hirsch

Another option might be something like the Cardas phono box. This converts a DIN connector to a pair of RCA jacks. After that, you can use any interconnect that you want, rather than a dedicated phono interconnect. (However, I can't remember if the SME arms use the same DIN as other tone arms).

Hmmm...I'm wondering if Larry can do an HF-1 in zelkova wood (and we need an evil grin very badly here) Note: zelkova is the wood used in the R10 headshell.

Yep Short version: Improved detail, improved bass, improved imaging, cleaner frequency response, huge increase in PRAT. I've still got a single-ended pair also, and love it a lot but IMO it's not in the same league. The two headphones I normally listen to balanced are the Qualia 010 and the RS-1, and IMO the RS-1 is more fun. (I need to get some more listening time with balance HD-650 though, and balanced R10 is coming soon). On reading this post, I think I need to get a life

Very cool. I'm continuing to use the skin I was born with, since I haven't figured out how to change it yet

Here's an odd one. I really liked the K-701 on first listen, and thought it a major improvement over previous AKG headphones. Amp was Wheatfield HA-2. However, I haven't been able to catch the same magic on other amps. I'm probably going to balance it to see what the SDS-XLR can do with it. However, on any amp but the Wheatfield, I'd take the HD-650 over the K-701, at least right now (until I can get to Guitar Center for a pair of three pin connectors...)

Just a note, the ES1 is not based on your ac coupled design, according to Mikhail. It's actually much more closely related to the older Stax designs, such as SRM T-2. There are only two capacitors in the signal path. Sonically, there is little similarity between the sound of the ES1 and the sound of your designs that I have heard (mostly implemented by Justin).

Putting my profile in my sig file would probably be unfair to dialup users

iPod plus KSC-35's. I'm saving up for a CMOY.

I've heard two ES1's so far, and the next one I hear better be mine The key word I'd use to describe the amp is transparent. In NJ, the owner requested that it be connected to a Leonardo CD player. The amp sounded confused, and detail was missing. Mikhail couldn't figure it out. Finally, he connected it to a Meridian G08, and everything came back. Not the amp at all, but the thing is extraordinarily sensitive to input, and was magnifying the flaws of the player (I'm not recommending the Leonardo ). The ES1 doesn't sound like any other electrostatic amp currently marketed, nor does it sound like HEV90 (based on recollection as an HEV90 was not present). It's cleaner, without sounding analytical. ES1/HE90 may be as close as you can get to the source in headphones. I've had less listening time with ES1/Omega II, but so far I'm almost as enthusiastic about that combo as I am with HE90. I may even buy an Omega II, and I've never really been a fan of that headphone before. It should be possible to alter tonal balance of ES1 a bit by tube rolling. The outputs are EL34's, but you can use a LOT of different tube types on the gain positions (Almost anything from 6SN7 to 5687 to 12A?7 to 6922 types, using Mikhail's socket adapters, and that covers a lot of tubes). It's likely that a tube set that can do what you want can be found. The HEV90 is warmer and laid back. It does not have the transparency or detail of the ES1. It does have a warm lush signature that is almost the hallmark of the HE90 sound, but is not a great Stax driver IMO. Bias voltage of Stax headphones is 580v, while bias voltage of HE90 is 500v. Since HEV90 is designed for HE90, bias voltage is a bit low for Omega II. HEV90 does drive Omega II, and sounds OK, but it's not the best amp for the headphone. Further, the Omega II wants a 5 megaohm loading resistor in the bias line, while the HE90 wants 10 megaohms. ES1 has separate bias voltages and impedance loading optimized for HE90 and Stax on the respective jacks, so each headphone sees its correct optimal electrical parameters. Aristaeus sounds like the HEV90 with a bit more definition. It's based on the HEV90 circuit, but with a different power supply. The version I heard was a prototype, as I don't think the production model has been completed yet. IMO ES1 is a breakthrough product that has the potential to redefine what an electrostatic amp should be. The advantage of an electrostatic headphone should be speed and transparency. To date, the ES1 is the best amp I've heard for hearing the unique characteristics of electrostatic headphones. In comparison, other electrostatic amps now sound to me as though they are hiding the full potential of electrostatic cans. Sorry if I sound a bit overenthusiastic. The ES1 is something new to me, and I like it. A lot. You should be able to get rid of the metallic sheen and ringing you hear on the 007t, however. Decent tubes, properly biased, should not produce that effect on that amp. The ringing could be due to tube microphonics, but the metallic sheen could be the tube type. I heard something like that using Mazda-Brimar 6CG7's, but got rid of it with Toshiba 6FQ7's.

The problem with heavier speakers is that a toddler will still find a way to knock them over (unless they are seriously heavy or bolted to the floor) but the risk of injury increases. The only safe speakers I can think of would be a set of bookshelf speakers that actually sit on a shelf, or are wall-mounted. Alternatively, something with a lot of weight at the bottom might be difficult to knock over (weight distribution may be more important than actual weight). Out of reach is the only really safe place.

Post my rig? My rig's a bit out of control. I'm not sure there's enough film in the digital camera to take all of the pics

As it turned out, the R10 did not get done in time, so I left the balanced rig and headphones home (that, and Thrice (Rockhopper Audio) came, so there was no room at all in the car for it). I owe jjcha a listen to the balanced RS-1

Got there, got back. Will post something when I regain consciousness.

OK, so I'm going, in about fifteen minutes.

Speaking of new vs. old Senns, I had a chance to hear the new production HE90 and the old production HE90 from the same amp (ES1) last night (life can get tough sometimes). They are different in construction, and the new production is the better headphone. Going up to NJ in a couple of minutes, so you may hear more about this.

Actually, I should have a balanced R10 very soon (as in perhaps tonight, if Mikhail got it done in time). That's the headphone I'm dying to hear. Mikhail is planning to fly in here, and drive up to NJ with me. Mikhail has the ES1 for Tom and if I bring the SDS-XLR/R10, that car is going to be loaded with goodies...

Heh, I may take my SDS-XLR up to the NJ meet. I've just got to make sure the car's suspension can handle it

Having lived in Ohio for two years a while back, I can affirm that Cinci is indeed way cooler than Saratoga. Particularly in February.

Yeah, I can see how getting banned is going to require some serious work

I'm about 50/50. It's a bit farther than I want to go, but there will be some people there that I want to catch up with.

Hey, if I post what I think of events on the other forum, would I be the first one to get banned from here?

Were you able to fit the 24AWG cable to the Lemo connectors used on the Qualia? The spec for the connector says that it can take a maximum of 28 AWG, which is what the Headphile cable is. If the connector can handle 24 AWG, I may give that a try.

Don't forget, you have to pass a physical exam before receiving the amp, to be sure that it's safe to try lifting it

Balanced K-701 is definitely on my list for the future. Single-ended, it's great with Wheatfield HA-2.

You're welcome. No real need to reply to the email. I just wanted to offer encouragement, because I think you did exactly what you had to do. My defacto standard is still the R10 out of single-ended SDS. I'm just an R10 kind of guy, I suppose, and I've tweaked the single-ended amp a lot. However, I've worked out a tweak package to bring SDS-XLR up to current spec, and should be receiving a balanced R10 any day now, so the picture could change radically. The ES1 is also a wild card in the equation, as the one time I heard that amp with HE90, it blew my socks off. That amp could be the one that finally opens the potential of electrostatic cans. I need to get my grubby hands on one, and do some extended listening to be sure (and I will).