The Stax Thread III

[eric65]

 

Your opinion may change once you have listened to this combo. It also depends what you are looking for: the beauty of listening (sound full and natural) (with 009 + RKV-Verto) or very analytical listening, but a little cold, revealing the slightest imperfection of the recording (still with the 009 but with an other amp). See for yourself.

 

[barid]

Hey, has anyone heard about this RKV Verto box?  I think I saw something somewhere about it.  Is it as amazing as it looks? 

 

[greggf]

astrostar, you say, "It all depends how drawn in you will be to high end headphone listening. If it becomes real important to you, then continue the search."
 
It strikes me as if "continuing the search" is a guarantee that you will never, ever, between now and death,  be satisfied with your audio system.  Unless a person has clinical OCD, of course, in which case the impossible search for a totally subjective and totally impossible perfection is a given, often driving loved ones and forum mates insane in the process as we listen to the same statements over and over and over again lol. 
 
If you love music, isn't "good enough" the goal? 

 

[astrostar59]

We need some owners with this RKV to come on here and tell us how it sounds. I always think it's good to have new players in this hobby, as long as the SQ on offer is aligned with the price. Lets not forget, the Stax amps are good value for what you get, just can be bettered by going elsewhere.
 
Going back to the previous posts re 009s are easy to drive. Yes, they are compared to the hungry 007s. But easier to drive (can sound full and dynamic with less current) is only part of the story. The SQ on my 717 and older 313 was cold and brittle with the 009s. The parts quality, the trans amp supply and capacity, the rails voltage in the gain stages, it all has a marked effect on the sound. I go back to what I said earlier, if buying the 009s you need a better amp to get close the the phones potential. On the other hand a 007t and a 507 would make sense to me.
 
The other option to look at for alternative amps is use an energiser powered out the back of a decent EL34 power amp. A review on this forum found that that route had major benefits and was way better than the 007t or the 727. It would make sense if the user already had a valve power amp for example. Food for thought.

 

[eric65]

  Hey, has anyone heard about this RKV Verto box?  I think I saw something somewhere about it.  Is it as amazing as it looks? 

 
Yes, me: it works very well (RKV amp (II or III) and RKV-Verto combo) with the following headphones (according to what one has reported to me or what I could hear my own ears) :

Stax SR-009 (RKV-II or III (OTL mode) + Verto)
Stax SR-007 mk1 or mk2 ? (maybe?) (not tried)
STAX Lambda (SR-507) (RKV- II or III (OTL mode) + Verto)
JPS Abyss (RKV-III ; best in OTL mode)
Sennheiser HD-800 (RKV-II or III (OTL mode))
Sennheiser HD-600 (RKV-II)
Grado PS-1000 (RKV-III : 32 Ohm) (or RKV-II + Impedencer (32 Ohm) or Verto (32 Ohm))

 

[complin]

I have used an RKV for many years for use with dynamics
Whilst I find it a good amplifier I have found several since which I consider to be superior in many ways
I use it primarily for powering my AKG K1000's
The Verto is quite expensive almost the cost of a mid price Stax amplifier so I would not consider buying one to try out and doubt there will be an opportunity to hear one in the UK.
I stand to be convinced 

 
Quote:

 
Your opinion may change once you have listened to this combo. It also depends what you are looking for: the beauty of listening (sound full and natural) (with 009 + RKV-Verto) or very analytical listening, but a little cold, revealing the slightest imperfection of the recording (still with the 009 but with an other amp). See for yourself.

 

[complin]

Got it in one!!! The grass is always greener.
Its so easy in this place to get carried away on the hype train. Just don't get on it. there will be another right along shortly

 
Quote:

  astrostar, you say, "It all depends how drawn in you will be to high end headphone listening. If it becomes real important to you, then continue the search."
 
It strikes me as if "continuing the search" is a guarantee that you will never, ever, between now and death,  be satisfied with your audio system.  Unless a person has clinical OCD, of course, in which case the impossible search for a totally subjective and totally impossible perfection is a given, often driving loved ones and forum mates insane in the process as we listen to the same statements over and over and over again lol. 
 
If you love music, isn't "good enough" the goal? 

 

[complin]

The WES has quite a tubey sound IMO if you like that sort of thing a bit like rose coloured spectacles. It lacks the neutrality and clarity of such as the BH/BHSE/KGSS. Tyll alluded to this in his review of electrostatic amps.
 
You are very fortunate not to be able to worry about price vs performance.as many members on here dont have deep pockets. The KGSS and 007t are not really comparative SS vs SS/Tube hybrid. There will be a new version of the KGSS available soon which will be comparative as it too will be a SS/Tube hybrid.
There are lots of other issues to consider when purchasing a DIY amp like future servicing, parts and build quality and resale value. These are pretty much known quantities with a Stax amp.
 
On the positive side i'm pleased to see that Spritzer is now growing a business on the back of the likes of the KGSS and other designs. This should hopefully help to negate many of these issues in the future. I wish him every success in his new venture

  
 
Quote:

  As I said, I haven't heard the WES, but the BHSE, KGSShv beat the pants off any Stax amp. It is not subtle.
No, I don't regard price v performance. My KGSShv cost the same as a new Stax 007t.
 
The WES has had good reviews, Inner Fidelity, 6Moons and many others, plus many users on this forum do like it.
Just because one person says it's design is flawed doesn't mean it is terrible. BTW have you heard the WES with the 009s?
Thought not... listen to it first, then come back here.

