padam

Yes the Mk2 seals way better for me and easier fitting. Maybe at some point I will need more cutting on the slightly stretched headpad on the Mk1, but the slight looseness of the Mk1 makes it disappear on the head a bit better. But as I said, as long as the seal is not broken, less or more farts don't make an audible difference to me. And I think the drivers are not quite the same and sound different (when Spritzer completely modded the Mk2 to be like the Mk1, it still remained different). Personally I think the Mk1 driver has a brighter, more evenly distributed, polite and airy, open sound, while the Mk2 is more focused, lively and upfront. The Mk2.0 can be a bit shouty in the mids, but on the Carbon I don't hear it anymore. The limitation regarding drive is dynamics. Just not a very well defined sound and the dynamics are flat. It's not like it's bad, I've been listening like that for a decade I think and it was still enjoyable to me as I didn't hear it any better. When I heard the KGSSHV I was surprised, with the Carbon I sort of new what I can expect in some aspects so the appreciation was slower-hitting, but I was surprised for a different reason. (not enjoying the SR-007 Mk1 or the SR-Omega as much as I imagined, while other phones are just plain better than they were before) I think there will be more used BHSEs over the market as more T2s come into fruition. For the 007 in general, even though I have not auditioned it yet, I have spoken to several people (including the original Carbon owner, who does have a BHSE and several copies of the 007) and I am quite confident I would gravitate towards the BHSE over the Carbon and I would choose the Mk1 version. The midrange is probably going to be more natural and the stage will open up. But with the Carbon I have much more appreciation for the Mk2's charm.

Your description regarding Mk1 vs Mk2 is spot-on. I would add that the narrower sound of the Mk2 adds a slightly better sense of height in my opinion. Personally, I found that the tighter arc assembly makes the Mk2 seal better (and farting much more after the mod), requiring way less bending, but if the seal and positioning are good enough, then it does not change the sound any further. I tried pad or spring swapping, and I found it is best to leave everything how it was. What I don't agree about the CCS T1S, which I used to have, still have a stock SRM-T1W, nice amps with a nice sound signature (doing a good job of "plugging in" some of that upper-mid dip or to draw a nicely sized stage), but they are just inadequate to drive these really well, there is a whole lot more to gain with regards to dynamics, transients, clarity and transparency and probably some more minor things that I haven't observed yet. Plus, opening up the bass region means it becomes much easier to listen at a lower volume. (Higher volume was never a reason why I wished for more powerful amplifiers, in case of a 007, it has more to do with softness, congestion and rounded-off edges at both ends) I currently use a KGSSHV Carbon and I was really surprised that the fight has been reversed. Up to this point, the Mk1 used to come out on top every time, being cleaner, smoother, more airy, etc.. But this amp has more of an analytical take on things coupled with smoothness and refinement, and the slightly rougher, livelier character of the Mk2 comes out as the winner, keeping a good balance between liveliness and smoothness. The Mk1 still has its advantages, but it requires careful matching (probably an even more exquisite amp with some nice tubes) because in this setup it actually sounds bland and lifeless (and the staging isn't as nicely laid out as with others - minor point). So in the end, debating between versions might not matter that much, as long as the rest is nicely set up to it.

Trading up from a standard KGSSHV to a Carbon is logical. None of them are from those reputable builders, or in the EU. So no, I haven't seen anybody switching to this shitbox just yet, but one never knows based on how some people think. I can only say I am really surprised (saddened) that some people just willingly refuse to use any of their senses, when everything is laid out quite clearly for them to see - if they want to, but that's their choice. Unfortunately, at this place, BS comes out as what it is, which is BS.

I have listed two builders already, who will do it for a lot less. You already wrote people switching to this from Gilmore designs which is BS, because there is literally nothing on the used market (maybe once a year maximum, and it gets sold very quickly). As far as I'm aware, nobody is switching from a properly-built (Carbon). If you are happy to waste your money on this and try to promote it, just because it is Austrian and drives dynamic headphones, knock yourself out (and continue to be embarrassed). I have a local contact with a CCS modded SRM-T1S, so I have a decent idea of what that sounds like. I don't even understand how's that in relation to any of this, the Aeras uses the 6S4A tubes, but it is a different design altogether.

https://www.inexxon.com/online-shop/paltauf-verstärker-amplifier/ Some specs are here, a full Carbon with GRLV+GRHV costs a lot less, maybe even a modded 727 is more than competitive against it... And of course there is also this one, the Eksonic Aeras, which I am sure is also going to be excellent (was presented at CanJam and most people said it really wasn't far off the DIY T2) and distributed within the EU as well (with warranty, if you are worried about that).

