[buzzlulu]

The 009 imo was and still a greater technological leap than the 009S. You should grab a pair they so cheap now.

What is your take on a comparison between the 009, 009S, and 009BK?

 

[rizena]

hmm..

BHSE with 4x EL34 tubes
^^
^^
KGST with 4x 6S4A tubes+CCS (higher anode currents, higher rail voltages)
^^
SRM-007t II with 4x 6S4A tubes+CCS
^^
^^
SRM007t II with CCS and original 4x 6FQ7/6CG7 tubes

Is there a big difference in performance between them?

Is there a difference in the sound stage?

 

[mulveling]

My 009S and X9000 on my T2 are absolutely endgame however I still cannot forget my demo of the 009/BHSE back in 2017 when I returned to Headfi after a 12 year absence.

Would I be crazy looking for a 009 or should I leave well enough alone and let my 009S fill that niche? The X9000 will still get most of my listening time.

On a Kerry T2 I think you're good staying put with 009S. The older DIY T2 has a thicker, meatier voicing more tuned to "fix" the original 009. Absolutely 100% perfect combination IMO - you haven't really heard a 009 till you've heard it there. However that OG DIY T2 turns into "a bit much" of that richness with 009S (though it still works quite well here), ES1a, L700, and 007 Mk I - whereas the Kerry T2 shines on those headphones. I haven't actually heard 009S on Kerry T2, but I'm extrapolating it will be an excellent match based on the ES1a. The ES1a and L700 are definitely a no-go on OG DIY T2 lol. No idea on X9000

The he90 is a bit of an enigma and it's been ages since I heard it, but I think it does so well on the OG DIY T2 because of the bass fill from that amp - it's otherwise too lean (at least, it certainly was on its partnering hev90 amp - ugh). Haven't heard he90 on the Kerry T2 either.

 

[Mach3]

What is your take on a comparison between the 009, 009S, and 009BK?

On a Kerry T2 I think you're good staying put with 009S. The older DIY T2 has a thicker, meatier voicing more tuned to "fix" the original 009. Absolutely 100% perfect combination IMO - you haven't really heard a 009 till you've heard it there. However that OG DIY T2 turns into "a bit much" of that richness with 009S (though it still works quite well here), ES1a, L700, and 007 Mk I - whereas the Kerry T2 shines on those headphones. I haven't actually heard 009S on Kerry T2, but I'm extrapolating it will be an excellent match based on the ES1a. The ES1a and L700 are definitely a no-go on OG DIY T2 lol. No idea on X9000

The he90 is a bit of an enigma and it's been ages since I heard it, but I think it does so well on the OG DIY T2 because of the bass fill from that amp - it's otherwise too lean (at least, it certainly was on its partnering hev90 amp - ugh). Haven't heard he90 on the Kerry T2 either.

@buzzlulu Pretty much can concur what melveling mentioned, I'm using George's built DIY T2. The 009 do indeed sound fuller/meatier.
Of the 3 we all know the difference with the 009 and the 009S which is warmer and narrower sound stage with less sparkle.
The BK retains the wider sound stage and sparkle but are noticeable bass extension over the 009 but not as warm as the 009s.

 

[rizena]

The srm-007tii ccs mode+6s4a tube seems to be almost the same as the original.

I don't know the difference.

 

[bigjako]

The CCS mod made a pretty noticeable difference, to my ears. More solid-state, tighter and faster.

I haven't heard the 6s4a mod, though, so can't speak to that.

 

[timb5881]

I just received a regulated power supply for my SRM 212. Initial listening is positive.

 

[Dinan]

I think the KGSSHV (non-Carbon) drives harder than the Aeras but the KG it is a bigger physical footprint and obviously has a SS versus tube sound signature. Haven’t heard a Carbon. I actually liked the Aeras more than the Blue Hawaii which I felt was more mid forward while both Eksonics had more bass and were less mid forward which is to my preference. The LTA Z10e was also very nice with less bass than the Eksonics but great sense of space. Again, the T2 bested everything else by a wide margin.