 

[eric65]

 

 
Who knows, maybe one day one of your compatriots, crosses the pitch by ordering in Germany an AudioValve  RKV-Verto combo, and he will then give you the urge to listen to it.
Or so, with a bit of luck, if you visit our beautiful capital (Paris) at the day of a new public meeting of Headphones in Paris (like the one organized by the HCFR French forum, and sponsors, March 15, 2014, with the presence of Pierre Paya (and its entire collection of amps and headphones).
Or, more simply by following the news in forum (HCFR and Head-Fi) and news people who will try, in turn, this combo.
Or finally, by reading a review that will test this combo (provided that it is not damaged during transport; what has already been

)

 

[zolkis]

Yes, me: it works very well (RKV amp (II or III) and RKV-Verto combo) with the following headphones (according to what one has reported to me or what I could hear my own ears) :


Stax SR-009 (RKV-II or III (OTL mode) + Verto)
Stax SR-007 mk1 or mk2 ? (maybe
?)
 
(not
 
tried)


STAX Lambda (SR-507) (RKV- II or III (OTL mode) + Verto)

JPS Abyss (RKV-III ; best in OTL mode)

Sennheiser HD-800 (RKV-II or III (OTL mode))

Sennheiser HD-600 (RKV-II)

Grado PS-1000 (RKV-III : 32 Ohm) (or RKV-II + Impedencer (32 Ohm) or Verto (32 Ohm))

it would be so nice if you could write a short, or long comparative review about the headphones above... especially because they were consistently driven by the same or similar amplification. Please

 

[complin]

  We need some owners with this RKV to come on here and tell us how it sounds. I always think it's good to have new players in this hobby, as long as the SQ on offer is aligned with the price. Lets not forget, the Stax amps are good value for what you get, just can be bettered by going elsewhere.
 
That's precisely my point, especially if you buy used 
 
Going back to the previous posts re 009s are easy to drive. Yes, they are compared to the hungry 007s. But easier to drive (can sound full and dynamic with less current) is only part of the story. The SQ on my 717 and older 313 was cold and brittle with the 009s. The parts quality, the trans amp supply and capacity, the rails voltage in the gain stages, it all has a marked effect on the sound. I go back to what I said earlier, if buying the 009s you need a better amp to get close the the phones potential. On the other hand a 007t and a 507 would make sense to me.
 
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
 
The other option to look at for alternative amps is use an energiser powered out the back of a decent EL34 power amp. A review on this forum found that that route had major benefits and was way better than the 007t or the 727. It would make sense if the user already had a valve power amp for example. Food for thought.

 

[complin]

Well Eric a trip to Paris for a headphone meet sounds great - Do you post these events on this forum on the meets thread. Some of the other EU meets are posted there.
 
Quote:

   
Who knows, maybe one day one of your compatriots, crosses the pitch by ordering in Germany an AudioValve  RKV-Verto combo, and he will then give you the urge to listen to it.
Or so, with a bit of luck, if you visit our beautiful capital (Paris) at the day of a new public meeting of Headphones in Paris (like the one organized by the HCFR French forum, and sponsors, March 15, 2014, with the presence of Pierre Paya (and its entire collection of amps and headphones).
Or, more simply by following the news in forum (HCFR and Head-Fi) and news people who will try, in turn, this combo.
Or finally, by reading a review that will test this combo (provided that it is not damaged during transport; what has already been

)

 

[eric65]

it would be so nice if you could write a short, or long comparative review about the headphones above... especially because they were consistently driven by the same or similar amplification. Please

 
Pierre Paya can do (it's a french reseller of all this equipment that it owns and it exposed (in demonstration) for his clients); not me: I own only the RKV-II amp, Verto box, Stax SR-009 and Sennhesier HD-600.
 
 I already spoke (as well as Pierre Paya) on these devices (combo RKV-Verto + 009 vs Stax amp vs Wee box) at this link : http://www.head-fi.org/t/677809/the-stax-thread-iii/3135#post_10863960  
 
(NB: for more detailed reports and information, follow the Verto thread on HCFR french forum using your favorite translator http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/casques-haute-fidelite/verto-le-boitier-audiovalve-pour-casques-stax-t30052030.html ; it will be still better than my English bad

.)

 

[zolkis]

thanks Eric! i understand French, even have some family in Paris, and if there is a meet, I could fly over and also bring some amps and cans.

 

[georgep]

  astrostar, you say, "It all depends how drawn in you will be to high end headphone listening. If it becomes real important to you, then continue the search."
 
It strikes me as if "continuing the search" is a guarantee that you will never, ever, between now and death,  be satisfied with your audio system.  Unless a person has clinical OCD, of course, in which case the impossible search for a totally subjective and totally impossible perfection is a given, often driving loved ones and forum mates insane in the process as we listen to the same statements over and over and over again lol.
 
If you love music, isn't "good enough" the goal?

 
Totally agree with this. I get the same enjoyment from my music whether listening with my 727 or diy-t2 or Honda Odessey sound system for that matter. I have high end stuff to choose from because I felt like having high end stuff - not because I needed it.
 
It is also worth noting that the amount of misinformation about the relative qualities and the technical aspects of the varous electrostatic amps that has been posted here in the past couple of days, and even months, is astounding. As always, caveat emptor.