The Stax thread (New)

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Blue

That's useful to know! But surely if the SRD-7 is left unplugged for an hour or two, any potentially lethal charges will have dissipated (and I don't recall any big capacitors in there in any case), so it should then be safe to work on? Or am I in way over my head here?

A 0.1uF cap will sting at these voltages so I would discharge them before attempting any work. Like Eric said, HV is supposed to be respected but this isn't some mammoth project. The Mk2 bias supply can easily be built on a perfboard by a relative amateur.

Originally Posted by 2deadeyes

Just completed the blutack port mod for MK2 - can't believe how plugging 2 ports can change the sound that drastically. The sound is now definitely close to MK1. I noticed that the bass has even more slam if I decreased the pressure from headbands. I guess with more pressure from the headbands, there's less room for the diaphragm to move with more pressure. MK1 is still more neutral relative to the MK2, which I prefer.

Great to hear that you went ahead and fixed the bass issue. You will also have to modify the springs to get the same level of neutrality as the Mk1. Simply bending the center pin to make the springs sit more flush with the black plate would be a good step forward.

[AudioPhewl]

Originally Posted by AudioPhewl

Thanks, Anders. Yes, it does have the Electro-Harmonix tubes inside. I've got a multimeter, I'll do some searching .

ETA - have done some searching, and adjusting the bias sounds easy enough.

What tubes should I be looking for? Are there any resources available stating the different characteristics of different tubes?

Thanks,

~Phewl.

Sorry for bumping this with a quote of my last query, but I've not seen any replies. Does anyone have any information about what valves work best in the 006tII?

Thanks,

~Phewl.

[marcus1]

As mentioned previously I`ve got a SRM-1/MK Ⅱamp and am now looking at headphone options.
At a local Hi FI shop I`ve found a used Stax Lamda Nova Signature`system` comprising of Stax Lamda Nova Signature headphones with an SRM-X amp with a BPS-600 charger. I thought it sounded pretty good at low volume but there was distortion when turned up.
I noticed at the time the guy had the phones plugged into the normal jack (of the amp) rather than the pro jack - would this have caused the distortion?
I was only interested in the headphones but they wouldn`t split it up and want US$475 for the lot - I thought it was expensive but don`t know the going rate.
Any thoughts on what the above is worth?

thanks

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by marcus1

As mentioned previously I`ve got a SRM-1/MK ?amp and am now looking at headphone options.
At a local Hi FI shop I`ve found a used Stax Lamda Nova Signature`system` comprising of Stax Lamda Nova Signature headphones with an SRM-X amp with a BPS-600 charger. I thought it sounded pretty good at low volume but there was distortion when turned up.
I noticed at the time the guy had the phones plugged into the normal jack (of the amp) rather than the pro jack - would this have caused the distortion?
I was only interested in the headphones but they wouldn`t split it up and want US$475 for the lot - I thought it was expensive but don`t know the going rate.
Any thoughts on what the above is worth?

thanks

I'd go back and listen to it through the correct jack, and maybe bring your SRM-1 Mk2 Pro with you. Either way, if the distortion goes away I would buy it, but that's me.

You can always sell it later, or sell only the spare amp. Some people think the Lambda Nova Sig is too tame vs the Lambda Sig, and others like it better. I really like my Lambda and Lambda Sig, and Sterophile loved the Lambda Nova Signature the most.

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by marcus1

As mentioned previously I`ve got a SRM-1/MK Ⅱamp and am now looking at headphone options.
At a local Hi FI shop I`ve found a used Stax Lamda Nova Signature`system` comprising of Stax Lamda Nova Signature headphones with an SRM-X amp with a BPS-600 charger. I thought it sounded pretty good at low volume but there was distortion when turned up.
I noticed at the time the guy had the phones plugged into the normal jack (of the amp) rather than the pro jack - would this have caused the distortion?
I was only interested in the headphones but they wouldn`t split it up and want US$475 for the lot - I thought it was expensive but don`t know the going rate.
Any thoughts on what the above is worth?

thanks

There shouldn't be any distortion, let alone from the normal bias output. You get a softer presentaion when driving Pro bias phones from the normal bias output since the amp doesn't "grip" the diaphragm as well. Electrostatic phones don't normally distort when something is wrong with them (they squeal and make other noises) so my guess is that it's the amp. It's not a terribly good amp and the great grandfather of the current SRM-252 so the LNS could do a lot better. The price isn't all bad but you could get a new 2050 system from Japan for about the same and my guess is that the LNS will need a set of new earpads soon which are another 50$.

[edstrelow]

Originally Posted by 2deadeyes

Just completed the blutack port mod for MK2 - can't believe how plugging 2 ports can change the sound that drastically. The sound is now definitely close to MK1. I noticed that the bass has even more slam if I decreased the pressure from headbands. I guess with more pressure from the headbands, there's less room for the diaphragm to move with more pressure. MK1 is still more neutral relative to the MK2, which I prefer.

Good to hear about a fairly simple mod which can make things better. I am still breaking in my recently acquired 007A and think it sounds great out of the box, but then everything can be improved.

As regard the port, where is it and what exactly did Stax do there? There seems to be a "semi" fart when I press the phones, which shouldn't be there if the phones are vented. It almost seems as if there is some sort of flap on the vent.

