The Stax Thread III

[georgep]

Correct - the part about it ending up being the best all around SS is on his website - I just didn't include it in the quote
GRLV supply upgrade - I ran across that - Golden Reference - do current Mjolnir Carbon's have that incorporated?

No

[QUOTE="georgep, post: 14207675, member: 54517"
Also worth noting the final KGSSHV Carbon version that most DIYers build is slightly different than the one Birgir/Spritzer builds (both the amp boards and the psu).

In what way? And which are more current and up to date in terms of boards and psu's?

There are a bunch of differences set out in the thread at the other place, but the main one being cascoded current sources in the amp section of the readily available version. Birgir/Spritzer went in a different direction from what ended up being the final design on the DIY thread. The readily available one hasn't been changed in a year or so. I have no idea about Birgir/Spritzer's. Whether one is better than the other is open to debate.

 

[powertoold]

I don't think the difference is between the amps is huge. For example, I would be perfectly happy with my 007tA, granted it sounds a lot better when you feed it with a balanced XLR output DAC. Most of the character of a headphone is defined by the headphone itself.

 

[buzzlulu]

Actually, imho, coming from high end two channel, it is the source first which is most important. One could have the best speaker, or headphone, in the world, however if the source (read DAC) is not capable of extracting the best and most from the files (or vinyl) than the best transducer or amplifier in the world will not do much. You can't polish a turd - and what comes from the source is the starting point (or turd ).

 

[purk]

If you have the fund, I would grab the KGSSHV Carbon and be happy for a long time. You don't have to spend $4600 on the Mjolnir Carbon as other DIYs can make one for you for less than $3500 with fancier parts. KGSSHV is also a great design compared to currently available Stax amplifiers but I found them (either 450V or 500V builds) to be not as resolving as the Carbon. The KGSSHV Carbon also throw out a really big and enveloping soundstage with better sonic refinement compared to the KGSSHV. Personally, I prefer either of the KGSSHV builds over the KGST that I used to have. I also found the KGSSHV builds to be a dramatic upgrade over the 717, and 727 amplifiers. My electrostatic amps journey went more or less like this: T1W, 323S, 717, BHSE, KGSSHV Mini, KGSSHV (500V & 450V), KGST, 727II, DIY T2, KGSSHV Carbon, HEV90 balanced and Aristaeus. I stillt keep the T2, KGSSHV Carbon, HEV90, and Aristaeus and spend the most time listening to the Aristaeus or Carbon. The DIY T2 is without a doubt the best sounding amplifier in my collection.

 

[SeaWo|f]

GRLV supply upgrade - I ran across that - Golden Reference - do current Mjolnir Carbon's have that incorporated?

He does his version on the golden reference on his carbon cc if I am not mistaken

 

[SeaWo|f]

Actually, imho, coming from high end two channel, it is the source first which is most important. One could have the best speaker, or headphone, in the world, however if the source (read DAC) is not capable of extracting the best and most from the files (or vinyl) than the best transducer or amplifier in the world will not do much. You can't polish a turd - and what comes from the source is the starting point (or turd ).

To this point I would argue the part most ignored is the source before the dac. It looks like most people are still using computers.thus the reason why all these devices to clean up usb before the dac are so prevalent.

 

[buzzlulu]

Yes most likely true.

Since I am mainly in two channel world the source is either a Turntable or digital. Most of our digital sources don't have the computer problem (even though the files are stored on NAS's etc.). A lot of stuff is fed via UPnP over Ethernet and everything is taken care of inside the steamer/player where all problems (jitter etc.) are completely eliminated. Linn, Naim etc. have no need for all of this external crap that people use before their USB inputs ie Regenerators etc..

 

[georgep]

He does his version on the golden reference on his carbon cc if I am not mistaken

Quite sure he doesn't. That said, I am not sold on the differences between the regular LV supply and the separate Golden Reference LV supply.

 

[SeaWo|f]

Yea the stand alone steamers are good. And I.think the 2 channel world has never been as directly dependent on computers and the headphone world. The logistics of headphone setup just make computers convenient.

 

[SeaWo|f]

I

Quite sure he doesn't. That said, I am not sold on the differences between the regular LV supply and the separate Golden Reference LV supply.

It was in his description for the last he built.

 

[georgep]

I


It was in his description for the last he built.

This is the description I am familiar with: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kgs...nd-with-the-009s.766237/page-19#post-12530711

The HV supply is referred to as Golden Reference as well, so that may be where the confusion lies.

 

[SeaWo|f]

The last two batches which used different transformers he listed then as using " his version of the golden reference power supply, the most stable one he and Kevin know how to make"


My wording may not be exact but it's close.

The r core ones are from a while back.

 

[georgep]

The last two batches which used different transformers he listed then as using " his version of the golden reference power supply, the most stable one he and Kevin know how to make"


My wording may not be exact but it's close.

The r core ones are from a while back.

As I said the HV supply (psu) is referred to as the Golden Reference supply as well. Hence the confusion. The Golden Reference LV is different.

 

[SeaWo|f]

My mistake then, I thought there are golden reference of each and assumed he used both.

Maybe for his own reasons he is using one as golden reference and not the other.

But either way dissecting his builds from the outside is probably not worthwhile.

 

[georgep]

Certainly can't go wrong with Birgir/Spritzer's build.