[rgs9200m]

I would buy from Spritzer just on principle since he's a great resource to the Stax community and the headphone-lovers community in general.
And he's a great guy to deal with, always helpful and generous with his time and advice.

 

[buzzlulu]

I would buy from Spritzer just on principle since he's a great resource to the Stax community and the headphone-lovers community in general.
And he's a great guy to deal with, always helpful and generous with his time and advice.

That's what I did.
I can't agree more with everything you said.
One additional accolade - customer service and communication bar none

 

[BuStaxski]

I would buy from Spritzer just on principle since he's a great resource to the Stax community and the headphone-lovers community in general.
And he's a great guy to deal with, always helpful and generous with his time and advice.

That's what I did.
I can't agree more with everything you said.
One additional accolade - customer service and communication bar none

All right. Thank you both for your comments.
Do you have any personal experience with other builders as well?

 

[themad]

All right. Thank you both for your comments.
Do you have any personal experience with other builders as well?

I have bought some cheaper amps/components from Spritzer. Perfect service and communication as mentioned.

And I bought a KGSShv from Geoff (headinclouds), built by himself. Great guy, top notch build. I'll soon put it up for sale. PM me in case you want more details about this amp. I'm in London, by the way.

 

[BuStaxski]

I have bought some cheaper amps/components from Spritzer. Perfect service and communication as mentioned.

And I bought a KGSShv from Geoff (headinclouds), built by himself. Great guy, top notch build. I'll soon put it up for sale. PM me in case you want more details about this amp. I'm in London, by the way.

All right. Thanks for your comment. I assume both provide top notch service and communication then.
I am looking for a Ground Grid or maybe a Carbon, but thanks anyway.

 

[themad]

All right. Thanks for your comment. I assume both provide top notch service and communication then.
I am looking for a Ground Grid or maybe a Carbon, but thanks anyway.

As the others mentioned, great choices! I'm sure you'll enjoy the journey

 

[Whitigir]

Don’t be mistaken, Soren is also deserving the same respect in this regard

 

[astrostar59]

All right. Thanks for your comment. I assume both provide top notch service and communication then.
I am looking for a Ground Grid or maybe a Carbon, but thanks anyway.

I would PM Geoff. He is selling a few of his amps right now as having a clear the decks period. His builds are superb, the chassis design and build is top notch as well.

Here is the Carbon he built for me:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/kgsshv-carbon-electrostatic-amplifier.870776/

 

[tigon_ridge]

Woow. My only nitpicks are: I don't like the numbers around the volume knob; the label "POWER" (power symbol would be better) above the obvious power switch; and the label "ELECTROSTATIC HEADPHONE AMPLIFIER." They're unnecessary. The name of the amp shouldn't be located underneath the knob, as it gets visually blocked out by it. Other than that, that is one beautiful enclosure. It looks simple, humble, and not flashy or pretentious like how so many high-end amps look, yet still somehow very sophisticated. I love it!

 

[georgep]

Also worth noting that Geoff and maybe one or two other builders don't use an off the shelf $80 chassis that can be found on eBay. Custom chassis adds a lot to the cost. Pretty much everyone one else uses low quality and cheap enclosures - but they do get the job done, and not everyone has the access to a machine shop willing to do small custom runs.

 

[Whitigir]

Yes, definitely agree about cheap chassis vs quality one. The metal works can feel very differently. I love the chassis of my T2 from George, he is like a tank

 

[tigon_ridge]

The vent holes pattern above the chassis is such a nice touch. You can't really see it just by looking at this photo. Gotta see the other photo in the linked FS thread.

 

[astrostar59]

This angle is better, the lettering is not blocked by the volume pot, it is the camera angle.

 

[tigon_ridge]

There's a small part of the PS board that isn't populated, namely 4 capacitors and what looks like 2 small regulators and a 3-pin power connector. I wonder what could be the reason?

 

[astrostar59]

There's a small part of the PS board that isn't populated, namely 4 capacitors and what looks like 2 small regulators and a 3-pin power connector. I wonder what could be the reason?

This Carbon uses the 15v LV board which is a better version to using the parts count in that position on the PS board. Best to ask others the more technical aspects. Geoff also used big caps on the PS as you can see. There are various Carbon versions around, some with simpler PS boards or smaller PS layout. I can't say how those sound as not heard them. So not all Carbons are exactly the same.

Geoff uses then very good Torroidy transformer as well as the 48 step potentiometer, silver hook up etc. PM Geoff if you want more info.