The Stax thread (New) - Page 69

Need Advise.
If I were to sell all my Stax collection (except my Lambda Pro’s & SRM-1mkII Pro) I could generate enough money to get a set of Omega 2’s (phones only). How do you think that my SRM (370 volts RMS output) would drive the Omega’s? I would upgrade to a better amp (Woo, KGSS or BH) at a later date.
Thanks
AudioD

It's definitely an SR-30 (US market designation), not even the later (and dare we say more desirable) SR-30 Professional.


Sadly true.

It's worth pointing out that the designations SR-34 and SR-84 in Mondo Staxo merely mean an SR-30 or SR-80 headset packaged and sold together with an SRD-4 transformer box.


Amen. It's not even a good acoustic absorber. Substitute something like a thick layer of felt or a chunk of bonded polyester fibers.

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IMO I don't think it would do all that great of a job. It is only slightly more powerful than the SRM-313 (and probably built a little better). And the 313 to these ears CANNOT drive the OII worth a damn. BUT it may get you by for a while. What are you presently using (amp wise) with your SRD-7 PRO ? That may be something to think about too, as I have no doubt in my mind that if paired with a decent amp/preamp would smoke the SRM-1mkII.

The Lambda Pros are soooo much easier to drive than the OII.

I just hooked up my Omega II's to my SRM-1/MKII.
Never heard any of the aftermarket amplifiers (Blue Hawaii, KGSS, ES-1, Aristateus, etc..), but use an SRM-007t as my daily amplifier.

The first thing I noticed when listening to Omega II and SRM-1/MKII combo was the lack of control, which are especially noticeable in the lower frequencies. After listening for a while (switching back and forth between them), I conclude that they are a whole different league. The SRM-1/MKII lack the micro-dynamics, control and headstage of the bigger brother.
The SRM-1/MKII play a lot better with the Lambda Pro though, since they are easier to drive.

I think you would be better off selling the Stax collection, and use the money on an upgraded amplifier for your Lambda Pro. Then buy the Omega II at a later point.

If you have heard the SR-007 with any of these amps and you loved them I would go for it. Even though they are better then any other Stax phone ever made it's always down to personal preference if you like them. Some people prefer the He90 to the SR-007. You could always run them off a SRD-7 hooked up to a good amp until you get a good dedicated amp.

I find it hilarious that Stax has always used that wool (glass wool?) in their headphones but they used foam in the OEM stuff knowing it would be inferior.

Thanks for the advise. I thought that because the SRM-1mkII Pro puts out more voltage than the SRM-007tII that it would at least be able to drive them to decent levels. Stax gives the impression that the Omega 2's are about as efficient as the Lambda series as far as voltage in to SPL out. I was more concerned about sound quality. I'm sorry to hear that this may not be a good temporary match. I was driving my SRD-7 Pro with a Dynaco ST-35 amp, but I sold it about a year ago.

AudioD

Thanks for your advise. I was hoping to get some of the Omega sound right away. I know that a better amp would improve the Lambda Pro’s but I think that the Lambda sound would still be there. It would probably be about a year before I could finish the system. I appreciate you spending the time for the comparison. What do you think would be the best amp (007tII, Woo, KGSS...) for the Omega's for a reasonable amount of money?

AudioD

Thanks Carl,
If you had a SRM-1mkII Pro and a set of Lambda Pro's and you could generate about $2000 by selling all your other Stax stuff what would you do with the money to improve your system? If I sold the SRM & Lambdas I would be close to a Omega 2/SRM-007tII system form Audio Cubes II. I don't really want to sell the SRM/Lambda Pro system at this point. Any advise?

AudioD

You are most welcome!
Not entirely sure if I prefer the Lambda Pro or the Omega II when powered by the SRM-1/MKII. But I might lean towards the Omega II.

Perhaps you should try the Omega II and SRM-1/MKII combo at your own before you decide.
As said, I have never heard any of the aftermarket amplifiers. I am pleased with how the 007t control the Omega II, but I also know there are better amplifiers out there.

KGSS are the most obvious choice if you prefer solid state.
When it comes to tube amplifiers (all tube and hybrid) there are a lot to choose from, and I don't know which one provides best sound quality for the money.

Those people should be locked up!

If it were my money then the 007t isn't even in the picture. The KGSS is a very good amp and if it still sells for 1500$ a pretty good deal. The Woo amp should be very good and while I've never heard it I'm getting the urge to buy a fully loaded one...

I built a KGSS for a friend some years ago and it didn't do it for me. The BH was so much better I never finished the second KGSS that was meant for me. If you aren't a tube nut like me you could like the KGSS a lot and it is good value for the money.

The Woo amp does look interesting and a good price. The construction looks very good. I contacted them and delivery is for mid to late May. I do like tubes (I’ve certainly owned enough) but solid state has matured to a point that I wouldn’t rule anything out just because it was solid state. I like my SRM-1mkII better than my SRM-006t (since sold along with SR-404’s) on the Lambda Pro’s. I thought the 006t was glassy sounding and week and loose in the bass.

AudioD