Hi all, long-time lurker here. This forum has yet to steer me wrong, so I turn to it again, this time more directly.
I've tried a variety of different-sounding headphones, but I have yet to try planars and electrostats so those seem like the next logical steps. To give you an idea of my taste, the pair I currently use the most is the hd650, and I listen to a variety of genres (rock, electronica, classical piano, jazz). The headphones I least liked are the dt990.
My amp is the Heed Canamp.
Planar-wise, catching my eye is the Sash Deux ($350) thanks to Roderick's posts in this thread and this thread.
However, for similar or cheaper, I see some Stax on eBay such as the sr-5 / sr-44 / sr-84 / sr-307 / sr-L300.
Thoughts? I'm guessing planar/electrostat is apples/oranges, but maybe at least guide me on which electrostat to get if I go that route?
Also, no first post would be complete without some noob questions, so here goes
With electrostats, could I use my solid-state amp with the energizer, or would I need a special amp just for electrostats?
And help me understand "electrets". Some head-fiers said they lose their charge, others say that takes many lifetimes, but what I don't get is, the Stax electrets are used with energizers, which I thought was what distinguished regular electrostats from electrets? If an electret pair has an energizer, how can it lose its charge over the years?
Thanks in advance!
I've tried a variety of different-sounding headphones, but I have yet to try planars and electrostats so those seem like the next logical steps. To give you an idea of my taste, the pair I currently use the most is the hd650, and I listen to a variety of genres (rock, electronica, classical piano, jazz). The headphones I least liked are the dt990.
My amp is the Heed Canamp.
Planar-wise, catching my eye is the Sash Deux ($350) thanks to Roderick's posts in this thread and this thread.
However, for similar or cheaper, I see some Stax on eBay such as the sr-5 / sr-44 / sr-84 / sr-307 / sr-L300.
Thoughts? I'm guessing planar/electrostat is apples/oranges, but maybe at least guide me on which electrostat to get if I go that route?
Also, no first post would be complete without some noob questions, so here goes
With electrostats, could I use my solid-state amp with the energizer, or would I need a special amp just for electrostats?
And help me understand "electrets". Some head-fiers said they lose their charge, others say that takes many lifetimes, but what I don't get is, the Stax electrets are used with energizers, which I thought was what distinguished regular electrostats from electrets? If an electret pair has an energizer, how can it lose its charge over the years?
Thanks in advance!