[jcn3]

i'm heading down the path to the stax world and as a stax newby.

bottomline is that i want to get the best stax system that i can without going into the price point for the sr-007s.

there are used srm-1mkiis out there that seem to be pretty good and relatively inexpensive -- are those a decent choice?

also on the phones? the price different is small, but at the 404s worth the extra $?

you can see what i've got in my sig now, so i'm hoping to upgrade . . .

 

[spritzer]

The SRM-1 Mk2 is a very good starting point but be sure to pick up a professional model or you'll be stuck with normal bias phones.

The 303 and the 404 are very similar but the better cable on the 404 helps. I think you would be very happy with the 303 but it will be a pretty different experience compared to the HD600.

 

[jcn3]

thanks for the info. so here are the options:

(1) srm-1mkii/sr-303
(3) srm-1mkii/sr-404 (+$60 vs. opt 1)
(2) srm-303/sr-303 (+$115 vs. opt 1)
(4) srm-006tii/sr-404 (+450 vs. opt 1)

option four seems like the worst price/performance option since the 006tii is not that highly regarded.

option 2 seems like the right balance.

then there's the set for life option: the sr-404 with the srm-007tii (+1000 vs. opt 1). my only upgrade from there would be the sr007s, but i'm not cash flush enough for this option.



am i right?

 

[krmathis]

I would definitely pick the SR-404 over the SR-303.
Simply because I think the wide cable alone are worth the $55 price difference ($372 vs. $317 @ PriceJapan).

The Lambda's sure match up well with a tube amplifier. But I am not sure if the 006t are great value for the money. I think you would be much better off with an SRM-T1. That said, I find the SRM-1/MK2 to be a pretty good amplifier as well. But I have no solid state amplifier to compare with though.

 

[John Buchanan]

The SRM-1 Mk 2 is a nice amplifier - not as good as the SRM-717, but much more flexible.
It has a multi-voltage selector so you can use it anywhere in the world, as well as a pro (5 pin, 580V bias voltage) and a normal output (6 pin 230V bias voltage), so it is compatible with any phone Stax made - the 717 only has 2 pro outputs. The sound is a trifle (and I mean a trifle) harsh compared with the SRM-717, but still very good. I suspect you couldn't go far wrong with one. They run very hot, so need plenty of space around them. If you were considering SR-007s or Sigma/404 hybrids, the 717 would be a better investment, as these need a higher output voltage, as they are relatively inefficient. The SRM-1 Mk 2 can do it, but not with much room to spare. Certainly the T1/T1s, 006 and 007 variants would be struggling harder to drive the 007 or Sigma hybrid than would the SRM-1 Mk 2 or 717. The SRM-1 Mk 2 matches the earlier Lambda Pros series and the Lambda Nova series very well (these had a higher efficiency than the later 202/303/404 series), whereas the 717 can easily drive all pro models well.
The amplifier is also very solidly built and appears to last forever. Mine has a sales docket for 1987 and is still working very well.
As for phones, you might want to pick up a Lambda Signature, a Lambda Nova Signature (this gets some stick, but sounds very good to me, apart from the usual Lambda sting), a Sigma, or a Sigma Pro (although if you are going the Sigma route, my personal recommendation would be a Sigma/404 hybrid with a SRM-717 for the best top end and power combinations)

 

[edstrelow]

Interestingly there are 3 low bias Sigmas on Ebay at this moment, bids ranging from US$ 125 to 425.00. They all claim to be NOS or near NOS.

 

[TheSatelliteGuy]

I own a 717II and a oo7t with 0404s and omegas. Best thing you can do is buy Stax stuff. Listen to John as he is very in tune to Stax and I have read alot of his comments he is right on and can talk about it so it can be understood.

 

[no1likesme]

I recently picked up a pair of normal bias sr-lambdas and a srd-7/sb for $250 and they sound phenomenal.

 

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSatelliteGuy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Best thing you can do is buy Stax stuff.

Word!

 

[jcn3]

are the lambda signatures better than the sr-404s? i know there's the low bias vs. pro bias issue.

there's a set of lamba sigs on ebay that are more than new sr-404s. would you expect that?

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcn3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif are the lambda signatures better than the sr-404s? i know there's the low bias vs. pro bias issue. there's a set of lamba sigs on ebay that are more than new sr-404s. would you expect that?

The SR-Lambda Signature are Pro bias but their sound is pretty different from the 404. There is a lot of hype surrounding some older Stax models and people get carried away in a bid frenzy. I would only buy vintage if you are willing to take the risk of them breaking down and no way of repairing them. Even NOS stuff can break down and is even more likely to do so. Stax stuff is pretty durable and better made then any of the vintage dynamic stuff but nothing lasts forever.

 

[krmathis]

I have not heard the Lambda Signature.
But I would not pay more for a vintage Stax than for a corresponding new model. Old item sell for $350++, then buy an SR-404 instead.

They old ones sound different (better?), but there are also the factor that headphones don't last forever. The SR-Lambda 'phones are 15-25 years old, and might fail "any" day. Compared to a new SR-404 with warranty...