My K1000 journey (a blog)

[Alwayswantmore]

My K1000s grew a pair! Listening to the F1, I can't get that that image out of my head: A great big hairy pair. That's right, coupled with the F1, K1000s got bass. Bass to the point that even after only a few hours of listening, I prefer the F1 sans sub, to my previous V-3 + Vandersteen 2W combo.

Sure the bottom octave is MIA. But with most recordings the F1 is down right authoritative. Dropping the sub, coupled with F1's propensity to make single driver transducers sing, makes the K1000s very easy to listen to.

I also tried adding the 2W and Vandersteen crossover, but so far it has not been a benefit.

Current config:
> Wadia 830 w/ P upgrade
> Transparent Audio Super balanced cable
> First Watt F1
> Stock AKG cable
> Ayre myrtle wood blocks under CDP and amp
> Mapleshade brass weights on CDP (small) and amp (large)

 

[Meyvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore My K1000s grew a pair! Listening to the F1, I can't get that that image out of my head: A great big hairy pair. That's right, coupled with the F1, K1000s got bass. Bass to the point that even after only a few hours of listening, I prefer the F1 sans sub, to my previous V-3 + Vandersteen 2W combo. Sure the bottom octave is MIA. But with most recordings the F1 is down right authoritative. Dropping the sub, coupled with F1's propensity to make single driver transducers sing, makes the K1000s very easy to listen to. I also tried adding the 2W and Vandersteen crossover, but so far it has not been a benefit. Current config: > Wadia 830 w/ P upgrade > Transparent Audio Super balanced cable > First Watt F1 > Stock AKG cable > Ayre myrtle wood blocks under CDP and amp > Mapleshade brass weights on CDP (small) and amp (large)

I knew you'd one day convert to a no-sub guy! Congrats man. Glad to see another K1000er enjoying the Pass Labs offerings.

 

[tmarshl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore My K1000s grew a pair! Listening to the F1, I can't get that that image out of my head: A great big hairy pair. That's right, coupled with the F1, K1000s got bass. Bass to the point that even after only a few hours of listening, I prefer the F1 sans sub, to my previous V-3 + Vandersteen 2W combo. Sure the bottom octave is MIA. But with most recordings the F1 is down right authoritative. Dropping the sub, coupled with F1's propensity to make single driver transducers sing, makes the K1000s very easy to listen to. I also tried adding the 2W and Vandersteen crossover, but so far it has not been a benefit. Current config: > Wadia 830 w/ P upgrade > Transparent Audio Super balanced cable > First Watt F1 > Stock AKG cable > Ayre myrtle wood blocks under CDP and amp > Mapleshade brass weights on CDP (small) and amp (large)

Welcome to the wonderful world of K1000 + FirstWatt F1!

You are half-way to realizing the potential of your K1000s. Now we've got to convince you to upgrade that stock cable with a hardwired cable upgrade! Talk to othere head-fiers on this forum about the difference that a cable upgrade will make for your K1000s.

 

[Canman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmarshl ...You are half-way to realizing the potential of your K1000s. Now we've got to convince you to upgrade that stock cable with a hardwired cable upgrade! Talk to othere head-fiers on this forum about the difference that a cable upgrade will make for your K1000s.

I felt that the Stephen Audio Arts tail end cable was detrimental to the performance of the K1000. It bloated the bass and made the image fuzzy. It seemed like a tool to compensate for the lack of bass that people get when they try to drive the K1000 with a headphone amplifier.

Don't know how different the full recable would be, but I would be hesitant to try it considering how much I disliked the tail end cable.

 

[35674]

deleted.

 

[tmarshl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canman I felt that the Stephen Audio Arts tail end cable was detrimental to the performance of the K1000. It bloated the bass and made the image fuzzy. It seemed like a tool to compensate for the lack of bass that people get when they try to drive the K1000 with a headphone amplifier. Don't know how different the full recable would be, but I would be hesitant to try it considering how much I disliked the tail end cable.

I tried replacing the tail end cable as well, and was disappointed. That's why I went for the entire cable replacement. I was very pleased with the result.

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canman It bloated the bass and made the image fuzzy.

I tried the Hardwire for a year and I thought it was good because it was made for K1000. My system sounded too warm and muddy and I searched for ways to fix the problem, I kept upgrading and it only made a small difference. But when I replaced the Stefan AudioArt with Nordost Solar Wind the problem went away! Ah the breath of fresh air, see picture of my first impression:

 

[xand1x]

I've also received my first watt f1. Pictures and impressions to come soon, i'm just waiting on a Starquad XLR to speaker wire cable to replace the stock end with.

