The Stax thread (New) - Page 27

I'm waiting for the San Jose meet to try some amps before I take the plunge into something else. However, I have to say that with the slight EQ and the humble 313, they are sounding incredible now.

I was expecting to need a new amp immediately upon getting these, but I'll definitely make it awhile with this setup. If I can throw out the need to EQ with another amp, that'd be great. Too bad there isn't a stereo store nearby with all the top electrostatic amps to spend an afternoon with...

<$1000? That sounds great but the problem is I live in Singapore (230V) and most Pass Labs stuff in Ebay/Audiogon are 110-117V. Very very bummer. Shipping... double bummer.

The best part about Stax is that you can use an amp like the 313 and be blown away and when you hear a better amp you will be even more amazed. I used it with my O2's for a year and was very happy until I heard a better one...

You are so right! The Silver Resolution cables arrived today. The company even custom crossed the 2/3 leads to address the potential phase inversion between ECD and SRM-007tII caused by the different pin-outs. Very nice job on these and a kudo to signalcable.com for fast (custom, even) service and delivery when they said they would (today.)

I'm listening to some of my favorites (Blade Runner Blues - Vangelis) today and there's no doubt, switching between the phono lines and the balanced (and riding gain the best I can - as balanced output is 3-6 db louder), that there is a big difference in dynamic range and in soundstage, even. There's just more "space between the notes." I'm sure other differences will manifest in time, because as someone posted above, this is a long time love affair - one doesn't get to know these 'phones overnight!

The Omega IIs just rock with this tube amp and DAC. I'm very glad I ordered this combo; it's hard to imagine a SS amp doing any better a job. Blue Heaven, maybe...

^ Now we are talking!
You: Apple AirPort Express -> Electrocompaniet ECD1 -> Stax SRM-007tII -> Stax Omega II
Me: Apple AirPort Express -> Electrocompaniet ECD1 -> Stax SRM-007t -> Stax Omega II

I brought my Omega II and SRD-7/MK2 to one of my local Hi-Fi stores today.
Hi-Fi Klubben to be precise.

One of the guys who work there met me right inside the door and asked if he could help me. I told him that I was looking into buying an integrated amplifier, and was especially interested in the Lyngdorf TDS2200 (picture).
While he lead way into the High End room he asked me what kind of speakers I have. He looked strange at me when I answered that I put my speaker (headspeakers) on my head.

We first hooked up the Lyngdorf TDA2200/CD1 combo to a pair of B&W 805s speakers, and performed some listening. Then after a while I pulled out the Omega II cary case and asked if he was ready for some headphone **magic**. He had never seen anything like this before, and pulled the SRD-7/MK2 out of my hands and started to connect it to the Lyngdorf.
In a matter of seconds the Omega II was playing music. he he

For your information. The Lyngdorf TDA2200 is a solid state fully digital amplifier, priced at $4.500.

I was first out, since after all I was the customer. It was soon pretty clear to me that this amplifier had some great potential. It clearly had the Omega II's under stronger control than what my SRM-007t can manage. But it also seemed to lacks some of the warmth and "magic" I get from of the SRM-007t. Maybe because the Lyngdorf is a fully digital solid state amplifier, while the SRM-007t is solid state/tube. Or perhaps because the SRD-7/MK2 add something to the sound that? I really don't know. But it seems like I enjoy tube amplifiers more than solid state one.

After I have concluded my listening tests I handed the Omega II over to him (the guy who worked there). He listened to some of his favorite tracks, and at the end these were his only words; "These put out the BEST midrange I have EVER heard!!". Thats not bad, coming from a guy which handle speaker rigs worth $50.000's daily. We might actually have other switcher on the way!


Conclusion!
I am sure a 'speaker amplifer' -> SRD-7/MK2 -> Omega II system would sound great. But I will have to test some more amplifiers before I decide if I want to stick with the old trustful SRM-007t, or not.

Stay tuned!

When I talked with Yamas (Tats, I believe his name was), I discussed the issue of lots of people using the old SRD-7 drivers and amps with the Omega IIs. His reply was that that was essentially old technology, and the amps have moved far beyond that. Of course, his job is to sell new equipment, not old.
I'll be interested in your continued experiments with the SRD7-MkII. But, I'm having a hard time imagining much better mids and uppers than the Stax amp designed for these delivers. Now, the bass could be improved, and years of living with big Maggies and the Velodyne sub have spoiled me for tight, controlled bass, but the Omegas with tubes aren't bad. And I don't know if I'd give up the liquid mids for a marginally tighter bass line, if that was the choice.

Downrange, I guess you are right.
The SRD-7/MK2 is an old product (from mid -80's), and direct-drive electrostatic amplifiers have improved a lot since then. I am not willing to sacrifice any of the Omega II's midrange qualities, so my only option might be to continue using direct-drive amplifiers.

If there only were more all-tube electrostatic amplifiers out there.

I dunno... that's what some people say... I'm still going to get an SRD-7 and try these with some of my amps (Perreaux 3150, modded Dynaco ST-70) just out of plain curiosity. I'd love to hear a BH or and ES-1 (believe that's the designation) sometime, too, but I think I'm pretty sold on the tubes, overall. The SRM-007tII is something of a bargain, as well, at least over here, especially when you compare it with the competing tube models.

Oh c'mon don't give up that easy ! It's just a matter of finding the right amp (hint pure class a SS) and preamp(hint tube or hybrid) combo and then the right tubes in the preamp.(Besides source,cables etc.)

yep, bought it from its original owner who bought the set in 1990! thanks for all your help! =D

krmathis, great story about the hi-fi store. I bet tons of dealers would be blown away to learn what they're missing.

This brings me to my current dilemma. I currently own 404s and SR-X MkIIIs and love them both. Each has its own strengths, but I suspect that the fat, visceral, dry sound of the Xes is sui generis and they will not be supplanted by another set of phones. The 404s... well, I love the immersive bath of sound effect, but I really do think I can do better.

The question is, do I go for Lambda Pro to replace the 404s, or hold out for O2s? (or O1's for that matter, seeing as I listen to a lot of classical). People here rave about the Lambda Pros, especially as compared to the modern range of Lambdas, and I can use my 006tII amp with them. I'm unclear whether the 006tII is a good partner for the O2s (or O1s).

Help! I don't want to end up with 4 pairs of Staxes. 2 would be better (OK, 3 in a pinch). You know how it is - I have 4 pairs of dynamic headphones just sitting in a closet since I got the Stax bug

Patrick

My guess is the OIIs though I haven't heard them but other HeadFiers would say the same.... but not out of the 006tIIs.