KOSS ESP-950 Thread - Page 65

Do It, you know you want to...

Yeah, a Stax SRM-1 Mk2 would be a perfect fit.  It's also easy enough to modify the bias supply to give out a bit more juice as the ESP950 does like that. 

Hi guys - 

 

I wanted to share my listening experience today and ask opinions.

 

I auditioned the Sennheiser HD-650, 700 and 800 via a Musical Fidelity headphone amp and also the Bryston BHA-1.  I hated the 650 but the 700 and 800 were ok although they didn't engage me emotionally.

 

The store also had two Stax models - the 202/SRM 252II amp and the 007 MarkII/SRM 007ts.   

 

Well - my favourite turned out to be the 202 - it was the only combo that actually made me tap my feet and sent shivers down my spine.  On occasion however, and bearing in mond that I was listening to CDs rather than vinyl (my usual source), it was a little bright.  

 

I gather from this forum that the 950 is generally consider smoother than the Stax range and with a little more bass but has anyone auditioned the 202/252 against the 950/E-90?  

 

I can get both new for the same price.

 

Opinions appreciated!

I dunno about the 202, but I was a big fan of the 407 with the 252s. Liked it a bit more than the 950, bit it is indeed on the bright side. The 950 is indeed a neutral and slightly smooth sounding can. If the 202 is anything like the 407, then yes, the 950 will be better if you prefer a slightly laid back presentation.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 5/4/13 at 10:58pm

I've never tried the 202+252 combo but do have the 202 and heard both, the 202 is a tad bit more brighter but the extension on the 202 is as effortless as the 950 itself.

 

I own the 202/252, the ESP950 and the 407 fed from a KGSSHV.

 

I prefer "bright", I prefer the 202/252 combo.

The thing you said about "tap my feet and shivers down the spine" rings so true. (for me at least)

I have A-B'ed the 202 vs the 950 extensively many times. The Stax 202 wins every time.

My 950/E-90 sits on the shelf most of the time. They are my backup stats. Lifetime warranty is good too!

 

 

Well - 

 

Thanks to all of you I am now the proud owner of a pair of the 950s!

 

First impressions after listening to a range of music types via an Arcam FMJ CD23 player are:

 

1. Boy oh boy - do they present detail well!  I am hearing things i've never heard before after coming from a pair of Sennheiser 565s.

 

2.  They are indeed very smooth and no matter what program material I threw at them they failed to get flustered and harsh

 

3.  Bass - really high quality and capable of going very deep indeed albeit without a lot of 'wallop'

 

4.  The speed with which instruments start and stop is amazing

 

5.  I got scared on a number of occasions as I was listening with my eyes closed and then heard a sound that was obviously on the CD but I thought it was in the house - will have to watch that!

 

All in all I am very pleased and am sure the sound will open up even further as they burn-in.

 

Hopefully they'll be ok with vinyl - my TT is currently out of commission but am hoping they won't pick up too much surface noise and make listening with vinyl unpleasant.  My TT sound through the speakers I have (quite revealing studio monitor 3-ways) is fairly smooth and not too much surface noise is apparent. 

 

Given my previous auditions, I am still intrigued though as to how I would find them vs the Stax 202s/207s.  

 

Has anyone tried them with the battery pack?