The Stax Thread III

[wink]

There is also this Stax amp from Germany
 
http://www.high-amp.de/html/transistor_v4_eng.html
 
I have heard the Transistoramp V3, and was quite pleased with it, although the KGSS and KGSSHV ware better.

 

[nemomec]

The german High Amps are very good electrostatic ampflifiers and superior to any stax modell (except maybe T2). Transitoramp V4 and Hybridamp V4 are on the same level like the KGSS, i heard all these amps side by side with a SR-007 MK1.

 

[purk]

  The german High Amps are very good electrostatic ampflifiers and superior to any stax modell (except maybe T2). Transitoramp V4 and Hybridamp V4 are on the same level like the KGSS, i heard all these amps side by side with a SR-007 MK1.

Great to learn of another amp.  Fortunately, the KGSSHV is superior soundwise to the KGSS and any stax amp out there short of the T2.  Speaking of the Stax amps, I do miss the 717 from time to time. 

 

[David1961]

  Depends what you mean by best really
Its like David (no pun intended) and Goliath. The little 252 @ $500 does a great job and yes the T2 at 10 times the cost (just for the parts) does an even better one BUT IMO its not so night and day as you would experience with a 007Mk1 and the same amplifiers.
I just think perhaps some of the value judgements here have gotten a little out of perspective. The T2 and BH/BHSE were originally designed to drive the original Omega/007Mk1. I have no doubt that its possible to improve on a Stax amp but IMO the 009 is quite happy with much less esoteric fare. I have Stax kit which is knocking on 40 years old and works flawlessly. I doubt this will be the case with some of the alternative manufacturers offerings.   
 
Quote:

I've read the 009's are easy Earspeakers to drive, and yet they are supposed to sound their best when driven by the DIY-T2.

 
I've never heard the DIY T2 [ and probably never will ] so I'm only going by what I've read about the 009's supposedly sounding their best driven by that amp, [ best is down to the individual ] and yes the DIY T2 is a lot more expensive than any of the available stax amps, but what I was thinking of when I wrote my previous post was the DIY T2 is a very powerful amp. Sorry I should've made that clear.

 

[complin]

Thats good to know, I was always curious about these. They look the business as do some others out there, but often can have serious shortcomings through lack of real understanding of what is required an electrostat.
 
Quote:

  The german High Amps are very good electrostatic ampflifiers and superior to any stax modell (except maybe T2). Transitoramp V4 and Hybridamp V4 are on the same level like the KGSS, i heard all these amps side by side with a SR-007 MK1.

 

[complin]

Thanks for the clarification
Yes it is a beast of an amp! I have an original SRM-T2 which was acquired specifically for the Omega/007Mk1 for which it does make a huge difference. However; whilst the 009 does have greater dynamics on the T2 the improvement is not so pronounced as with earlier generation Stax I feel. 
 
There is one on flebay at the moment if you're feeling flush a mere £15,000 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STAX-SRM-T2-SPS-T2-the-amplifier-T2-2-/301305765203?pt=UK_AudioVisualElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Headphones&hash=item4627391d53
 
Quote:

   
I've never heard the DIY T2 [ and probably never will ] so I'm only going by what I've read about the 009's supposedly sounding their best driven by that amp, [ best is down to the individual ] and yes the DIY T2 is a lot more expensive than any of the available stax amps, but what I was thinking of when I wrote my previous post was the DIY T2 is a very powerful amp. Sorry I should've made that clear.

 

[astrostar59]

Think you need to check your facts here as I think the Stax amps in this respect are pretty similar to much of the Boutique/DIY stuff. Its mainly the High End designs which differ greatly like the DIY T2 and BHSE
 

Err, the KGSS and KGSShv all run at higher voltage swing and have more amps in the PS than the 007t and 727.
 
The KGSShv (most examples) use 450v rails not Stax 350v rails.

 

[jackskelly]

  I agree here. I know quite a few Stax users both new to the scene and upgrading from earlier models, who were
woo'ed by the sound of the 009s in a demo with the 007t or the 727. It doesn't take long before that initial wow factor falls away to disappointment.
 
The 009 is just too good for any of the current Stax amps IMO, as is the hungry 007. If buying the 507s, then yes, a balanced system can be had
for a realistic price. To really enjoy the 009 and hear what it can do means looking for other amps IMO.
 
There are a few companies selling in good numbers:
1. Cavalli Audio.
(the MK2 I am told is much improved over the MK1)
 
2. WOO Audio with the WES
Sounds great with the 009s according to many here (I have not heard it)
 
3. Eddie Current
 
4. Head Amp
a. Head Amp BHSE
b. Head Amp KGSS (now only second hand)
 
Think that's it for the 'manufacturers'
 
Then there are the DIY and Cottage amps
 
3. KGSShv (various DIY builders or DIY yourself)
4. KGST (some being built now by the DIY community
I think there are a few more Kevin G variants? Maybe someone else can chime in?
 
