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Yeahhhhh I like that model, Lambda is the 507 right?
Could you please explain what normal bias, pro bias, and an "energizer" is? Also which third-party or Stax amplifier is recommended?
I think I'm going to sell every dynamic headphone I have and go for this, so tired of "dynamic driver sound" at the moment for some reason.
The Lambda line has been around since the 70s, and it's Stax's mainstream line of electrostats. Basically they released the original SR-Lambda as a more cost effective, streamlined version of their panoramic earspeaker concept, the SR-Sigma, which was their flagship model until the SR-Omega was released in the 90s. The goal for the panoramic earspeaker was to design something that simulated the actual context of listening to music. Up until that point, headphones were basically diagnostic tools originally invented for wartime applications, deciphering signals and listening to the human voice. The concept just happened to be borrowed for music listening, and as a result "soundstage" wasn't really a priority, and in fact would be kind of distracting if you're just trying to analyze something. The SR-Sigma was built from the ground up to try to replicate the actual experience of listening to music in a live setting, so they've got those really wonky housings that position the drivers in such a way to create a very unique sensation of space.
The Lambda is kind of a mini version of this, which is why they have that very distinctive rectangular look. There have been many different versions of the Lambda over the years: the original, the Lambda Pro, the Lambda Signature. Starting with the Nova lineup (in the late 80s I believe?) they started making a full range: the Lambda Nova Basic, Lambda Nova Classic, and Lambda Nova Signature. This trend continues on today with the 202/303/404 and now the most recent 207/307/407. The 507 is the newest and highest end Lambda model, though it's basically the 407 with real leather earpads and the oversized (and wonky IMHO) frame from the SR-009.
Older Stax models are normal (lower) bias, and have a different pin configuration on the plug. You need an amp that is specifically set to drive these. Stax eventually switched to "pro bias" which is a higher bias, and any models from the 80s onward (and all modern amps) will support this standard. Plugging a pro bias into a normal bias jack wont cause any problems, but if you plug a normal bias into a pro bias jack it'll basically destroy the headphones. Too much power. Because of the pin arrangement however, you're not likely to accidentally do this. An energizer is basically any kind of amp that powers the stats. You can get a transformer for a lot less and plug it into a speaker amp you already have, or you can get a dedicated standalone amp just for driving stats. Consensus seems to be the standalones sound better, but they can get really expensive, and truthfully I don't think the Lambda series needs a lot in terms of amplification.
When I recommended the SR-Lambda, I meant the original normal bias one. You can get one and a transformer for around $500-ish, or at least you could before all the flippers started ripping people off. Any of the Lambdas will be fine, but the more recent ones tend to have treble etch, and the older ones are a bit better balanced IMHO. For amps I recommend the Stax SRM-T1 series (I have the W version) which can drive both pro and normal bias. The SRM-323 is also a good bet.
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Um, where please?
Mine as well. Even my most recent Abyss audition did nothing to change that.
The SR-007 still wins out for me for long-term listening, as it is still one of the most fatigue-free listens in fullsized headphones I find. It's still easiest for me to live with on a daily basis. The Abyss however wins out in terms of sheer technical razzle dazzle, with its absurd speed and lightning fast transient response (so fast it even trips over itself sometimes --- LOL), its sense of layering and detail mongering (
without the treble emphasis of the HD800 and even the SR-009). In terms of fatigue it's sort of halfway between the 007 and 009 for me. Though the treble isn't as refined as the SR-009, the overall balance is better for me. The bottom end also far more satisfying for me without any added bass emphasis, and overall it has more presence and spatial weightiness (what I call "gravity") compared to most 'stats. I've compared the signature to that of the Paradox, rather linear complete with its slight emphasis above the sibilance region, and it seems a few others agree w/ me. In essence, the Abyss does most things I value with aplomb. There are other headphones that do things better, but as a whole the Abyss is among the most complete packages for me.
Interestingly, Tyll said something about the unit at the LA meet not having the same treble issues he noted in his review. My set doesn't seem to have those issues either. But yes, it's nice to see more impressions for them. I know Jason from Schiit Audio was very impressed with them, as was Frank Cooter.
I'd still take an SR-007 as my desert island headphone, just because of its ultimate agreeableness. It's still pretty much the most "transparent" for me, the term specifically in quotations because I use it to mean "getting out of the way." The SR-007 just disappears the most for me most of the time, so in some ways it's the easiest to forget about and just connect to the music, even if I find the Abyss can plumb musical depths more from a technical standpoint. Then there's the new Jecklin Float, the QUAD Atelier. This is the third member of my headphone trifecta. For me it's the most fun, with a really uncanny sense of immersion, literally putting you in the middle of the music.
