catscratch
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2004
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Quote:
Electrostats use an electric field to drive a thin membrane. The membrane is charged to a very high voltage and is placed between the plates of a capacitor. There is no voice coil, unlike dynamics, and electrostatics are a push-pull system by definition, while dynamics need to be driven in balanced mode for push-pull operation. They have (usually) faster transient response and more detail, but they also have less bass impact as they can't physically move as much air.
A quick and dirty guide to headphones here:
http://headwize.com/articles/hguide_art.htm
Audiocubes ( www.audiocubes.com ) sells the headphone for $449, but it needs a dedicated electrostatic amplifier. In terms of sound signature, it really needs tubes, so the SRS-4040 system, which AC sells for $1,349 is very much recommended. Yes, it's expensive, but you'll catapult yourself to the near-top of the headphone pile in a hurry. If you don't want to go with the SRM-006ta, you can try the McAlister EA-1 amp. I'm not sure how much Peter McAlister charges for one nowadays since he's updating the design, but this is a very good sounding amp for the money. But, build times on these units are very, very long, since they're all custom-made to your specifications. So, if you're in a hurry, you should go for the Stax amp.
US retailers will sell the system for $200 more. But, you'll get a full warranty for 2 years, and the unit will be pre-set for 110V, as opposed to audiocubes-purchased units, which are Japanese shelf varieties preset to 100V. AC has no warranty coverage, but I think you get a limited warranty from Stax, though you'll have to double-check with AC on that account.
A cheaper alternative, and perhaps better sounding, is the SR-Lambda Pro/SRM-1 Mk II combo. This is a vintage combo and you'll have to ebay it, but it is quite wonderful in it's own right.
Stax headphones need the best of sources to sound good, as they're ultra-revealing. For relatively inexpensive sources, I would suggest a warm sounding, full and PRaT-oriented CD player. Perhaps a Rega Apollo, or something from Linn will be what you need. Also the Apogee Mini-DAC is a very warm unit that will sound great with these headphones. As with any ultra-revealing system, the higher up you go the better the results will be. Just stay away from bright sources with the SR-404.
It's a big investment. But worth it!
Going vintage will give you the best bang for the buck, though.
Originally Posted by davidhw OK, I've googled this Stax SR-404 headphone, and I must say I've not seen anything like it before. Electrostatic? Hmmm. I'm not up on my technical knowledge. (I should just google "electrostatic". I do know a 1.35 micron diaphragm sounds like an expensive heartbreak waiting to happen should an errant finger press too hard. I'll do some searches here at Head-Fi for more information on the Stax SR-404. What does it normally go for pricewise in the U.S.? |
Electrostats use an electric field to drive a thin membrane. The membrane is charged to a very high voltage and is placed between the plates of a capacitor. There is no voice coil, unlike dynamics, and electrostatics are a push-pull system by definition, while dynamics need to be driven in balanced mode for push-pull operation. They have (usually) faster transient response and more detail, but they also have less bass impact as they can't physically move as much air.
A quick and dirty guide to headphones here:
http://headwize.com/articles/hguide_art.htm
Audiocubes ( www.audiocubes.com ) sells the headphone for $449, but it needs a dedicated electrostatic amplifier. In terms of sound signature, it really needs tubes, so the SRS-4040 system, which AC sells for $1,349 is very much recommended. Yes, it's expensive, but you'll catapult yourself to the near-top of the headphone pile in a hurry. If you don't want to go with the SRM-006ta, you can try the McAlister EA-1 amp. I'm not sure how much Peter McAlister charges for one nowadays since he's updating the design, but this is a very good sounding amp for the money. But, build times on these units are very, very long, since they're all custom-made to your specifications. So, if you're in a hurry, you should go for the Stax amp.
US retailers will sell the system for $200 more. But, you'll get a full warranty for 2 years, and the unit will be pre-set for 110V, as opposed to audiocubes-purchased units, which are Japanese shelf varieties preset to 100V. AC has no warranty coverage, but I think you get a limited warranty from Stax, though you'll have to double-check with AC on that account.
A cheaper alternative, and perhaps better sounding, is the SR-Lambda Pro/SRM-1 Mk II combo. This is a vintage combo and you'll have to ebay it, but it is quite wonderful in it's own right.
Stax headphones need the best of sources to sound good, as they're ultra-revealing. For relatively inexpensive sources, I would suggest a warm sounding, full and PRaT-oriented CD player. Perhaps a Rega Apollo, or something from Linn will be what you need. Also the Apogee Mini-DAC is a very warm unit that will sound great with these headphones. As with any ultra-revealing system, the higher up you go the better the results will be. Just stay away from bright sources with the SR-404.
It's a big investment. But worth it!