scompton
Headphoneus Supremus
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I wouldn't call the SR-007 ugly either.
Finally went electrostatic... here's my setup+impressions. Stax SR-5 and SRD-6
- Thread starter LingLing1337
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I'm still amazed how good an SR-5NB can sound (and how much better than the normal white SR-5 it is). I've had two before, now one, and the one I sold with the cloth covered round cable still sounded as good as the one I have now with the flat ribbon cable.
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OH GOD I HAVE TO HAVE THE SR-5NB NOW.
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And a T1 too. The combo with the Decco as DAC would be awesome. You could actually call it a day with such a rig and stop there.
| Originally Posted by LingLing1337 /img/forum/go_quote.gif OH GOD I HAVE TO HAVE THE SR-5NB NOW. |
And a T1 too. The combo with the Decco as DAC would be awesome. You could actually call it a day with such a rig and stop there.
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What the Decco-->T1? Too bad I don't have a spare $999 laying around.
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What parts are upgraded in the SR5NB over the SR5? Or is it just a shiny version of the same thing?
mypasswordis
Member of the Trade: Corsonus
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Did you read HPA's post right above yours? The SR-5NB sounds better than the SR-5. It has better drivers, the same drivers used in the SR-X mk3 IIRC.
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Quote:
The drivers are thinner
| Originally Posted by n3rdling /img/forum/go_quote.gif What parts are upgraded in the SR5NB over the SR5? Or is it just a shiny version of the same thing? |
The drivers are thinner
spritzer
Member of the Trade: Mjölnir Audio
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The SR-5N has the same drivers as the SR-X Mk3 which is essentially just the old SR-5 driver with a 2um diaphragm, same stator assembly. The N was white but with gold anodized markings instead of the silver on the SR-5. The NB has black plastic and the same gold pieces.
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Cool. I'm talking to Shike about possibly replacing my drivers with the thinner mylar he found. It seems like a worthwhile endeavor. I'll keep you guys updated.
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What I hear as the difference in the SR-5NB is significantly better bass impact over the SR-5 (and SR-3), with a better balance between bass, mids and treble. Overall it's a more involving sound for me, and more realistic and fuller sounding than the normal SR-5 were (sold both normal SR-5 I've owned and my SR-3). The SR-5NB even gave my previous re-cabled RS-1 and RS-2 a run for the money.
In other comparisons - the SR-X Mk3 sounded very nice like the SR-5NB, with just a smaller soundstage than the SR-5NB but similarly good bass impact, rich mids and sparkly treble. I'd recommend that if you can't find the SR-5NB or SR-Lambda.
I actually liked the SR-5NB and SR-X Mk3 or SR-Lasmbda better than my stock Gamma Pro (owned two), but my woodied Gamma Pro with SR-007 earpads clearly tops the stock one. The woodied GP are still a bit brighter than the SR-5NB, SR-5, or SR-Lambda but still pretty good with a nicer soundstage and still good bass presence.
My old SR-3 sounded more like a fast/detailed FM radio due to rolled off treble and bass (although the mids were nice), and the SR-5 had more extended treble but still too little bass for me. There are definitely some good vintage Stax out there, if you know what to look for.
| Originally Posted by n3rdling /img/forum/go_quote.gif What parts are upgraded in the SR5NB over the SR5? Or is it just a shiny version of the same thing? |
Quote:
| Originally Posted by mypasswordis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you read HPA's post right above yours? The SR-5NB sounds better than the SR-5. It has better drivers, the same drivers used in the SR-X mk3 IIRC. |
Quote:
| Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif The SR-5N has the same drivers as the SR-X Mk3 which is essentially just the old SR-5 driver with a 2um diaphragm, same stator assembly. The N was white but with gold anodized markings instead of the silver on the SR-5. The NB has black plastic and the same gold pieces. |
What I hear as the difference in the SR-5NB is significantly better bass impact over the SR-5 (and SR-3), with a better balance between bass, mids and treble. Overall it's a more involving sound for me, and more realistic and fuller sounding than the normal SR-5 were (sold both normal SR-5 I've owned and my SR-3). The SR-5NB even gave my previous re-cabled RS-1 and RS-2 a run for the money.
In other comparisons - the SR-X Mk3 sounded very nice like the SR-5NB, with just a smaller soundstage than the SR-5NB but similarly good bass impact, rich mids and sparkly treble. I'd recommend that if you can't find the SR-5NB or SR-Lambda.
I actually liked the SR-5NB and SR-X Mk3 or SR-Lasmbda better than my stock Gamma Pro (owned two), but my woodied Gamma Pro with SR-007 earpads clearly tops the stock one. The woodied GP are still a bit brighter than the SR-5NB, SR-5, or SR-Lambda but still pretty good with a nicer soundstage and still good bass presence.
My old SR-3 sounded more like a fast/detailed FM radio due to rolled off treble and bass (although the mids were nice), and the SR-5 had more extended treble but still too little bass for me. There are definitely some good vintage Stax out there, if you know what to look for.
Silenced
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Don't the drivers on these cans deteriorate over time???
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Quote:
They can, but not always or even often.
| Originally Posted by Silenced /img/forum/go_quote.gif Don't the drivers on these cans deteriorate over time??? |
They can, but not always or even often.
john57
Headphoneus Supremus
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In my case I had problems with headband before the drivers. One thing I noticed that permanently charged electrostatic headphones that do not require a bias power supply can start to less their charge after 5 years. My SR5NBI I believe was made in 1983 is still going like new since I took it out of the factory box last month.
spritzer
Member of the Trade: Mjölnir Audio
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If left out of direct sunlight then the drivers will last for a long time. The oldest phones are 50 years old now and still going strong.
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Replacing the drivers with other Stax units or replacing the diaphragm from scratch? There is a lot more to the diaphragm then just stretched mylar on a metal ring and if you don't have the right tension, proper heat treating procedure from DuPont or the correct resistive coating (properly applied) then all you'll end up with is a lot of distortion.
Quote:
| Originally Posted by LingLing1337 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Cool. I'm talking to Shike about possibly replacing my drivers with the thinner mylar he found. It seems like a worthwhile endeavor. I'll keep you guys updated. |
Replacing the drivers with other Stax units or replacing the diaphragm from scratch? There is a lot more to the diaphragm then just stretched mylar on a metal ring and if you don't have the right tension, proper heat treating procedure from DuPont or the correct resistive coating (properly applied) then all you'll end up with is a lot of distortion.
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