The Stax thread (New) - Page 872

New Pads

They are now installed on the 202.
They are very comfortable to wear. The bass is significantly cleaner and more precise, midtones a bit recessed and with a pleasant treble (no sizzle), no big change there.

They now sound a lot like the LNS and better than the 404. I think the 404 could benefit from these pad as well, if the change in the midtones will be the same as with the 202.

cheers

Tom

bralk: how big are the LNS pads in comparison?

Difficult to measure correctly, but the LNS pads seem to be about 25% thicker at the front parts. Very small difference, but perhaps enough to shift
the sound signature in the lower frequencies, which is where the 202 really changed. The 202s are at least 100% thicker at the front parts of the pads.

cheers

Tom

Thanks! So the LNS pads are much closer to the 404LEs... i'm a bit confused though, i just checked on audiocubes2 and the LNS seems to share the same pads as the regular 404. Is it true? I wonder if this would make the LNS sound warmer.

On a sidenote this comparative review is quite interesting as they measured the size of different pads
SR-404LE, SR-404 Signature, and SR-Lambda Pro | Headfonia

Original LNS pads might have been thinner than the 404 pads. But you can't get original LNS pads anymore; spares are only available for in-production models, unless you are lucky enough to find somewhere with NOS.

So your choices for buying new pads for any Lambda model now are the 202/303/404 pads which I believe are all the same thickness in different colours, or the thinner 404LE pads.

I did exactlythe same thing. The 404's would improve I think,but at this
point the 202's are the keepers. If I hang on to the 404's for more than
a cuple of months, I may try it, but for now the 202 leather set up
is the clear winner.

The stock LNS pads were the same size as the original Lambda pads (I had some nos sets here) but the material they used is utterly terrible.

Hmm interesting to see that more than one think that the 202 w/ leather pads has an edge over the 404 Might end up buying those pads.

I'd forgotten that, IIRC, the pads on my LNS set were replaced by the previous owner. That likely means they are 404 pads. Not sure how the sound is affected. I'm sure I don't get a perfect seal though, but I do like the somewhat unnecessary extra bass.

Okay thanks so i definitely have the 404 pads on mine... damn i wish i had those LE pads to try out

Was the Lambda Signature and SRM/1 - Mk/2 about $3000 when they were new?

I just scored a Sigma!
I am really excited since I will have both: a normal bias and a pro.
I will compare both and then decide whether they are both keepers or eventually upgrade one of them to a Sigma/404.
Da*n you guys, this was an unnecessary purchase!

^ Congratulations with the score.
What does not one do to stay the 'world's foremost expert' on these things..

Just don't forget to lower the bias on the exstata before plugging them

Thank you Padam. Actually it will be used with my SRD7 Mk2. (although it did come with an SRD7-normal bias, which I will keep for spares if needed).
BTW, I thought I saw a fleeting post by you, asking for IC regarding your Sigma. Was I dreaming? because is nowhere to be found.