kirkwall

(Apologies if this comes way too late to be of any use -- just realized that I replied before checking date of last post, I'm afraid.) I've got a Cronus Magnum (bought new) which shipped with an 12AX7 that measured way out of spec and blew within the first week. It did sputter some before giving up the ghost but remained lit. It was reolaced straight away by the factory. Have you been in touch with Mark @ Rogue? He's generally easy to reach and helpful, whether the unit was bought new or used. I ended up subbing in lower-gain but seemingly pretty sturdy 5751s and find them a fair bit quieter. Love the amp though. Drives my Harbeth M30.1s really nicely, despite the noisy HP section. best, k

I had a pair of Centaur hybrids for about a week before they blew -- saleman at upscale Montreal boutique assured me that they could be driven my Mission Cyrus Two shoebox amp. They couldn't. But that was one extraordinary midrange. You can still (sort of) get them, apparently: http://www.apogeeaco...om/company.html k

I'd also be interested in that comparison ^^^. The Arete looks a great amp for the price. Now that I'm Zana-less I'm looking for something with good sound that works with a wide range of phones and is relatively toddler-proof. k

I've had that too. This week, in fact, while pretending to jog in -18 C. Teach me to exercise in anything but the finest weather. No noticeable effect on the Shures I was wearing. k

I've owned both the W1000x and W5000, though I have neither anymore so can't do a side-by-side with the W3000ANV. That said, I find the W3000s to be pretty sweet and even through the mids, and without the honk or the weirdly detached treble that drove me nuts with the W5000s. Overall I'd say they're the best-balanced AT woodies I've heard, and that includes the VTGs and other JPNs I've owned. The main noticeable coloration I hear is higher up in frequency and can make some female vocals and guitar/strings sound spotlit, and thus a bit unnatural, but it doesn't come up enough to bother me overmuch. I really like mine. k

I agree about IAG and innovation. Their strategy seems to be to pick up pedigreed brands with a decent back catalogue of solid designs and then exploit the labor-cost differential to turn a nice profit. All of which is fine, I guess. But they seem to do little to take the products forward themselves beyond the odd new case or hired-gun designer. Great marques like Quad and Luxman -- and now Stax -- seem to deserve so much more. I don't know much about the high-end watch industry, but I came across a story recently about "timepiece tourism," in which Chinese tourists to Europe have become leading consumers of top-end Swiss watches that can be guaranteed authentic. Perhaps the cachet of made-in-Japan Stax will mean that the high-end production stays put. k

I love my 909. I think the new QSP is the more or less direct replacement, or "by-product," as the brochure charmingly terms it: The QSP Stereo Power Amplifier is a by-product of the famed Quad 909 Stereo. This product was designed in keeping with the traditional built of QUAD Power Amplifiers, but is right up with the latest technology and the finest audiophile components available. With 140W per channel into an 8 ohm load, and plenty more into lower impedances ensures that there is ample power into a wide range of speakers, including the QUAD ESL range. Current Dumping - The QSP Amplifier incorporates QUAD's patented current dumping technology developed by QUAD's founder Peter Walker, and is one of the finest audio amplifiers available. Back on topic, I'm reminded of the quick decline of Luxuman (home market excluded) once Apline got hold of it. In that case the brand dilution was pretty comprehensive and caused long-term harm. I guess there are exceptions, including some of the Quad gear under IAG, but they seem now to have become the Chinese Harmon, with new brands being added pretty regularly (including Lux). Maybe Stax will eventually form a prestige part of a higher-end headphone portfolio, in which case the product's continued excellence will be a little more important to its new owners. k

I've noticed this too. They remind me of some of Quad speakers I used to own in this respect. Turn down the volume and you still hear pretty much everything, only proportionately quieter. Makes them great late-night listening phones. k

I guess I'd say that the W3000s are much fuller-bodied, closer to the W11JPNs than they are to the W5000s, and without the latter's oddly detached treble. I found the W5000s to be exhausting to listen to, partly because of that odd streaky treble and MIA bass -- though I'm happy to defer to those who managed to get a decent fit, and thus wring some bass out of them. So far I've found the W3000ANVs to be very detailed, dynamic and exciting cans, with very present mids, and a bass with real impact and extension. Listening to even ragged recordings like the Clash's Sandinista on these is not only possible, it's fun. k

I picked up a pair of these and really like them. Very musical and a lot more impact than some of the other AT woodies I've owned/heard. Great low-volume cans. Nothing like the W5000s to my ears -- thank christ. k

250.00 worth of SQ? I'd say they're better than that. Can't speak to their lack of innovation -- certainly the enclosure seems identical to the 880 with a bit of fancy mesh -- or whether or not their pricing is cynical in this marketplace. But I see nothing wrong with evolving a design if it's warranted. And the T1s are very good all-rounders I think. k

I have the T1s in at the moment in the lab, along with my HD800s, running out of a Luxman L-505u. I have to say, they're pretty darn good to my ears, and I generally can't stand Beyer highs. Can't the point of a portable version of a full-sized phone which is sized identically to the full-size phone, but Beyer's branding of late seems to have been influenced by Nestle: many flavours of the same basic design. No doubt the T1s would be a better proposition at 899.00, which is where they ought to be priced, but they obviously figure on maintaining demand even at the current 1295.00 retail. I wouldn't say they're bland exactly -- very quick and detailed, good texture on cellos and drums, etc. In some ways I prefer their presentation to that of the 800s. k

Many thanks for the impressions. 407s for me, off a 323 most likely, until I can free up some funds. best, k

^^^ Thanks very much for the info -- just read up a bit on the new models and think I'm going to try for a 407, likely with a 323A, given my budget. Looks like there may still be a wait for these (Bluetin says a short wait) so hopefully before Xmas. Even the 202s are pretty great with the music I tend to listen to. Wish I'd jumped into Stax a long time ago. thanks again and best, k

Harbeths for SQ by a mile from memory (it's been a while since I've heard the Ions), although they sound better with a little driving, in my experience. I have the P3ESRs and use them in near-nearfield, and they are terrific little speakers. I've run them with Sugden, Cary (300 SEI and SLi-80) and now Luxman amps. The Cary 300B did fine, but at 11 watts ro so didn't provide the fireworks I expected in a small room. Up close I expect it might have been just fine. I went from vintage Quads to the Harbeths and although they don't really compare, I do find the ESRs to be really musical and engaging. They're also supremely unfussy about things like placement, toe-in, etc., which I appreciate. best, o