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by edstrelow

As regard the port, where is it and what exactly did Stax do there? There seems to be a "semi" fart when I press the phones, which shouldn't be there if the phones are vented. It almost seems as if there is some sort of flap on the vent.

Mk1 on the left and "A" on the right with blutack in place. The Mk1 has a small resin plug for the port and the different cable entry which makes all the difference. Stax could have listened to us complaining and done something about this... are you up for some investigation?

[edstrelow]

Originally Posted by Hirsch

Heh. At the 2006 Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, one of the displays was a blind test of a transistor vs. a tube amp. Most of the votes appeared random, but I was able to tell the exhibitor exactly which one was the tube amp, and why. Of the 200 or so people that they had tested by that point, I was apparently only the fifth person to make a clean identification. So, TdP may have it partly right, in that a lot of people really can't pick which is which. But those of us who can are rather emphatic about which we like.

I wouldn't dispute this at all. What exactly do you hear as the difference and do you have any idea why others are not sensitive to these differences?

[edstrelow]

Originally Posted by spritzer

Mk1 on the left and "A" on the right with blutack in place. The Mk1 has a small resin plug for the port and the different cable entry which makes all the difference. Stax could have listened to us complaining and done something about this... are you up for some investigation?

Thanks for the photo. This will make it much easier to do this mod when, as will probably happen, I do it.

[2deadeyes]

Definitely do the mod only if you like the sound of MK1; there are some that prefers MK2 over MK1. spritzer has a guide he wrote that he'll probably send you if you ask

[Veefy]

Hello,

I am about to join Club Stax after impulse purchasing a set of Stax 3030 online for a good price. Mainly for late night listening, cyberman impersonation and because I have no self will when I see shiny things on the net I want to buy.

I'm looking for suggestions for an amp to match. It seems my options are:

1 - Get a Stax amp new in Aus and pay stupidly high markup to local. And there seems to be a perception that the lower model modern day Stax amps aren't that great?
2 - Get an good quality alternative like the Woo Audio GES (a long term approach for a seperate system).
3 - Get one of the old transformers thingies that Stax used to sell and use my main amp that I have for my speaker system. Note: that is an exceptional pure integrated 40W solid state amp that I would consider high end, its an amp designed/voiced with high efficiency speakers in mind though rather than electrostatic.
4 - Buy a vintage Stax amp locally if one comes up.

Option 3 is most appealing as probably lowest cost and uses existing amp quality. Are there any drawbacks/compatibility issues I should be aware of in doing this? Option 2 is probably overkill but maybe someone who has heard that combo could comment.

Thanks in advance.

[plaidplatypus]

Welcome to head-fi, sorry about your wallet.

The SRS-3030 system consists of the SR-303 earspeakers and SRM-313 energizer.

1. If you have local Hi-Fi shop check them out, don't cross them off your list yet. The STAX SRM-007t is a good match for Lambda type earspeakers.
2. You will have to wait for it to be built and pay for shipping from the U.S. of A.
3. Great option but should wait for a pro bias model unit to come up for sale to get the best sound with the SR-303.
4. Again wait for one with a pro bias jack or jacks. I'm not really sure if you can call something from the '80s vintage; would that make me vintage?

[edstrelow]

Originally Posted by Veefy

Hello,

I am about to join Club Stax after impulse purchasing a set of Stax 3030 online for a good price. Mainly for late night listening, cyberman impersonation and because I have no self will when I see shiny things on the net I want to buy.

I'm looking for suggestions for an amp to match. It seems my options are:

1 - Get a Stax amp new in Aus and pay stupidly high markup to local. And there seems to be a perception that the lower model modern day Stax amps aren't that great?
2 - Get an good quality alternative like the Woo Audio GES (a long term approach for a seperate system).
3 - Get one of the old transformers thingies that Stax used to sell and use my main amp that I have for my speaker system. Note: that is an exceptional pure integrated 40W solid state amp that I would consider high end, its an amp designed/voiced with high efficiency speakers in mind though rather than electrostatic.
4 - Buy a vintage Stax amp locally if one comes up.

Option 3 is most appealing as probably lowest cost and uses existing amp quality. Are there any drawbacks/compatibility issues I should be aware of in doing this? Option 2 is probably overkill but maybe someone who has heard that combo could comment.

Thanks in advance.

I am not sure a better amp is needed for the 303. It should work well with what you are getting. Some tweaks may help though, such as footers, a better power cord and good ic's.

If you are just experimenting to see what sounds you like you might try the transformer but as is noted above you need a pro bias unit which is harder to find. Some people like the tube sound as it seems to soften what some find to be a harshness with the lambda phones.

[Veefy]

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I meant to say I bought the Stax 303 (just the headphones) (not the 3030 system). So I don't have an energiser.

edit: what's the actual model of the pro bias unit that would make the most sense? Is it this

http://www.stax.co.jp/Pdf/OLD/SRD7(SB).pdf

[slwiser]

Originally Posted by Veefy

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I meant to say I bought the Stax 303 (just the headphones) (not the 3030 system). So I don't have an energiser.

edit: what's the actual model of the pro bias unit that would make the most sense? Is it this

http://www.stax.co.jp/Pdf/OLD/SRD7(SB).pdf

Not an idiot, just confused, as I have been with the several similar designations by Stax. Being new to them, we will get used to them after a while.