Orthodynamic Roundup

[cetoole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would just take a 1mm drill or slightly larger and insert some make shift metal pin through the plastic fork and some scrap plastic over it to get the desired thickness. That particular ESP/950 (used to mine) uses the standard PC-OCC cable and not the wide one used on the SR-404. The more expensive cable would be a pain to thread into the Koss housing but it can be done. Don't worry about the slightly higher bias as it has no ill effect on Stax phones. To get the socket there is only one way, cut up a Koss extension plug.

I have plans for doing something like that, the repair should be pretty easy. JB Weld may be involved.

I dont think this ESP/950 was yours, and neither does the guy I got it from. You are right though, the wide PC-OCC cable on my SR-404 is much beefier than the Koss cable, but it could be done, since the Koss strain relief is pretty large. Dont think I will at this point though, but maybe something, someday.

No way to get a panel or pcb mount Koss socket? Ah well, my ESP/950 came with a Koss-Stax pro adapter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif ESP950 has more bass impact and a different more forward presentation with smaller fairly accurate soundstage. But Lambda Nove Signature (LNS), for example, has better soundstage positioning and ambient ques than Koss. Each of them has a strength. Ultimately, after several month I realized that I prefer LNS to ESP950 and SR-303. My stat ranking, based purely on memory and enjoyment, for the stats that I had, have now or listened to expansively would be as follows: Stax SR-007 Stax SR-LNS / Stax SR-Sigma Koss ESP-950 Stax SR-303 / Stax SR-Lambda MB Peerless PMB500 Stax SR-001 Stax SR-Gamma Magnavox 1A9217 Stax SR-X/Mk3

Heck, these actually can do soundstage, and I most of my music doesnt have much of one, so it isnt too critical in my mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mypasswordis /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh, nice, I didn't know the problem was so minor on the arc assembly. Definitely don't bother getting a new one, then. I wonder indeed how much a recable makes a difference, since the Koss cable doesn't look that bad. Depending on where you live in Maryland, you could borrow my SRM-1/MkII and reterminate the Koss extension cable with a Stax jack if you want to use the ESP950. Thanks for the rankings, Faust. I'm going to stick with either my normal bias or pro bias Lambda since LNS is too hard to find and I doubt I would find enough difference between Lambda frames to justify having both.

Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised. I had been thinking one of the arms was completely broken off, or worse. The Koss cable doesnt look too bad, but since the impedance of these drivers is so high, even a little bit of capacitance to ground at the input can cause quite a lot of treble loss. 100pf cable into 100kohm puts you 3dB down at ~16khz.

I live in western HoCo, and work/go to school in Catonsville (UMBC).

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cetoole /img/forum/go_quote.gif I dont think this ESP/950 was yours, and neither does the guy I got it from. You are right though, the wide PC-OCC cable on my SR-404 is much beefier than the Koss cable, but it could be done, since the Koss strain relief is pretty large. Dont think I will at this point though, but maybe something, someday.

The one Larry has is my old set, the one with the PC-OCC cable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cetoole /img/forum/go_quote.gif No way to get a panel or pcb mount Koss socket? Ah well, my ESP/950 came with a Koss-Stax pro adapter.

This is a propitiatory connector so none are available.

 

[cetoole]

Ah, ok, that makes more sense. At least I have the Stax adapter, so I can use the WPI connectors, unless there is something nicer available for that. Amphenol maybe?

 

[mypasswordis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cetoole /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised. I had been thinking one of the arms was completely broken off, or worse. The Koss cable doesnt look too bad, but since the impedance of these drivers is so high, even a little bit of capacitance to ground at the input can cause quite a lot of treble loss. 100pf cable into 100kohm puts you 3dB down at ~16khz. I live in western HoCo, and work/go to school in Catonsville (UMBC).

That does make quite a bit of difference... I may have to redo my SR-Lambda cable eventually. I live in MoCo and go to school in UMCP so we can probably arrange something.

 

[cetoole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mypasswordis /img/forum/go_quote.gif That does make quite a bit of difference... I may have to redo my SR-Lambda cable eventually. I live in MoCo and go to school in UMCP so we can probably arrange something.

