[Aurosonic]

I have a question,

When applying the EQ, do they sound different between those two amps?

Can't say because I sold the 717 before I started using a convolution filter. Even with the bump in lower frequencies from EQ, bass remains tight and controlled with the KGSSHV. The 717 just did not have the same ability so bass came across as a bit thick and bloated. Adding even more bass through EQ with the 717 would probably not be something I would have enjoyed.

 

[zomkung]

Can't say because I sold the 717 before I started using a convolution filter. Even with the bump in lower frequencies from EQ, bass remains tight and controlled with the KGSSHV. The 717 just did not have the same ability so bass came across as a bit thick and bloated. Adding even more bass through EQ with the 717 would probably not be something I would have enjoyed.

I know what do you mean by 'so bass came across as a bit thick and bloated'

It's the same experience with my 727 modded.

 

[AudioCats]

does anybody know what kind of circuit is in a 400s? similar to a srm-1mk2? or something new?

 

[Deolum]

If you are in Europe, don't forget high-amp.de the fantastic sounding and very powerful Estat amps of Andreas Rauenbuehler which easily drive SR-009 AND demanding SR-007 and VOCE headphones! He offers hybrid amps (tube/transistor/FET) as well as transistor / FET amps too. I have tested some of his amps and decided for his transistor top model, the SIRIUS V9 amp. With a supply voltage of +/-400 Volt the amplifier can output more then 500 Volt eff (RMS) (=1500Volt Vss from stator to stator), bias current is 15 mA from what I know. Regulated soft starting power supplies (also the HV side!), the hybrid amps also have regulated hum-free heater/filament supply - and a fast acting power shut down function to protect the system and user.

Pricewise it is not even 50% of what the "Stax Mafia" competition asks for! And it is all MADE IN GERMANY quality with TWO YEARS warranty.

I'm just a very happy customer who wants to spread the word...

Isn't the Voce the easiest to drive estat out there?

 

[ThanatosVI]

Isn't the Voce the easiest to drive estat out there?

What's the hardest to drive estat on the market?
And what does an amp need to justify his needs?

 

[Deolum]

Today i compared SR007 Mk. 1 (SZ), SR009 and SR009s.

Setup was a random CD player -> SRM-700t. The amp should fit the 009 and the 009s better. The 009s was plugged the whole day into the amp while the 009 and the 007 only had 5-10 min "charge time". Most people seem to agree though that they are charged in a matter of seconds.

All of these are top tier technical wise except for bass quantity and extension so i won't really compare that since this isn't really what i'm looking for here and since i never listened to the setup before. Soundstage sounded medium sized in all. However i find soundstage to be created mostly by the setup.

First rank was 009s for me
Second 007 Mk. 1
Third 009

009s sounded thin but engaging, pretty good tuned, very airy and effortless but still hard enough. It really made me listening on and on. I think this one gets a spot in my top 3 headphones i've listened to.

007 Mk. 1 sounded thicker with more natural timbre. It sounds more dynamic than estat. Tuning is very good. It is very different from the 009s. I think they compliment each other very well.

009 sounded off and slightly fatiguing. It's not bad but nothing special in this price range for my taste.

I was surprised by the difference between the 009 and the 009s. I expected them to be very close and around the same level but after a few minutes i was absolutely sure that i prefer the 009s.

 

[Deolum]

What's the hardest to drive estat on the market?
And what does an amp need to justify his needs?

As far as i know the Shangri La Sr. or not? But i don't know about Stax Omega and HE-90.

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

I was surprised by the difference between the 009 and the 009s. I expected them to be very close and around the same level but after a few minutes i was absolutely sure that i prefer the 009s.

That was my experience as well. The 009 sounded thin in comparison to 009s, bass extension wasn't as good. I need to EQ 009 where I could use 009s without. I don't know if 009s is worth the premium though. After EQ I could live with either of them but I'd take 007 over 009 any day. For 009s vs 007 I haven't decided yet.

 

[AnakChan]

I'm gonna go by memory here (and most likely I'd need to dig in to my past notes) but I don't know if I would have described the differences between the SR-009 and SR-009S as significantly as I've read here. If I remember correctly, the SR-009S did lean towards a more transparent clarity over the SR-009 rather than an FR difference in the bass.

I do remember though that (at least a few years ago) there were differences dust filter pad used in the SR-009S compared to the SR-009 (search through this thread and you'd probably find a pix from me somewhere) and that dust filter pad contributed to a reasonably significant amount to the aforementioned clarity aspect. The SR-009 had (still has?) a thicker dust filter pad which diffused the clarity somewhat. I eventually managed to find an SR-009S dust filter pad for my SR-009 which brought the two signatures closer.

I don't now if new SR-009 purchases now have the same dust filter pads as its SR-009S sibling, but I'll see if I can dig up that old post and share it here.

Edit: Wrong thread. Found it in the SR-009S thread instead: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sta...-with-impressions.877870/page-9#post-14206637

 

[zomkung]

I'm gonna go by memory here (and most likely I'd need to dig in to my past notes) but I don't know if I would have described the differences between the SR-009 and SR-009S as significantly as I've read here. If I remember correctly, the SR-009S did lean towards a more transparent clarity over the SR-009 rather than an FR difference in the bass.

I do remember though that (at least a few years ago) there were differences dust filter pad used in the SR-009S compared to the SR-009 (search through this thread and you'd probably find a pix from me somewhere) and that dust filter pad contributed to a reasonably significant amount to the aforementioned clarity aspect. The SR-009 had (still has?) a thicker dust filter pad which diffused the clarity somewhat. I eventually managed to find an SR-009S dust filter pad for my SR-009 which brought the two signatures closer.

I don't now if new SR-009 purchases now have the same dust filter pads as its SR-009S sibling, but I'll see if I can dig up that old post and share it here.

Edit: Wrong thread. Found it in the SR-009S thread instead: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sta...-with-impressions.877870/page-9#post-14206637

I think the EQ fix them completely.

I EQ the 007-mk1 with 009 filter. The bass is better, the treble is more extended. Details and transparency are more easier to catch up.

 

[bearFNF]

Isn't the Voce the easiest to drive estat out there?

In my experience the Voce required higher volume pot setting to achieve the same perceived level, so if the 009 were set at 10 o''clock, the Voce would need to be at 11:30 or 12 to have the same listening volume. This was on both the BHSE and Cavalli LL2SS amps. 007 mkII needed less increase to achieve the same results, IIRC about half as much. I did not use a meter only my ears for this test. So YMMY...

 

[protoss]

I EQ the 007-mk1 with 009 filter

You needed to EQ the 007mk1? What the heck. That's blasphemous.

The 007mk1 to me is just perfect as it is. Same with the HE90. I have a terrible feeling someone will say soon, "I EQ the HE90 bro"

 

[ThanatosVI]

You needed to EQ the 007mk1? What the heck. That's blasphemous.

The 007mk1 to me is just perfect as it is. Same with the HE90. I have a terrible feeling someone will say soon, "I EQ the HE90 bro"

I EQ the HE90 bro!

 

[Mach3]

I EQ my HE90 using the HE90 filter

 

[dkdali]

New to the forum but have been following your STAX talks for quite some time.
I have found a offer for a used KGSSHV Carbon that I have been looking for to pair with my STAX SR-009 (or a Blue Hawaii).
It is build by Felitsa Audio and as far as I can find online it is a guy from Vietnam selling his amps via ebay.
But I cant any review of their amps or owner experience.
Any of you know the brand or have experience with any of their amps?
Does 2000Euro sound fair for such a amp (a few years old)? A new amp from Mjölnir cost 5100USD + shipping and taxes.