I'm leaving team Stax.

You can always come back when you're ready with an O2Mk2 and another amp.

Damn, the ESW9 and HD25-1 are that good? (brief comparo please?)

I like both but prefer the ESW9 a bit more. The ESW9 seems more refined to me and I like its greater air, separation and clarity. Even with an HD650 cable, the HD25-1 is still dark-sounding and relatively muddy compared to the ESW9. Its bass is stronger, and I think it is over-emphasized. It is also more bloated and boomy than the ESW9's. The HD25-1's isolation is a lot better.

So I was thinking that we really need an OII-capable tube amp in the $2000-$2500 range. I am seriously haunted by my OII/BHSE experience at Canjam, but I can't spend $4500 on a headphone amp.

So the question is: WHERE KGST???

So I was thinking that we really need an OII-capable tube amp in the $2000-$2500 range. I am seriously haunted by my OII/BHSE experience at Canjam, but I can't spend $4500 on a headphone amp.

So the question is: WHERE KGST???

Yup. We need something like an oversized GES with better tubes which are also plentiful and cheap. Shall we say a quartet of ECC99's and GU50's for output duty.

What does KGST stand for?

Every time I see this, I think "Kevin Gilmore Self-Titled". Would be a pretty pompous name for an amp.

What does KGST stand for?

Every time I see this, I think "Kevin Gilmore Self-Titled". Would be a pretty pompous name for an amp.

Either KG Solidstate-Triode or Solidstate-Tube

Can someone tell me what the component on the bottom of this SRD-7 mk II schematic is? The one marked NL?

http://www.head-case.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=670&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=c283a489e2ba5798b80e3a0eca28f0da

Thanks!

EDIT: N/M, it's the light, isn't it...

Can someone tell me what the component on the bottom of this SRD-7 mk II schematic is? The one marked NL?

http://www.head-case.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=670&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=c283a489e2ba5798b80e3a0eca28f0da

Thanks!

EDIT: N/M, it's the light, isn't it...

Yup, it's the indicator light.

What does KGST stand for?

Every time I see this, I think "Kevin Gilmore Self-Titled". Would be a pretty pompous name for an amp.

Solidstate-tube is what i think it stands for. Differentiates it from a BH which

is also solid state-tube, but is grounded grid output.

What's in a name anyways...

So I was thinking that we really need an OII-capable tube amp in the $2000-$2500 range. I am seriously haunted by my OII/BHSE experience at Canjam, but I can't spend $4500 on a headphone amp.

Sounds like a Blue Hawaii (non-SE) to me.

I would definitely be in the market for a $2000-$2500 tube stat amp that has the balls to drive the O2 well, even if it doesn't quite have the quality/refinement of the KGBH SE. So, if that's what the KGST is, I'd buy it.

I'm guessing it's hopeless to look for a non-SE KGBH on the used market, but I may be doing that in a few months anyway. Just have to sell everything non-O2 off first.

I would definitely be in the market for a $2000-$2500 tube stat amp that has the balls to drive the O2 well, even if it doesn't quite have the quality/refinement of the KGBH SE. So, if that's what the KGST is, I'd buy it.

I'm guessing it's hopeless to look for a non-SE KGBH on the used market, but I may be doing that in a few months anyway. Just have to sell everything non-O2 off first.

I believe Justin said in another thread there were only 15 Headamp Blue Hawaii's made.

I believe Justin said in another thread there were only 15 Headamp Blue Hawaii's made.

I could be wrong but they might even be as few as 12.

I could be wrong but they might even be as few as 12.

Other than parts quality, what are the significant topology differences bet. BH and BHSE?

There are some power supply design changes, probably more.

Other than parts quality, what are the significant topology differences bet. BH and BHSE?

- New power supply design in a separate box

- New active current sources for the output tubes

- Some changes in parts values (Linear Systems LSK389 instead of the discontinued Toshiba 2SK389), one BJT transistor changed

There's a huge and constantly growing list of other improvements of the type that don't appear on the schematic

There's a huge and constantly growing list of other improvements of the type that don't appear on the schematic

Enormous GOLD knobs?? Pretty please? Maybe a note on the front panel that says "The Blue Hawaii" (quotation marks included)?!??!

Enormous GOLD knobs?? Pretty please? Maybe a note on the front panel that says "The Blue Hawaii" (quotation marks included)?!??!

Since it was also a movie title, shouldn't it be " The 'Blue Hawaii' "? Or on a front panel of an amp would it be "The Blue Hawaii". Is this boomana's area of expertise?

You also need a snazzier logo that is posted prominently on your amps.

You also need a snazzier logo that is posted prominently on your amps.

Yes, it should have the name on the front, top and rear panels. Also, it should say something to the effect of "Dual Monos Electrostatic Amplifier for IEMs".

Yes, it should have the name on the front, top and rear panels. Also, it should say something to the effect of "Dual Monos Electrostatic Amplifier for IEMs".

it is a balanced amp so i think Quad Dual Monos is more appropriate

This needs to be on the front panel:

Enormous GOLD knobs?? Pretty please? Maybe a note on the front panel that says "The Blue Hawaii" (quotation marks included)?!??!

What about the option for gold or silver screws? I'm sure that would get a ton of people excited (way too excited).

This needs to be on the front panel:

I think Hawaii Blue would've made for a better movie title myself.

What it really needs is a power meter Mac style. Bigger is better here and with enough led's to light up a room.

You also need a snazzier logo that is posted prominently on your amps.

I disagree, I like his logo.

That said, it would be cool if you could shape heat sinks or vents in your logo, like the Pathos Logos:

or the MSB DAC:

Or perhaps Bugs Bunny.

Zen question: if KG ever designed an ultimate amp, shouldn't it be called the Carl Stalling?