eXStata DIY Electrostatic Amp for Intermediate DIYers

[TimJo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listen to the QUALITY of the notes, moreso than QUANTITY, which the he60 has more of both over the 404LE, and the debate is left up to the reader about he60 vs OII, ESPECIALLY on the eXStatA.

Well it sounds like we have similar tastes. I also tend to listen at lower levels, and one thing I'm liking about the eXStatA and stats is that the quality of the bass note has presence at lower listening levels. I'm listening to Jack Casady right now on an original RCA Victor pressing of Crown Of Creation and it sounds amazing. It's funny to because when I first began to use this amp I wasn't sure I was going to like rock on stats, but I see I've begun to change my mind.

I'm going to have to look into the he60's...

 

[Sathimas]

I am just about to order the new transformer and want to double check this time:

I hope these values are ok:

primary:
- 230V (I live in Germany)

secondary:
- 500VCT @69mA
- 6,3VAC @4A

50VA rating in total

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sathimas /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am just about to order the new transformer and want to double check this time: I hope these values are ok: primary: - 230V (I live in Germany) secondary: - 500VCT @69mA - 6,3VAC @4A 50VA rating in total

480VCT @ 65mA will be more than enough power with the 291V zener string. If you keep the 500VCT you will need a 300V (three 100V zeners) zener string.


Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That is one reason I settled on the he60 - I think it has better bass than the Stax - you will get virulent disagreement amongst the Mafia, who will fight to the death claiming the OII has better bass, but the issue is in how one defines bass. As a bass player (as it were), I listen to the QUALITY of the notes, moreso than QUANTITY, which the he60 has more of both over the 404LE, and the debate is left up to the reader about he60 vs OII, ESPECIALLY on the eXStatA. You will NOT be left for wanting bass on eXStatA, regardless of phones, though it is NOT a mushy below the bottom mess rattling your earpads, and, not for everyone - like guys bouncing their cars with megawatt subwoofers. My bias, my rig, my preference and all that. I do think the jury is out on eXStatA and the OII. Marc listened a bit, as did ASR, with their respective OII. Maybe they will post in the DFW meet impressions.

Man, Al, you're killing me. The HE60 is even more expensive than an O2 and double a 404LE. I'll be fortunate (and now highly motivated) to get a custom headband built for a member's HE60s drivers with a Stax cable and hopefully custom J$ HE90 pads if they get the design sorted out. May have to use Koss ESP/950 pads initially.

 

[pabbi1]

I hope the leather he60 pads happen, but, you are going to be a happy camper. Once I clean out all my riff-raff, I am looking for a 2nd set of he60, and thinking again about, well, you know. Maybe Wayne will loan me his to see if they are worth it.

Nick, did you get the rest of your he60?

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope the leather he60 pads happen, but, you are going to be a happy camper. Once I clean out all my riff-raff, I am looking for a 2nd set of he60, and thinking again about, well, you know. Maybe Wayne will loan me his to see if they are worth it. Nick, did you get the rest of your he60?

I'll only be a happy camper for the brief length of time I have them here for custom work, then they ship off to Japan...

 

[sergery]

Man, HE60 party! maybe I will come one of these days. I have a pair but I am waiting for ze Germans to send me the rest of the goods so I can them in working order. Occasionally I listen in mono and try and use my imagination, lol :'(

I talked with Senn btw, they said HE60 earpads are officially a thing of the past. I too hope J$ pads workout.

I still can't get over how smooth and lush this amp is!

 

[sergery]

crap, doublepost...

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sergery /img/forum/go_quote.gif Man, HE60 party! maybe I will come one of these days. I have a pair but I am waiting for ze Germans to send me the rest of the goods so I can them in working order. Occasionally I listen in mono and try and use my imagination, lol :'( I talked with Senn btw, they said HE60 earpads are officially a thing of the past. I too hope J$ pads workout. I still can't get over how smooth and lush this amp is!

The new pad situation sucks. The pads on my HE60 look new after 18 months, and I have one new spare set laying around here somewhere but haven't seen them in a while (hid them somewhere too safe). And then I'm on the list for a J$ earpads as well. If I knew supplies were getting low I would have bought another 1-2 sets.

 

[macm75]

Alex's directions state to just power up the transformer at initial power supply start up. I'm using an old stock 480VCT (tested no load) transformer but wish to be cautious. Is slow variac controlled start up OK for this supply?

 

[paxeaxe23]

OK! I'm ready to go. Boards arrived today. Albeit the SS boards. (I was expecting the Hybrid ones, so ordered from Mouser accordingly) so my nice new Tubes and Transformer will have to sit there until Alex orders some more, but its still going to be fun I hope!

Now, where did I put my Weller!

Francis

 

[pabbi1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by macm75 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alex's directions state to just power up the transformer at initial power supply start up. I'm using an old stock 480VCT (tested no load) transformer but wish to be cautious. Is slow variac controlled start up OK for this supply?

Can't see why not - it really should not matter - what value fuse are you using? I think 1a is sufficient, but make sure you have the resistor load on the psu before power up, or, you will be changing components.

 

[macm75]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can't see why not - it really should not matter - what value fuse are you using? I think 1a is sufficient, but make sure you have the resistor load on the psu before power up, or, you will be changing components.

Yikes. Thanks for the fuse reminder for the initial setup.

 

[TimJo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by macm75 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alex's directions state to just power up the transformer at initial power supply start up. I'm using an old stock 480VCT (tested no load) transformer but wish to be cautious. Is slow variac controlled start up OK for this supply?

That's a good question. I'm not sure with a shunt supply.

I'm not sure it is necessary though, if you follow Alex's startup instructions with the trimpots preset to the halfway position. The main thing is to be sure to have the load resistors connected when you do power up.

edit: I see pabbi and i posted at the same time.

 

[studeb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by macm75 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Alex's directions state to just power up the transformer at initial power supply start up. I'm using an old stock 480VCT (tested no load) transformer but wish to be cautious. Is slow variac controlled start up OK for this supply?

Just to add to everyone else
I used a 1A fuse
Make sure load resistors are correctly wired
Trim pots down
Plug in, watch for smoke. I had a hand ready to kill power.
start playing with trim pots

No variac needed. I think if there is an issue, it will smoke right away, and you will know right away,

 

[TimJo]

So how many folks out there are listening to the eXStatA at this point? I'm curious to hear more impressions from others.

I just can't get enough of mine. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like stats and rock, but now I have totally changed my mind. I've been listening to a lot of Pavement lately, and the tonality of the guitars, and the clean detail of the bass, continues to blow me away. Listening to the 4 LP reissue of Brighten The Corners right now and a tune like Type Slowly sounds better on this system than any other I have heard so far. It's a very lush sound, but with incredible detail. Sometimes this much detail has the tendency to sound too clinical to me, but on this setup it sounds very dreamlike and I just want the song to keep going. I guess that's it - I get drawn into the music, rather than feeling the need to dissect it or get sidetracked with the details. This is an amazing amp, and the 404LE's aren't bad either.

Thanks again Alex for gifting us this great amp!