I use different versions of Stax since 2017, bought only used, maybe that's why I had no problems with shipments for repair.
The first thing I bought was a 007sz3, I liked the drive, but the overall sound was dark.
https://ibb.co/nCHsZRK
There were opinions on the forum that the 007sz2 (007A) is not as dark as the SZ3, I bought the SZ2, but the difference was negligible.
https://ibb.co/HzcNNT8
having experience with other models - isodynamics, I knew that changing the cable to silver makes the sound clearer, lighter. I changed the native cable to SRE-925s, and then did a series of actions and 007 turned into mod 008.
https://ibb.co/nMv8zjR https://ibb.co/W3GNZ04 https://ibb.co/T28yj19
Then I bought SR70252 and 009.
70..... did not hook me in any way, maybe because they were not warmed up, because For 28 years it sat on the closet without being used.
SR- 009 i didn't like them either, they were boring. I've been comparing the three options for weeks. I ended up keeping the redesigned 007(008), There's bass, aggression, the stage is wide.
https://ibb.co/R9WsDJQ
And then the most interesting thing, I bought 009S and after a couple of months I had x9000, thanks a lot to the first buyer from Japan, he put up for sale on his domestic market, as used.
https://ibb.co/vmSRT4f
When the 009S arrived, I was very happy with them, just as Bas as the 007A, but with a cleaner sound, and more volume. The mod 008 I sold.
Saw a 007tii amp for 900$ and bought it.
https://ibb.co/6trqZHd
007tii Paired with 009S, it all sounds great
https://ibb.co/gjkrS8v
but when they came x9000, it turned out they are as tight as 007A, IMHO for these models need more powerful amplifiers. The 007tii has enough volume, but you can hear it, the amplifier does not pump the 9000, my DIY perfectly showed it.
https://ibb.co/qBg5kJ5
of course, x9000 outplayed 009S, > 009S had to be sold. x9000 bomb!
For the sake of interest, I am standing miniT2, maybe it will outplay my DIY.
https://ibb.co/479djd1