KDS315
100+ Head-Fier
Here: POLARIS OFFER and its price within the EU is EUR2.600, if sold outside the EU, it is 19% less i.e. 2.185 plus shipping cost.
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It's a lot cheaper than the Carbon as well. Do you reckon it's better than the Carbon CC?
shabta
1000+ Head-Fier
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Could you say more about the tests? What were the headphones used? Did you make sure the amps were volume matched. What dac/dacs? Who built the carbon? When you say easily beats, in what ways?
I am genuinely curious. I've never seen or heard of a direct a/b comparison.
Owning the tube version (alpha centauri) from high-amp.de, I can also confirm it sounds encredible, was very impressed from first day I owned it.
Never had chance to compared it with KGSSHV Carbon though, but it was significantly better and cheaper than any higher end stax amp I had before.
Never had chance to compared it with KGSSHV Carbon though, but it was significantly better and cheaper than any higher end stax amp I had before.
Which headphone? Gracias
LarsHP
Headphoneus Supremus
I read that the KGSSHV Carbon has a max voltage of 1440V. That's more than twice as much as the Polaris V3 PP. Voltage swing is far from all regarding sound quality and ability to drive a heavy load, but I think those using the most hard to drive earspeakers like SR-007 models (plus maybe others?) need to know which headphones were used, what types of music (lots of sub bass and high dynamics?) and how loud listening volume was used.
Sr 009 and hifiman jade II (jade ii was pretty hard to drive and anemic in bass region on other amps).
Voltage swing of polaris is 1720 i think.
Voltage output is one.thing, voltage swing is other
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Thomsen132
100+ Head-Fier
My Mjolnir Carbon has 1550 V, Polaris is 1720 V (both stator to stator, not Vrms)
Specs of Carbon can differ as not every builder probably uses the same power supply. There might be other differences.
As i alreay mentionend, i like both amps. The Carbon is more on the slightly warm and smooth side, the Polaris V3 is more transparent and clear. It depends on my mood, which one i prefer.
Both amps have more power than i will ever need and great extended bass.
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I'll probably go with the Solaris in a few months as the price is really good for the specs. I never knew about this Solaris amplifier beforehand. Can you drive headphones such as the Hifiman Shangri La Sr on it? As that headphone runs at 640v instead of the usual 580v.
Based on your comments, the Polaris produces more resolution and both have good bass? Which amplifier takes it for bass or are they both at the same level?
solaris or polaris? the builder of solaris is dead and the brand disapperead
Thomsen132
100+ Head-Fier
I don't know for sure, if the Shangrila Jr can be driven on those amps. But i assume it is possible.
The Polaris is a little bit brighter, which makes soundstage a little wider, and tonally Mjolnir Carbon and Polaris V3 are identic in their base frequency response (measured that), the Polaris might be a tad tighter, which can be depending on mood and music material a good or a not so good thing.
Perceptively the Mjolnir Carbon might seem a little warmer in comparison to Polaris due to its treble roll off, and that could also enhance bass.
But objectively both do bass very good.
Polaris oops!
@Thomsen132 Thanks, I will contact the builder as he will know for sure if headphones that use higher voltages like the Shang Sr would work. I assume it will work fine since other people are using the Carbon CC to drive this headphone. I prefer a more extended treble especially for estats and a wider stage so this Polaris should be a nice upgrade to the Phantom.
LarsHP
Headphoneus Supremus
I just looked at the specs and quoted what I read. Maybe I shouldn't have used the term "voltage swing". I thought it was the same as voltage output.
LarsHP
Headphoneus Supremus
I almost forgot this important point regarding amplification: Max voltage defines the maximum movement, so to speak, while current is needed to move the driver. In other words, we need both, which is why amplifiers usually are spec'ed in Watts. And as Ohms law makes it clear, the lower the resistance, the higher the current draw.
For reference, I just saw that Mjolnir KGSSHV Carbon is said to be spec'ed to 1550V swing (peak to peak) while being able to deliver 22mA.
For reference, I just saw that Mjolnir KGSSHV Carbon is said to be spec'ed to 1550V swing (peak to peak) while being able to deliver 22mA.
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