Electrostats : How to start?

[grawk]

The starting point for stats is higher than dynamics, but full system cost can be significantly lower than comparable dynamics. Of course, once you start on the electrostat path, you invariably end up with O2s and a blue hawaii...

I like my koss ESP950 w/ the included energizer (cost $350 on ebay, typically $350-450 used, includes koss' no questions asked lifetime warranty) more than any headphone/amp combo I've found in that price range. Add a stax cable ($80 + 20 minutes of soldering) and an SRM1/mk2 ($250, used), and I was in love. Enough in love that I sold my insane balanced M3 to buy a blue hawaii.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foe-hammer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The one thing that has struck me about stax, is how uncomfortable their ear pads look. Am i right?

Don't bother with how they look. What matters is how they feel on the head.

The Lambda's and SR-007's are über comfortable. The same can't be said about the S-001mk2 and SR-X/MK3 (Pro) though, imo. So it all depends which Stax you think about

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif I like my koss ESP950 w/ the included energizer (cost $350 on ebay, typically $350-450 used, includes koss' no questions asked lifetime warranty) more than any headphone/amp combo I've found in that price range. Add a stax cable ($80 + 20 minutes of soldering) and an SRM1/mk2 ($250, used), and I was in love. Enough in love that I sold my insane balanced M3 to buy a blue hawaii.

650$ ?

 

[grawk]

What are you asking?

 

[Lil' Knight]

Where can you get the ESP950 @350$ on ebay?

 

[dcpoor]

must've been a few years ago. i haven't seen prices <$450 in over a year.

a srm-1/mk2 with both normal and pro plug usually goes for $300+ these days too.

 

[grawk]

You put in a saved search, and wait. I've done it twice, and i've even had friends get them for under $200. It just takes a little patience.

I bought my 2nd pair in the last 4 months on ebay for sub $400, and I missed out on another auction that also went for under $400.

 

[Lil' Knight]

So I misunderstood you. I thought you were talking about new ones on ebay.

 

[grawk]

I mentioned used in my post...the koss warranty is such you don't need to worry about buying used.

 

[ericj]

Yeah, koss will pretty much fix it for cost of return shipping. Just don't forget to send both the heaphones and the amp.

 

[grawk]

I just got a set of SR-X/mk3 and an SRD7 with the box for $245 from ebay. I have high hopes for this combination...

 

[dcpoor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif You put in a saved search, and wait. I've done it twice, and i've even had friends get them for under $200. It just takes a little patience. I bought my 2nd pair in the last 4 months on ebay for sub $400, and I missed out on another auction that also went for under $400.

under 200? wow, that's an insane deal.

i guess i should keep a closer eye on esp950 auctions.

 

[grawk]

The super cheap ones were on craigslist, not ebay.

 

[dcpoor]

ah, ok. thanks.

 

[ericj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grawk /img/forum/go_quote.gif The super cheap ones were on craigslist, not ebay.

Yeah, that's where i got the $150 ESP/950.