Budget HE90 Amp?

[Fing]

Can any HE90 owners suggest a 'budget' amp for driving a pair of these headphones?

There are a few Stax SRM-007T on Yahoo Japan that won't plunge me further into horrible debt ($600-ish). How would they do?

This is really only until I can save up for something a lot nicer.

Cheers,

Wai

[purk]

Wai,

Go all out for an ES-1 or KGBH-SE!!! HE90 deserves better than a stax amp!!

[Fing]

Elephas needs to sell me his then

[n_maher]

Used DIY KGSS if you can find one is probably about as cheap as stat amps go. Although I freely admit that I stopped researching early in the process. No stats for me, NO STATS!!

[purk]

Used DIY KGSS if you can find one is probably about as cheap as stat amps go. Although I freely admit that I stopped researching early in the process. No stats for me, NO STATS!!

I used to say that to myself but didn't work. Now I want to try the SR007 both current and previous gens with my ES-1.

[Fing]

I wish I had your willpower n_maher.

I had pretty much said the same thing myself. Then this opportunity presents itself....

[n_maher]

I wish I had your willpower n_maher.

For me it's a matter of space, time and money. I don't have the space for another rig (wife is already pissed enough w/ two large dynamic rigs), I don't have the time to build a stat amp any time soon (and whenever possible like to build my own gear) and just don't want to dedicate the money to stats right now. Hell, neither of my dynamic rigs is really even close to done so throwing another completely different beast into the mix is a bad, bad idea. Plus, I'm really pretty psyched about where my dynamic rig is headed and want to see that through to at least some measure of completion.

I had pretty much said the same thing myself. Then this opportunity presents itself....

I've been presented with several tempting offers lately and managed to shut them all down before I got going. It hasn't been easy, but I'm sticking to my plan so far.

[luvdunhill]

Used DIY KGSS if you can find one is probably about as cheap as stat amps go. Although I freely admit that I stopped researching early in the process. No stats for me, NO STATS!!

nate:

If you're looking for some more affordable projects, just let me know There are a number out there. I won't post them to tempt you.

Fing:

I'd consider the Illusion ESC-1001:

[n_maher]

nate:

If you're looking for some more affordable projects, just let me know There are a number out there. I won't post them to tempt you.

Maybe in '09, maybe. It's the cost of the headphones that is killer right now coupled with the time it'd take to build an amp the way I'd want to do it.

[drp]

............coupled with the time it'd take to build an amp the way I'd want to do it.

And there's the crux. Many of us (especially the locals that can easily demo) are anxious to see and hear a stat amp built by NuggetHopper North. We're penciling you in for an early '09 mini-meet to see and hear it.

[spritzer]

The HE90 needs a capacitor coupled and rather warm one at that. The older Stax tube amps are a good place to start and with some basic mods can make them very good. I much prefer my modified T1 over the Blue Hawaii for the He90. The SRM-007t isn't as good but as a cheap option it is worth it.

[luvdunhill]

Maybe in '09, maybe. It's the cost of the headphones that is killer right now coupled with the time it'd take to build an amp the way I'd want to do it.

well, there's the Koss ESP-950 that you can get under $300 and then I'd guess you could build a decent solid state amp for $400. time? well, that's the hard part.

[deepak]

time? well, that's the hard part.

Vince just needs to sleep less

[spritzer]

well, there's the Koss ESP-950 that you can get under $300 and then I'd guess you could build a decent solid state amp for $400. time? well, that's the hard part.

It only takes about a day or two to throw together a simple tube amp. An Egmont or even something half-way decent...

[n_maher]

An Egmont or even something half-way decent...

I generally don't stop at half-way decent...

And sleep less?!! Hell no, more sleep, MORE SLEEP.

[Salt Peanuts]

Fing:

I'd consider the Illusion ESC-1001:

I hope you have a better chance of getting in touch with them than I did in the past. I've tried contacting them via e-mail couple of times (both in English and Japanese) and they've all gone unanswered.

Nate -

STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS

[n_maher]

Nate -

STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS DEW EET STATS STATS STATS STATS STATS

Did I mention that I wired a small explosive device into your beta22 last weekend? Keep pushing salty, just keep pushing..

[luvdunhill]

I hope you have a better chance of getting in touch with them than I did in the past. I've tried contacting them via e-mail couple of times (both in English and Japanese) and they've all gone unanswered.

I've contacted him a number of times. Our conversations go something like this:

Me: "can I buy some of those Stax jacks from you?"

Him: "Nope, do you want an amp?"

Me: "no, what about 25 jacks?"

Him: "No, they're custom made for us. If you buy an amp."

Me: "huh? that didn't make any sense. You mean I can get some jacks if I buy an amp?"

Him: <no reply>

Him: "Are you still interested in the amp?"

[aerius]

Did I mention that I wired a small explosive device into your beta22 last weekend? Keep pushing salty, just keep pushing..

I believe this is something the DHS would like to know about. Buy a 'stat, or else a couple guys in black suits with no sense of humour will be along to escort you to the Hotel Gitmo.

[Augsburger]

I believe this is something the DHS would like to know about. Buy a 'stat, or else a couple guys in black suits with no sense of humour will be along to escort you to the Hotel Gitmo.

Seems perfectly reasonable to me....

[n_maher]

Pffft, our gov't is too busy investigating sports leagues to worry about lil ol me.

NO STATS!

[Fing]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

I will probably try and source a Stax SRM-T1 or 007T rather than get an aptly named Illusion.

Spritzer / anyone - if you happen to have a spare SRM-T1 or similar, please let me know )

Cheers!

Wai

[kevin gilmore]

Do not under any circumstances remove the lemo like connector on the end of the

headphone cable. You will need to get the matching connector. And then wire that

connector to a stax male plug. You are not going to like the price of the lemo connector.

(something like $75 if i remember right)

[spritzer]

Do not under any circumstances remove the lemo like connector on the end of the

headphone cable. You will need to get the matching connector. And then wire that

connector to a stax male plug. You are not going to like the price of the lemo connector.

(something like $75 if i remember right)

The Fischer connector isn't cheap and it should be easy to get an adapter cable for something like 150$. Moon Audio sold them and some others as well.

[Salt Peanuts]

Did I mention that I wired a small explosive device into your beta22 last weekend? Keep pushing salty, just keep pushing..