[gimmeheadroom]

Well my wife has zero interest or knowledge regarding headphones. But even she can tell the difference in all my Stax energiser, 252S, SRM-T1S, SRM-600 LE & the SRM-007t.
I have two SR-007 MK1 that was used for the comparison.

Sounds like a keeper!

 

[Mach3]

Can you describe the difference - or your wife?

We both can.

 

[dripf]

Well my wife has zero interest or knowledge regarding headphones. But even she can tell the difference in all my Stax energiser, 252S, SRM-T1S, SRM-600 LE & the SRM-007t.
I have two SR-007 MK1 that was used for the comparison.

I think I've already posted the FR chart showing no difference in FR between 252 and 717 with SR-007 at a very high 105 dB.

 

[SeniorBrother]

So i just upgraded from asn srd-7 mk2 with an emotiva a-100 to a KGST, And while the KGST beats it in almost every regard the only place it fails is in regards to piano music. In especial dynamic piano music , as an example Spectrum by Hiromi at about one minute into the song, the KGST gets distorted at my normal listening volumes but the SRD-7 has no almost no trouble. Is this an issue of my KGST or of the recording itself. I have heard that the higher level you go in audio equipment the more you realize how terrible your music is.

 

[dripf]

Get tech support or a refund then.

 

[Hubert481]

We both can.

And ...

 

[number1sixerfan]

Can anyone familiar with the Stax SRM-1/mk2 amp help me understand what a fair used price for one is? I have one and it seems like I was practically about to give it away according to hifi shark lol... I'm seeing $600-800, can that be right?? I bought mine quite a long time ago and can't remember what I paid.. will still give a deal but any insight would be appreciated!

Still have not seen a lower price for this amp. Thinking of offering it (8/10 condition) at $500 + a like new Stax L300 (less than 30hrs) bought from headamp earlier this year for $300 (again, far lower than what I've seen) as a combo. Just want to make sure before posting, I've been away from the hobby for a while. I'm not way off on either, right?

 

[SeniorBrother]

Still have not seen a lower price for this amp. Thinking of offering it (8/10 condition) at $500 + a like new Stax L300 (less than 30hrs) bought from headamp earlier this year for $300 (again, far lower than what I've seen) as a combo. Just want to make sure before posting, I've been away from the hobby for a while. I'm not way off on either, right?

From eBay. Sold prices.

 

[number1sixerfan]

From eBay. Sold prices.

Appreciate that. I don't know why hifishark looks so much higher on average and the ones currently for sale on ebay look higher. Although they all are from Europe or Japan. I'll sell it for around $200 then. I do want to offer a good deal, as I just need the stuff gone. Thanks again!

 

[SeniorBrother]

Appreciate that. I don't know why hifishark looks so much higher on average and the ones currently for sale on ebay look higher. Although they all are from Europe or Japan. I'll sell it for around $200 then. I do want to offer a good deal, as I just need the stuff gone. Thanks again!

The market for this sort of rare audio gear is so very small that it can be dictated by a handful of people so the asking prices can be wild.

 

[paradoxper]

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.

The DIY T2 simply elevates 007, 009, 009S, and he90 to a whole new level. Yes, even the relatively easy to drive 009 & 009S. You have to hear to believe. The 009S get a little left behind the others, but only slightly. A good case could be made for any of the other 3 being "ultimate" on the T2. Though sadly the L700 doesn't seem to get elevated on T2 like the others - it's not any worse than on a BHSE, just not much better.

That won't satisfy him, either. Spot on.

 

[John_M]

Hi John, so I want to add something to this:

- I can't say its impossible to hear the difference.

Thanks for the reply, although your view does seem to have moved very subtly (I'm sure I remember an earlier post where you said that provided two estat amps both had sufficient power and inaudible distortion levels, they would be indistinguishable). The whole thing is still very puzzling to a non-specialist as some of the "mafia" do seem to have very strong technical knowledge, do make claims that e.g. the Carbon sounds better than the Stax amps, and don't appear to be doing what they are doing in order to profit from it.

One area where I certainly agree with you is that tests of this really have to be of a certain type which I believe shouldn't be discussed on this forum... I mean just watching the guy in the video below should be sufficient to discredit all sighted tests of any audio equipment, forever.

 

[John_M]

I think I've already posted the FR chart showing no difference in FR between 252 and 717 with SR-007 at a very high 105 dB.

Would it be OK to post a link to this?

 

[AudioThief]

Thanks for the reply, although your view does seem to have moved very subtly (I'm sure I remember an earlier post where you said that provided two estat amps both had sufficient power and inaudible distortion levels, they would be indistinguishable). The whole thing is still very puzzling to a non-specialist as some of the "mafia" do seem to have very strong technical knowledge, do make claims that e.g. the Carbon sounds better than the Stax amps, and don't appear to be doing what they are doing in order to profit from it.

One area where I certainly agree with you is that tests of this really have to be of a certain type which I believe shouldn't be discussed on this forum... I mean just watching the guy in the video below should be sufficient to discredit all sighted tests of any audio equipment, forever.

My stance hasn't changed. Its not about being powerful to give loud enough sound to blow your ears off, its about being powerful enough to drive the headphones properly. When I owned the 007, I tried putting them into the 252s for a laugh. The 252s can give you loud enough levels on the 007, but it just sounds absolutely terrible.

The key thing, as I've stated before, is that when an amplifier is powerful enough (which the 727II are, in the case of the 007), the sound won't change going from one capable and adequately powerful one to another. The extra power from the Carbon just doesn't matter. You'll get more audible difference going for SS to tube.

 

[AudioThief]

That won't satisfy him, either. Spot on.

Why on earth would it satisfy me? Its literally the age old argument of "I've heard it and its another level ! You just gotta hear it to believe it!"