I have one of Birgir's expensive clones, but I didn't have enough time to dig it out when I was home. I hope to get it next time, and bring my HE 60's and various Stax's out to try. I also have the Abyss, which sound wonderful with the Moon, but feel like a dumbbell on your head after an hour or so.

Nice turntable! An old friend gave me an old one we are fixing up.

Cool, which of Birgir's amps do you have? Is it his version of the BHSE?

I wish I'd snagged an he60 way back when they were somewhat more available. For Stax I've got the 009S, two 009, and an L700 - all superb sounding.

Thanks, the table was a SOTA Star III in Koa wood, now rebuilt as a new Nova V with original chassis. The top of the plinth is iridescent. Love it!

Forgive the late response. I have, I believe, a KGST. I went to Iceland about 3 or 4 years ago for sight-seeing and the idea that we may actually meet. It turns out we did, and I got to hear his system and his many amps and headphone combinations. I bought the amp from him, basically with my unspent vacation money; he then had to configure the voltage and ship it to my house. Since I am hardly ever home, I think I spent an hour at most listening with the older SR-009's, HE 60's, original Omegas, and 507's. It sounded great, but I had nothing to compare it to, and the tubes were certainly not burned in properly. I hope to get it out here on my next trip home.

My SOTA is an original Star Sapphire that a friend (actually more of a mentor and my dad's collegiate best friend) are working to restore and improve as a joint project.

Cheers.

Sweet! The KGST is a very nice amp indeed. It's matched/voiced beautifully to the 009 and L700. Should be great for the 009S as well, though I sold my KGST before the 009S came out. The BHSE will certainly exceed it, but the KGST is a standout in its price range, especially if you prefer the tube amps like I do. I remember preferring the RCA tubes to GE (not too many tube-rolling options on that amp's tube type, though).

Nice that you're resorting the SOTA, too. They certainly give a lot back with some TLC every few decades.

Ivan - have you sold many Stax yet? I am loving mine and hardly listen to anything else!

https://i529.photobucket.com/albums/...psly0rrtkg.jpg

http://i529.photobucket.com/albums/d...psevvhhuqm.jpg

Bob... not that many, it’s a Special Rig for Special people. ;)

Like us!

:wine:

This drives my Stax 009S

https://i556.photobucket.com/albums/...CA30A78F2.jpeg

Such great headphones.

I borrowed a BHSE and 009 + 009S from a friend about three months ago.
Got to keep them for a month.

That all being said, I did prefer the Abyss Phi CC.
I plan to sell my Abyss and Focal Aria 936 to afford a better speaker setup, though.