catscratch
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2004
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The L700 Mk1 headband is very fragile. Mine broke at the square plastic yoke that holds the earcups. The Mk2 yokes are metal for that reason.
Did you ever compare them? Is there a sound difference between the two?I've just ordered the L700 Mk2. So I will have both and be able to compare.
I just received my new (made from new parts by Birgir at Mjonir) a SR-404 Lambda. So far they sound great!
I had an SRM-323S (353X without the balanced connectors) and never went beyond 3, mainly around 2.5. This is with SR-L300. Going from the SRM-323S to a NAD C275BEE stereo amp with Mjolnir Audio SRD-7 transformer was a noticeable difference, mainly in the low end presence and an overall fuller, punchier sound. Immediately put SRM-323S up for sale after the comparison...
was this ever compared to a carbon? or kgsshv, i think i saw a mention of you getting one to comparePhenomenon improved Carbon amplifier,lot's of light inside,excellent built
Thanks for the reply. It is very difficult for a non specialist to make a judgement when people say such opposing things. We have had one guy swearing blind that it would be impossible to make a distinction like this in a blind test and others saying it is as clear as day. It is annoying to hear you maybe aren't getting the best possible sound. If push came to shove I could redesign my living room a bit and make an extra dedicated table for one of the large amps + DAC + SR 009. It would be interesting for someone to do an actual blind test on this and hopefully resolve the issue...
But the guys who have owned all 3 will tell you that the Carbon and BHSE are on the same approximate level, while the Gilmore'd T2 is on another level! Carbon makes a very strong match with 009S and 007 (Mk I in my case) - probably, most would prefer it to the BHSE here. But the Carbon can be a bit too bright and aggressive with 009 and L700. Some have gone so far as to introduce tubes upstream (including a tube preamp) if they have this combo. The BHSE does very well on all 4 headphones; just a great all-rounder. If you want to run primarily 009 and/or L700 you might do better with the BHSE, and it will still do great if you add a 007 later (I don't believe there's any point in getting a 009S if you already have a BHSE & 009). The L700 runs very near - if not at - its maximum capabilities on a BHSE.edit: just as food for thought, consider this: The guys who bought the BHSE swear by it over the Carbon. The guys who got the Carbon swear by it over the BHSE. The guys who have the T2/DIY T2 says its ANOTHER step up from the Carbon again.. does this make logical sense? The headphones are already capably driven by the top stax amps, mathematically speaking. The Carbon is a beyond overkill amplifier, why do "expert audiophiles" claim the T2 is even better? None of it makes any sense.
Hi John, so I want to add something to this:
- I can't say its impossible to hear the difference. In fact, its much more likely there being a difference between electrostatic amps than regular headphone amps. There are clear sound differences to be found between electrostatic amplifiers, especially tube vs solid state. I personally believe there is a audible difference between the 3 amps I've owned - 252s, 727ii and 006t.