Who has an end game setup?

[Takeanidea]

Or enlightened. I speak in defence of my fellow headfiers who are end gamers here. You are at least 99% correct in your statement though.

 

[Takeanidea]

To continue the discussion, are there any other stories out there from the forum where headfiers have stopped their upgradeitis?
Through dissolution or research for instance?

 

[Failed Engineer]

To continue the discussion, are there any other stories out there from the forum where headfiers have stopped their upgradeitis?
Through dissolution or research for instance?

 
I ended up choosing my considerably less expensive GS-X mk2 and HD800 over the KGSSHV and SR-009 (basically half the cost), using the same source.  Cost was not a consideration in the choice.  I just like the sound better.
 
I will say that curiosity would have never let myself be end-game satisfied with the GS-X/HD800 combo until I owned the SR-009.  In addition, although audio memory is iffy, I liked the SR-007 mk1 better than the SR-009 out of the same KGSSHV and source.
 
I also made a contrarian choice with my source, opting for a sub-$500 vintage R2R DAC which clearly bested the Metrum Hex after concurrently owning both and heavily testing them side-by-side for a couple of months.  The Hex is a very very good DAC nonetheless.  I knew I liked the cheaper DAC right off the bat, but it took me a couple of months to actually believe what I was hearing to the point I could convince myself to part with the Hex.

 

[Sorrodje]

@failed engineer : which vintage DAC are you talking about?

 

[purk]

I ended up choosing my considerably less expensive GS-X mk2 and HD800 over the KGSSHV and SR-009 (basically half the cost), using the same source.  Cost was not a consideration in the choice.  I just like the sound better.

I will say that curiosity would have never let myself be end-game satisfied with the GS-X/HD800 combo until I owned the SR-009.  In addition, although audio memory is iffy, I liked the SR-007 mk1 better than the SR-009 out of the same KGSSHV and source.

I also made a contrarian choice with my source, opting for a sub-$500 vintage R2R DAC which clearly bested the Metrum Hex after concurrently owning both and heavily testing them side-by-side for a couple of months.  The Hex is a very very good DAC nonetheless.  I knew I liked the cheaper DAC right off the bat, but it took me a couple of months to actually believe what I was hearing to the point I could convince myself to part with the Hex.

We can't be any more different. I take the sr-009 out of the kgsshv myself over the hd800 + gsx mk2. I am also surprised that u didn't like the Ecp l2 better than the gsx mk2 with the hd800.

 

[TheAttorney]

Two thirds of my set up is now fully end game: SR-009 driven by BHSE with vintage metal base tubes. If there's better out there, then I'm not that bothered. Of course, if and when Stax release the SR-010, I may get bothered all over again )
 
Only the source remains in question. My upcoming Yggy may or may not keep me quiet for a few years, and I'm still open as to the system for holding the music files.
 
Having owned and loved the SR-007s for several years (and still have them), I'm forever puzzled why some people prefer these over the 009s. It could be a volume thing - I listen at moderate levels. Apparently, things get brighter at higher volumes.
 
For me, the 009 wins on so many musical parameters. I still like the 007s - they make the best backup headphones ever.

 

[purk]

  Two thirds of my set up is now fully end game: SR-009 driven by BHSE with vintage metal base tubes. If there's better out there, then I'm not that bothered. Of course, if and when Stax release the SR-010, I may get bothered all over again )
 
Only the source remains in question. My upcoming Yggy may or may not keep me quiet for a few years, and I'm still open as to the system for holding the music files.
 
Having owned and loved the SR-007s for several years (and still have them), I'm forever puzzled why some people prefer these over the 009s. It could be a volume thing - I listen at moderate levels. Apparently, things get brighter at higher volumes.
 
For me, the 009 wins on so many musical parameters. I still like the 007s - they make the best backup headphones ever.

Especially when you have the BHSE.  It won't be as good of a back up when you have the Stax or KGSS amp.

 

[lojay]

I like my EC445/Teton and HD800 more than the SR009 and KGSSHV on my rig too. More clarity and precision overall at the expense of naturalness.

That's why I'm getting the T2 to see how far the SR009 can go.

I wonder why Purk is still keeping the BHSE with the T2?

 

[Failed Engineer]

We can't be any more different. I take the sr-009 out of the kgsshv myself over the hd800 + gsx mk2. I am also surprised that u didn't like the Ecp l2 better than the gsx mk2 with the hd800.

 
Yeah, I find that my ears don't generally jive with those of most around here, and I've come to peace with it.  It's been good for my wallet too as a side benefit!
 
