The Stax Thread III

Oct 13, 2024 at 6:18 AM Post #26,327 of 27,907
Excellent choice. POLARIS is Andreas' top model and easily beats a KGSSHV CARBON (we did listening tests here)!
Can someone link me the product page for this amplifier, how much is it?
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 6:28 AM Post #26,329 of 27,907
Can someone link me the product page for this amplifier, how much is it?
Here: POLARIS OFFER and its price within the EU is EUR2.600, if sold outside the EU, it is 19% less i.e. 2.185 plus shipping cost.
 
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Oct 13, 2024 at 6:28 AM Post #26,330 of 27,907
Excellent choice. POLARIS is Andreas' top model and easily beats a KGSSHV CARBON (we did listening tests here)!
It's a lot cheaper than the Carbon as well. Do you reckon it's better than the Carbon CC?
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 6:31 AM Post #26,331 of 27,907
Excellent choice. POLARIS is Andreas' top model and easily beats a KGSSHV CARBON (we did listening tests here)!
Could you say more about the tests? What were the headphones used? Did you make sure the amps were volume matched. What dac/dacs? Who built the carbon? When you say easily beats, in what ways?

I am genuinely curious. I've never seen or heard of a direct a/b comparison.
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 9:23 AM Post #26,333 of 27,907
Owning the tube version (alpha centauri) from high-amp.de, I can also confirm it sounds encredible, was very impressed from first day I owned it.
Never had chance to compared it with KGSSHV Carbon though, but it was significantly better and cheaper than any higher end stax amp I had before.
Which headphone? Gracias
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 10:21 AM Post #26,334 of 27,907
I read that the KGSSHV Carbon has a max voltage of 1440V. That's more than twice as much as the Polaris V3 PP. Voltage swing is far from all regarding sound quality and ability to drive a heavy load, but I think those using the most hard to drive earspeakers like SR-007 models (plus maybe others?) need to know which headphones were used, what types of music (lots of sub bass and high dynamics?) and how loud listening volume was used.
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 10:35 AM Post #26,336 of 27,907
I read that the KGSSHV Carbon has a max voltage of 1440V. That's more than twice as much as the Polaris V3 PP. Voltage swing is far from all regarding sound quality and ability to drive a heavy load, but I think those using the most hard to drive earspeakers like SR-007 models (plus maybe others?) need to know which headphones were used, what types of music (lots of sub bass and high dynamics?) and how loud listening volume was used.
Voltage swing of polaris is 1720 i think.
Voltage output is one.thing, voltage swing is other
 
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Oct 13, 2024 at 10:45 AM Post #26,337 of 27,907
I read that the KGSSHV Carbon has a max voltage of 1440V. That's more than twice as much as the Polaris V3 PP. Voltage swing is far from all regarding sound quality and ability to drive a heavy load, but I think those using the most hard to drive earspeakers like SR-007 models (plus maybe others?) need to know which headphones were used, what types of music (lots of sub bass and high dynamics?) and how loud listening volume was used.
My Mjolnir Carbon has 1550 V, Polaris is 1720 V (both stator to stator, not Vrms)
Specs of Carbon can differ as not every builder probably uses the same power supply. There might be other differences.
As i alreay mentionend, i like both amps. The Carbon is more on the slightly warm and smooth side, the Polaris V3 is more transparent and clear. It depends on my mood, which one i prefer.
Both amps have more power than i will ever need and great extended bass.
 
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Oct 13, 2024 at 11:07 AM Post #26,338 of 27,907
My Mjolnir Carbon has 1550 V, Polaris is 1720 V (both stator to stator, not Vrms)
Specs of Carbon can differ as not every builder probably uses the same power supply. There might be other differences.
As i alreay mentionend, i like both amps. The Carbon is more on the slightly warm and smooth side, the Polaris V3 is more transparent and clear. It depends on my mood, which one i prefer.
Both amps have more power than i will ever need and great extended bass.
I'll probably go with the Solaris in a few months as the price is really good for the specs. I never knew about this Solaris amplifier beforehand. Can you drive headphones such as the Hifiman Shangri La Sr on it? As that headphone runs at 640v instead of the usual 580v.

Based on your comments, the Polaris produces more resolution and both have good bass? Which amplifier takes it for bass or are they both at the same level?
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 11:18 AM Post #26,339 of 27,907
I'll probably go with the Solaris in a few months as the price is really good for the specs. I never knew about this Solaris amplifier beforehand. Can you drive headphones such as the Hifiman Shangri La Sr on it? As that headphone runs at 640v instead of the usual 580v.

Based on your comments, the Polaris produces more resolution and both have good bass? Which amplifier takes it for bass or are they both at the same level?
solaris or polaris? the builder of solaris is dead and the brand disapperead
 
Oct 13, 2024 at 11:27 AM Post #26,340 of 27,907
I'll probably go with the Solaris in a few months as the price is really good for the specs. I never knew about this Solaris amplifier beforehand. Can you drive headphones such as the Hifiman Shangri La Sr on it? As that headphone runs at 640v instead of the usual 580v.

Based on your comments, the Polaris produces more resolution and both have good bass? Which amplifier takes it for bass or are they both at the same level?
I don't know for sure, if the Shangrila Jr can be driven on those amps. But i assume it is possible.
The Polaris is a little bit brighter, which makes soundstage a little wider, and tonally Mjolnir Carbon and Polaris V3 are identic in their base frequency response (measured that), the Polaris might be a tad tighter, which can be depending on mood and music material a good or a not so good thing.
Perceptively the Mjolnir Carbon might seem a little warmer in comparison to Polaris due to its treble roll off, and that could also enhance bass.
But objectively both do bass very good.
 

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