The Stax thread - Page 28  

not if i steal his stax first

If I'm looking for a bit more treble sparkle would you recommend that I check out the Lambda Pro's or upgrade my source (currently SCD-CE595) to something more forward/bright up top?

Upgrading to a Zhaolu will definitely give you a bit more treble sparkle, but if you're not satisfied with the SR-404s or the SA5000s in that department, I'm not sure anything will satisfy you. The MDR-SA5000 is the most treble-tilted headphone I've heard.

I was perfectly satisfied with the treble sparkle on the SA5000s, but I prefer the SR-404's overall (I like the more airy sound, the stronger lower end, the more musical yet detailed sound, the comfort, etc.). The 404's are perfect, but they don't quite have that treble sparkle that I enjoyed with the SA5k's (Though I don't think I'd need it to the extent of the SA5k's, but I'd really like a bit more sparkle up there).

Would a Zhaolu give better results than a Lambda Pro? Are there any other differences between the 404's and the Lambda Pro's other than the etchy highs (Any difference in details, soundstage, etc.?)?

Carl - I'd consider an equalizer but wouldn't that degrade the sound quality a bit? Plus, if I'm investing in an equalizer, I think I should just go the full monty and spend my money on something with more bang for my buck (Such as a better source or new earspeakers).

IMO my CE595 is a great source. I just turned up the Treble on my amplifier and everything is brighter.

I've heard that it's a decent source, but I was thinking of upgrading via a DAC to tweak the sound without having to get another CDP (So I was thinking about a bright DAC). I don't have an amplifier that I could use to turn up the treble (I'm using an SRM-313).

Oh, does anyone know why there are only 4 STAX headphones on headphonereviews.org?

I have not heard Lambda Pros, but what I have heard from my own pair of older Stax's sound signature, as well as the general consensus around the forums, I'd imagine that the Lambdas are actually more mellow than the 404, rather than the other way around; I think for you it would be a step in the wrong direction. Older Stax is known for being more mellow and neutral, the newer for the faster, sharper sound. As to the Zhaolu yielding results, I can't and won't make any promises, but I will say this: I'm skeptical about source differences, have yet to hear anything out of cables, haven't heard the difference between transports, and was not impressed by a $6500 McIntosh over my Super-T Amp when I had it. Keeping all this in mind, I hear a definite difference between the Zhaolu D2 (with the CS chip) and my previous source, my Toshiba HDMI DVD player, as well as my Airport Express. It is not what I would call huge, but I absolutely hear it, and I heard it the first time I listened to it. It gives off just a little more sparkle, particularly with percussion instruments. Drums pssssh a little more than they did before. I also believe a heard a few other minor improvements, namely soundstage and acoustic timbre, but I'm not willing to go to the bank with them.

Hmm...this really will be interesting if I can compare the SR-404 to the lambda pro, since I've read the opposite; from my interpretation the lambda pro is supposed to be more forward, narrower soundstage, and have more bass (compared the SR-404).

Interesting. Any particular equalizers you recommend or ones you use yourself (Or is there really little difference in SQ between using really low cost budget EQ's and higher end ones?)?

Also, can electrostats get damaged from any type of music (Maybe something like songs with really low bass or something)? I ask because one of my tracks results in a rattling, vibrating sound during some bass notes which I found odd in an electrostat (So I fear that this song may be too much for the diaphragms to handle). Here's the wav: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...D7E1495F77E890

I know I'm asking a lot of questions like this, but I'm just really cautious about this electrostat technology. It seems like a really different technology that has to be treated differently from dynamic systems, and thus could possibly become damaged in some way if I treat it like a dynamic headphone through my ignorance (Such as the rattling thing with this song; with a dynamic can I'd just ignore it).

[QUOTE=CarlElectrostats are more durable than dynamics as long as they aren't misstreated. Stop worrying and enjoy the music.[/QUOTE]

Hmmmmm........perhaps.......

Martin-Logans were noted for reliability problems, the Final electrostatics I borrowed a couple of years ago from the dealer had blown diaphragms (only the dynamic woofer worked - the irony was that the dealer, who thinks of himself as a Golden Ear, was using them in his home-theatre system and didn't even know there was something wrong. Quad electrostatics are constantly having problems.....the Lambda Pro Sigs had problems...the original Omega had problems.

I've never had a Stax phone fail on me but if "Azure" keeps blasting high-level club-music (6.5 on the amp control!) through his 404's I suspect some expensive repairs may be on the cards.

Well, I'm trying to control the problem. Now I exclusively listen from 5.5-6.0 with all music, but I think that the source might play a role in this (So I'm waiting until I get an SPL meter and find out whether I'm really listening too loudly or my source is just too quiet). If I blow out the diaphragms there anybody that would be able to repair them if I find replacements (I've seen some pop up on eBay, so I think the bigger problem would be finding someone capable of making the repair).?

Honestly, I cannot conceive how anybody can listen to music at any setting below 5. It's just mind-boggling quiet and I can only see it useful for sleeping or something.