Reviving an old comment...I'm thinking of getting an Aeres as a compact amp. How does it stack up against the Z10e as that's my reference until the T2 for my main rig? I use X9000 and 007Mk2.

Midrange liquidity, soundstage size, spatial ability, solid bottom end, and high frequency air are all important to me and the Z10e does a perfect job across the board.

 

[ardbeg1975]

Reviving an old comment...I'm thinking of getting an Aeres as a compact amp. How does it stack up against the Z10e as that's my reference until the T2 for my main rig? I use X9000 and 007Mk2.

Midrange liquidity, soundstage size, spatial ability, solid bottom end, and high frequency air are all important to me and the Z10e does a perfect job across the board.

With caveats that I haven’t heard an Aeras in a while, but I did previously own an LTA MZ3 and have a good sense of LTA sonics, I recall the Aeras as having more low end than the Z10e and a bit fuller sound (the ZOTLs not being characterized as “tubey” in general). Liquidity, etc. were competitive. I would give the ZOTL circuits the edge on soundstage but I didn’t find the Aeras staging lackluster by any means.

 

[number1sixerfan]

With caveats that I haven’t heard an Aeras in a while, but I did previously own an LTA MZ3 and have a good sense of LTA sonics, I recall the Aeras as having more low end than the Z10e and a bit fuller sound (the ZOTLs not being characterized as “tubey” in general). Liquidity, etc. were competitive. I would give the ZOTL circuits the edge on soundstage but I didn’t find the Aeras staging lackluster by any means.

This was basically my exact same assessment against the BHSE. Both really great, btw. Aeras had the edge in low end and a bit fuller sound. Very liquid sound. The BHSE had a bit wider soundstage, and a just a bit more sparkle in the highs. I haven't yet had the chance, but would love to hear the LTA one day.

 

[ESL-1]

Right now my favorite on hand Stax phone is a SR007 mk.1 and I have heard both the Aeras and Kerry’s T2 build side by side. There is a decent bit of T2 DNA in the presentation of the Aeras. I have had it for a good while and it is sounding very grounded with good space and air. There is a transparency that really hooks me with the Aeras and I enjoy most every day. (BIG SMILE)

 

[number1sixerfan]

Right now my favorite on hand Stax phone is a SR007 mk.1 and I have heard both the Aeras and Kerry’s T2 build side by side. There is a decent bit of T2 DNA in the presentation of the Aeras. I have had it for a good while and it is sounding very grounded with good space and air. There is a transparency that really hooks me with the Aeras and I enjoy most every day. (BIG SMILE)

For sure. It's like somewhere around 80% (imo) give or take overall, and very close tonally.. just a bit warmer overall than the T2. I had the demo unit while Kerry was working on my T2. I thought multiple times about telling him that I'd like to just buy the Aeras instead lol. It sounds much better than the size of the amp would suggest.

 

[Dinan]

Thanks for the input!

 

[Dinan]

Right now my favorite on hand Stax phone is a SR007 mk.1 and I have heard both the Aeras and Kerry’s T2 build side by side. There is a decent bit of T2 DNA in the presentation of the Aeras. I have had it for a good while and it is sounding very grounded with good space and air. There is a transparency that really hooks me with the Aeras and I enjoy most every day. (BIG SMILE)

It looks like yours is a full on prototype version without the silkscreening and silver instead of black heatsinks so I'm guessing that you have enjoyed yours longer than most! Lucky guy!

When was this one made?

I love the size comparison next to the Stax amp. The Aeras really is compact!

 

[Kiats]

Big shout out to @spritzer! The Stax ED-1 has arrived safely. And running with the Octave v4, which has been kindly modified by @spritzer to have both Pro and Normal Bias output. Listening with the Lambda Pro right now. Feeling blessed indeed! Long Monday. But coming home to this makes it all worthwhile.