[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i prefer my 800/B52 over my O2/KGSS. i am actually thinking of selling my stats to focus on my dynamics.

You've got to try them with a better amp. The difference between my A-10 and my KGSS is huge. The KGSS is a decent amp, but that's it. In my opinion, it's really not that much better than the stock Stax amp; it can get louder, and therefor give you more bass, but it seems to me that this was the only focus of the design... kind of playing to the crowd that thinks there is something inherently wrong with electrostatic cans because of the slight bass roll-off, so the solution is to make them sound more like dynamics. With the A-10, it seems like Ray said "These aren't dynamic cans, so I'm not going to have the amp try to make them sound like dynamic cans." I think that by not focusing on pumping up the bass, he lets them sound like they are supposed to sound. So there isn't as much slam as the KGSS, but the bass is much, much more tight, allowing you to hear melodies in the bass lines that were somewhat obscured by the KGSS.

 

[Icarium]

Well your experiences aside, the design goal of the KGSS was not to make electrostatics sound like dynamics.

 

[The Monkey]

I like the O2 considerably more than the HD800. If you're going to spend mucho bucks, as the OP appears willing to do, then I say go for the BHSE and O2 mk1. And, of course, you'll need a delicious DAC, too.

I disagree 100% with those who think 'stats are soullless. I like the HD800 a lot, but in the end, it has no balls. The O2 has big balls when you amp it right. And I have yet to hear a dynamic that inspires as much joy in me as the O2. But I'm sure there are others who have the exact opposite impression.

As for dynamics, there are plenty of good bang-for-the-buck amps out there that will make the AD2Ks sound good should you decide to keep them.

EDIT: Just BTW, I very much like my KGSS DX, and I think the O2 sounds much better out of it than any of the stock Stax amps. However, I have not yet heard the A10, and I look forward to doing so. How many of those exist at this point?

 

[Icarium]

I believe 4 out of 10 that are available are sold (And possibly even delivered) at the introductory price of $5500USD if the MOT thread is current.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like the HD800 a lot, but in the end, it has no balls. The O2 has big balls when you amp it right. And I have yet to hear a dynamic that inspires as much joy in me as the O2. But I'm sure there are others who have the exact opposite impression.

Just as the O2 have to be amped properly, so do the HD800. If you heard them with an amp that doesn't pair well, what you heard is one possible result.

 

[El_Doug]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just as the O2 have to be amped properly, so do the HD800. If you heard them with an amp that doesn't pair well, what you heard is one possible result.

even out of a B52, the HD800's are so damned forward, they feel like the singer is yelling directly into my ears, with the rest of the band comfortably behind.

it's such a shame, because I love everything else about the HD800's - but that peak kills the entire experience for me

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif The O2 has big balls when you amp it right. And I have yet to hear a dynamic that inspires as much joy in me as the O2.

so you're saying that balls give you joy?

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just as the O2 have to be amped properly, so do the HD800. If you heard them with an amp that doesn't pair well, what you heard is one possible result.

I listened to some pretty good amps this weekeend both SE and balanced and with and without ridiculous cables. No balls. I noticed no difference with the cables, btw.

Perhaps the B22 will change that. But I doubt it.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by earwicker7 /img/forum/go_quote.gif You've got to try them with a better amp. The difference between my A-10 and my KGSS is huge.

maybe. but i think part of the problem is more that i don't love the O2 sound to begin with. i prefer the HE90, the omega, even the HE60 and maybe even the jade to the O2, which to me always sounds a bit dark, slow and thick. would a BHSE or something similar driving the O2 change my opinion. possibly, but i suspect not. i also think i generally prefer dynamics over stats, regardless of the combination.

the 800 is one of the best dynamics, so it makes sense for me to stick with that for a while. i have my B52 to drive the 800 and it does an excellent job. plus i recently acquired a HR Balanced Home amp for comparison purposes. so now i have one tube amp and one solid state. should keep my busy for a while. of course, additional time spent with the BHSE, WES, and hopefully a first listen of the A10 could change things. for now though, it is 800 all the way.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listened to some pretty good amps this weekeend both SE and balanced and with and without ridiculous cables. No balls. I noticed no difference with the cables, btw. Perhaps the B22 will change that. But I doubt it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Doug /img/forum/go_quote.gif even out of a B52, the HD800's are so damned forward, they feel like the singer is yelling directly into my ears, with the rest of the band comfortably behind. it's such a shame, because I love everything else about the HD800's - but that peak kills the entire experience for me so you're saying that balls give you joy?

These headphones need to have a whole system built around them. There's really no other way to do it properly, imo, because they're so particular.

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Doug /img/forum/go_quote.gif even out of a B52, the HD800's are so damned forward, they feel like the singer is yelling directly into my ears, with the rest of the band comfortably behind. it's such a shame, because I love everything else about the HD800's - but that peak kills the entire experience for me.

supposedly, a better cable will tame the highs and improve the bass response. i am looking at cables now for my 800. not sure which one i will get, but i am very curious about them.

 

[The Monkey]

^For those who don't like the O2, I definitely understand going with an HD800 dynamic rig. Though I prefer the O2, at this point it's just a matter of preference. I can't argue with someone who would take the 800 over the O2. (Well, I could, but that's just because I like to argue.) The 800 is a very fine headphone, despite my feelings about its balls.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPodPJ /img/forum/go_quote.gif These headphones need to have a whole system built around them. There's really no other way to do it properly, imo, because they're so particular.

I don't think the 800 is much different than most other high-end headphones in that respect.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icarium /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well your experiences aside, the design goal of the KGSS was not to make electrostatics sound like dynamics.

If I'm not mistaken, there's a webpage with KG's circuits that says the goal was to "drive" the Omegas. From my point of view, it seems like most people who talk about driving the Omegas do so at the same time that they complain about other amps not having enough bass. I might be misinterpreting things

.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icarium /img/forum/go_quote.gif I believe 4 out of 10 that are available are sold (And possibly even delivered) at the introductory price of $5500USD if the MOT thread is current.

In that case, there may have been some people who pulled out because of the economy (or other reasons), because I think there were more accounted for at one point. Don't quote me, but I think I heard eight at one point.

I have number two.

 

[dannyandelyse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by vcoheda /img/forum/go_quote.gif i prefer my 800/B52 over my O2/KGSS. i am actually thinking of selling my stats to focus on my dynamics.

Dave,

You just like them magic wood blocks...........