Pick a Stax: 2050, 3050, 4040???

[orkney]

Hi,

I've read what I can in the Stax thread-novel, but looking to buy me some Stax and wondering which of these models to go for. I'm after the best combo of SQ and comfort across a wide range of musical genres from jazz to classical to folk to old-skool punk. I'd love to buy a set here but suspect it will have to be new given the absence of Stax from the FS forums. Source is a Rega Saturn via ludicrously expensive Chord Signatures.

Any help greatly appreciated and best,

o

 

[spritzer]

All of the new Lambdas have a similar sound signature and it's really the amps that matter. The 404 is better then the 303 and it is in turn better then the 202 but the amps are really the problem. The Stax amps all sound great but they are built at a pretty steep price point and that shows. The 006tII is the best of the bunch but any of the after market amps will beat it and even the old SRM-T1.

Comfort isn't an issue since the Lambdas are amongst the most comfortable headphones ever made. Stax has always thought about the comfort issue and comparing a 1968 model to something Koss made is heaven and hell. I do prefer the looser fit of the older, pre 1994, Lambdas but it's not that big of a deal.

The headphones are suitable for all types of music but some of the amps are less capable with the more demanding stuff.

 

[krrm]

The 2050 is quite cheap from pricejapan, and the 252 uses a wallwart for dc power so it is easy to replace with one with the right ac voltage.

Comfortwise the 202 is not as good as DT880 imo.

 

[orkney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif All of the new Lambdas have a similar sound signature and it's really the amps that matter. The 404 is better then the 303 and it is in turn better then the 202 but the amps are really the problem. The Stax amps all sound great but they are built at a pretty steep price point and that shows. The 006tII is the best of the bunch but any of the after market amps will beat it and even the old SRM-T1.

Thanks for the detailed reply, Spritzer. Is there an aftermarket amp for these Stax that is relatively affordable? The ones I most often see recommended are all way over my budget at the mo.

thanks and best,


o

 

[Duggeh]

AFAIK the SR-202 headphone is not available without an amp as well.

Ive owned the 2020 system and my dad still has one. Bought used in the UK the going rate is about the same price as a new HD650 and its a stonking set for the price. Spritzer is right about the amps though and the SR-202 does better from the SRM-717 than the SRM-212.

I haven't heard the 3030 or 4040 systems personally. The SR-303 and SR-404 use the same drivers, which are different from the SR-202 drivers and the difference between them is the cable, which is the Omega 2 cable on the SR-404. Also the 404 is a different colour.

The Rega Saturn is a superb CD Player, a source worthy of the Omega 2 as well as the Lambdas. I think that you would be well pleased by any of them but if you can afford it, then I would go for the 404.

 

[orkney]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif AFAIK the SR-202 headphone is not available without an amp as well. Ive owned the 2020 system and my dad still has one. Bought used in the UK the going rate is about the same price as a new HD650 and its a stonking set for the price. Spritzer is right about the amps though and the SR-202 does better from the SRM-717 than the SRM-212. I haven't heard the 3030 or 4040 systems personally. The SR-303 and SR-404 use the same drivers, which are different from the SR-202 drivers and the difference between them is the cable, which is the Omega 2 cable on the SR-404. Also the 404 is a different colour. The Rega Saturn is a superb CD Player, a source worthy of the Omega 2 as well as the Lambdas. I think that you would be well pleased by any of them but if you can afford it, then I would go for the 404.

Thanks, Duggeh. I'm not sure I can spring for the 404 but I'll keep looking for a used set and if one doesn't turn up, the 2050 might fit the bill. I appreciate your reply and look forward to joining Club Stax soon!

best,

o

 

[Bootleg]

I just ordered the 3050II system from TTVJ based mainly upon this review that basically says "save your money, get the 303's instead of the 404's"

http://www.sixmoons.com/audioreviews/stax/stax.html

When they arrive, they will be the first electrostats I have ever heard, but at least you can see how I came to my decision.

 

[edstrelow]

A few tweaks on these systems will Help. I suggets a better power cord,
Sorbethan footers and Silclear contact enhancer. the latter gives a big push to th eoomph of these phones, while reducing the harshness of the lambda sound.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by orkney /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the detailed reply, Spritzer. Is there an aftermarket amp for these Stax that is relatively affordable? The ones I most often see recommended are all way over my budget at the mo. thanks and best, o

They are all well over 1k$ but if you are handy with a soldering iron you can build one easily for much less. You can also use the SRD-7 line of adapters and hook the phones up to a power amp for increased dynamics at the expense of the last level of detail.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif They are all well over 1k$ but if you are handy with a soldering iron you can build one easily for much less. You can also use the SRD-7 line of adapters and hook the phones up to a power amp for increased dynamics at the expense of the last level of detail.

...not to mention saving a stack of cash which can then be turned back to the headphones themselves, or perhaps to the requisite single malt scotch of the electrostat lover. Of course a proper power amp is key if one goes that route, but it sounds like this won't be a problem in the present case.

 

[plaidplatypus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif All of the new Lambdas have a similar sound signature and it's really the amps that matter. The 404 is better then the 303 and it is in turn better then the 202 but the amps are really the problem. The Stax amps all sound great but they are built at a pretty steep price point and that shows. The 006tII is the best of the bunch but any of the after market amps will beat it and even the old SRM-T1. Comfort isn't an issue since the Lambdas are amongst the most comfortable headphones ever made. Stax has always thought about the comfort issue and comparing a 1968 model to something Koss made is heaven and hell. I do prefer the looser fit of the older, pre 1994, Lambdas but it's not that big of a deal. The headphones are suitable for all types of music but some of the amps are less capable with the more demanding stuff.

Mabey I've snorted too much Single Power magic pixie dust but
I thought the 007t sounded much better than the 006t.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega /img/forum/go_quote.gif ...not to mention saving a stack of cash which can then be turned back to the headphones themselves, or perhaps to the requisite single malt scotch of the electrostat lover. Of course a proper power amp is key if one goes that route, but it sounds like this won't be a problem in the present case.

A good poweramp is a necessity but electrostats have the extraordinary ability to sound good with almost anything while still being extremely transparent. I'm using an Audio Analogue Puccini into a SRD-7 Mk2 right now with SR-Ω and it sounds great. The materials for the DIY interconnects I'm using costs more then the amp/adapter...

Quote:

Originally Posted by plaidplatypus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Mabey I've snorted too much Single Power magic pixie dust but I thought the 007t sounded much better than the 006t.

The 007t is better but I prefer my T1 to both of them but thats just me.

 

[Bootleg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edstrelow /img/forum/go_quote.gif A few tweaks on these systems will Help. I suggets a better power cord, Sorbethan footers and Silclear contact enhancer. the latter gives a big push to th eoomph of these phones, while reducing the harshness of the lambda sound.

Which power cord do you suggest?

 

[orkney]

Thanks, all. Well, I've got a couple of good power amps, so perhaps I'll go the adaptor route. Is there a source for these and (forgive my ignorance) is their output controlled by the preamp in the chain? I'll do some searching on this...

best,

o

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by orkney /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks, all. Well, I've got a couple of good power amps, so perhaps I'll go the adaptor route. Is there a source for these and (forgive my ignorance) is their output controlled by the preamp in the chain? I'll do some searching on this... best, o

The Stax models are only available on the used market but there is one 3. party model currently sold in Japan, Illusion ESG-1001. Search the forums for more information.

They hook up to an amp just like they were speakers and the volume is controlled just like they were speakers. You can connect speakers to the adapter and there is a switch for either earspeaker or speaker output.