RE: Best headphone set up?

Posted by JimL (A) on May 25, 2015 at 09:40:34

In Reply to: Best headphone set up? posted by ruxtonvet on May 13, 2015 at 15:37:07:

I have a different take. Stax has been mentioned a couple times and it is indeed the best in my opinion. I would go with a used pair of Stax SR-007 Mk I headphones, or Stax Lambda Nova Signature, also used, which are available on ebay, and a good stat headphone amp.

The Cavalli has been mentioned, but it has a number of technical deficiencies, which are well discussed if you do a Google search for "Liquid Lightning Head-Case". The InnerFidelity website also has reviews of all the top stat amps as well as many reviews of headphones and amps. Frankly, after reading that I wouldnt buy a Cavalli amp on a bet.

If you're willing to DIY in terms of the amp then a design by Kevin Gilmore is what I would recommend. The KGST is probably the best within your budget. I have an article on a modification of the Stax SRX DIY design which I hope will be out in AudioXpress in a few months which sounds very good also - not just my opinion but the opinion of someone who has built it and also some Gilmore amps - he feels it is comparable to any of his Gilmore amps. In terms of commercial amps the Blue Hawaii design by Gilmore is probably the best but above your budget. Note that Gilmore is the designer but he doesnt build amps for sale. If you go to the Head-Fi web site you'll find that they often will have one or another Gilmore amp for sale - mostly DIY but a good DIY amp is as good, or sometimes better, than many commercial amps.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Best headphone set up? - ruxtonvet 15:37:07 05/13/15 (22)

RE: Best headphone set up? - Wesley Miaw 15:40:12 07/24/15 (4)

RE: Best headphone set up? - genungo 15:51:34 07/24/15 (3)

RE: Best headphone set up? - Wesley Miaw 15:59:53 07/24/15 (2)

RE: Best headphone set up? - genungo 17:10:40 07/24/15 (1)

HiFiMan HE-1000 Matched with a Violectric Audio HPA V281 - audiophile919 12:38:39 08/19/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - krankkall 15:20:27 07/17/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - nl 06:08:19 07/16/15 (1)

RE: Best headphone set up? - genungo 10:31:29 07/17/15 (0)

My vote is Grado PS500, but it's your ears in the end that matter. - robertd 11:54:23 07/12/15 (3)

RE: My vote - genungo 12:05:58 07/12/15 (2)

RS1 - don't remember if I tried it. But I do love rock music - robertd 12:39:02 07/12/15 (1)

RE: RS1 - don't remember if I tried it. But I do love rock music - genungo 13:03:43 07/12/15 (0)

Well, there obviously is no "best" ... - Mike K 07:41:29 06/29/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - JimL 09:40:34 05/25/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - joessportster 19:01:17 05/15/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - robss 17:20:08 05/15/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - trioderob 14:34:58 05/15/15 (1)

RE: Best headphone set up? - trioderob 15:10:58 05/15/15 (0)

there is also this - texanater 10:30:51 05/15/15 (0)

'the phones are heavy' - mbnx01 20:17:50 05/14/15 (0)

I wouldn't fear IEMs - texanater 07:23:13 05/14/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up? - Bill Way 18:16:13 05/13/15 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Best headphone set up? - JimL 09:40:34 05/25/15 (0)

RE: Best headphone set up?

Post a Message!