Long 3 months since I posted last and have updates since now have reached my headphone nirvana.
Headphones all now complete and lastly phono cartridges will be fun to pursue a couple types into retirement years. Only other odd minor items remain on the "bucket-list" in my audio pursuits, good feeling to be 99% complete after many years of looking. Remaining time will be for listening !
So, in the headphone journey, since last writing, had some interesting ones fall in my lap at real bargains that sound great such as -
Audio Technica ATH-ESW9A wood dynamic
Sony ECR-500 electret
Burwen PMB6 planar
Signet TK33 (aka ATH 8/80/1000 or similar) electret
Those above deserve mention adding to my list in post #177.
Reached nirvana with 5 final models of extreme performance that I got at great deals, and as many have, joined in on the electrostatic Staxen fever.
Stax SR-Gamma...very highly underated, often overlooked, not so common, 1 of 2 Stax most closest to dynamic headphone character, reasonably priced, the Pro version is even better. Use mine with Stax SRD6/SB box.
Stax SR Lambda Pro...had to make the jump as already owning the Normal Bias, just out of pure curiousity. This is the 2nd of 2 Staxen most like dynamic headphones. All said about the bass is true - it is deep, extended & possibly among the strongest with impact for Stax; with note to current-selling new Stax series line for bass impact (and not getting in over thread dollar limit where the Omega, 007 and 009 reside).
Stax SR Lambda Nova Signature...truly heaven, these are hard to beat. Overwhelmingly joyful to listen too for any imaginable attribute. When we describe Staxen differences among models, since they are almost all really astonishing - we tend to pick out differences like splitting hairs, most all are really great. We don't want to mislead folks not to buy any model, but just pick out nuance differences between models. On occasion, some big points pop up. With these LNS, they do it all - very well all around, marvelously.
Sony MDR-CD3000...a dynamic based set with bio-cellulose drivers. These are among the finest dynamic headphones ever made. They are the 2nd best Sony made (Qualia $$$$$ and SA5000 also), after the MDR-R10 famous flagships, and are similar to them, with drivers just a slight bit different and polymer-fiber composite earcups rather than the Zelkova wood in the rare (and extremely costly) R10. R10 usually run well over $2500 used -closer to $3000 to $4000 range lately. As these CD3000 get very close in sound to the MDR-R10, it's easy to see why the R10 are rated in the top 5 headphones ever made worldwide by nearly all significant ratings. Have not heard either type R10 (bass light, bass heavy), but I would say these CD3000 are probably nearer the bass-heavy version, based on hearing very many headphones, and they are non-ported like-B-H R10 (unlike B-L R10 which port), chronologically following bass-heavy R10, and not mid-centric like earlier version bass-light R10. Not to say bass-head at all, the bass is very balanced and sensational, just the R10 has the 2 relative-type versions, relative to each other. The Bio-cell high frequency is nearly electrostatic-like, and mids on these very detailed & natural. Hard to find any other dynamic 'phone with high frequencies like the CD3000. Mine are the grey color. A winner for everything, including many other audio attributes. Bio-cell drivers are also now in the new AudioQuest Nighthawk headphones. The CD3000 are superb in every way, and go way beyond what almost every dynamic headphone can do. Simply captivating.
Koss ESP-950...yes, I knew these were for me and they are sensational. I got my set used, mint, never repaired, less than 1 year old - 2014 version with very low hours on them. Got at a deal like I've never seen for this model, so I jumped on them. Have the lifetime warranty to repair or replace anything that ever happens to them free, only shipping is a cost. I have heard if so, you can ask to have only your own set repaired & sent to you when done, but takes longer. These are superlatively beyond words, true gems in the headphone world, right up there with Stax, yet different.
For those interested, the brand new ones should soon be on sale at their lowest annual price during November as a 1 day only sale, new, 1st quality model direct from Koss. Usually the day before, day of, or day after Thanksgiving (USA) Thursday. Last year they were $600 and it's approaching that time again. For sound, mine work perfectly and are right on with the findings Thomas Norton wrote about in Stereophile & in comparison to Stax. Faust on wikiphonia (both referenced in posts #178-182 here) hit it right on the head also with the Koss-Stax comparison, I find the same impressions. I also got the Koss to Stax adaptor cable, so I can run the Koss on my Stax amp.
Those last 5 have ended my headphone quests, having reached headphone nirvana. The used prices on these are at half or far less than half of the thread limit, and even greater bargains can be found if carefully patient for the right set.
As to what else is interesting, have to note the Airbow SR-SC1 (modded Stax SR-Lambda 404) is something special, and would love to hear those one day.
Some new models from different brands upcoming for release, (especially electrostatics) are also on the radar to watch out of interest. 1 or 2 new models issued just in 2015 are awaiting reviews (Nighthawk) and listening tests in the community & among pro-review critics; they have been listed in this thread in various posts for "upcoming release". some of the interesting future releases are Sennheiser planar and reported new Orpheus-2 (costly), HiFiMan electrostatic, and Enigma Acoustics Darma hybrid stat-dynamic.
Plus, Pioneer SE Master-1, HiFiMan HE-560, Sennheiser HD-800, Mr Speaker Ether, AudioQuest Nighthawk, Audeze models, Oppo models and Kingsound models are currently offered which are notably great headphones.
For me, I doubt I will try anything else, have accrued many headphones and it would really take something very special in the future to be released new models far under $1000 new, or, particularly under or well under $500 used or new to take a glance, based on great deals that can be found relative to these headphones listed.
I have looked into the well-respected Woo Wee, customized from Woo with both a Pro-bias and a Normal-bias socket, to drive my electrostatic line. That is something I will weigh against a dedicated headphone amp. The Woo is used with great hi-fi amps which already are known for stellar headphone performance. The electrostatic amps in consideration are the Stax 717, T1, SRM-3, SRM-313, SRM-323 and SRM-1 Mk2 Pro. I know to consider output specs for driving both Staxen and Koss headphones properly.
For dynamic headphones, it will be a long search with a lot of time to properly match a dedicated headphone amp or two for my collection. Some interesting ones that I know little of are the Vahalla and offerings from Audio-GD. Here on the thread great suggestions were made such as Meier Corda Jazz, Magni and others. This will remain the final project into retirement along with phono cartridge ventures.
I love switching between the different cans in my collection, they have different sound signatures which is so much fun to enjoy as a hobbyist, enjoying the varied presentations. I prefer not to have one sole set at any price up to Orpheus. Just as Mahler states in his infamous Head-Fi Battle of the Flagsgships thread, some cans just really excel with some genres of music, and some with other types of musical passages - the beauty is we have the selection to bring out all the best music has to offer.
The top models in my collection finally completed now are, in no order at all-
Electrostatic :
Stax SR-Lambda Nova Signature
Stax SR-Lambda Normal Bias
Stax SR-Lambda Pro Bias
Stax SR-202 (Lambda)
Koss ESP-950
Dynamic :
Sony MDR-CD3000
Sennheiser HD-650
AKG-K701
Will add these to the list in post #177 as an edit. Others on the list there are also all fine performers and offer incredible bang for the buck; many can be found at bargain prices.
The adventure ending in audio Nirvana has been a very enjoyable journey !