I wouldn't pay more then 3-400$ for a normal bias model and 5-600$ for a Pro unit. If it comes with an amp or is in immaculate condition I would go slightly higher but not a lot.
Originally Posted by Scottsmrnyc /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well it is nice to see we have a substantial response to our special thread on Stax Sigmas.
I recently used my Stax Sigma non pros with the SRD 7 portable amplifier out on the streets of Manhattan, NYC and onto the NYC Subway System. The response by the citizendry of NYC was quite incredible. Many of people thought I was from another planet!!! A lot of people stopped me to ask me where they could get a pair? Many had never seen anything like them before. They are truly unique. Scottsmrnyc
Since the SRD7 is a transformer, what type of amp did you use? There are the old portable amps suce as the SRDP which will run regulra Stax low and high bias phones but need 8 C cells.
I once sold a Stax SRM001 amp to a guy who modded the plug and added bigger batteries to allow it to drive Lambdas. He seemed quite happy with the results.
Originally Posted by John Buchanan /img/forum/go_quote.gif I really love the Sigma Pro/404. Better highs than the original, not as much low end as the Omega 2, but a great phone. I don't care what anyone says, this one gets more time than the O2.
For those not in the know, The Sigma Pro/404 is an aftermarket mod of a Sigma phone, using the most recent transducers and cable from the Stax Lambda 404. This is possible because the Sigma was the precursor to the Lambda and uses the same size drivers.
This mod allows you to take the classic Sigma design, which has probably been out of production for 20 years and bring it up to date.
I wondered what you would think about the Sigma/404 versus the Omega. I have never listened to the Omega. I can see that Stax went to a lot of trouble to give the Omega a really soild transducer. Apparently this was successful in giving the Omega better definition but at the cost of making it very hard to drive. While I wouldn't describe the Sigma/404 as easy to drive I am more than happy with it driven by the Stax 717. My other normal Sigma Pro is driven happily by a Stax SRM-3 amp.
Still, the attraction of the Sigma is its unique forward placement of the transducers so that the sound is fired back across the ears in an approximation of a normal listening experience. For me this sometimes makes them sound like I am actually listening to real sounds in space, at least more so than with any other kind of phone.
And while the Omega may represent the ultimate in transducer design, it doesn't do what the Sigma does in terms of externalizing of sound. That is an issue that users may want to post something. In the meantime here is a photo of a Sigma/404 and 404 so that others may realize what is unique about this design.
My very favourite part of the Sigmas/404s is the total lack of sibilance without sounding muffled (which the low bias Sigmas did), and the reduction of the mid bass hump compared with the low bias Sigmas. It really is a great phone. The O2 is a much better low bass reproducer though - very serious low bass impact happening there, but much brighter. Not as bright as the Lambda Nova Signature though. The LNS is very efficient however compared with the other 2.
So how do the Sigmas sound compared to the Lambdas? Just curious about what I'm getting myself into here. I do know they're big and ugly, which is usually a good sign, but beyond that I'm clueless.
Also, what's the battery life like on the old portable Stax amp with something like the Sigmas?
Originally Posted by Fitz /img/forum/go_quote.gif So how do the Sigmas sound compared to the Lambdas? Just curious about what I'm getting myself into here. I do know they're big and ugly, which is usually a good sign, but beyond that I'm clueless.
Warmly enveloping and unforced. Lambdas have a bad habit of shoving things in your face whether you want them to or not. In terms of the manner in which they work, pretty similar seeing as they use the same drivers.
Originally Posted by d-cee /img/forum/go_quote.gif the sigmas are such a cool looking headphone, pity they rarely come up for sale =(
does anyone do the Sigma/404 conversion for a fee? or have some in their inventory??
John Buchanan and I both used Yamsinc the US Stax distributor. I sent in an old broken low bias Sigma and Yamasinc did the mods.
Generally, if you find the lambda too edgy you may like the Sigmas, low, high bias or 404. The various lambdas have more dynamics, deep and treble. Some say a peaky treble. Although, I must say that my recent discovery of Silclear contact enhancer tamed the harshness of both my 404 and Lambda Nova (a high bias).
The Sigma has a broad bass emphasis, so they can sound fairly punchy with rock/pop although they don't have the super deep bass of the Lambda. They really bring out the ambience in recordings and I particularly like them with vocal of all kinds but especially choral and opera.
They may not be perfect but they are about the only serious attempt to get away from shooting signals straight into the ear, which is of course not how sound usually gets there. Rather it gets there more like the way the Sigmas do it, from the front.
I believe only the dynamic AKG 1000 (?) is anything like them.
Hi folks, I must correct myself in regard to my subway journey, I was using the stax non pro portable SRD-X with my Stax Sigma non pros. Sorry about that. How is everyone. I am trying to be more vigilant in checking and responding every day to this thread. Welcome and hello to everyone.
Hey, I will be in Monterey, California next week for The Monterey Summer of Love 1967 Music Festival. I am going back to my roots. So if I you don't hear from me for a couple of days, you will know why.
Enjoy Scottsmrnyc
Hi folks, I must correct myself in regard to my subway journey, I was using the stax non pro portable SRD-X with my Stax Sigma non pros. Sorry about that.
How is everyone. I am trying to be more vigilant in checking and responding every day to this thread. Welcome and hello to everyone.
Hey, I will be in Monterey, California next week for The Monterey Summer of Love 1967 Music Festival. I am going back to my roots. So if I you don't hear from me for a couple of days, you will know why.
Enjoy Scottsmrnyc
About the battery life of the SRD X non pro-
This unit takes 8 C batteries. If you use a good quality battery, I was told that you can get 50 hours of listening time to each set. Enjoy Scottsmrnyc
Originally Posted by edstrelow /img/forum/go_quote.gif John Buchanan and I both used Yamsinc the US Stax distributor. I sent in an old broken low bias Sigma and Yamasinc did the mods.
Generally, if you find the lambda too edgy you may like the Sigmas, low, high bias or 404. The various lambdas have more dynamics, deep and treble. Some say a peaky treble. Although, I must say that my recent discovery of Silclear contact enhancer tamed the harshness of both my 404 and Lambda Nova (a high bias).
The Sigma has a broad bass emphasis, so they can sound fairly punchy with rock/pop although they don't have the super deep bass of the Lambda. They really bring out the ambience in recordings and I particularly like them with vocal of all kinds but especially choral and opera.
They may not be perfect but they are about the only serious attempt to get away from shooting signals straight into the ear, which is of course not how sound usually gets there. Rather it gets there more like the way the Sigmas do it, from the front.
I believe only the dynamic AKG 1000 (?) is anything like them.
I agree with Ed here re the Sigma/404 - very relaxed presentation that stands up very well when the volume is advanced. The LNS is a bit bright. Listening to the O2 at the moment and it is very good, but doesn't have that vocal magic that the Sigma series do. I think the 404 hybrid is the best compromise, although the original Sigma Pro could be a great buy as that driver was much more efficient than the 404 driver - way easier to drive, and the Sigma 404 needs a lot to drive it. The SRM 717 does a great job of this. Ed has done a superb serious comparison of the Sigma, Sigma Pro and 404/Sigma that is way worth reading.
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