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The Stax thread - Page 144  

post #2146 of 2675
2/3/07 at 11:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by smeggy View Post
Hopefully those improvements includes some cosmetics

Seriously though, I did write to peter about the EA-1 but decided I didn't want to wait that long as he was pretty backed up and my fickle tastes change too frequently. It's probably a very nice sounding amp though and well worth it for a Lambda.
He actually told me not too long ago that he's met most of his back orders and that the wait time is only 3-4 weeks now.

I'm still hesitant about his amps because they aren't fully balanced (And I was looking forward to having a fully balanced system with my next amp upgrade); IIRC, there was something about him not believing/not liking in the balanced operation theory or something.

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone
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post #2147 of 2675
2/3/07 at 11:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
* Portable amplifiers, other than the SRM-001.
Still waitin' on that Kevin Gilmore design
post #2148 of 2675
2/4/07 at 12:15am
The Aristaetus is a one-time, limited-run production, so it's not really a in-production amp at this point.
post #2149 of 2675
2/4/07 at 12:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pabbi1 View Post
We had several electrostat amps at the DFW meet last weekend, and I should have my EA-6 in about a week or so. We should then be able to have a mini-meet with Stax 007t, Blue Hawaii, EA-6, and, perhaps, an ES-1. Don't think the Stax Lambdas will be there, but that is certainly a start, especially for the upper end products. I might well build a KGSS just for fun, especially since I already have a case...
Yes I was upset I couldnt make it, I am currently working weekend nights and a recent retire has me here for a while. When are yall planning on having it? I have a pretty simple setup of various sources, mu fi tube buffer(pinkied) and a 3030 system or sr001. I am currently thinking KGSS or other would do the trick and be a solid foundation to some higher end earspeakers. You wouldnt happen to be a bottlehead member that hosted a meet a few years ago with a very nice garage apt setup of cary monos and ref 3as?
post #2150 of 2675
2/4/07 at 12:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
Ok, I see.
That was not clear from your post, since you did not split the text into two sentences (with a punctuation).

There are certainly need for more electrostatic goodness!
The amplifier manufacturers could start by putting out some information on their websites. There are no sign of the ES-1 on the Singlepower website, and there were no sign of the Aristaeus on the Headamp website.
I bet they would sell more amplifiers if people knew about their special products.

Imo we need:
* Singlepower ES-1 competitors. All tube constructions, with balanced inputs.
* Solid state amplifiers, other than the KGSS and SRM-717 / 727.
* Portable amplifiers, other than the SRM-001.
* An Ray Samuels Audio amplifier. With build quality comparable to his B-52.

At least I can wish!
I agree. I guess Norwegians still speak proper English? Damn, you cant get a job here with that!
post #2151 of 2675
2/4/07 at 1:21am
krmathis, That's all well and good for those with a couple of grand littering up the place but us mere mortals (poor people) are still stuck with crappy Stax 313's or transformers. I want to see some decent -affordable- amps.
post #2152 of 2675
2/4/07 at 1:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smeggy View Post
krmathis, That's all well and good for those with a couple of grand littering up the place but us mere mortals (poor people) are still stuck with crappy Stax 313's or transformers. I want to see some decent -affordable- amps.
313 here also
post #2153 of 2675
2/4/07 at 1:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by smeggy View Post
krmathis, That's all well and good for those with a couple of grand littering up the place but us mere mortals (poor people) are still stuck with crappy Stax 313's or transformers. I want to see some decent -affordable- amps.
I told him the same as well here.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure View Post
There may be multiple, but nothing that really peaks my interest. A lot of people say that STAX amps aren't anything spectacular to begin with, and there are enough BUDGET/low-fi amps. I guess I should have mentioned a minimum price/quality range I was talking about. I meant options outside of the traditional STAX amps. I should have mentioned that I was talking about upgrades from low-fi. Basically mid-fi amps outside of the traditional STAX offerings. That leaves:

McAlister Audio EA-1 - $799
McAlister Audio EA-4 - $949

Both are tube, from the same manufacturer, and are supposed to be VERY similar designs.

