aphex27
100+ Head-Fier
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- Nov 24, 2012
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Which part didn't you quite get Joseph?
I didn't apologise
Anyway doesn't matter, so back on topic..
I think you're maybe being a bit hyperbolic..you really think an amp makes that much of a difference?
I remember seeing a blind test from some French guys on this thread last year and the 727 did pretty well against much more expensive amps..to be honest, the preference seemed random to me.
At best I can think that source accounts for 70% and headphones for 30%.
At worst, source 70%, headphones 29.5%, amp 0.5%, dac 0%, cables 0%.
Which part didn't you quite get Joseph?
I don't get your percentage priority…headphones/speaker are always first priority.
Amplifiers/DAC's definitely make a difference.
Agree. If we put am amazing speaker on the end of a weak DAC or amplifier it will sound awful. Basically it will revel the systems warts and all, making for a fatiguing and enjoyable experience.
Most of the better manufacturers design levels of components that compliment each other. I know what I will get now, every compliment should be transparent etc etc. But in the real world and in budget constants it doesn't happen.
I say again, get a demo or to a meet. Your ears do the deciding. Clearly offering advice if it doesn't give the answer he wants, will get attacked / discredited. Lost cause I feel....
So anyway, my chain is MacBook->Macintosh D100->SRM727II->SR-009
The Mcintosh is a preamplifier with a DAC inside. To be honest I have no idea if the amplification part is utilised when I connect it to the SRM727 or if it is bypassed.
I think you mean the review gang which included Arnauld who now has the BHSE. Yes, a tube power amp with a transformer can be better than a Stax amp but it is not designed for that, and is risky and a waste of money / wrong route unless you already have a tube power amp.
I can say categorically, the Stax amps don't drive the 009s or the 007s well as any of the KG desings I have heard. They are way behind IMO. To get a better idea, I recommend getting hold of someone who has a KGSShv or demo an LL2. The 009 scales so well it is incredible. It is the voltage swing, the current, the components, the design of the amp, everything. The Stax amps are ok for the Lambdas maybe, or the 507 and down. Though, having said that the 507 on a KGSShv comes alive as well.
It is an odd ball, it is not like speaker amps, where as you say the difference is smaller possibly. Anyway, don't take my word for it, or anyone else's, get a demo or get to a meet. It is another world beyond the Stax amp IMO.
What we have really is the 009 is comparable to a 50K+ speaker, and must have a great amp and source. Otherwise it is ruthless, and of course strangled at the same time. And lets face it, kind of annoying as well, as you have found out.....
What we have really is the 009 is comparable to a 50K+ speaker,
At the end of the 1/2 day session, I felt the BHSE was justified in it's reputation although the long wait times and its QC in Arnaud's case concerned me. The KGST to be honest was a little bit of a let down. After all the talk about KG designs, I expected more from it. The Electra, I think is somewhat versatile with tube rolling - not being a hybrid there's lots that can be played with it. Whilst I don't think it'll ever best the BHSE, I think it's a firm competitor to the KGST at least - I can't speak for the KGSSHv nor Carbon as I have no experience on them. I do have hopes to build the Carbon though.
And, my final thoughts about the SRM-727A of which both Arnaud & I had owned for many years. Can't speak for Arnaud, but personally for me, I think it's a decent -to start off- amp. Was it so bad that it made me want to sell my SR-009? Nope. I enjoyed my SR-009 then as I do now. I didn't and wouldn't stomp on the SRM-727A as it served me well for the 20 months I had it.
(Personal experience here. Using Birgir's mini version.)
There's been a few tests by eric65 & his friends in the French forum 2 years ago. @arnaud provided a translation of that here, and back then he hadn't had the BHSE yet.
On the other hand, if @aphex27 was referring to a test this year after arnaud had received his BHSE, that test was performed in Tokyo in late June and I was a party to that test (along with @Donnyhifi & @Wallabee. In that test we had a BHSE, KGST, Electra, and SRM-007tA. DACs used were the TotalDAC, Invicta (v1.0), Master 7, and Lavry DA11. The tests were controlled by Arnaud - (i.e. one DAC feeding into all amps, each amp was volume matched to the other, etc.). We had some "old" SR-009s and a newly purchased SR-009, an "old" SR-007a, SR-007Mk1 pre-Z and Z versions.
Hereafter it would be -my- thoughts about the tests. Arnaud's BHSE felt it was a big improvement over both the Electra & KGST. The BHSE just did everything "better" over the other two - it sounded more "effortless" in creating the bigger sound. To me personally, tonal FR the Electra & BHSE were grouped together (but not the same, the Electra had more midrange bloat but somehow a little dry), whilst the KGST was somewhat more relaxed and somewhat more "Hi-Fi"-ish.
Both the BHSE and the KGST bested over the Electra in terms of musicality but overall, the BHSE seemed a distant #1 on its own whilst the KGST & Electra were closer #2 & #3 respectively. However, I think the tables between the KGST & Electra could turn from tube-rolling. I recently changed the Stage 1 & 2 on the Electra and really enjoying it immensely. I hope I can convince my colleagues for another shoot out.
At the end of the 1/2 day session, I felt the BHSE was justified in it's reputation although the long wait times and its QC in Arnaud's case concerned me. The KGST to be honest was a little bit of a let down. After all the talk about KG designs, I expected more from it. The Electra, I think is somewhat versatile with tube rolling - not being a hybrid there's lots that can be played with it. Whilst I don't think it'll ever best the BHSE, I think it's a firm competitor to the KGST at least - I can't speak for the KGSSHv nor Carbon as I have no experience on them. I do have hopes to build the Carbon though.
And, my final thoughts about the SRM-727A of which both Arnaud & I had owned for many years. Can't speak for Arnaud, but personally for me, I think it's a decent -to start off- amp. Was it so bad that it made me want to sell my SR-009? Nope. I enjoyed my SR-009 then as I do now. I didn't and wouldn't stomp on the SRM-727A as it served me well for the 20 months I had it.
They are both really great amps. I agree, the BHSE was number one, but not in all areas. One of my reasons for going solid state was tube hassles and I can leave it on all day which suits my lifestyle. However, if I was loaded I would have both amps! (who wouldn't). TBH you can't go wrong with either IMO.
One of the reasons I plan on getting a KGSSHV Carbon Julian, is because I feel ( like you ) SS amps can be left on without worries, whereas I'd never leave the BHSE on unattended.
Regarding the K-01, as you know I no longer have it, but I'm not missing that source because the DAC I now have is extremely good, and to say it cost me £1850, it's without doubt the best bargain I've come across in audio, and by some margin.