The Stax thread (New) - Page 415

1985 Lambda + SRM1mk2Pro

I figured it was time I posted here since I have been a very long time Stax owner/fan. I bought a Stax Lamdba / SRD7sb combo back in 1985. These headphones have so fundamentally shaped my perception of recorded music. A few years ago I picked up a SRM1mk2Pro which was a great choice. I have listened to so much audio equipment, but I seem to always come back to the Stax. I also have Acustat 1+1 electrostatic loudspeakers (8feet tall, 1foot wide pillars) as part of my main system.

I live in Japan now so I have been really tempted to get some newer Stax equipment, but I've been reading here about different peoples opinions. I was surprised (but agree) with the comments that electronics make more difference than the difference between the 202/303/404. I was also happy to read that the SRM1mk2 is very similar (but with better parts) than the SRM323. It seems that the OmegaII is universally wonderful, but different from the Lambda/202/303/404 presentation and some people still prefer the Lambda presentation. But no one seems to disagree with the brilliance of the OmegaII. I still might get something, but I think I might have found my nirvana.

One thing I found with the Lamdba (mine are low bias, not Pro bias) is that just when I think I have hit the limit and that I need to get something new, I tweak something in the signal path and the lamdbas show they were not the limiting factor.

Right now my signal path is
Toshiba HD-XF2 (HD-DVD player as transport)
California Audio Labs Sigma DAC (tube output stage)
Balanced Audio Technology VK20 preamp
SRM1-mk2Pro
Lamdba

I have found that the SRM1 responds really well to being treated as a power amp. I set the "volume pots" to about 75% and let my BAT VK20 do the rest. The difference between DAC->SRM1 and DAC->VK20 Preamp->SRM1 is truely profound. I have had other power amps with simple potentiometer "Preamp" sections that also worked much better with a high quality preamp. And setting the SRM1 volume at different levels and using more/less preamp changes the sound. I just played until I found something I liked.

And I have to say that jPop sounds absolutely amazing on Stax. Brings shivers up my spine at times. If anyone here has not experienced jPop I would highly recommend Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru, or BoA (especially all of their recent Albums Boa-"Made In Twenties" BoA-"The Face" Ayumi-"Guilty" Hikki-"Heart Station" ).

best Jessica

Thank you for the nice read. Yes a GOOD active preamp ahead of the STAX amps really does/can make a HUGE improvement. I have been trying to get people to try it for quit some time. The results have been mixed ,but mostly positive with the quality of the preamp playing a huge factor. Again thanks!

My new maxxed out GES arrived on friday afternoon. Jack was great and got it to me overnight. After almost 48 hours of burn in time I can say, really nice amp! After all of these years I should know better but of course I just had to listen after about an hour of warm up time. Of course I got all stressed about the initial harsh sound but over the last 2 days I have heard it get better and better. It is everything I had hoped for, open,detailed and sweet. The soundstage is continuing to expand. I did immediately see the need for better 12ax7 tubes. It came with new russian tubes. I have read that this amp design is not as sensitive to tube rolling as most tubed equipment so I want to start with a reasonably priced upgrade. I am thinking of nos Sylvania 12ax7wa, they are about $50 each and hear that they are detailed with good soundstage.Do any other GES owners have suggestions?
I agree about using a good preamp in front of the Stax amps I used a ARC LS7 with siemans 6922 tubes in front of my SRM-T1 and my O2 sounded great. In fact I even used my preamp to confirm my theory about the GES tubes, It did muddy up the sound but the soundstage was improved.

Not a GES owner ,but if you want some great 12ax7s that still go for sane prices then look for some Matsu****as. Mullard supplied the tooling for them. They are VERY good sounding tubes for the money.

Eagerly awaiting your listening impressions, Kai.

These are what my drivers are going in

Just joined Team Stax/STAX. After a week with a SRM-1/MkII - Lambda Pro combo I've already ordered it and two other phones. In all the years I've been in this hobby my electrostatic time has been very limited and I don't want to sound like a zealot now with it being so fresh. I will say hearing the Lambdas took me back to my early steps of this hobby - my first Grado and my first good Ety seal (what years ago used to be called "The poor mans STAX"). They felt like gigantic jumps in SQ. Since then gear choices have been usually based on practical considerations or more minor performance gains - better separation here, tighter bass, less grainy vocals, etc. The Lambdas made me giddy all over again. It's been a long time since I scrambled to hear old music again.

Welcome! I joined Team Stax almost exactly one year 5 months ago and have never looked back ever since. They're near unbeatable for classical music and the Lambda Professional is no exception.

nice, so those are the drivers from the Gamma Pro?

Yup. I don't know what it's designation will be as it doesn't resemble any of the Stax lineup. Damn nice sound though.

The SR-Smegma Pro sounds good and fits with the Stax naming convention.

Omega
Lambda
Smegma
Gamma
Sigma

Spot the odd one out...

Is those from the Gamma Pros I sold you? Looks schweet

I gotta start reading to the end before posting...

Smeggy, how many people here do you think there are who have no idea what Smegma is, or pretend to know but really don't? HINT: It's worse than toe jam.

I'm hoping the name will catch on bigtime before they find out

Good one Mr Richard Cheese