Thanks for you suggestions astrostar. I always put a towel over them to cover the dust. I haven't measured the amp for offset, that's always a good idea to do with older equipment. I am 99% sure this is a ground loop issue on my end. My DAC (AMB y2) can be powered by USB, but I also had the...

OK, this was not a headphone or amp problem. It was simply a ground loop issue and that buzz in the right channel was the classic 60hz hum. The weird squeal sound, I don't know what that was about. My DAC uses USB and occasionally it glitches out due to poor software/drivers, so that was...

By reset, I meant unplug everything and turn the amp on/off. Stax 727 w/ resistor mod by Spritzer. Nope, I just have the amp and the 009. It could be amp related.

The crackling was a high pitch, like if you have a piece of rubber or leather and scrape something on it. It didnt sound pretty. I reset the amp and it hasn't done it again. Now, it buzzes (not crackles) for 20seconds when turned off or unplugged (sounds like if you have a guitar amp...

I just get the Stax fart, not a buzz when I do that. Unfortunately, I don't have another amp to try. Is this anything to be concerned about? Or just a rare Stax quirk?

Weird phenomenon with my 009. Was just listening to music and my right channel started crackling. I reset the amp a couple times and it has gone away. But now every time I turn the amp off my right channel buzzes for ~20 seconds. If I unplug the headphone, the sound goes away when I touch the...

The only thing I can think of is that If you're using spdif/optical connection you may be experiencing jitter. I would try to use coaxial or usb input to your matrix DAC and see if that resolves your issue.

I've always enjoyed the Sennheiser HD800/S for classical. Very large soundstage to clearly place each instrument so things don't get mushed up. Timbre is a little off due to the elevated treble, but supposedly this is helped a bit with the S model. That's really the only complaint I have with...

W/ Stax SR-009 and KGSS. Dat bass... holy crap

I have an original Headamp KGSS with dual DACT stepped attenuators. I was wondering, what kind of stepped attenuator is compatible? The current ones have a bit of pop and crackle and I prefer to have more steps to adjust volume. I would like to swap in something like a 47 step Goldpoint but I...

Planning to attend

yeah i'm a weirdo

W/ Stax SR-009, SRM-323s.

1) 160,362 2) 164,599 3) 160,560 Thanks for the giveaway!

You should give them to me, because if I won it I would update my photoshopped avatar of Stax Lambdas on Jesus Christ and replace it with a SUSVARA.

I don't think it gets much better than the Stax SR-009 for people who are looking for the most detail and clarity. In my opinion they are more detailed and transparent than the LCD4, Utopia, and HD800. Also, they are cheaper than the LCD4 and Utopia if you get them used (low to mid $2000s)...

I think this pic from the manual should help. The mdr1a is 50ohms impedance while the k550s are 32ohm. The little dot amp is an OTL design, so it delivers more power at higher impedances. That's why the k550 sounds a little weak.

I agree with you, it looks like it's a shure mmcx cable. I would ask the seller for up close pics of the side opposite of the 3.5mm jack to confirm.

Red, and thanks for the giveaway! 

I would say the 009 is a little more forgiving. Just to clarify I'm talking about the original HD800. I haven't tried the S. The treble is more aggressive on the HD800 so I find that makes recording defects more obvious (background noise, hiss, clipping, etc). Also, a lot of modern music is...

I got my Utopias a couple hours ago. Really enjoying them.   My other headphone is a Stax SR-009. The Utopia has more mid bass and much more sub bass (The 009's sub bass is almost non-existent). Utopia's treble is more subdued and its soundstage is less wide. I'm finding the Utopias are better...

I will be PMing members of the SF bay area Headfi group to gain more interest. Then, I will open up a Google survey later this week to choose the best library location. After this is decided, a Doodle will be set up to decide the date and time.    Will post updates here. When everything is...

It has been almost three months since Spareribs has posted here. Really, the only reason why I visit this sub-forum (and headfi in general) is because of Spareribs. My friend and I used to read his posts every morning on the school computers before starting our film class.    Unfortunately, I...

I never thought about that. I looked at Sacramento Library page and they will allow us to rent a room, free of charge.   http://www.saclibrary.org/Services/Meeting-Rooms