Soren Brix in Denmark and Dukei (Miroslav) are also reputable builders, you can either get a Carbon or a Grounded Grid, they are more or less similar, one is all-solid state, the latter is a hybrid, mostly solid-state with 6CA7 tube output. I would also ditch the X9000 for a 007, as in my experience, the X9000 still sounded anemic on the KGSSHV. The amp makes a big difference, but it's not going to fundamentally change the character you are hearing from the headphones. You can also read more and see, that it's not a universally-loved headphone just because it's the most expensive. I've gone back to listening to the modded 727 with the 007 Mk1. Yes, I really miss the control, precision and dynamics of the KGSSHV so I will intend to sell the 727 at some point, but I would not really call this combination unenjoyable, especially for the price. And the more prominent upper mid, more subdued treble, more diffused staging of the Stax amp seems to have a decent synergy with the headphones. I definitely don't fancy the softness, lack of dynamics and bass control (this is the most annoying) but I think it is partly due to headphone itself (as I read it as still a little loose on the Carbon), but it's still the same character that is full, unoffensive and quite enjoyable. Bending the arc assembly and fixing the headpad made just as much difference as the amp.

Besides the different colour, it's interchangeable. Or if it is still in one piece, you can just shorten it, this was done on mine recently, worked just fine.

Really solid start to the season. Not as much of a change in racing as I expected, but a definite improvement, there is a lot of re-shuffling going on with the new rules, more difficult pitstops, etc. and the order might change significantly as the season goes on and teams figure out different concepts, seems quite unpredictable. Bring it on!

I have seen an SR007 Mk1 with a service bill attached, having the arc assembly and cable replaced with black parts. So I guess they still service it, it's just not clear to me if they offer these parts separately.

Lambda Pros are the most common, therefore one of the cheapest vintage Staxes. Unless you find this version collectible for some reason, it is smarter to wait for a less abused one. It won't cost that much more and it will sound a bit better (more precise L-R channel matching) and far less likely to encounter any problems in the future. I really love and hate the Lambda Pro in equal manner. I love it because the sound quality is really amazing for the price, it has a great sense of dynamism with deep bass, it has weight, it has general smoothness, no midrange etch to speak of. But I also hate it for three reasons: treble, treble and treble. Just ear piercing in one specific region. If there is some magic EQ that manages to tame this but without killing its clarity and character, I would like to know about it. I have tried, tweaked etc. multiple times and always preferred the sound without them. There is also the fuzzy imaging and bass, but those really don't bother me much, they clear up on the KGSSHV, maybe the Carbon tames them more, I'm just not sure it can do enough, maybe I just need to get old to appreciate them more than I do now. I also thought about ditching the damping but unless it improves the treble then it makes no difference to me. I found it interesting that another Stax, that has some of this treble character (and mentioned in many different reviews, like this one) is the (early) 007 Mk1. But it is only lukewarm, rather than boiling hot. Coupled to the bass, it makes the treble more impactful, so in a way it is a "smart" coloration, but it definitely contributes to a feeling of being slightly V-shaped.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Equipment-used-for-play-back-in-the-listening-test-STAX-electrostatic-head-phones-and_fig6_322528453

If Fernando trusts El Plan, so should we

Found another unicorn in this X9000-related article (subscribers only) SR-Omega prototype made out of gold plated solid brass. It's heavy.

Digging the looks of these 2022 cars with the big wheels and everything.

You can use Voigtlander Leica M lenses on any mirrorless camera with an adapter which are also excellent and compact, so choose whichever one you like the most. There are also Voigltander FE lenses which work natively on Sony mirrorless cameras. At this point it does not matter if it is Canon Nikon Sony or Panasonic, they all use stellar glass (but they cannot make it with AF in that compact size)

What's the intended purpose? If that involves shooting people, you can just keep all the lenses (maybe you don't need all of them) and buy a mirrorless body like the EOS R or EOS RP with an adapter and your life will be a whole lot easier with the AF system, tilting touchscreen, etc. (and you can also try shooting video as well in some situations, really useful). If you are patient enough these two will pop up for cheap prices, barely used.

3600€ for the DAC and the PSU at this place, the local dealer offers a bit of a discount on this, maybe with decent trade-in as well (DS-10 plus version costs a bit more, only differs regarding inputs). The Lumin X1 cost is 13500€ and I didn't impress me in a similar manner, maybe I will revisit that one day. If I look at vintage DACs I need to sort out USB, no streaming options, no preamp functionality, etc. etc. Time is money and I'm not sure if it is worth trading in one for the other, if there is one that seems to give me what I want. But yes DACses nowadays seem all over the place as well as prices for audio gear. For instance, my sub-200€ SR-X Mk3 normal bias that is classified as "entry-level" takes full benefit of this DAC. Update: found a minty one locally, negotiations are currently standing at 2370€ for the DS-10 DAC with the PSU-10 EVO. A little tempting...

