[nileppezdel77]

Although iESL was designed to work nicely with Pro iCAN, it can get juice from a regular speaker amp's taps, but it shouldn't be higher that 100W/8Ω, and no lower than 10W/8Ω. Balanced headphone amps can also work with Pro iESL if they can deliver 10V/64Ω.

Wait, why? I thought there was only a lower limit? I've had mine attached to two monoblock nc400 amps delivering 200w/channel/8ohms. Am I killing something internally or the headphones or the amps doing this? I even have it in the chain to some Magnepans! Sound quality has been absurdly spectacular! Well, everything is disconnected for now, hoping for some clarification. Thanks!

 

[iFi audio]

There just doesn't seem to be a cheap way to get a full degree of satisfaction out of 'stats, even if you can do DIY.

Yes, in this regard estats are quite special indeed.

Wait, why? I thought there was only a lower limit? I've had mine attached to two monoblock nc400 amps delivering 200w/channel/8ohms. Am I killing something internally or the headphones or the amps doing this? I even have it in the chain to some Magnepans! Sound quality has been absurdly spectacular! Well, everything is disconnected for now, hoping for some clarification. Thanks!

Those numbers I listed in my previous post are from iESL's manual. I don't think that you're killing anything, but just to double-check how iESL handles your monos' output power, I'll ask internally about any consequences or disadvantages (if there are any to begin with) and will get back to you.

 

[nileppezdel77]

Yes, in this regard estats are quite special indeed.



Those numbers I listed in my previous post are from iESL's manual. I don't think that you're killing anything, but just to double-check how iESL handles your monos' output power, I'll ask internally about any consequences or disadvantages (if there are any to begin with) and will get back to you.

I do see that in the manual, checked after I commented. The manual seems more concerned about volume considerations but I eagerly await any further info you can provide! Moved back to my Emotiva a100 for now but damn it's nowhere near as clean sounding.

 

[iFi audio]

I do see that in the manual, checked after I commented. The manual seems more concerned about volume considerations but I eagerly await any further info you can provide! Moved back to my Emotiva a100 for now but damn it's nowhere near as clean sounding.

Here's the update:

We recommend sepcs listed in iESL's manual as a sensible and reliably safe range. Just as it is with other headphones, electrostatic headphones can be damaged by excessively high signal levels (the same is true for other headphones). Of course damage is not happening if the signal levels are kept modest, although accidents can happen.

Simply connecting an amplifier with a rating higher than 100W/8Ohm will not cause automatic damage if the signal levels are kept at normal listening levels. Even a 10000W amplifier could be connected, as long as output levels do not exceed around 80V peak-to-peak. However, if by accident the volume control is set too high - high power amps can deliver voltage beyond this safe level, with potentially fatal consequences.

So it is not a higher powered amplifier connected that causes damage, but instead accidentally driving a such a product beyond recommended limits. That's what can potentially lead to damage mainly to headphones. But excess power can also harm iESL.

200W/8Ohm instead of 100W/8Ohm should be "mostly harmless", but no warranties are given or implied with this statement. In short, you need to be careful to not accidentally go overboard with power

 

[nileppezdel77]

Here's the update:

We recommend sepcs listed in iESL's manual as a sensible and reliably safe range. Just as it is with other headphones, electrostatic headphones can be damaged by excessively high signal levels (the same is true for other headphones). Of course damage is not happening if the signal levels are kept modest, although accidents can happen.

Simply connecting an amplifier with a rating higher than 100W/8Ohm will not cause automatic damage if the signal levels are kept at normal listening levels. Even a 10000W amplifier could be connected, as long as output levels do not exceed around 80V peak-to-peak. However, if by accident the volume control is set too high - high power amps can deliver voltage beyond this safe level, with potentially fatal consequences.

So it is not a higher powered amplifier connected that causes damage, but instead accidentally driving a such a product beyond recommended limits. That's what can potentially lead to damage mainly to headphones. But excess power can also harm iESL.

200W/8Ohm instead of 100W/8Ohm should be "mostly harmless", but no warranties are given or implied with this statement. In short, you need to be careful to not accidentally go overboard with power

Awesome! Going back to the good stuff!

 

[iFi audio]

Awesome! Going back to the good stuff!

Enjoy and just be careful to not push too hard with SPL and you'll be fine

 

[billqs]

A Public Service Announcement:

There's someone about to list an Omega in the Headphones for Sale/Trade Forum.

 

[Tarttett]

Are there any energisers that have the same headphone stand form factor as STAX's SRM-300 + SRM-310 amplifiers?

 

[Tarttett]

What wood are the HPS-2s made from?

 

[afgmjkl]

Are there any energisers that have the same headphone stand form factor as STAX's SRM-300 + SRM-310 amplifiers?

here...

 

[Erfan Elahi]

Some I know:

LTA Z10e - https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/z10e-electrostatic-headphone-amp-integrated-amp

Audiovalve Solaris -
https://www.audiovalve.info/shop/headphone-amplifier/verto-kopie-2/

Malvalve Headamp 3 - https://www.malvalve.de/Headamp3.htm

If i buy any used amp from USA or Japan, then I will need a voltage transformer for EU voltage. I see there are many options of 200watts to 5000 watts like this. How much watt is consumed by highend electrostatic or planner headphone amps? I see higher watts models are more heavy by weight. Or a simple voltage converter can work too? Which watt range should be enough for such highend amps and dacs? I plan only for my headphone setup.

 

[Eich1eeF]

If i buy any used amp from USA or Japan, then I will need a voltage transformer for EU voltage.

You don't necessarily need a transformer, some of the older STAX amplifiers can be converted to just about any voltage by re-soldering a few wires, some of the ancient ones are even simpler. Nowadays, the wires on the transformers inside the amps are usually cut rather tightly, so that a modification isn't as easy.

Since you don't specify which amp you intend to buy: the 007t is rated at 55W, the 727 at 46W. Even with plenty of margin for inrush current, 200W may be enough.

 

[Erfan Elahi]

You don't necessarily need a transformer, some of the older STAX amplifiers can be converted to just about any voltage by re-soldering a few wires, some of the ancient ones are even simpler. Nowadays, the wires on the transformers inside the amps are usually cut rather tightly, so that a modification isn't as easy.

Since you don't specify which amp you intend to buy: the 007t is rated at 55W, the 727 at 46W. Even with plenty of margin for inrush current, 200W may be enough.

alright thanks a lot, that helps

 

[tabness]

here...

Is this a real product? I searched and couldn't find anything but the 353X, but this form factor would be perfect for me!

 

[iFi audio]

Is this a real product? I searched and couldn't find anything but the 353X, but this form factor would be perfect for me!

It looks like a real thing.