The Stax thread (New) - Page 42

I liked it loud, why I got the phones since my living accomodations were volume-limited. I suspect it may be because that particular amp did not drive whatever load the SRD-7 presented very well (??). Still have that amp, but it's retired. And really, it wasn't THAT loud with the phones, it drove speakers (not particularly efficient ones as they typically were in the late '70's) very loud. That's why I've always wondered about it. I am sufficiently old and lazy that I use a remote even when headphone listening now, so I'm not sure what o'clock I listen to the Stax at, but it's surely well past noon...depends on your preamp etc.

The version of SR-X I have came out in '75, they have what I'd call quite thin foam in them, just the bare minimum of padding really, barely enough to slightly alleviate the fairly strong pressure of the headband spring.

I do indeed already have a quad, just waiting to put 'em in and bias 'em...

But, gotta figure out the EA-6 thing first - listening to it now...

As Marvin might say if he were an audio refugee from the '70s: "You're failing to take into account something fairly basic in the relationship between the twitchy protection circuitry and ofttimes creaky closed-loop stability of the typical '70s BJT amp and the idiosyncratically dangerous load presented to its entrails by the SRD-7".

I'm not at all surprised that his amp clipped back then. Presumably it had a way of letting him know this was happening.

I doubt it, as I was talking about what I can remember from the late '70's, and the SRD-7 is still working fine with the current gear. I just checked the SRD-7 "manual" and Stax recommended 10W+ amps. The amp's clipping indicators are set off by voltage, and though it may have been delivering high voltage, current was quite low so power output was really nominal. From that, if true, I can see how a tube amp could be a more suitable driver, strictly from a voltage output standpoint.

Thanks for that info, Carl! I've been wondering if there's much difference between my 202s and 404s, and also a/b'ing them with the O2s, with interesting results. Now my curiousity is peaked, and I will need to borrow (or buy real cheaply) a set of 404s to see for myself.

I guess AudioCubes has the best price, lol! ?? I knew this place was trouble the moment I found it!

I just fired up the Lambda Pros/SRM-1 MKII combo (i switch from dynamic Grados to these babies to keep both fresh) and let me tell you - you should reconstruct the following Fingerstyle playlist ASAP - your STAX and ears will thank you! Amazing!

Hm, to also take things a bit off the latest topic here.

Stuck Sennheiser hd590 pads onto Stax sr-80 - and can feel AND hear benefits. Obviously the feel part is the comfort - but the audible part - due to increased space between ears and the drivers the soundstage became larger, giving more space to the instruments without suffering any muffling or anything. I think thats right on the money, wonder how sr-404 would be if it had more circum-aural padding. (anyone dare trying hd650 pads with sr-404?)

I assume the picture is of the 202. The 404 has a wire mesh stator. The one in the picture looks like perforated dark metal. Prior posts have established that Stax went over to wire mesh with the Lambda Nova. My earlier Sigmas used perforated copper.

Thats insane!
I have seen the Lambda Signature sell for $400, and the Lambda Pro for almost the same. But $600 are way TOO much.

Thanks a lot for the information.
Probably mean that the 404 get the best matched diaphragms, while the 303 get the next best ones. The 202 use different (cheaper?) ones...

Guess its once again time to visit my local Stax dealer, to perform a 202, 303, 404, Lambda Pro and O2 comparison. My listening experience have adapted since last time I visited them.

Oh my! Are you listening at insane volume levels?
I have used my Stax 'phones with 70 and 200 watts amplifiers, through an SRD-7/mk2, and they play louder than I can take. Did not notice any clipping.

Very interesting indeed! But I won't spoil your surprise by giving away the punchline...

Andre Jute
The trouble with most people is not what they don't know, but what they know for certain that isn't true. ---Mark Twain

Cool, they are the only new production tubes worth anything. If you want to go into NOS territory go straight to the Mullard XF2's, sure they are expensive but a good set will last for a decade in the BH and there is nothing that sounds better.