Is there really a need for more super-duper, ELITE, ULTRA-FI amps in the >$4k range (Or maybe just >$1k for that matter?)? I didn't think anyone could be disappointed with the number of high-end electrostatic amplifiers available considering the praise they get here. I always thought that there were enough "Big Boys" to quench people's thirst:

KGSS
BH
Concerto ES
ES-1
EA-6
Aristaeus
HEV90.

Still hungry for more? Do these not get the job more than done or something (And I believe you can tube roll with the tube amps to tweak the sound to your liking)?

O_O
I personally think there's enough options out there for people with huge wallets: Give us poorer folks more good options!

The jump from the SRM-313 to the McAlisters and KGSS (Especially considering HeadAmp will likely be the only option unless you can DIY) is too big in my opinion.

However, I am considering selling the SRM-313 to upgrade to the T1, and then eventually to a McAlister amp.
post #2154 of 2675
2/4/07 at 2:11am
I guess I'm mainly interested in amps in the mid-budget category. I think a SinglePower single gain stage (keep costs down) tube amp would be pretty nice. I'm sure Mikhail would do it if there was enough interest.
post #2155 of 2675
2/4/07 at 2:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure View Post
I told him the same as well here.



I personally think there's enough options out there for people with huge wallets: Give us poorer folks more good options!

The jump from the SRM-313 to the McAlisters and KGSS (Especially considering HeadAmp will likely be the only option unless you can DIY) is too big in my opinion.

However, I am considering selling the SRM-313 to upgrade to the T1, and then eventually to a McAlister amp.
Fear not - we will have a KGSS board file and BOM sooner than later, as not everyone can build a Blue Hawaii.... but CAN build a KGSS. That is next on my list, as the BH is done, and sounds pretty good.

Giuys, if I can do it, damn near anyone else can also. Well, given that you don't go out of your way to really f something up (as I did)... and, even then, there are recovery options.
post #2156 of 2675
2/4/07 at 2:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pabbi1 View Post
Fear not - we will have a KGSS board file and BOM sooner than later, as not everyone can build a Blue Hawaii.... but CAN build a KGSS. That is next on my list, as the BH is done, and sounds pretty good.

Giuys, if I can do it, damn near anyone else can also. Well, given that you don't go out of your way to really f something up (as I did)... and, even then, there are recovery options.
Some of us absolutely suck at soldering >_<
post #2157 of 2675
2/4/07 at 2:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pabbi1 View Post
Fear not - we will have a KGSS board file and BOM sooner than later, as not everyone can build a Blue Hawaii.... but CAN build a KGSS. That is next on my list, as the BH is done, and sounds pretty good.

Giuys, if I can do it, damn near anyone else can also. Well, given that you don't go out of your way to really f something up (as I did)... and, even then, there are recovery options.

This is news to me what would be involved? I can solder pretty good but Id have to have "put this there directions"
post #2158 of 2675
2/4/07 at 3:22am
Yessss! I won the SR-X Mk III with SRD-7/SB on eBay. I'm perfectly happy with my SR-404/SRM-006t combo, but had to learn what the rest of you were going on about...

So, very useful posts about pad replacement, because I think my new SR-X have decayed/non-existent pads. It's recommended to try to find SR-5 pads, right?

Patrick
post #2159 of 2675
2/4/07 at 3:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
I guess I'm mainly interested in amps in the mid-budget category. I think a SinglePower single gain stage (keep costs down) tube amp would be pretty nice. I'm sure Mikhail would do it if there was enough interest.
I wouldn't mind something like that; one or two tubes to manage/afford would be nice. Although, this would be for a dynamic, but for a stat this wouldn't be a bad idea.
post #2160 of 2675
2/4/07 at 3:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-Pak View Post
I have owned a 404, and heard the O2 on several occasions. The two aren't even in the same league, the O2 does everything better.
And no doubt if the 404 cost seven times as much as the O2 your judgement wouldn't be even slightly affected?

Whenever I hear that one piece of equipment does everything better than another I roll my eyes because it's almost never been the case in my experience. It's always a matter of swings and roundabouts; even flaws may in certain circumstances become strengths. For instance, the 404's high-frequency over-emphasis sounds just beautiful on Philly Soul - better than a flatter (and objectively "better" phone).
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone
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