Stax Omega II.

[FeetAsleep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic32 They are extremely fast, and not forward at all. They are very recording dependent and effortless in presentation. The o2 has the ability to extract a huge amount of detail, but present it in a manner that is never harsh. If you have the time to read Darth-nut's review here, give it a shot. The good news is at $1400 if you don't like them recover nearly your full investment back on the FS forums here. Good luck.

Thanks for the additional comments. $1525 is what PJ quote with insurance and shipping to Arizona. The problem is the amp is an extra expense and from what I've read the KGSS is a good match, but thats an additional $1500.

 

[FeetAsleep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSIMOVIL To sonic-32: The price you said is whitout the amplifier... Need you the Stax headamp? Or is this headamp more recommendable than others for the O2? With the amp is 3000 dollars... You have HD-650 and Stax Omega but I don´t know the quality of your model of CD (DAC1). Is so important the source? (I have an Opera Consonance and I don´t want change it). Are the bass so bad or so different with the O2? In the HD-650 are great...

I would read all the O2 reviews in the review forum, all of them are very well written, and give you more info on the treble. bass and midrange

 

[Tachikoma]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Stax-SR-007-Omeg...QQcmdZViewItem
item number: 7380618255

I am in no way associated to the seller, but this deal looks too good to pass/believe, judging by the payment methods accepted... a fraud perhaps?

 

[OSIMOVIL]

Thank you, FeetAsleep. I´d read them too but... I know less now.

I never think than my Consonance is not apropiated for the O2 but now... I don´t know.

I don´t understand sentences like "the sound is the better I never heard but the bass are very poor"... And I don´t know what I wanna do, buy it or not...

The offer in ebay is a surprise. But I think is very rare... ¿new?... and maybe the risk is high. Thank you, Tachicoma.

 

[FeetAsleep]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSIMOVIL Thank you, FeetAsleep. I´d read them too but... I know less now. I never think than my Consonance is not apropiated for the O2 but now... I don´t know. I don´t understand sentences like "the sound is the better I never heard but the bass are very poor"... And I don´t know what I wanna do, buy it or not... The offer in ebay is a surprise. But I think is very rare... ¿new?... and maybe the risk is high. Thank you, Tachicoma.

I understand what you mean. The full length reviews feature lots of audiophile terminology that you'll only fully understand with lots of experience, and thats who the omega 2 are aimed at. I can see it being even more difficult to decypher if English isn't your primary language.

I wouldn't trust that ebay auction since the description is copy and paste from the Stax website and only accepting money order/check means you can easily be scammed and not be covered. Also the seller offers no insurance; highly suspicious on such a high price item.

 

[Piotr Ryka]

Osimovil
I understand your problem. Stax is really great but first try to hear Grado RS-1 headphones. They also have deep bass, like HD-650, but they are far, far better in all aspects than HD-650. (I have both, RS-1 and HD-650, so I know what I say.) Yet, if You want to achieve the same level that Stax Omega have, You ought to buy in future Antique Sound Lab Twin-Head Mark III aplifier. Unfortunately it costs about 1700 USD. But maybe, Grado RS-1 with yours ASL will be sufficient for You? Just try. There is also Cayin HA-1A amplifier. It costs less than half ASL Twin-Head and creates fantastic sound. Another possibility before You buy Stax is try to recent AKG 701 headphones.
My "englisch" is worse than yours, never mind.

 

[OSIMOVIL]

Maybe I can try the RS-1 because here, in Madrid, are dealers of Grado, I think. I´m very happy with the ASL, is a good amplifier but I know that the combination with the HD-650 can be better... The idea of one Mark III is atractive for me...

The first doubt is if this new amp needs a better Cd than the Consonance. In other forums there are people saying that "not exists differences in the sources"... but here other people thinks that the source is the first condition for the Stax.

And the Grado + Mark III is so expensive than the Stax Omega II with the 007-t headamp...

 

[Piotr Ryka]

Osimovil
Diferences between sources really exists, I am afraid. Undoubtedly. But great advantage of Grados is, that they sounds beautifull with all sources. Really, You see (hear) yourself.

 

[Tachikoma]

Btw, if you don't mind paying through your nose.. >_>

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=154630

again, I'm not affiliated to the seller, is that a reasonable price for the R10s btw?

 

[OSIMOVIL]

Adding this:

A - Stax Omega II + Headamp 007 3.000 $
B - Grado RS-1 + ASL Mark III 3.000 $
C - Sony R10-S 3.000 $

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr Ryka Osimovil I understand your problem. Stax is really great but first try to hear Grado RS-1 headphones. They also have deep bass, like HD-650, but they are far, far better in all aspects than HD-650. (I have both, RS-1 and HD-650, so I know what I say.)