A few months after I tried the Lumin X1 (maybe not in optimal circumstances), the Gold Note DS-10 + PSU-10 EVO gets a two thumbs-up from me. I would love to know if there is anything better from the R2R camp for this price (or this level of sound quality for cheaper), but this unit sounds amazing with all my Stax headphones. Excellent versatility and build quality as well, changing settings that influence the sound could be interesting, but I didn't feel that was necessary. I don't like paying for something that I don't use, which are the internal PSU and even the headphone amp (which is quite powerful and supposed to be very good as well). Not portable like the Lavry, not that happy about giving up crossfeed, and there was this blinking blue LED at the rear that was probably tied to some wifi setting or something which I had to cover. Otherwise highly recommended. (like all reviews say, but they generally say the same about pretty much everything...) Well done, Italy.

Yes, after finding out the traits of these new drivers, I think about using them in a Sigma shell, if it is better than my best Sigma Pro, then it must be something special (the Sigma Pro already is, but the KGSSHV is still unable to control it, the sort of thing that measures poorly, sounds a bit unclear at first with wooly bass, then you recalibrate and works (again, the system made any Sigma more interesting) Thoroughly agree, but I have spent (wasted) time with EQ many times. I personally find it detrimental, so I wouldn't want to use it on anything. I probably have no idea how to do it well. I observed oddities, like if I slightly "miss" the target I would want to change, it sounds a bit more natural. And I would probably have to constantly switch it back and forth depending on the material. The only one where I might use EQ is the Lambda Pro. Quite like this one (for the price as mentioned and I think it is also holding its hands for a Carbon - at least...) sounds good with things like Dave Brubeck Quartet (excellent impact, no mid emphasis). Damped like the NB (maybe even better without it), good weight, over the top deep bass and stage- But the upper treble peak is ear-piercing for most of the time. I only take it down very slightly, any more and it looses character. The other EQ I tried is the normal bias SR-X Mk3, seems quite flat with not quite enough bass (rolled-off treble, can't be cured) but in the end, I switched back. So, the solution seems to be: KGSSHV Carbon + SR-X Mk3 Pro (possibly custom pads as well). The X9000 needs no EQ (unless you are a basshead), sounds drier than others, but it just picks up whatever is in the system. I am unfamiliar about tuning speed, I don't hear a major shift with that characteristic with Stax amps vs KGSSHV. I am also not saying that the Omega is realistic (it can also sound too fast). I am just saying, at some point this becomes bothersome to me, with a consequence: the shorter duration of the notes hit with more of a 'hard' quality, with the slightly longer duration on the Omega it becomes easier on the ears and I think less unrealistic and not in bothersome territory. There is a sweet spot, where the whole "show" becomes an otherworldly experience, that's what I expect at this level, and with many types of different materials. The Omega is always dialled back to 9.5 instead of 11 on the X9000, and it is fine like that to me, it has several issues (chief among is the amp requirements - the X9000 seems somewhat easier to drive but still benefits from it - since that is even more $$$ and living on water + rice for another year) and just like the HE90, it sounds pleasing with all of those faults (as a biased owner, I might even say character traits, if the bass is "too perfect" on an estat, it can rock less).

