Stax and L.T.A. bundle Is this the best?

[Gregadd]

Link

 

[Gregadd]

$11,835.00 ORIGINAL PRICE:$13,150.00

 

[Mike Lavigne]

or maybe this 9000/BHSE bundle might be better........for a little more money (if you asked Headamp, likely they would match the L.T.A bundle price). you more lose yourself into BHSE. and the BHSE might have better resale than the L.T.A (for some reason people do tend to switch headphones and headphone amps often).

however; the L.T.A. bundle has the advantage of (1) being able to drive dynamic headphones quite well, (2) being able to drive speakers and (3) has a remote volume control. might be important to some for location of the unit and your listening chair.....if you are combining 2 channel and headphones allows the amp to be with the sources and not next to your listening position.

i don't think you can go too far wrong either way. personally for me the choice would be whether i wanted more than one headphone type. if only the Stax then i would choose the BHSE.

 

[Gregadd]

Mike, do you have a link for BHSE?
L.T.A. is just a hop skip and a jump away from CAF venue. Probably accessible via subway.
They are located in Takoma Maryland. I do have an informal invitation.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Headamp is in Charlottesville, Virginia. i've owned the BHSE electrostatic headphone amp and it would be my choice for stats in that price range.

they are certainly at the CAF venue....or any CanJam venue.

HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier

No other amplifier can provide electrostatic headphones with the accuracy, drive, and control of the Blue Hawaii SE. When paired with the Dan Clark Audio Voce, STAX SR-009S or SR-007 MK2, the headphones come alive with detail, transparency, and bass control unheard on with lesser amplifiers.

www.headamp.com

 

[Gregadd]

thanks

 

[mulveling]

Top stats are incredibly dependent on amp for peak performance. About 100x more than with other headphones. The BHSE has been a benchmark for a long time (14 years?) in this area, and holds its value & demand very well. It's also proven RELIABLE, which as a direct driver hybrid (SS gain stages and CCS) is hard to do when the voltage rails are 400V +/-. It's going to be very difficult for other amp makers to knock the BHSE from this slot. Above this, you have the Eksonic T2 (by commission) which sounds even better than BHSE at double the cost. Eksonic also makes a smaller Aeras model that is an interesting competitor to the BHSE. And even a bit beyond that T2 is the old "OG" DIY T2 monsters, which are almost extinct now due to their OOP silicon.

 

[Gregadd]

For source I would throw in the Mola Mola Tambaqui. Still sub$25k with room left for a streamer if you are so inclined. Stiff but manageable.
Dreams can come true.

 

[Gregadd]

iFi audio | the Award-Winning Audio Technology Company

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ifi-audio.com

PHANTOM $3.7K.

 

[Gregadd]

See this prepreview.

iFi iCAN Phantom Headphone Amplifier: More Thoughts...

The iFi iCAN Headphone Amplifier looks great on paper. But how does it actually work and why does it matter to headphone listeners? We explain.

www.ecoustics.com

 

[DetroitVinylRob]

or maybe this 9000/BHSE bundle might be better........for a little more money (if you asked Headamp, likely they would match the L.T.A bundle price). you more lose yourself into BHSE. and the BHSE might have better resale than the L.T.A (for some reason people do tend to switch headphones and headphone amps often).

however; the L.T.A. bundle has the advantage of (1) being able to drive dynamic headphones quite well, (2) being able to drive speakers and (3) has a remote volume control. might be important to some for location of the unit and your listening chair.....if you are combining 2 channel and headphones allows the amp to be with the sources and not next to your listening position.

i don't think you can go too far wrong either way. personally for me the choice would be whether i wanted more than one headphone type. if only the Stax then i would choose the BHSE.
View attachment 101843

Yep, perhaps the most musically satisfying headphone setup matches, and especially with the 9000s, I have ever heard for dozens of years now. Blue Hawaii in blue chassis for me is blue heaven !

 

[Nemal1]

I considered purchase of a blue Hawaii, but no Uk importer so potentially an issue should something go wrong.
eventually purchased the 8000 to go with the 9000 headphones, simply excellent….
Best of luck with your eventual selection and purchase.

 

[Sampajanna]

Headamp is in Charlottesville, Virginia. i've owned the BHSE electrostatic headphone amp and it would be my choice for stats in that price range.

they are certainly at the CAF venue....or any CanJam venue.

HeadAmp Blue Hawaii Special Edition Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier

No other amplifier can provide electrostatic headphones with the accuracy, drive, and control of the Blue Hawaii SE. When paired with the Dan Clark Audio Voce, STAX SR-009S or SR-007 MK2, the headphones come alive with detail, transparency, and bass control unheard on with lesser amplifiers.

www.headamp.com

This combo is indeed epic!

 

[joey_v]

Heard same combos

Yes, good.

But once I back to backed against the HE1, no contest.
That said, short of an HE1, a stax x9000 plus LTA combo is a choice I would make.

 

[Nemal1]

You could also look at Mjolnir audio as an alternative?