Tony

I can always wait for more time until I have enough cash for something decent... something like the Northstar M192, 840c... are there others in the 1000€ price range?

Yup, I would consider only used DAC's, since the only one I could afford new in my price range would be the Zhaolu, and even if it supposedly sounds wonderful with the HD600 and MS2i (per sacdlover's statement), it might not be enough for the Omega II.

I suggest the Stax SR-001 MkII with upgraded amp as killer portable solution. It sounds as good as the SR-003 out of my SRM-1, and with less midbass hump.

Both USB and SPIDF would be fine. As a budget, I am considering 400€ for now (so roughly 600$... and I realize they might not be enough).

I have been sucked in the spiral of Stax and I feel I might end with an Omega II+SRM-717 before or later. I'm wondering what DAC would be up to the job. I am considering the OMZ 4.1 since it seems to have a soft tonality that I might like, and I am waiting with interest for the AMB Gamma 1, which still is "just" a small DAC (probably Pico competitor). Would these make justice to the Omega's, or should I go up to a Cambridge 840c and such? Thanks for any hints you can throw.

I read on several posts on HF, that the sensitivity is something like 125 dB/mW, so the Livewires will pick any hiss the source has.

How much truth lies in the fact that an impedance adapter degrades a IEM's sound quality?

The Triple fi are very nice at doing bass ("big headphone"-sounding), but I found them too sibilant with almost all my Rock music. They have overemphasized lower treble, one of the reasons that lead me to sell them. The other reason was the terrible comfort I couldn't get used to.

Time to upgrade your interconnects, Boris.

Wonderful thinking. I see you have put your SRM-717 for sale on Headfi. Have you found an amp that is better suited for the SR-5 Pro?

SR-5 Pro? Interesting, can you provide any info about them?

It's possible. The D5000 are so upper midrange happy that they become disgusting and viscid sounding. I know that also the Sony EX700 have a very pronounced (and sibilant) upper midrange. The only Japan dynamic headphone I know that doesn't follow this trend is the ATH-ESW9, that in fact has recessed upper mids. The few headphones to have flat upper mids are a bless. The SR-X MkIII Pro is the best example I have found in all my headphone journey. The SR-003 do a wonderful job in their softness, but they are not neutral and anyway you know them as much as I do.

Yes. I was answering to dc, who replied to me at headfi. Since I didn't explain the "best amp part" at both places, I repeated the same thing at the same time.

It's why I wrote it.

Like I said at headfi: "The way to obtain a pretty darn good sound with the SR-003, without getting an amp that's overkill".

Heh. I love to try things, much more than stop at an effective goal. The discovery process gives me the most pleasure.

I mean sound signature.

Hi guys. I just bought a Stax SRS-005 system which consists in a SRM-Xh amp and SR-003 earphones. After some time spent on thinking, I've decided to experiment some configurations. Basically, I'm looking for a better amp. I know the SRM-Xh is a vintage amp, and there should be better alternatives to use with the babystax. I'd like something that's an upgrade over the stock SRM-252 amp. I have been advised towards the SRM-313 as a good match, but I'd like to know if there are any others. I really want to exploit the best potential of the sr-003, especially since they tend to be dark, while higher models, like the Lambdas, tend to be very forward in the upper midrange, which I don't want. Plus the Babystax should be the only cheap electrostatics that can give a hint of the Omega II sound. Thanks to everyone willing to help. Tony

How many burn in hours do your D5000 have?

The Trafomatic tube amp looks good too. Is it single ended only?

Yup, that's what I meant

I think it's a skill you gain while being at university.

There's a nice GS-1 for sale on Head-fi. It's from a UK seller and is about 600$. I've made an offer, but it seems I'm the second in queue.

A piece of cake. It's insanely good at 3 a.m.

Is the HR-2 that bad, or is it partially related to the hatred towards Ray Samuels? Only Markl seemed to like it (good sound & no clipping using the R10)