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As for the difference is the SRD's they are all basically the same through out the production line. The transformers from early 70's and yearly 90's examples are identical but the bias supplies went through a number of revisions. Here I believe the biggest difference in sound lies from unit to unit based on how the bias is generated. A small change in the zener string will be at least three times as big when the bias reaches the phones.
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Main rig: APL 3910 32bit -> DIY IC's with thin cotton insulated silver wire -> BHSE on order and a DIY Blue Hawaii under construction, B22 -> See profile
Secondary rig: APL 3910 32bit -> DIY IC's with thin cotton insulated silver wire -> Modded Stax SRM-T1 -> See profile
Computer rig: Computer S/PDIF output -> AudioZone DAC -> DIY IC's -> Stax SRM-1/Mk2 P.P. -> See profile
Just gotta ask:
1. Seems like the sr-5's are the way to go for someone like me on a low budget?
2. Assuming proper use (Plugging it in, turning it on, and putting it on), there's no risk at all for death?
3. In terms of vintage stax, could someone tell me all about which ones to look out for and which to avoid?
Well, death by kidney failure after you've sold the other one is possible...
Avoid the SR-Xmk3 unless they're NOS, or the seller is willing to guarantee that they will arrive in perfect working condition. Actually this could apply to any vintage headphone you might want to buy, but the failure rate of the SR-Xmk3 is higher than the other stax phones I know of, for some reason.
Well, death by kidney failure after you've sold the other one is possible...
Avoid the SR-Xmk3 unless they're NOS, or the seller is willing to guarantee that they will arrive in perfect working condition. Actually this could apply to any vintage headphone you might want to buy, but the failure rate of the SR-Xmk3 is higher than the other stax phones I know of, for some reason.
Really? How many failed SR-X III's have we heard about here on head-fi?
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Team Planar | Team Sturzhelm | Team Cheap Bastards If the monster is immortal, either it does not exist, or there are two.
Between me, Carl and Evil-Zen, we've picked up (I think) 3 SR-Xmk3s in horrible condition out of 5. Zen and I picked up one dud and one working one respectively, while the one Carl got seems to be a dud. I'm not sure whether he got it functional again at last, though. Getting the dust out of the drivers does wonders for them.
Between me, Carl and Evil-Zen, we've picked up (I think) 3 SR-Xmk3s in horrible condition out of 5. Zen and I picked up one dud and one working one respectively, while the one Carl got seems to be a dud. I'm not sure whether he got it functional again at last, though. Getting the dust out of the drivers does wonders for them.
I get the impression the SR-X was meant as a studio headphone, and I've seen a lot of them for sale that have obviously seen heavy studio use/abuse. This probably accounts for most of the difference, as in itself the frame is one of Stax's most durable.
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team planar
team Sturzhelm
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Just gotta ask:
1. Seems like the sr-5's are the way to go for someone like me on a low budget?
3. In terms of vintage stax, could someone tell me all about which ones to look out for and which to avoid?
Yes, the SR-5 show up for not much money on eBay. They are a good starting can, especially if you like a sweet midrange. Gammas, Alphas, Lambdas, Sigmas and the SR-X are harder to get for a good price.
The Stax to avoid are the Electret Headphones (SR-10, SR-20, SR-30, SR-40, SR-50, SR-60, SR-70, SR-80). Only the SR-80pro are nearly comperable to a real stat, but electrets drivers could loose the permanent charge if they haven't been used for a long time and their sound could have deterioreted because of this, or in worst case they don't work at all anymore.
Most Stax headphones are build to last forever, exceptions are the electrets, the original SR-Omega and the SR-X MK3.
Another good starting Point is the SR-001 / SR-003 or the SR-202.
__________________ Current personal headphone ranking: STAX SR Lambda Pro Classic, STAX SR-5 Gold, STAX SR-001, beyerdynamic)))) DJX-1, beyerdynamic)))) DT 990 Pro (250 Ohm), AKG K-501, AKG K-340, beyerdynamic)))) DTX 50, Cowon A3 Buds, beyerdynamic)))) DTX 20, AKG K-14P, Sennheiser Unipolar 2000
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