The LL1 wasn't as impressive as a DIYT2 or an Orpheus rig? Color me shocked.

The comments weren't made in comparison to those setups, just about the LL1 in general...I think I liked the amp more than anybody in the room, aside from those damn tight jacks!

Quote from: n3rdling on April 15, 2013, 10:10:51 PM

Quote from: purrin on April 15, 2013, 05:47:06 PM

Well, I'm sending this to the next guy on the eval. list. Thanks Alex!


I had a few CS folks over to my place to listen to it. We are gladly awarding the LL2 CS's highest honor:

I didn't expect those tweaks to result in such a huge change in sound, now I kinda want to hear this new version.  I remember when we were comparing the LL/Jade, DIYT2/Jade, and Orpheus you guys said the LL sounds like crap, so it's surprising to hear how much more you guys like it now.  I'm tempted to sign up for the demo trial 

Quote (selected)

Can anyone provide more specific comparisons of the LL2 and BHSE (using 009)?  For whatever reason, there really doesn't seem to be much discussion of LL amps on HF.  Is the Stax/BHSE hegemony really that powerful on HF?

Thanks.

I don't think this forum or HC are good places to get unbiased opinions on stat amps for obvious reasons...in fact, it's probably the only sub segment of the headphone market I'd pay more attention to HF on.

I did say the LL1 proto sounded "flat" compared to the DIYT2 and your Orpheus rig.  It is in my meet impressions at HF.  But I have heard that the LL1 production sounds better than the proto and that the LL1 in general sounds better with the 009 (I heard it with 007).  I am more inclined to buy an 007 of the "available" STAX so I'd be more interested in hearing the 007 with the LL2 now- which may sound "better" than the 009 with the LL2 and seems to sound better than the 009 with the LL1 (though I don't know how much different than the 009 with the LL1 production model).  The things I heard with the 007 on the LL1 proto combined with the improvements that I am reading about on the production LL1 (and the first of the LL2) lead me to believe that my issues upon comparing the 007 on the LL1 proto that night may have been addressed...I'd also like to hear the 009 on the LL1 production someday since 009s are $3500 with current yen & that may eventually soften the used market for me to consider.
 
Oh damn it.  I better do a Google Doc or something.

Now seems as good a time as ever to buy the 009, that's for sure.  The only problem is that there's supposedly a few months wait in Japan as Stax can't keep up with the demand right now.  You should sign up for the LL2 demo trial.  I could probably send you the 009 or 007 to borrow while you have the LL2, so you can decide if that's the route you wanna go some day.  Only a matter of time until you come to the evil side 

I'd say outside of MF/Tari there's a bias against KG designs and for Alex/Craig designs.  It didn't even really exist here until KG started posting and perhaps made an assjackal of himself with the Alex thing.    I think it's become more about the designers of the amps than the amps themselves, and with these things costing so much I kinda think that's unfortunate.  I always worry about the guy or gal that isn't in a position to attend meets and has to buy this expensive stuff blindly/via impressions.  It's just something I've noticed over the past few months, but I could just be imagining things.

I did tell Marv at the LA Meet that I liked Alex's LL1 + 009 quite a bit @ the LA meet (more than the BHSE setup.) FWIW this was before KG started posting in the "Liquid Lightning Mk II" thread.

LOL! NwO2Guy is not necessarily very popular around these waters, but his HoeDAC2 is considered not AFAIK...

You also fail to include our remarks to Craig about his first Electra amp prototype sounding like shit at the The SHOW.  Maybe Marv can confirm my remarks to the effect of, "if you sell this as it sounds now, no one will buy this piece of shit."  I guess we use 'crap' a lot around here.  So where's the bias again?

And yes, you liked the Shure 1840 more than I did as well.   

It being a prototype at the time potentially changes a lot, though.  It's much easier to tell somebody you don't like their unfinished, in-progress work than their final design, even in a polite way.  Would you have said the same thing if that was the production version?  Honest question.

Ya that really caught me off guard as I expected to really dislike those.  I actually disliked the Ultrasones and Beyers much more.

You reminded me: I rotated back to listening to the Koss system, and I can't believe how veiled the 950s are for a stat.  The E/90 probably isn't helping with that, but I think even my SR-5 is more revealing than these.

If one were to look at the MWD, the opinions are split pretty evenly down the middle.


Seriously, I had and loved a KGSSHV, still have a BHSE on my rack, and have always wanted to hear a T2.  Marv had and gushed about his T2 until he went back to speakers.  I think(?) Shipsupt has a BHSE too, Muppet has and likes a KGSS and was on the interminable list for one, and I know of at least three or four other non red/blue regulars who have and love their KGSS/KGSSHV/BHSE stat amps.


On the other hand, you have HC... how many regulars A) Have stats B) Have an LL?  None that I'm aware of, and you can bet your first round four-and-out that its partially because of the hack job perpetrated on Cavalli personally and professionally.


Sure, some members may be biased on a personal level from past potshots, but from what I can tell it hasn't affected their opinions of gear. RD seriously doesn't like stock Gilmore sound.  Anax doesn't like Stax either way.


Additionally, there is zero disincentive for someone to say they like a KGSSHV/BHSE/whathaveyou.  Anyone could come in and say they love it, explain why, and then have people not shout them down.  There is zero stifling/oppressive atmosphere to smother you into feeling you can't even talk about certain products.  We're just people who like music/gear and talk about what we like, there really isn't larger conspiratorial garbage going on.


When the "best stat amp" topic comes up you are getting one opinion on HC.  You are getting multiple opinions on CS.

Interesting stuff to think about.  Off the bat, the only problem I have with your example is regarding the purchases of active HCers.  How many active HCers are even in the market for this stuff anymore?  Most don't follow new gear very closely or already have their amps from years ago.  I'd wager the average HCer looking for a new stat amp is the type to pi ck up a soldering iron and build a KGSSHV.

If this were a few years back, I know there'd be HCers buying Cavalli gear.  Hell, there were HCers buying Ray's stuff, and he got it MUCH worse than Alex ever did over there.

Regarding atmosphere, I agree that HC has one that would definitely keep a non-regular from posting positive things about certain manufacturers, but it takes some time to create that sort of environment.  Not that I think CS would ever get so venomous, but CS is still relatively young.  I think if a non-regular came here and said what I said regarding CS having a bias towards certain manufacturers, there'd be a bit of a dog pile going on but I know most of you guys so I probably get a little slack.