[eric65]

Originally Posted by eric65 


[size=8.5pt]Hello.[/size]
 
[size=8.5pt]I researched a bit on the original operation of the headset amplifier AudioValve RKV Mark2 (OTL tube amp.)[/size]
[size=8.5pt]This amplifier OTL would own a specific circuit based on operational amplifiers, solid state regulating the operation of tubes (which would work optimally regardless of their degree of aging), knowing that it is not necessary to match the tubes. These basic tubes (originally intended for __af_placement_id--[AFF-PLACEMENT-ID].html]television sets) would not intervene in the sound quality (NB: these are solid state operational amplifiers that define the intrinsic characteristics of amplification and sound quality of RKV) and their replacement by more upscale tubes (and more expensive) would be of little interest, except the risk of destabilizing the system compared to the original tubes. [/size]
 
[size=8.5pt]The RKV has some very interesting features to run high-impedance headphones and high-definition as ]Sennheiser HD 600 and HD 800 and of course the Stax headphones (SR 507 and SR 009) via WooAudio WEE adapter. [/size]
[size=8.5pt]It gives these headphones a very "punchy" bass[/size]
[size=8.5pt]It gives these headphone heat and body to midrange it "humanizes"[/size]
[size=8.5pt]Finally it softens the treble and makes it enjoyable to listen to even when recording a little hard in treble, but at the cost of a slight loss of transparency in the register, it is true. [/size]
 
[size=8.5pt]It is therefore understandable why this amplifier RKV blends so well with the headphones mentioned above, very transparent headphones, but sometimes hard in treble or missing body (and heat) in the midrange, or lack of presence or punch in the bass. [/size]
[size=8.5pt]Finally, this amplifier gives these headphones a very broad and rich soundstage with lots of ventilation and openness. [/size]
 
[size=8.5pt]What happiness with the 009, but that I've already mentioned. [/size]
 
[size=8.5pt]Eric[/size]
 
 
Quote:

 
 
Thanks for your impressions eric, I will be driving an 009 with a WEE as well. But I am having trouble with one of your terms; what is is meant by transparent "helmet"?

 
 
Hello grokit
 
Transparent to the sound or headphone = defined = resolved = detailed, especially in the treble.
 
Eric

 

[livewire]

Quote:

About how much does it cost in parts to build a BHSE?

Justin can answer that. (and I doubt that he will)
One must also consider that the parts are cheaper when bought in quantity.
 
I'm building an "old school" Blue Hawaii, not the Special Edition.
Only HeadAmp builds those. They use proprietary boards and very slick enclosures.
 
My DIY BH will look nowhere as nice as the HeadAmp product, hopefully it will function well.
Parts cost: $1000

 

[pkshan]

Quote:

No such thing as break in or burn in with electrostatic headphones.

Electrostatic headphones take 1500-2000 hours to fully break-in, just like dynamic headphones,
 
after break-in, the sound will be smoother, more air, more transparent.

 

[Beefy]

Quote:

Electrostatic headphones are just like dynamic headphones,
 

 
Yeah, aside from the fact that electrostatics are totally different, they are very similar.

 

[LCfiner]

Quote:

Electrostatic headphones take 1500-2000 hours to fully break-in, just like dynamic headphones,
 
after break-in, the sound will be smoother, more air, more transparent.

 
that's a new record for the number of hours someone thinks is needed for a product to break in. Any basis for this number?

 

[livewire]

I was wondering the same...

 

[Gruffnutz]

Quote:

 
that's a new record for the number of hours someone thinks is needed for a product to break in. Any basis for this number?

Of course not.  Utter rubbish.

 

[edstrelow]

Still really like the modded SRXIII Pro from anthonyfirst.  They have a slight upper mid harshness or peak but their general neutrality makes everything sound very fresh and new and makes me want to listen to old material for a fresh take.  They seem extremely dynamic or what some people like to call PRAT (pace, rhythm and timing).  I note they are more efficient than any other stat I have except to SR003. Possibly this gives them their great dynamics.
 
In fact about the only difficulty with them is that when I try to snooze with them, something I like to do with phones on, they keep me awake because I can't stop tapping my feet to the music.

 

[arnaud]

For grokit (and Eric):
Helmet and headset are the same writing and pronounciation in french (casque). So we understand which one is being referred to during the conversation by context (just like in Japanese conversation where this often occurs).

Now, for a conversation during which someone talks about how great one's helmet feels when riding his bike while listening to music through one's fantastic headset, then we might get confused .

Arnaud

 

[edstrelow]

Quote:

 
that's a new record for the number of hours someone thinks is needed for a product to break in. Any basis for this number?

 
 
Could be he's pulling our legs.

 

[grokit]

Quote:

For grokit (and Eric):
Helmet and headset are the same writing and pronounciation in french (casque). So we understand which one is being referred to during the conversation by context (just like in Japanese conversation where this often occurs).

Now, for a conversation during which someone talks about how great one's helmet feels when riding his bike while listening to music through one's fantastic headset, then we might get confused

.

Arnaud

 
Thanks, I get it now!

 

[DefQon]

Quote:

Electrostatic headphones take 1500-2000 hours to fully break-in, just like dynamic headphones,
 
after break-in, the sound will be smoother, more air, more transparent.

No offence but that is rubbish. Sure you can have a few hours of charge up on a pair of electrostats that haven't had use since the dawn of daylight rectify some problems such as low sound volume output or slight humming etc and a full charge up will fix some of these problems but there are no moving parts so no requirement of a full break-in or burn-in. You're comparing a dynamic driver to a stator, apples and bananas comparison.

 

[bearFNF]

Quote:

 
that's a new record for the number of hours someone thinks is needed for a product to break in. Any basis for this number?

I think I still hold the record, I said 25+ years and still "breaking-in"

 

[pkshan]

Quote:

No offence but that is rubbish. Sure you can have a few hours of charge up on a pair of electrostats that haven't had use since the dawn of daylight rectify some problems such as low sound volume output or slight humming etc and a full charge up will fix some of these problems but there are no moving parts so no requirement of a full break-in or burn-in. You're comparing a dynamic driver to a stator, apples and bananas comparison.

LOL, ok I'm not going to argue with you,
at least the headphone cable, needs 100-200 hours to break-in, like other IC's.
 
of course the cable don't have any moving parts too,but ....it needs break-in indeed
(just curious,who told you "only moving parts need break-in"?even a new solder joint, sounds different after few ten hours)

 

[Beefy]

Quote:

(just curious,who told you "only moving parts need break-in"?even a new solder joint, sounds different after few ten hours)

 
Yes, I can see how the low voltage/current through a solder joint is a very potent way to change its properties. Melting it with a soldering iron in the first instance just isn't enough applied energy to get the job fully done.
 
No wait, I was wrong, that is close to the dumbest thing I have ever typed.