I would say for sure all the above amps will out perform any Stax amps currently available.
My own favourite amp in this list is the KGSShv as it has a great sound plus ease of use.

 
I own the 009's and run them out of a Cavalli LL1, and to me it sounds fantastic when paired with my SACD player or DAC in my current set-up. Unfortunately, the only other amp I've been able to listen to my 009's with is a HGSShv and I defititely thought the LL1 drove it better than the HGSShv (so did the others I believe who listened to both at our recent local meet), I anticipate getting a Blue Hawaii SE in the next few months from Justin, and I'll definitely compare the two amps (LL1 and BHSE), although I think I already have an idea which one I'll prefer 

 

 

[David1961]

 
I own the 009's and run them out of a Cavalli LL1, and to me it sounds fantastic when paired with my SACD player or DAC in my current set-up. Unfortunately, the only other amp I've been able to listen to my 009's with is a HGSShv and I defititely thought the LL1 drove it better than the HGSShv (so did the others I believe who listened to both at our recent local meet), I anticipate getting a Blue Hawaii SE in the next few months from Justin, and I'll definitely compare the two amps (LL1 and BHSE), although I think I already have an idea which one I'll prefer 

 

 
Around a couple of months after I received the BHSE, I got to hear the LLmk1 with my BHSE and at that time the SQ from both sounded very similar, however since that time I've started using the Psvane EL34PH's with my BHSE which to me has improved the SQ quite a lot, also when I heard the LLmk1 and BHSE together the source being used was my K-01, and I believe that source will improve any amp.

 

[jackskelly]

   
Around a couple of months after I received the BHSE, I got to hear the LLmk1 with my BHSE and at that time the SQ from both sounded very similar, however since that time I've started using the Psvane EL34PH's with my BHSE which to me has improved the SQ quite a lot, also when I heard the LLmk1 and BHSE together the source being used was my K-01, and I believe that source will improve any amp.

 
That's interesting. After getting the BHSE, I'll probably get a better source (like a $2000-$5000 DAC), as that's the main part in my chain that will be lagging behind my amp, cables and headphones. If I could get a K-01, perhaps used, that would be fabulous, haha, but I just can't spend that kind of money yet on a DAC. I'm sure your K-01 would improve the sound of almost any set-up 

 
I do plan on using your past posts as a guide to getting better tubes eventually on my BHSE. Thanks so much for the experimentation and documentation of your listening results over the past months. 

 
I'll of course start listening to the BHSE with it's stock tubes and once I get to know their sound signature pretty well, I'll probably buy the Psvanes or something else.

 

[David1961]

That's interesting. After getting the BHSE, I'll probably get a better source (like a $2000-$5000 DAC), as that's the main part in my chain that will be lagging behind my amp, cables and headphones. If I could get a K-01, perhaps used, that would be fabulous, haha, but I just can't spend that kind of money yet on a DAC. I'm sure your K-01 would improve the sound of almost any set-up 

I do plan on using your past posts as a guide to getting better tubes eventually on my BHSE. Thanks so much for the experimentation and documentation of your listening results over the past months. 

I'll of course start listening to the BHSE with it's stock tubes and once I get to know their sound signature pretty well, I'll probably buy the Psvanes or something else.

If you ever decided to get a K-01, then I'd suggest you have a look on PriceJapan.com

The Psvane EL34PH tubes are the best I've heard with my BHSE, but some that's heard those tubes and have also heard NOS Mullard's, say be Mullard's sound better than the PH's.

 

[jackskelly]

If you ever decided to get a K-01, then I'd suggest you have a look on PriceJapan.com

The Psvane EL34PH tubes are the best I've heard with my BHSE, but some that's heard those tubes and have also heard NOS Mullard's, say be Mullard's sound better than the PH's.

So you've never heard the NOS Mullards? Do you plan on doing so eventually? Are they particularly rare or expensive?

 

[Ali-Pacha]

Both, I think.
The PSVane EL34PH are easily found around the net @ 350-370 $. Which is a steal considering the amount of money We (Stax addicts) can spend in this hobby 

 
Ali

 

[Golfnutz]

  Both, I think.
The PSVane EL34PH are easily found around the net @ 350-370 $. Which is a steal considering the amount of money We (Stax addicts) can spend in this hobby 

 
Ali

I would trade 2 brand new reliable quads of the Psvane EL34PH for 1 used quad that tests good of the Mullard xf2 in a heartbeat.

 

[David1961]

So you've never heard the NOS Mullards? Do you plan on doing so eventually? Are they particularly rare or expensive?

No I've never heard the NOS Mullard's but I'd like to, however I've got two quads of PH's, a quad of SED's and those stock Mullard's that came with the BHSE, so if I did decide to get any NOS Mullard's it won't be for quite along time, but by the time I'd be ready to get some there might be none available.

Another tube I'd like to try is the NOS Philips Holland Metal Base.