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Yeah, I also like that one a lot. Not quite up to your guys levels, but my wife got me this for Christmas...

Hello I had a chance to buy two pairs of Stax ESTA 4u speakers. Both pairs look nice, but all four had imbalance issue and I decided to check what is inside and if I can repair them. As you can see, drivers are easy to open. The disintegrated foam's particles got into drivers and stick to the diaphragm (foam was layered with some glue). I had to clean it all from this and use Licron on diaphragms (I did that only with one pair atm). Now the one pair works well, bas is not so strong, but it is enough to work with some active sub. The stereo sweet spot is really thin, but when you seat in the right place the image is sharp and precise. I'm thinking about rebuilding the second pair, but to use drivers to make custom speakers, rather tall, just to use it as computer speakers. Naked driver.

The second half of this year's Mattnog was consumed at my family Christmas dinner last night. I feel bad that I forgot the nutmeg shavings at the Stretch Christmas gathering because it really does add to the experience. This year confirmed that I need to make a batch every year. Next year I'm going with top shelf booze across the board. And some super farm-fresh eggs. It's a nice tradition and a good way to remember Matt the Younger in a positive way. And Fitz, you can't fuck this up if you follow the recipe. Go for it in 2019!

I'd like to chip in here. On different tracks I sometimes had a slight preference for the sound of the GG or the BH, but overall I had a slight preference for the sound of the BH. This impression was pretty fairly arrived at as each amplifier had the same power supplies (all golden ref), wiring, volume attenuator and casework. The GG did have 450v supplies and the BH 400v. The volume was equalised as accurately as possible. It was a wrench but I had to part with one of my babies as couldn't justify keeping both, so the GG has gone. I did hear the new 009S with it and the combination was, on a short hearing, near perfect. I have noticed after many builds of Kevin's designs my preference has been for the versions with tube OP stages.

The open area (I mean the window where stators are open to outside) is 161x92 mm The one stator is 104x171 mm (50x171 mm one part, mind the gap in the middle between stators in one driver).

I'm in for 2019. I always want to try, but get motivated too late, so I'm literally setting a reminder to get started in October next year.

recipe? i dont follow orders from NOBODY. i do what i want ?

I have these records too but whenever I want to hear something from Mike, I unconsciously choose Ommadawn. It's very relaxing

I am in for 2019 batch. Let's make a bunch and maybe play with the recipes a bit for scientific purposes. Annual nog tasting FTW.

Yeah people haven't been too kind with the impressions (when we leave out the HF and media BS) but I had to take one for the team...

IMHO Mike's best record.

No, I don't think so. There are new avenues to go down but I think current Stax just don't "get it" in the sense that they did back in the day. Now old Stax did a number of missteps when we look back but there was constant innovation and they never shipped something like the 507's which just sounded vile. Some were bright, some a bit dull, some had other issues but the tonality was never way off. Stax now are trying new things and refining the old designs but I don't see any true innovation at all. I don't really agree wrt Sennheiser as the HE-1 is just a rehash of the HE90 with no real progress and so much of the system is just purely there for the wank factor. It is certainly a better packaged system and in terms of industrial production Sennheiser never cease to impress but the sound...yeah leaves a lot to be desired. I really, really wanted one until I heard it but now I don't really care for them unless I can buy a set of the phones solo and rip out the amps. I must admit though that the resurgence in electrostatics is enjoyable though they aren't all great. The Monoprice one gets a bit tiresome after a while given it's massive bass deficiency but they are nice and comfy. I'm running the Voce now on Ether2 pads I think (the ones with the square opening) and they are an improvement over the stock ones but having just swapped over to the 007Mk2's...the difference is startling. How anybody could give the Voce "best headphones of the year" award just goes to show how useless and clueless the industry media is. Anyway, the Shangri-La was a surprise too as it sounds decent, horrible build quality but at least they sound ok, I've already bought the Jade II with the amp but I'm not sure when they are shipping out to me. If they sound similar then throw on them a new cable and it could be a decent set.

if i tried to make it, it just might make him rise up solely to call me a dumbfuk for fucking it up so bad.

quite a bit late but ive been following this game since 2013, trust me, im getting it as soon as it comes out. the original teaser was hype af, and since max mike has been involved in the creation of it, and been more hype about it than anyone, i have high hopes. edit: we also got a detailed gameplay reveal a few months ago:

While waiting to have my Omega FOIS "gifted" to me for X-mas I had a weak moment and pre-ordered one of these. It is a Baltic Aquascaphe in the blue sun ray dial with gilt finish. A retro inspired divewatch. Nothing too fancy, but it caught my eye. Pre-ordered so I won't see it until mid-next year. A "micro brand" assembled in France. I ordered it with both the tropical style rubber strap and the "beads of rice" 316L bracelet. I like that they're quick release for an easy swap. Double domed sapphire crystal and sapphire bezel. Good for 200M, but I would never dive that deep...i find most the fun stuff is above 100' and generally 20-40'. I don't dive that often these days so this is more about the aesthetic including the 39mm sizing. The movement is a Miyota 9039 automatic with a 42 hr reserve. Reliable, basic and helps keep the case at a relatively thin 12mm. I've been spending like a sailor at port in Bangkok... HS

I know this is a cross-post, but it's related to my carbon build... I made acrylic speaker housing(s) for the drivers... (I still haven't decided how to make headbands to mount the ear cups I'm making for headphones yet.) These speakers are now connected to my Carbon and filling up my tiny little room with music. I have tiny-xlr connectors on the back so I can use the same removable cables for speakers and the headphones I'm still building. I love this hobby...

It was only a matter of time. X-mas gift to me... I expect the wifey will make me let her wrap it up. She loves to make me suffer...LOL. Already thinking on a brown alligator strap with proper Omega deployment buckle... Self control is overrated. HS