, sell it, etc. I have been able to own many more headphones (and other gear) than I would normally be able to by buying, selling, and trading on the used market, and didn't lose much money in the process...but these amps are a different story entirely. Plus, I wouldn't want to sell any of them until I knew which ones sounded best to me. Some of them aren't so easy to acquire again, after all. But still, you have a point. For some people, including myself, I suppose the ideal solution would be to simply buy them all at one point...which would be more than a little crazy.
OK I Accept the apology / point you make. But I stand by the forum advice I have given in the past. The levels of SQ in the various models is huge. The chance of folk posting here, especially newbies, and the impossible task of hearing a KG amp or a BHSE at home. Most end up buying the current Stax amp offerings and then loose interest and either sell it years later, or go back to speakers of Planars. I makes me weep. There is some FANTASTIC sound possible with the right gear, and more can get there with good advice.
I dig your 'collection' of older Stax amps. It might not align with most users though. Amps blow up and caps fail, Lambdas fall apart. I am not a fan. But that is why this forum is good, we throw opinions out there, and newbies go out and (hopefully) get a good system to suit their budget.
"Impossible task" is how I would word it as well, though not in the literal sense.
I'm realizing more and more that non-electrostats simply aren't good enough for me to use as my main headphone...but concerning the Lambdas...as I said on the previous page, I actually like the SR-207 more than all non-electrostats regardless of price. (Though that's an in-production model, not one that was made decades ago.)
My T2 will be done by years end or so. I will also plan for a Carbon. But I'm much more interested in the circlotron.
I get where Earspeakers and Astro are coming from. More so agree with Astro. Unless you're a collector, the object is getting the best. That is, perhaps also factoring in price or value.
This is where KG designs rule. Now, if your ears tell you the Stax stuff is only 3% behind, so be it. If your ears tell you
the differences are much larger, so be it as well. I agree with Earspeakers when it comes to hear it for yourself and form your own conclusions.
So excited for you about the T2!
I'm still debating with myself whether it would be worth it to just make do with an SRM-323S for awhile and try going for a DIY T2 (with both STAX and HE 90 outputs) instead of a BHSE, KGSSHV Carbon, etc.
Just to be clear, when you say Circlotron, are you referring to the
Nanotube? If not, what?
