I've been spending a lot of time with my Stax Omega II system of late (which uses the Stax 007t amp). I find this setup to be significantly better than the 4040 system which I have heard but not owned, especially in terms of it's uber amazing bass extension. The Omega II system is a big jump in cost for the 4040 and perhaps not worth it if you don't do a lot of headphone listening.
Another recommendation, which in some ways sounds even better than Stax, would be the AKG K-1000 earspeakers. These are, quite literally, electrostat speakers hanging from, but not touching, your ears! You want to talk about detail, oh my God! Because they are earspeakers and not really headphones, they throw a soundstage that cannot be touched by any "true" headphone. In fact, they connect to amps like regular speakers do (i.e., not through the headphone jack). Some people have actually added a subwoofer to their K-1000 setup!
The K-1000's retial for $700 but can sometimes be found in the used market for around $400 (although rarely). They're hard to drive so you would need either a good headphone amp (such as an Audio Valve RKV Mk II) or possibly an older receiver. There are many threads about the K-1000's at www.head-fi.org that discuss what amps/receivers do a good job driving them.
Suffice it to say the K-1000's are an experience unto themseves, and will open your eyes, drop your jaw, and make your head shake in disbelief in much the same way your Stax system has done.
Another recommendation, which in some ways sounds even better than Stax, would be the AKG K-1000 earspeakers. These are, quite literally, electrostat speakers hanging from, but not touching, your ears! You want to talk about detail, oh my God! Because they are earspeakers and not really headphones, they throw a soundstage that cannot be touched by any "true" headphone. In fact, they connect to amps like regular speakers do (i.e., not through the headphone jack). Some people have actually added a subwoofer to their K-1000 setup!
The K-1000's retial for $700 but can sometimes be found in the used market for around $400 (although rarely). They're hard to drive so you would need either a good headphone amp (such as an Audio Valve RKV Mk II) or possibly an older receiver. There are many threads about the K-1000's at www.head-fi.org that discuss what amps/receivers do a good job driving them.
Suffice it to say the K-1000's are an experience unto themseves, and will open your eyes, drop your jaw, and make your head shake in disbelief in much the same way your Stax system has done.