Chimpie

You're probably right, but it's soooo difficult to give up on my dynamics rig! I'm afraid I'll miss the K1000! Plus the tubes, of course... And with the HD800 coming (soon?). Choices, choices. That's why I was thinking to use the ZD as a pre-amp to the KGSS, just like running the ZD as pre-amp to the FirstWatt F1, making it some kind of a hybrid amp. Don't know if it's a good idea though... I've heard the O2 out of a 007tII before with a Benchmark DAC, CEC transport with golden ICs and thought it to sound very warm. I only listened to it briefly though. I'd wished that someone would organise a meet in NL again with some high end stuff!

Hi there, I could use your Stax expertise! I'm running a dynamic rig with the ZD as amp. I *might* want to try a O2 rig, although I've spend way too much money already (pre-ordered a HD800, Alex is recabling my K1000 and still want to buy a F1). I don't really want to venture into BHSE territory yet, but a KGSS might be a possibility. However, I like tubes! Would you think running the ZD as a pre-amp to a KGSS is a smart thing to do? Or would that be terrible? I've asked Justin whether it is possible to get a KGSS without volume pots, he said it's doable (saves me $200 bucks too!).

Nope, the ZD does not have stepped attenuators. This is what Craig said about them: "I did try and build a 24 position stepped attenuator. It had to big a jump between steps, and made it difficult to find a satisfying listening level. The stepped attenuator needs to be a 60 position. That gets expensive with the Shalco control costing $375.00 just for the switch. Add another $100.00 for parts and labor and cost is almost $500.00. So the amps are going out with the standard Alps Blue Velvet controls."

I'm a bit late to the party (very late?), but I'm surprised nobody suggested the Sony A700?! The high iso performance is quite similar to Canon / Nikon, dpreview updated their review using the new firmware. Agreed, it doesn't have fancy live view but since it's been out there for a while, it's quite a bargain! Plus, you came from a Sony a100, so I think you had some lenses already? Sony has some really nice (Zeiss or old school Minolta) lenses, plus it has image stabilisation for all lenses since the camera has in-body stabilisation. Anyways, you bought the D90 already. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, it's a great camera! PS: any nice Sony / Minolta lenses you need to sell?? :-p

Craig from Eddie Current is working hybrid amp to power the K1000 (among others) This is the info I got from him so far: "I will be showing a tube class A hybrid that will do 12 watts per channel at the LA International meet end of May. This amp is intended to out perform the First Watt, and compete directly against it in the market place. No name yet, but it will drive the K1000." And: "The tube hybrid will have a front panel 1/4" phone jack. You will not need to use the ZD for a pre this is an integrated amp with input select, and gain select (Yes it has a gain switch, low for normal headphones, high for speakers, and K1000). There will also be a buffer version with no gain that can be driven by any headphone amp, including the ZD." Might be interesting, as I know you liked the ZD...

Thanks for your help, Sergei. I'll send them an email now!

That would make a sad panda...

Hi guys, I've got an AKG K1000 at Alex. I bought it second hand from HeadFi, but unfortunatelt one of the drivers is not working properly. So I'll need to find a new pair of drivers! Any idea whether AKG can still provide them? I've tried mailing them, no response yet. I'll give them a call later this week, but if you guys can confirm they don't have it in stock anymore, I won't bother and save the telephone costs (I live in the Netherlands). One other guy at AKG told me I would need new printed boards as well, if I own an older system. Anyone heard about this?? Thanks for the help, guys! PS: Talked to Craig and he's working on a hybrid class a amp for the K1000. He says it'll outperform the FirstWatt F1!!