Hey guys,
Saving up for a KGSSHV CARBON build from Soren Brix.I Have enough saved up for a STAX SRM-700S. Would the Carbon be much better for a 007A?
I'm asking because three's a lot of conflicting information online: many people say it doesn't matter unless you're listening at unhealthy volume levels and the shout won't go away unless you're on tubes.
The Carbon has much more power on tap, but is it a similar case to the Susvara, where that headphone needs extra headroom in addition to its gigantic power requirements?
Need to be sure of this since the Carbon would be significantly more expensive to import after Indian customs.
First advice is:
don't get an SRM-700s.
Save your money, get an SRM-717 or SRM-727II modded instead in nice working condition, which cost a fraction of the price.
Some parts have been changed with newer ones, but they are essentially the same.
About Stax solid-state amps vs Carbon:
the two amps sound markedly different. Not quite as simple as more power = better.
Yes, there is a substantial power difference that is going to increase driver control, dynamics, punch (mainly in the low-end), reduce congestion and separation.
That's obviously going to be advantage Carbon.
But there is also a different type of sound signature and character that's not necessarily equally suited to certain types of recordings.
With the Stax amps, you start to get roll-off towards the extreme ends of the spectrum. There is less bass depth and treble information.
However, when you start to pair an SR-007 with a more extended amp, the midrange starts to feel a little "lost" in the sound.
It subtly emphasizes a more V-shaped sound. That's the 007 character in general, the 007A is a little more forward, but it is not a Lambda, much warmer, more diffused and relaxing. So with a Carbon, the presentation turns slightly more towards "analytical warmth": clean, controlled, nothing offensive, but there is also somehow something "missing" from the sound. Also emphasizer the "quickness" of estats, resulting in certain sounds (e.g. cymbals) having too quick of a decay. While that mainly comes from the headphones, I prefer not to have that enhanced further by the amp.
As opposed to "musical warmth", where you hear midrange, and then the rest follows, feels more "alive".
There is a midrange warmth in Stax amps that seems to make a smoother transition on that area with certain headphones (but can be quite irritating on others, that have the "famous" upper midrange peak, some have treble peaks, those are less "nervous" on Carbon).
Other big difference between these amps is how they portray stage.
With the Carbon you get a large stage in the width department. However, the stage is a rectangle shape with clear boundaries and "rigid" imaging.
So it still feels sort of constricted despite its sizing.
On the Stax amp, it is the opposite. You get a narrower hall, but more of a trapezoid-shape, feels less delineated, a bit more airy and diffused.
Also with Stax amps, you get a bit less clear imaging, but also better ambient detail, meaning you hear tiny changes in spatiality that is somehow masked away on Carbon.
So what does this all mean, how does it translate to making an educated decision?
If you are the sort of person who mainly listens to pop, rock, metal or electronic music, then the power of a "meaty" KG amp is going to do a better job for you.
Stax amps are simply weaker here.
However, I am somewhat more impressed by the Stax amps on classical, acoustic and vocal music.
This is where they seem to have a more "intriguing" character, and I feel better synergy with certain headphones especially in the midrange and spatiality that somehow gets lost when moving to a Carbon.
It feels like Carbon was designed to be an "ideal" solid-state amp. But it wasn't designed to be "ideally matching" amp with Stax headphones.
I tried it with many many different Staxes and the pairings I like the most is not what most people seem to be talking about
(but as you'd imagine they are the sort of headphones which counteract its character).
So yes, I am missing the Carbon bass volume at times is simply weaker than I'd like - yet not missing it at the same time, because certain things Stax amps do are very satisfying - and they do this while being way cheaper and more practical.
This is based on owning these amps for a few years, there could be even more subtleties that I can't remember now.
I also exchanged impressions with a number of people about Carbon and other amps, got some interesting sound descriptions but won't quote from private discussions.
Also tried the KGSSHV numerous times, behaves mostly like a Carbon except it is even more punchy, forward and analytical with less warmth. (might not be bad for a 007 that can have a tendency to be "too warm"). I'd also like to thank a certain member who used to post here in the old days, and did an unbiased KGSS vs 717 shootout - a handful of things come from his observations helping me what to pick up on during listening.
Hope it helps.