This is the kind of statement you really have to take with a grain of salt, at best: unqualified, inflammatory, and appealing to self as authority - and his other post in the thread claiming Grado sound great from all sources despite thinking sources make a huge difference marks him as a probable fanboy.

He likes the RS-1 better, and that's fine, different people with different ears and all that jazz; if you're a big fan of the HD650, though, you probably wouldn't. Before dropping that much money on a complete 180º lark from a guy on an internet forum, try out one of the comparable, but lower priced models. I recommend the SR-225 as a starting point; buy it from a place that allows returns, and if you like it a lot consider moving up to the RS-1. You save yourself a considerable chance of dissatisfaction and a possible hefty restocking fee.

 

[Tachikoma]

Quote:

He likes the RS-1 better, and that's fine, different people with different ears and all that jazz; if you're a big fan of the HD650, though, you probably wouldn't.

I think the same thing would apply to electrostatic headphones, too. OSIMOVIL, you will be better off having a long audition with all the headphones we've mentioned at your nearest hi-fi store.

If you had to make a blind buy, it'd be better if you went for something a little more low end, then decide if you like that sound signature better than your good ol' HD650s. (vintage lambda pros are peanuts compared to what you'll have to spend on an omega II, lol) Oh and btw, if you have a very good power amp, a cheap ($70-100) energizer like the SRD-7 MK2 or SRD-7 pro will be enough to drive the omega 2 with good results.

 

[Vertigo-1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotJeffBuckley This is the kind of statement you really have to take with a grain of salt, at best: unqualified, inflammatory, and appealing to self as authority - and his other post in the thread claiming Grado sound great from all sources despite thinking sources make a huge difference marks him as a probable fanboy. He likes the RS-1 better, and that's fine, different people with different ears and all that jazz; if you're a big fan of the HD650, though, you probably wouldn't.

Heh, I was tempted to say as much about such sweeping statements but I figured I'd leave it to somebody else.

I own both as well (well, the Allesandro MSPs) and it's the HD650s that are staying. Different strokes for different folks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSIMOVIL Ok, thank you (and very sorry for my English). I don´t want to expend a lot of money in a new system. If I´d change the CD... I´ll change the amp (Unison Unico SE), the Dynaudios, cables, and all... I don´t want a new system only for a better headphones... My wish is a better sound with the headphones, if this is possible whitout a lot of complications and money.

So what part of the HD650s exactly aren't you happy with again? That's always the place to start. That way we could tell you whether to keep trying with the HD650s or to just dump them and choose another headphone.

I'm guessing you feel they're "veiled", or you have a sensation that you're missing some details with the HD650s. Or maybe too much bass. You can generally cure both problems by changing the stock cable to an aftermarket cable, and changing amps. I'm sure that most people that heard my system now would think the HD650s have too little bass after I changed my amp and cable, but when I first dropped the HD650 into my system without changing anything, it was incredibly bassy.

 

[Piotr Ryka]

HD-650 vs Grado RS-1

HD-650: stage few rows in front of you, tendency to play "in head". Tone dark, bass deep, even too deep or too force upon. Moderate transparency and circumstantiality (you loss many details).
Good with cheap stuff, but with hi-end company - dissapointment. Basse de viole from "Tous les matins du monde" (AliaVox) was definitly unnatural dark and low tone in comparison to Grado RS-1, Sony MDR5000 or even HD-600, which are definitly better (natural) to me with hi-end CD's and amplifiers than HD-650. Good company to MF V3.

Grado RS-1: you are on stage, between musicians and there is no effect "play in head". Stage is deep and width; that is not true, as sameone says, that is to small or strange - nonsens. Transparency and tonality are very good. Excellent detailing and much better illusion of live music. Bass also deep but not enforce.

Equipment to tests:
CD - Meridian G8, Cairn Soft Fog V2, Sony 222 ES.
Aplifiers - ASL Twin-Head Mark III, Audio Dynamic PHB2, C.E.C. HD53, Cayin HA-1A, MF V3, Pro-Ject Head Box, Sony 570 ES (integrated amp.)
IC - Tara Labs Air1, XLO Limited, Fadel Reference One, Van den Hul First Ultimate.

One folk or another, jazz or something else - Grado RS-1 are better. Sameone told to me during the tests: HD-650 are in comparison to RS-1 "like a toy".

 

[NotJeffBuckley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piotr Ryka HD-650 vs Grado RS-1 ... One folk or another, jazz or something else - Grado RS-1 are better. Sameone told to me during the tests: HD-650 are in comparison to RS-1 "like a toy".

Sweeping statement number 2. You're missing the point, man. Someone else in the thread kept HD650 over RS-1, and I'm sure he'd be able to say something like that, too. Different ears and different preferences mean that there isn't a perfect headphone for everyone. I'm glad you've found yours in the RS-1, but that doesn't mean you have to become an abrasive evangelist pushing it on everybody and insulting their picks.