 

[Meyvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhawkes This is very interesting to hear, as I have been considering to have Stefan AudioArt hirewired installed in my K1000s. Has anyone found this to be detrimental to performance? I would be extremely grateful to hear some thoughts... Kind Regards, James Hawkes.

I'm actually really enjoying the balance the tail end gives me on my system, so much so that I'm simply not interested in switching to the hardwire; I don't feel I need any more bass, and if I lose any detail, I'll consider it a downgrade, period.

 

[Alwayswantmore]

The F1 is an interesting animal...

> Bass is very solid and what I would call tuneful (i.e. exhibits the tone and timber of the various types of bass drums, bass guitars, acoustic basses, etc.).

> The amp does an excellent job of resolving the 'performance' (i.e. it does a good job of keeping instruments and vocals in their unique space).

> The amp does not get confused or congested during more complex passages.

> The soundstage is good -- but I believe my V-3 may do as well if not better at both soundstage in absolute resolution of solo instruments.

But it is not perfect. I say this because, while my mind can identify that everything is there, the F1 is not the last word in intimacy or warmth. In otherwords, it would be nice to have it be a little more intimate and seductive with female vocals and other solo performers.

Srajan from 6moons likes the F1 fronted by a tube preamp. Based on my first few hours with the amp, I'm beginning to understand why he feels this way.

Currently I am listening exclusively to the F1. The Redwine Audio Signature 30 is now in-house getting some burn-in time in my home office rig. I'll be moving the Sig 30 into my main rig in the next day or two.

Note: I must admit that I did sneek a quick listen to the Sig 30 prior to moving it to the office system. This amp sounds very promissing. Only one amp stays, so I need to select a long-term partner for my K1000s in the next week or so. Honestly at this point I do not know which amp will come out on top.

 

[Junky_Stereo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore The F1 is an interesting animal... > Bass is very solid and what I would call tuneful (i.e. exhibits the tone and timber of the various types of bass drums, bass guitars, acoustic basses, etc.). > The amp does an excellent job of resolving the 'performance' (i.e. it does a good job of keeping instruments and vocals in their unique space). > The amp does not get confused or congested during more complex passages. > The soundstage is good -- but I believe my V-3 may do as well if not better at both soundstage in absolute resolution of solo instruments. But it is not perfect. I say this because, while my mind can identify that everything is there, the F1 is not the last word in intimacy or warmth. In otherwords, it would be nice to have it be a little more intimate and seductive with female vocals and other solo performers. Srajan from 6moons likes the F1 fronted by a tube preamp. Based on my first few hours with the amp, I'm beginning to understand why he feels this way. Currently I am listening exclusively to the F1. The Redwine Audio Signature 30 is now in-house getting some burn-in time in my home office rig. I'll be moving the Sig 30 into my main rig in the next day or two. Note: I must admit that I did sneek a quick listen to the Sig 30 prior to moving it to the office system. This amp sounds very promissing. Only one amp stays, so I need to select a long-term partner for my K1000s in the next week or so. Honestly at this point I do not know which amp will come out on top.

If you try the K1ks with a Cary 300SEI & Western Electric 300b and Tung Sol Round Plates, you will be satisfied, based on your comments.

 

[Junky_Stereo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick82 I tried the Hardwire for a year and I thought it was good because it was made for K1000. My system sounded too warm and muddy and I searched for ways to fix the problem, I kept upgrading and it only made a small difference. But when I replaced the Stefan AudioArt with Nordost Solar Wind the problem went away! Ah the breath of fresh air, see picture of my first impression:

Uggh. Are you kidding??

I assume this is a joke picture you found on the internet.

 

[Meyvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junky_Stereo Uggh. Are you kidding?? I assume this is a joke picture you found on the internet.

I'm sure he hopes YOU'RE kidding, since that's really him. I still think he shouldn't have sold his hair to buy the K1000.

 

[Alwayswantmore]

I now have a few hours listening to both the F1 and Sig 30. I've stated a new thread to document my finding on these amps... http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=191991

Please join me as I decide which (if any) of these units becomes the long-term partner for driving my K1000s.

 

[Meyvn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore I now have a few hours listening to both the F1 and Sig 30. I've stated a new thread to document my finding on these amps... http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=191991 Please join me as I decide which (if any) of these units becomes the long-term partner for driving my K1000s.

For some reason, that "long-term partner" wording makes me think your amp and headphones are shacking up.