Why do you need that strand setup? Extra flexibility and/or the cable will withstand the flexing better? 26AWG would make sense for rewiring headphones...
I also get some sick pleasure for reusing SP crapola in my amps. The latest prototype has filament wiring, terminal strips and capacitor clamps all rescued from the ES-1.
For them to compete with the ET1000, Beyer would have to make a neutral and even handed transducer and I quite frankly can't see that happening. Moar tesla, moar bass!!!!
Just got the latest HFN (Jan'10 issue) and Stax is featured in the audio milestones. Nothing new really but seeing somebody wearing Sigmas in print is pretty much priceless...
The Lambda Pro is known for its recessed midrange so switching to something like a SR-202 or Lambda Nova Signature would help. Even the normal bias SR-Lambda could be a better match.
With a DAC on board then it would make perfect sense to offer a balanced output with a digital volume control. Simply slapping on a phase splitter (which are not all created equal) seems like a terrible idea to me.
Yeah, I took it as input. Then this is just a SE amp with a phase splitter and a differential output stage with more noise/impedance. What a truly terrible idea.