I was there for a year. About 40ish minutes away from both home and school now. There is a pretty strong headfi contingent in this area. Definitely nice to be on break, though I still come in at least 3 days a week since I work in the library.

 

[mypasswordis]

It is nice to be on break, although I prefer it not to be so long. Good choice working through it. I'm actually preparing to transfer from CP as well... not to UMBC, though.

There might be a meet somewhere in northern Virginia soon, we could try meeting up then and you can take the amp home with you. Otherwise you are welcome to drop by my house or my dorm room whenever, depending on where I am. I guess we should take this up through PM.

Edit: Why do I keep ending up on the first post of every page?

Edit: I fail at forming coherent thoughts.

 

[ericj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cetoole /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ah, ok, that makes more sense. At least I have the Stax adapter, so I can use the WPI connectors, unless there is something nicer available for that. Amphenol maybe?

Funny you should ask. Those connectors are manufactured on tooling that WPI purchased from Amphenol. After Amphenol decided they didn't want to make them anymore.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust2D /img/forum/go_quote.gif ESP950 has more bass impact and a different more forward presentation with smaller fairly accurate soundstage. But Lambda Nove Signature (LNS), for example, has better soundstage positioning and ambient ques than Koss. Each of them has a strength. Ultimately, after several month I realized that I prefer LNS to ESP950 and SR-303. My stat ranking, based purely on memory and enjoyment, for the stats that I had, have now or listened to expansively would be as follows: Stax SR-007 Stax SR-LNS / Stax SR-Sigma Koss ESP-950 Stax SR-303 / Stax SR-Lambda MB Peerless PMB500 Stax SR-001 Stax SR-Gamma Magnavox 1A9217 Stax SR-X/Mk3

My issue with the SR-Lambda Signature was that it had more upper mids etch than my SR-Lambda, and the soundstage seemed more diffuse to me so that instruments in space/place were more of a big blob than clearly defined like with my APS modded ESP950. The SR-Lambda were so close to the Sigs that it didn't make sense to keep both when I needed cash.

Staying on topic, I think my stock Yammy HP-1 while darker than most of my stats have better bass impact and I am a basshead, so I never modded them. The only stats that seem to come close are the ECR500 and O2 Mk2.

 

[ericj]

Hey, here's a stupid idea that nobody will ever test.

That doesn't even belong in this thread.

I've heard a lot that suggests that upper-midrange and treble etch in the big 'stats (lambdas, etc) is often due to reflections from the frame - and easily cured by adding a thin layer of mineral wool as in the old lambda and the esp950.

But some people don't like what that damping does aside from reducing the etch.

Ever go to the county fair or auto show and see those companies that offer to put a velour coating on any of the plastic or vinyl interior parts of your car?

 

[smeggy]

You can also use flocking.
You buy a bag of felt crumbles, spray glue to the frame and dust it. Wait until it dries and brush off the excess.

Carroll's Woodcraft Supplies - CWS Store - Flocking Powder

 

[ericj]

Yeah, the problem is it would get built up between the bars on a lambda frame.

 

[smeggy]

You could always use a mini foam roller to apply the glue..

 

[mypasswordis]

"Oy, mate, I think my Lambda has been sitting out too long. I think there's some funky fuzz growing on it."

Yay for modding. I personally would just stick with thin mineral wool, if that's what's making the older normal Lambda sound good.

 

[Faust2D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif My issue with the SR-Lambda Signature was that it had more upper mids etch than my SR-Lambda, and the soundstage seemed more diffuse to me so that instruments in space/place were more of a big blob than clearly defined like with my APS modded ESP950. The SR-Lambda were so close to the Sigs that it didn't make sense to keep both when I needed cash. Staying on topic, I think my stock Yammy HP-1 while darker than most of my stats have better bass impact and I am a basshead, so I never modded them. The only stats that seem to come close are the ECR500 and O2 Mk2.

Well I did not really like Lambda Signatures, but I do like Lambda Nova Signatures. Different headphones more so than Lambda Pro, Sign and Lambda with normal bias.

