The Stax Thread III

[Chefguru]

Here is why it is so smooth at the top….
“This is the first electrostatic amp in the world to use SiC FET output devices which are as close to triodes as transistors can get. “

Yet, it was even smoother than actual triodes lol! This has really fixed a lot of my issues with the Sr-009S.

 

[PointyFox]

I just got a Mjolnir Carbon and compared it to my Mjolnir Octave V2 SE with the DCA Voce.

The Carbon sounds like if the KGSSHV was turned into a tube amp.
The sound is smoother, bass is more prominent, and the soundstage is bigger in all directions.

It throws a ton more heat though. Good for the winter. Not so much the summer.

 

[Chefguru]

I just got a Mjolnir Carbon and compared it to my Mjolnir Octave V2 SE with the DCA Voce.

The Carbon sounds like if the KGSSHV was turned into a tube amp.
The sound is smoother, bass is more prominent, and the soundstage is bigger in all directions.

It throws a ton more heat though. Good for the winter. Not so much the summer.

I’ve been very surprised how smooth it is. Fantastic amp and I’m confident now at least for 007/009S I prefer it over the BHSE.
Photos on Mjolnir don’t do the finish justice. Slick style.

 

[PointyFox]

I’ve been very surprised how smooth it is. Fantastic amp and I’m confident now at least for 007/009S I prefer it over the BHSE.
Photos on Mjolnir don’t do the finish justice. Slick style.

The KGSSHV amps used to look like that but he switched to an internal heatsink design for them and changed the case style.
The Carbon didn't change, probably because it generates more heat.

My first impression was smooth and big sound with more bass. All the texture is there, it just sounds like a tube amp.

 

[Sajid Amit]

Yup. They have a lovely, warm tonality, and a deep soundstage. I would prefer this to the BHSE myself.

 

[PointyFox]

I highly recommend the Voce as an alternative to the Stax 007/009. I haven't heard the 009S/X9000 yet.
Replaceable cable, better cable ergonomics, replaceable headband, easily replaceable pads with aftermarket parts available, and excellent customer support from DCA.
The sound is very similar. Not quite as detailed as the 009, but more balanced/musical with nearly the same transparency and a deeper (front/back) soundstage. Bass is a little less in quantity than the 007, but extension is better.

 

[Sajid Amit]

Btw, I am going to sell my KGSSHV Carbon, if anyone is interested. Eyeing an upgrade.

 

[PointyFox]

What would be an upgrade? The CC version?

 

[Sajid Amit]

What would be an upgrade? The CC version?

Yes. Either the CC (more likely) or may even spring for the T2. But most likely the CC.

 

[nepherte]

Yes. Either the CC (more likely) or may even spring for the T2. But most likely the CC.

Both options are end game for me, together with BHSE. But if you can spring it, go for the T2 or you'll forever wonder 'what if'. I initially went for the BHSE a couple years ago, but I caved

 

[PointyFox]

Is the T2 really better? The design is 20+ years old. The Carbon's design came out in the last 4 years or so.

 

[Chefguru]

Is the T2 really better? The design is 20+ years old. The Carbon's design came out in the last 4 years or so.

The original T2 design was unstable, but the new DIY T2 that Kevin Gilmore designed fixes the issues with the T2. It is undoubtably the best of all the E-Stat amps. The Carbon, however, is the end-all solid state end of the line. Megatron is a click above the BHSE also, but not T2 tier either.

 

[padam]

I have seen those DIY T2 images, but I haven't paid attention to those prototype amps in the background, here it is:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kerrys-got-a-new-co-eksonic.962153/

 

[PointyFox]

:9

 

[dukeskd]

Sexy!