I am the same as you in that vinyl is my primary source of travel (said the man with 7k LP's on the shelves).
Vinyl is served up by a maxed out Linn LP12 so I am happy
The Moon was chosen over a GSX because 1) my sources are in my 2 channel system and are taken off of my Naim preamp. DIN to RCA cable out from the preamp so no balanced input capable for the GSX so it would be wasted fed single ended. Supposedly HeadAmp are working on a new unit which will internally convert single ended RCA inputs to balanced. 2) the Moon has a remote control
. With that said it is a bit "slow" and a touch veiled imho.
Benchmark are shortly releasing a new headphone amp which looks very interesting - remote control too!
BHSE - no - too old to mess with tubes. I also want something that I can turn on and immediately listen to - and also be able to leave it on all day.
Carbon will provost likely be in my future. Still demoing the 009S and trying to get a handle around it. As I said - it is rather impressive run through the 353 vs. the Utopia so - I WOULD HOPE - that a Carbon would take it off to the stratosphere - which is what most seem to say.
Things need more "weight" - not more bass which I am fine with - everything simply needs a bit more weight. It does seem that people say stats can be a bit "thin" compared to others - if the Carbon can do that then I would be happy. The 353 may also be sometimes contributing to a "pinch" of zzzz..... on the vocals. So far the obvious improvement over the Utopia is detail and clarity. Also a lot of "air" around everything - instruments and vocals. Top notch vinyl gives a 3 dimensional presentation vs. mediocre digital. That is what the 009S is doing vs. the Utopia. The Utopia sounds like it is only 2 dimensional compared to the Stax. Focal still nailed it though. Being under the corporate umbrella with Naim paid off as the headphones have loads of PRAT - the most important thing. They did it with definitive start and stopping of the notes and vocals a touch up front. If your toes don't tap then something is wrong.