The Stax thread - Page 15  

Okay, I guess I'll wait a bit and save up for the SRM-313.

I love how you ask all these incessant questions, and go through all this effort (and posts after posts after posts) and yet still come down to the most banal (and not really optimal) solution. SR404 and SRM313? Yawn.

Be a man. Look at Jahn's or Erikzen's rigs. Buy the same thing. Keep your Sony. You'll be fine.

Best,

-Jason

I hadn't realized that there was anything wrong with the 404/313 combo since there seem to be quite a few people on these boards with the same rigs (And the reason why I dismissed the SRM-1/MK-2 was because it didn't have Pro-bias output). I really don't care if it is commonplace or not, or if it is a super-rare ultimate rig that everybody else aims for, I just want a decent amp for my 404's.

What should I do to "be a man"? Jahn uses the SRM-1/MK-2, so should I get that to be a man (Or are you referring to the earspeakers as well and suggesting that I get something less banal than the 404s, such as the Lambda Pro's?)? Would using a Pro-biased earspeaker with a Normal-biased amp help me be a man?

I honestly doubt there's such a huge difference between 404/313 and 404/SRM-1/MK-2, and I'm not looking to impress anybody else with my STAX rig so I don't really care how banal it is. However, I'm positive you have much more experience with electrostats, so I'm listening to your advice with open ears.

There's a 313 just listed on e-bay. Price is maybe a little high though.

Thanks for the heads up. Yeah, it's quite expensive (And I'd imagine even more so after shipping) and I'd need a transformer since it's 100v.

I think what he's trying to say is that you once again purchased a rig that may not be optimal for you, and he doesn't want to read another "Biggest Dissapointment Part 4" thread.

Hmm...so, what would be the most optimal rig then? I assume then that jjcha was referring to the calmer presentation of the 404/313 compared to Lambda Pro's/SRM-1/MK-2 then? I am aware that this STAX rig is going to be a LOT calmer and less intense than my previous SA5k rig. I'm just going in expecting a nice, detailed, open sound that I can relax to. I already have the 404s coming, so the only way to get a more optimal rig would be the amp. So should I shoot for the SRM-1/MK-2 then?

There are a few different versions of the SRM1-MK2, including a version with a pro and a normal bias jack. I'd go for that one. The 404 should be just fine with that amp.

I would suggest going for the SRM1 Mk 2 Professional for the following reasons:
1. It's very reliable and well built.
2. It can be purchased from anywhere in the world and easily modified to local voltage by the user.
3. It has the highest output voltage (not the same as the bias voltage) apart from the SRM 717 and SRA 14s. This translates as better dynamics.
4. It can play either high bias (pro) or low bias (normal) phones.
5. It sounds great and is hum and noise free (totally!!) in my set up.
The only thing against it is it runs pretty hot, but mine has been going strong since 1987 without any problems there. Do not put in a tightly enclosed space.

The 100v version (japanese) of the 313 does work in the U.S. (with no conv)

Hmm...do you think it would still be worth if it didn't have Pro-bias output (And was used with 404's)? And I imagine that "Professional" refers to all SRM1 MK2's?

i guess I'm a Man. Yay!

btw Snake said it best - one of the reasons why the SRM-1/MKII combo with the Lambda Pros works so well is because they were literally made for each other. Snake said something about the lambda pros on their own sounding a bit etchy up top, but this amp helping to mellow it out - did i get that right? but then more modern types like the 404 were built to design the etch out - but then the older amps paired with them could be a bit dark. in turn, try a lambda pro with a 313 and eek thin and very etchy. did i get that right? like i said, Snake said it best, not me.

anyhow the srm-1/mkii indeed has BOTH a pro outlet AND a normal outlet. in fact you can run them both out of the amp at the same time - we did that at a micromeet, jjcha with his normal bias cans and me with my pro cans. the amp handled it no probs.

Not all srm1 mk2 are pro bias.You definately want one that is.I would take a 313 over a low bias srm1 mk2 anyday.

You're only talking about some srm-1/mkii's, such as yours, right? There's one on eBay that only has the normal-biased outlet and there was another one that I was about to get that doesn't have any pro-biased outlets. Here's a picture of the one on eBay:

ah, in that case just make certain the seller shows you the front, that should look sorta like this -