 

[wualta]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cetoole Walt may excommunicate me with a Papal cow for this, but these far and away blow all my orthos out of the water.

Well, no wonder, if you've been keeping your orthos stored at a marina.

[SFX: splash, as of something being blown out of some sort of water]

For a long time now I've strongly advocated that serious orthoists own at least one set of good 'stats, and the 950 is a favorite because it's available used in good shape (the dirty secret of high-end headphones is, people buy 'em and then never wear the damn things. Evil chuckle!) for less than you'd pay for the basic Stax 202 setup. And I think it sounds more accurate than the Lambda variants. Which is not to say anything about enjoyment.

Which reminds me that I've got to persuade ericj to make me one of his patent Stax-A-Daptors so I can try the 950 on the SRM-1 and SRD-7 Pro. I intend to use real suede to do this.

I never saw a Papal Cow. I never hope to see one.
But I can tell you anyhow, I'd rather see than be one!

Papal bulls are way too ornery for this here Roundup. Sigh. More Catholic jokes (yes, I know) will undoubtedly follow. Sed libera nos a malo, baby.


Keep in mind that, as good a deal as it is, the 950 will cost you roughly ten times what you paid for your HP-1, 2, or 3, if you're at all careful with your buy impulses.

Now, at last, you know what your HP-3 needs, so see, it was worth it!

You'll probably find things in the Lambda family to like, too, for example the ecstatic (heh) openness of the later models like your 404. The price paid for that is, of course, slightly less diaphragm and backwave reflection control. They're all great headphones and the aficionado should own both, if it's within the budget. I like my 950 and I also like my 303 (when I turn up the bass).



Quote:

Originally Posted by DefectiveAudioComponent /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...the talk about [the HOK] lacking bass or being next to impossible to drive is dead wrong (unless you are a complete basshead or need exceptionally low bass). All my opinion, of course.

Heh heh, yes, that talk is completely wrong as long as you take the time and trouble to completely re-pad it, rewire it, redamp it and reseal it. What were those skeptics thinking? Seriously, it's a great DIY project, and though efficiency is lowest of the orthos, it's not a bad headphone, and it's stupid-cheap to buy; it's just not the one I'd suggest to begin the Grand Ortho Adventure with. You've done us all a great service by showing that by applying all we've learned, even the Littlest Ortho can become great, and we thank you.



Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton Just got my Fostex T10.. Kind of muffled sounding and zero sound stage.

Yup, typical underdamped iso/ortho sound, but better than most out of the box. And it has bass. Congrats on getting it in good shape, and with the brochure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scompton It came with a sales brochure for the T10, T20, and T30, which I'll scan tonight and post.

We're gonna hold you to that promise by stamping it with the Purple Seal of the Papal Cow. Hold still.

The current estimate for the beginning of the second line of Fostex models (T20v2, T40v1) is 1986, so the date of the brochure makes sense. Interesting about the dropping of the T50 before '86.



Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict I do think my HD600 balanced out of Single Power Square Wave XL (2008 with Blackgates) is pretty darn close to many of my stats, which is an even bigger sin to commit than yours.

Nah, not really. Sure an' if it's a lace-curtain thousand-dollar amp ye be wantin' ta make yer Sennheezers sound almost decent... well, nuff said.



Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is a propitiatory connector...

Since this post seems to be haunted by stage-Irish priests and other hobgoblins of a [failed] Catholic upbringing, "propitiatory", probably the output of a dyspeptic spellcheck, may turn out to be the right word after all.



Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif Staying on topic, I think my stock Yammy HP-1 while darker than most of my stats have better bass impact and I am a basshead, so I never modded them. The only stats that seem to come close are the ECR500 and O2 Mk2.

Interesting, one, that you never modded the HP-1 but like it regardless, and two, that you mention the ECR as being worthy of sitting in the same cattle car as the O2-- basswise, at least. As I said in another forum far far away, the HP/YH-1 is a very persuasive headphone-- many people liked it the way it was. And the ECR will never get the respect it deserves because of its low-born electret parentage, but it performs just the same.

Hey, with the arrival of the 950 and T10 and good things said about the ECR and HOK, this may be the Best Day Evar here on This Old Thread.