stax 007mkII with 006tII amp

Most of the recommendations is to use the SRM-717 for the O2, not the 006t, 007t, or SRM-727. I would still bet you could enjoy the combo if you don't like to play it loud or have pounding bass with electronic music. The O2 Mk1 and Mk2 were acceptable but not remarkable off an SRM-T1 and marginal off an SRM-1 Mk2 Pro. So I don't see how the 006t could be horrible. But, a $299 tube hybrid 8-watt speaker amp with SRD-7 Pro is much better than the SRM-T1 with the O2 Mk1 and Mk2 (SR-007/A) in my opinion.

Whether it will be a noticeable upgrade to your 404 with the 006t is a question I cannot answer. Try here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f113/s...ead-new-223263

Couldn't have put it better myself. HeadphoneAddict is right on the money, including the cost effectiveness of considering an Energiser with a great speaker amp.

Having owned both 404s and O2Mk1 running out of similar underpowered equipment I have to say that the 'upgrade' may disappoint you until you have an amp that powers the O2 sufficiently.

The SR-007 headphones are certainly better then the SR-404 (can't say I care for it) and those qualities will shine through on any amp, even the 006t. Now whether the upgrade is worth it, is another matter and only you can answer that.

As for the 006t vs. 007t, they are more alike then most think. I prefer the older T1 to both of them but the 007t has the edge in terms of power output. All Stax amps are balanced (whether they have an xlr input or not) since that's a basic requirement for electrostatics to have their low distortion. With gain this high you don't even need phase splitters on some circuits so the - side is simply grounded when driving them single ended.

Note that the energiser (SRD7pro or SRD7mk2) you'll need if going with a speaker amp are very difficult to find.

I like my SR-007 mk1 with SRM-T1S just fine. I think better amps make O2 more refined and control it better, but T1S sounds very nice with it as long as you don't listen very loud

I had the 4040 system (404+006t) and I bought the O2 mk1 and ran them with the 006t for a while. And yes they did sound a lot better than the 404's, but the 006t would give out on very complex or loud passages. So for me the 006t gave me a glimpse of what the O2's can do, but did not let it live up to it's potential (and there is a lot of potential in the O2's). But it was a great upgrade path in my estimation. You may be very happy with an O2+006t combo... but I saw it as a step to a greater listening experience in the future.

Also welcome to the forum...

Cheers,

Hi Larry: how good would that combination be when compared with the 007 or Woo?

Hello: are you saying there is not a really big difference when using the Omegas with either amplifier? Please keep in mind I am new to Stax and eventually want to upgrade to a better amplifier, either the 007 or the Woo Ges.

I think you answered my questions with your comment. Thanks!

I haven't heard the 007 amp yet.

The Woo GES is better than the amp/transformer combo in areas of transparency, ambience, space, micro-detail and refinement. The amp/transformer is more dynamic and punchy sounding (less detailed) with a little more power, especially if you go for something like a 12-18 watt amp. But I often stick with 8 watt amps for the transformers because I was told a long time ago that 8-watts/ch was the power handling capacity of the transformers. My one 5-watt and two 8-watt amps have similar max volume levels as my GES, while my 12 watt amp has a little more volume than the GES.

With anything other than the SR-007 (O2 Mk1) and SR-007A (O2 Mk2) the GES has more than enough power. GES still sounds great with the O2, but it's better for people who like to listen at no more than "medium-loud" volume levels, but not loud or very loud levels. It's fantastic with jazz, classical performances, acoustic, folk, vocals and un-amplified instruments (guitar, piano, violin, string bass, drums, etc). But when it comes to loud rock music with crunchy guitars and ringing ears, or techno and trance with pounding thumping bass then the power isn't going to be there. But then maybe the only option for that is a 12-18 watt speaker amp and transformer, or even better a $5000 Blue Hawaii SE (or Woo WES or RSA A-10).

I am hoping to save up for a Woo WES or Blue Hawaii SE someday, but also have some circuit boards and transistors to build a standard blue hawaii amp, if I can find the rest of the parts and get help.

Thank you. That was very helpful. I have the SRD-7 MKII currently connected to my Yamaha amplifier, nothing fancy, but it does a pretty decent job driving the 404's although like you said, the detail is not as good as with the SRM-006t. I listen mainly to Classical (90%) and Jazz and usually not at very high volumes in order to preserve my ears, so I guess the GES would be a good match for me. I will have to wait though....

Buy my GES and I can get a WES or KGBHSE.

What I love about my GES is that I maxed it and had normal and pro-bias jacks installed, with an RCA loop out. So, I can connect my WA6 to the back and have a dynamic and stat rig together, and listen to my vintage Stax like SR-Lambda and SR-5NB gold edition and not just pro-bias Stats.

ha ha ha! I just might, but not for a while. When you decide to sell it let me know and if I am ready and the price is right, who knows!
Right now my wife won't let me..... I also may need tips on dealing with wifes and headphones!

You make a tin-foil mockup of the GES and set it up in your rig. After she gets used to seeing it there you replace it with the real thing. Or, you only buy silver amps and they all look the same. Get a UPS Store mailbox too.

That is one of the funniest things I have heard in a long time!

Seems that you are a pro on that !
And could you plz tell us how to mock up my banking account ? so that my girl friend won't even find out that I spent the bucks. You know, sometimes women can get tough