HemiSam

Nothing like having to flip a laser disc in the middle of a flick...winning HS

In case someone is looking for an alternative, I have been enjoying Deezer Elite for 16/44 with no drama. I pump it into a Sonos Connect via the wifi connection, and run an optical coax to my DAC. Not every file is FLAC but they have a lot of good music. The engine isn't as intuitive as Beats (previously MOG) which has turned me on to some exceptional new music, but it's solid. The Sonos GUI is brilliant in that I can search for an artist and I can choose from Deezer, Beats, my personal ripped tunes, etc... I quit ripping CD's after Deezer Elite and now no cable from my MacBook Air to the DAC. Just steer everything through an iPad Mini and either send tunes to the DAC or if I'm cooking pipe it into a Sonos Play 3 in the kitchen (overly bassy but it's not terrible). Didn't mean to poop in this thread, but it's really been a game changing audio experience for me. Older I get, the more I appreciate simplicity. HS

The recable isn't a bad idea if you're going to keep them forever. If you ever think you might punt, though, I think it'll be easier to sell them with the E90 amp. Hell...for what I paid new, shipped for the ESP's and the amp, it was a hell of a deal. Good intro to e-stats I think. If they're half of what I hope with the KGST, I'm gonna be smilin'.... HS

Those look fantastic! I have a feeling mine will be a bit more on the redneck side.... Kevin - I don't know that I can do your connector justice with my lack of skills but I will reach out via PM assuming that is OK. Big thanks to the HeadCase crew for being tolerant of my rook questions...much appreciated! I can't wait to plug the ESP-950's into the KGST HS

Hello, A. Thanks for the heads-up. HS

Yum... With some luck I will get to test drive a BH one of these days at a meet or the like. I bet that 950 was happy as a clam with all that attention. HS

Absolutely. That extension cable wasn't likely to be of much use to me and if I ever decide to sell (say I get woowed by a sexy pair of Stax...), it should be easier. I have to say, I've been more impressed with the Koss ESP's than I expected. I like a somewhat warm signature (e.g. the HD 650 grew on me once I adjusted to them) and was a bit worried the bass would be ridiculously thin on the Koss's. It's not all that bad, and the mids and highs are superb for me....I don't do siblance well. I think some KGST lovin' might just be the ticket. That or a SR 007. When will it end... HS

My solder tips are too big....LOL. Seriously, I am going to need the right tools for the job so I'll dust off a new soldering station I purchased a while back and see what I have. That's a good pointer...thanks! You raise a great point about stress relief which, surprisingly, I had thought about. I don't have a great answer...I was planning on using different sizes of heat shrink. So a small piece would cover any exposed wires at the butt of the plug. A larger piece would go over it and hopefully fit over the Koss cable or at least to the very edge (I may need to leave some of the internal sheathing on the individual wires aft the end of the rectangular mother cable...I'm sure my nomenclature is shite...sorry). Finally, a big arse piece of heat shrink for the crap metal knock-off Stax plug down to the Koss cable. So layering if you will. I figure that will be pretty damn stiff and while not great, hopefully it will provide some protection. In the end, if I buger this up good which is a distinct possibility, I buy one of these pricey cables from Fong audio or Apuresound (which may have a bad rep...dunno). http://www.amazon.com/Koss-ESP-950-5-pin-Adapter-Cable/dp/B00LCKWG40 http://apuresound.com/images/cables/electrostatic/950/index2.html HS

That seems to be the most logical approach, but forgive a dumb ass question...I suck at this stuff. Where do I place the tip of the iron...normally I'd simply heat up the wire from the Koss but I'll want to limit the exposed wire with five lines in failry tight grouping. So is there some smarter way to get the solder in there....I don't think it'll be too bright to heat up the plug nipples or the solder directly....that won't last long... I generally bugger-up delicate stuff like this for being impatient so I'd like to avoid that if possible. Thanks. HS

It's a tragic piece of crap...really. I think they must have gotten some cheap shells made in China with no quality control and they're taking the amphenol jack (which looks like it could be a 6-pin but has the center filled) and screwing it into the shitty sleeve. It's not cracked so much as it was molded poorly by the look of it...super half ass. And I'm not looking forward to soldering the wires from the Koss into that jack as I'm no artist. Trying to figure out now how to most intelligently do so. Just seeing KG's post as I'm typing. I thought I'd read that several have used it and were opening up the female a bit? I'm all ears here (where's my PeeWee pic???)... HS

Rookie here. Have been lurking and read through this thread and a few others. This amp is waaaaaay sexy. I dont personally have the skill to build one...I'm an oaf with electronics as can be judged on the work I do on my race car...far more mechanically inclined. I want one bad and have a kind and skilled gent building one so I don't kill myself or my e-stats. Tail wagging... HS

Thank you, Gents. Good to be here. This place reminds me of a muscle car forum I frequent....light on BS and long on know-how. HS

First post so be gentle... I have been lurking on here and am braving my first post. Appreciate the info in this thread as I have a KGST I'm stoked about headed my way. Will be recabling my ESP 950's for starters. Made the mistake of purchasing the Moon Audio plug. Birgir is correct. It is crap... HS