I read a lot of people's account that think there is something wrong with the HD800 amongst its overall strength, be it excess treble energy, lack of bass, unnatural soundstage, sterility and/or graininess.  But I absolutely love everything about the HD800, properly amped.  The HD800 definitely sounds grainy and sterile on bad to average sources and amps, and that's why this is the 3rd time I've owned it.  But there's absolutely nothing grainy with the GS-X mk2 and my Proceed PDP-2 DAC.  I've tried some of the reversible mods to the HD800 that are floating around the web, but felt each in any form stunted the HD800s strengths.  I don't think there are that many of us that like the HD800 in stock form, but I'm one of them.
 
As far as the ECP L-2, it was the only amp I found to give the HD800 the musicality on any D-S DAC.  If I hadn't gone R2R DAC, the L-2 is basically the pinnacle of HD800 amping, IMO.  I found that with the PDP-2, the energetic nature of the HD800 that I love was a bit stunted.  I have had people come over and listen to the L-2 and GS-X and nearly everyone prefers the L-2.  I respect that.  The L-2 is amazing, and I'm probably never going to sell it seeing as it will be next to impossible to ever acquire one again.  I may use it at work with a different DAC and another pair of HD800 at some point.
 
Also, as far as the SR-007 and SR-009, I will concede that technically, the SR-009 is superior, but the tone and weight of the SR-007 is clearly better to my ears.  Pianos are where I feel it's most evident.  I know there are many Stax fans that agree with me that the SR-007 is better than the SR-009 so I know I'm not on an island with that opinion.
 
We all hear differently, even at the peak of Summit-Fi where there are few true contenders, so I understand that most would disagree with my findings.  That's what makes this hobby so great.

 

[Failed Engineer]

@failed engineer : which vintage DAC are you talking about?

It's a Proceed PDP-2, using PCM58 18 bit chips.  Updated with all new caps shortly before purchase, and some other power supply improvements.  I may try and find a PDP-3 that uses the PCM63s, but that's been almost impossible for me to find.

 

[icebear]

   
... But I absolutely love everything about the HD800, properly amped.  The HD800 definitely sounds grainy and sterile on bad to average sources and amps, and that's why this is the 3rd time I've owned it.  But there's absolutely nothing grainy with the GS-X mk2 and my Proceed PDP-2 DAC.  I've tried some of the reversible mods to the HD800 that are floating around the web, but felt each in any form stunted the HD800s strengths.  I don't think there are that many of us that like the HD800 in stock form, but I'm one of them....

+1, me too.
A good source and the GSX-Mk2 is all the HD800 needs, don't start to mess around with it

 

 

[nepherte]

  +1, me too.
A good source and the GSX-Mk2 is all the HD800 needs, don't start to mess around with it

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Failed Engineer]

 
Couldn't agree more.

 Great system nepherte!  If I did have a curiosity left in Head-Fi, it's to hear the HD800 and GS-X mk2 from the TotalDAC D1 Dual.

 

[purk]

I do prefer my SR009+BHSE/T2 over the HD800+amp of choice for sure.  Couple of my friends are also in the same agreement with me.  Despite that statement, I do love the HD800.  I love it so much that I can't find a good reason to sell them.  Just like many of you, I discovered that a properly amped HD800 is pretty spectacular.  In fact, it so good that it makes the Hifiman HE1000 not a good buy at $3000.  Sadly, many will give up on the HD800 too early so they are really missing out on what this headphones can do.  I have tried Mr. Speaker Ether in my rig, and I prefer the HD800 over it as well.  I have tried many top-end balanced amps for the HD800 and the best results so far is out of the ECP DSHA-0 (prototype) following closely by a three way ties between the Headroom Home Balanced Amp, Susy Dynahi, and ECP L2.  The GS-X MKII is just a tad below that.     

 

[lojay]

  I do prefer my SR009+BHSE/T2 over the HD800+amp of choice for sure.  Couple of my friends are also in the same agreement with me.  Despite that statement, I do love the HD800.  I love it so much that I can't find a good reason to sell them.  Just like many of you, I discovered that a properly amped HD800 is pretty spectacular.  In fact, it so good that it makes the Hifiman HE1000 not a good buy at $3000.  Sadly, many will give up on the HD800 too early so they are really missing out on what this headphones can do.  I have tried Mr. Speaker Ether in my rig, and I prefer the HD800 over it as well.  I have tried many top-end balanced amps for the HD800 and the best results so far is out of the ECP DSHA-0 (prototype) following closely by a three way ties between the Headroom Home Balanced Amp, Susy Dynahi, and ECP L2.  The GS-X MKII is just a tad below that.     

 
I love my HD800s with the EC 445 and Apex Teton. I have given up on the HE1000 though I appreciate its strengths. It takes the cake in a niche area of listening and I can well see people preferring it for very long listening sessions. But even with the TOTL amps and DACs I have I have not been able to drive the HE1000 to the same level as the SR009 and HD800 rigs.
 
How do you compare the BHSE and the DIYT2?