Anyone gone back to using Dynamics from STAX? - Page 3

i've heard all the stats setups and prefer dynamics. a BHSE/O2 would be my choice though if i were to go that route and had funds. other than that setup, i think dynamics win.

Now I wonder if things would be different we if had more choice of amps for 'stats. I've heard a few rumors...

A better choice of amps would improve the situation.

The problem is that demand isn't that great. It doesn't make financial sense because the market is so small. But if a startup started making good amps at a fair price, that might change.

Thiugh even finding an electrostatic jack isn't easy today. I think Woo sells some, but I don't know of a good source for them.

If anyone knows of a good source for electrostatic jacks, I (and a few others) would be interested.

Uhhh... possibly... because they are...

 

 

I gave mine away..................

Ooook then. Just keep believin' I guess.

Stats will never get that popular, and I don't think the amp situation is to blame.  There are a number of amps that work just fine and the transformer boxes are dirt cheap (even if you don't have a receiver you can get something vintage or a T amp for very cheap).  The issue is that people are lazy and don't want to do thier research.  Pro bias/normal bias, different jacks from dynamic HPs, energizers/transformers, etc.  It can be confusing and requires you read a bit before you understand.  That rules out 90% of the people that come here though.  It also doesn't help that there really aren't 3rd party HP cables for stats so people can't play dress up with them.

 

I've tried pretty much every major/high end electrostat and dynamic and the stats are easily better.  There are a couple very nice dynamics like the R10 and Qualia though.  I had a few dynamics my first 2 or so years in the hobby before finally getting my first stat.  I ended up using the dynamics no more than a couple hours in the next year before selling them off.  Even now I still find myself grabbing stats every single time in my system.  The K1000 and LCD2 are both gone as they simply weren't good enough to get use.  Once you use stats exclusively for a few weeks you start to notice just how much more clarity/detail/transparancy they offer over dynamics.  You'll see some of the Stax veterans reference a 'residual grain' when talking about dynamics and it's true.  I didn't hear it until I started using stats exclusively for a while.  It's very distracting.  I also love the driver transparency of stats - the sound "comes out of nowhere".  I don't want to hear what is obviously a driver right next to my ear when I'm trying to listen to music.  I want to be immersed, not distracted.

 

I'm going to disagree there. There is simply a severe lack of energizer options in the sub-$500 range that offer a better performance than the SRM-323 that would make anyone in the market looking to get into a stats setup think twice. And now that KGSS is discontinued, you're pretty much stuck with the BHSE if you want a truly hi-end energizer which happens to be priced out of reach from 95% of the market. 

 

And let's not kid ourselves, those transformer boxes are not the true solution to driving a stats. With a Lambda, even the measly SRM-1/MK2 already sounds better than an SRD-7 Pro driven with a Gainclone (a speaker amp). 

 

Basically Stax will never prosper so long they don't appeal to the mass market, as simple as that. 

 

With my SRM-323S for my OII, I can't seem to reach for them.  I'm sure things will change with better amp.  The 323S + OII is quite great combo but my old HD800 w/ APS V3 balanced out my Gilmore Ref Balanced (GS-X) sounds slightly better.  Currently, my Omega 2 setup doesn't stand a chance against my Qualia & R10 out of my Gilmore.  This may be the case of preference as well.

 

To continue the accessibility line of discussion, what was the general consensus on the WEE?  I read a few superlative reviews early on, but then I ran across n3rdling throwing water on the parade shortly afterwards.  Is there something about the WEE's design which will introduce unwanted elements into the sound?

I’ve tried to get into Stax several times. I always enjoy listening to them for their technical ability. For a certain amount of time I enjoy the speed and detail, but my enjoyment starts to die out after a certain amount of time. 

 

I always enjoy going back to dynamics. They are so much more engaging long term for me. That goes for all stats, headphones and speakers. I don’t know if it’s the amount of air that dynamics move compared to stats or what, but I have never really been able to stay interested in stats after the initial “wow” period.

I think it would probably be fine with the SR-507 and below, but if you combine the cost of the WEE with an amp of at least a few hundred dollars, you're not really saving anything over a SRM-323S which is likely to sound better.

 

 

When talking accessability of getting into stats, I don't look at BHSE/KGSS or any of the other pricey amps as it is rare to find somebody who goes from nothing to jumping all in like that.  I am talking transformers/used market vintage amps/current production lower end amps/DIY.  You can get a SRD5 or 6 for $20-50 (about the cost of a cmoy), SRM1 goes for between $150-450 depending on version and market, SRD7 for $150-250 for the pro bias version, and there are a number of current or last gen amps that can be had for a couple hundred dollars, etc.  

 

I never said the transformer boxes were the end all be all solution but they do get the job done for their price range.  It's another option.  I'm not even a big transformer solution proponent but they certainly have their fans.  I also wouldn't call the SRM1mk2 "measly" as it is quite a good amp and popular in the used market for good reason.  It's also about double the price of a pro bias SRD7 so I'm not sure why you bring up the comparison.  I don't think you're taking into account the fact there are a limited number of Stax headphones...do you expect them to make a hundred different amps for a dozen HPs?

 

As for prospering, I guess it depends on your definition.  They are definitely a niche within a niche, but it seems like they are doing pretty well.  Speaker guys know of Stax as the high end headphones, the company has been around for decades (to be fair they did go bankrupt at one point), and they're definitely not some garage based company so I'm not sure where you're coming from.

 

I'm in the energizer > transformer camp.  I've heard the transformer setups with a number of different speaker amps driving them, low to high end, and the energizers sound better to me.  I recommend the transformer setups for people on a budget generally.  I believe spritzer has tried using some pretty expensive transformers (Lundahl) and said they still couldn't match a good energizer in performance.

 

Energizers rule!

Gimme a beefy supercharged KGSSHV over a buzzy lil transformer box any old day.

If I had lotzo samolians hiding out in my back pocket, I'd be sportin a toober like mister n3rdling.