I’ve owned several H9000’s and H9000R’s, as well as several H8000’s and an H7600 and a couple H90’s. As great as the H9k is, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to get it to sound like I remembered my H8k’s sounded–I’ve had it running through high-end tube units, Burl converters, etc., most all with enhancements that I liked. (I use it mainly for delays) But on a whim I picked up an old H8000 for a good price, and instantly remembered what I’d been missing. The musicality of the delays, especially when using it with both engines is just magical. I love the drastically improved ergonomics of the H9k and it does sound excellent but I can’t help but wish for a combination of the best of these worlds, and would love to see a new product that combined this H8k musical magic with no compromise, but with the H9k’s everything else. I’m sure it’ll never happen and may be impossible these days, but I couldn’t resist raving about this old machine’s sound. I’ll still be enjoying the h9k but more as a harmonizer (way better speed and accuracy), and leaving the delays’s to the H8k. It’s the sound I’ve been missing for the last 8+ years.