Now this X9000 thingy... I am waiting in anxiety for Birgir's impression on it, as it might sound good with the types of music he is listening to. I have borrowed one (with a DAC, amp, cables, the whole shebang) from a lovely owner due to his lack of time to listen for a whole week now, and I have changed my mind like 5 times. I think it is probably the fastest headphone I've heard with the best, ultra-precise spatial detail, very foot-tapping, this is the type of music where it is very impressive. but also the one of the most unrealistic (in the second one, it just goes to the next slow-paced track and it starts to sound weird). Yes, it reproduces even more of what's in symphonic music, if there is more textural information that makes the sound become more natural, they are kind of "overwritten" by its new technical level that it is playing at. Maybe I am clueless, but I think they have taken it too far regarding diaphragm thickness. They have managed to take the speed over 9000 (That's impossible!) I think it can be tuned to be better (waiting for the 'S' version...) I don't know what's the slowest, lushest amp possible to make it somewhat more enjoyable for me. (Or use several amps and change the sound depending on the music) But I don't see the point of buying the fastest out there to make it slow. Yes, it has mesh transducers like the SR-Omega with impeccable build, and you can actually buy one (with warranty), there are similarities, like big but lightweight, big stage, etc. but they sound nothing alike. I can see 009 owners seeing this as a big upgrade, that was the previous one I tested (not like this, unfortunately, only with the amp...) and I think it sounded "very intense" (restraining myself here), but the speed wasn't taken to this extreme level. I have also tested the L300 Limited and my impression of it is very much a love or hate thing. Basically, an interesting new transducer technology, struggling to get out. Compared to older Lambdas it is badly built, uncomfortable, unsealed pads means bye bye deep bass, trades airiness for precision, uneven frequency response. Maybe deliberate product segmentation? They have resources to do a Lambda that is miles better than these ones. Good thing they still have the 007 Mk2 at least...and they realised the screw-up with the supposedly 009-style diaphragm - they just won't tell us the units affected... For example, based on all the positive-negative thoughts about the Audeze CRBN, it seems that they have aimed to make it sound less ethereal (damped, weighty, not as ultra-fast) which I think is a good thing, but they have also lost some of the wow-factor. This is completely the other direction, and if it really has any resemblance to the HE90 I am all-in for it. In my very distant memory, that headphone still has the best reproduction of timbre and musical notes. They appear and disappear 'normally' with weight behind them. I couldn't care about blurry imaging, murky bass, upper register anomalies etc. However, looking at the whole picture, the Omega is starting to be more and more competitive now, an emerging superpower, like China. Kind of interesting to read the contemporary comparisons by darth nut, I think these newer, more advanced sources and amps can change the sound perception compared to way back then. Also, just a side note: some people not hearing certain things about KGSSHV etc. aftermarket amps not being that much better to a standard Stax amps may need to change sources(I wish some things would not take a step backwards in this earlier iteration, but overall more impressive and transforms some headphones and does not cost that much more than my modded 727), the two work together effectively as a combination. When I heard an expensive DAC last time, the amp and circumstances weren't that good. You can't just save on one and ignore the other because this review says it is the greatest value jada, jada... And you don't even need the SR007 etc. to be in need of this change. But some headphones definitely do a damn good job in a cheap system, it is just hard to back when they can sound similar, yet 100% better. Giving these back won't be comfortable one bit. I mean the amp & DAC (maybe cables), not the headphones. So, basically, he has one side covered and I have the other side covered... :) And of course, another new problem I have now, is that I have accumulated so many of these, and when the system is good, they just all become better at what they do best, a lot of them being too cheap to just ignore compared to the price of certain elements in the chain. I expected to play the elimination game a whole lot easier, it doesn't really work, but I need to change things at some point... But then again, there will be a time where we might be back to the normal universe from this alternative one, and there will only be precious little time left to actually sit down & listen to music (in a completely dark and silent environment, some headphones really need this, even the X9K becomes more impressive/less annoying with this mismatched system). Happy listening!

Speaking of Alonso vs Hamilton, am I imagining things, or does it seem like he still likes to subtly give him the finger (5:22, 0:15)

I think that's not necessarily true, Prost vs Lauda (1984) or Hunt vs Lauda (1976) or Häkkinen vs Schumacher, Alonso vs Schumacher, and I am sure there are lots of other examples they all their disagreements but also had a tremendous amount of respect for each other (even Prost and Senna reconciled which the documentary didn't really show). I can't see these two liking each other, like, ever. All they care about is winning the championship, whatever the cost. They were racing to the DRS line, he wanted to back pass him that way. It is unclear if the Mercedes team knew about this 'plan' and that is why they did not immediately tell Lewis that he should move forwards. To be honest, it wouldn't have changed this outcome anyway. Huch earlier in the season Max gave up a race win by giving up the position in the wrong part of the track, and the commentators said giving the position back instantly was being way too generous. The decision itself was also quite questionable considering in that case it was him getting pushed off the track to a corner where otherwise one just simply run wide without penalties, no consistency whatsoever during the season. The Senna-Prost days have long one, even in 1997 Schumacher could not do that against Villeneuve without consequences, with cameras and sensors everywhere and teams ringing up Michael Masi and running to the stewards like schoolboys on every tiny detail, let's just say it is pretty difficult to do...

That is true. However, there's not a lot else you can do against a car this fast on the straights and with DRS as well. It's just eating you up, race by race, it does not matter that much how hard you can quality, which is extremely frustrating. It's not like Lewis didn't do things like that against Nico and vice versa - and they were teammates as well, so one would think that in that case, that is a lot less likely to happen (same situation may arrive from next year with a faster teammate, unless they've made some 'pre-agreements'...) Now we have this confrontation with drivers in different teams, who are also fully against each other on all fronts, on and off track.

Depends on your viewpoint on the SR-X MkIII. The SR-X Pro has a bit better bass extension, precision and detail, while the Gamma Pro has slightly more bass, slightly better treble extension and a more open, more musical (mid-focused, warm) sound. Close relatives with slightly different strengths and weaknesses, but both are among my current favourites. These velour pads that came with the last set solved the comfort issue as well as boosting the bass slightly, I just don't know what they are...