[aj-kun]

Quote:

 
 
Just jumped on an SR-507 which was reduced by a shop here in Oz. Couldn't resist trying a stat HP.

 
 
damn you, you got the last one from A2A at the $1000 price. I'll have to order from japan ;_;

 

[Raksasa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aj-kun /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
 
damn you, you got the last one from A2A at the $1000 price. I'll have to order from japan ;_;

 
 
Yup, beat ya to it !!   

 
 

 
I could of ordered from JoynetCafe or somewhere else in Japan, but I don't want to send OS if something goes wrong.
 
First time I've bought from A2A. They seem really helpful and carry some really good gear.
 
Changed my order: canxed the WEE and went straight to an U/Ged GES with 12BZ7s. God, I hope I like them !!!!
It sucks being in regional Oz and not be able to go and listen first. Lots of research.
Thought I'd go for broke. I do like tube amps tho'. Love my BH Crack with 600 ohm DT880s.
 
Now for the pain of waiting .  .  .
 
Cheers,
 
R

 

[Raksasa]

Hi again,
 
Can any 507 owners advise if there is any break in required for these HPs ?
 
I have also read on HF that the GES sounds best after an hour warmup. Is this correct ?
 
Thanks & cheers,
 
Excited R   

 

[Chodi]

Quote:

Hi again,
 
Can any 507 owners advise if there is any break in required for these HPs ?
 
I have also read on HF that the GES sounds best after an hour warmup. Is this correct ?
 
Thanks & cheers,
 
Excited R   

I can't answer for the GES because I don't own one (it would be nice), but as for the 407/507 (same driver) it takes about two to three days for the headphone to fully charge (that info according to KG). There is also some break in of the driver. In my experience it took about 50 hours to open up. How much of that was my new amp and how much was the headphone I can't really say.

 

[Raksasa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chodi /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I can't answer for the GES because I don't own one (it would be nice), but as for the 407/507 (same driver) it takes about two to three days for the headphone to fully charge (that info according to KG). There is also some break in of the driver. In my experience it took about 50 hours to open up. How much of that was my new amp and how much was the headphone I can't really say.

 
Thanks Chodi - I'm sure there would be some burn in time for the GES - at least for the tubes.
I'm getting the Premium Parts U/G - do Auricaps need burn in ??? No idea.
I'll allow 100 hours play time before I comment on the setup. That seems fair.
 
Hunting down tubes as well. Can't afford the really big money 12AX7s. Getting some spare 6S4 or 6S4As as well.
I'll see what I can find. I also like 5751 tubes - have only used them in my guitar amps tho'.
From comments here, they seem to work in GES / SR-507 combo (70% gain of 12AX7).
 
Later on, I am thinking of doing an impressions thread comparing the jump from DT 880s with BH Crack to a basic STAX system.
Not very interesting for all the STAX heads, but maybe of interest to those contemplating a plunge into e-Staticdom from mid range dynamics.
 
Thing is I have only heard my headphones - DT880 600 ohm Manufaktur, AD900s and soon a MrSpeakers latest Mad Dog  (being built) which I will try out with my Asgard. Never heard LCD-2, HE-500, HE-6, HD800 etc. I was previously contemplating HE-500s with a good amp, but something about the many descriptions of the STAX drew me in.
Much to my wallet's dismay. 
 
 
Cheers,
 
Raks-in-waiting. 

 

[Chodi]

Rasasa......The GES will definitely take a long time to burn in. Coming from a DT880 to this setup will be a very pleasant shock. The new system you are getting is hardly a Stax starter system. It is much more than that. I owned the HE500's and as good as they are I promise you will not miss them. I considered the GES but in my location I would have had to pay about a 40% premium to get it. Let me know about your experience with this and you may push me over the edge on that GES.

 

[Raksasa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chodi /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Rasasa......The GES will definitely take a long time to burn in. Coming from a DT880 to this setup will be a very pleasant shock. The new system you are getting is hardly a Stax starter system. It is much more than that. I owned the HE500's and as good as they are I promise you will not miss them. I considered the GES but in my location I would have had to pay about a 40% premium to get it. Let me know about your experience with this and you may push me over the edge on that GES.

 
RE very pleasant shock. That's great news, Chodi. I found the DT880 / BH Crack to be a big step up from the AD900.
 
I meant "starter" compared to TOTL STAX and say a BHSE or similar. Now THAT's exxy.
 
I have paid a premium, but when gear is available in Oz I try to support the specialist HP shops. Good for warranty shipping too (hopefully - and hopefully never needed). We don't have many full on HP specialist retailers in Oz. And they all run bricks and mortars as well as online, so I understand their pricing. Gotta make a buck.
 
I normally wouldn't consider spending that much on an amp. A grand for HPs was always within my budget for my next system.
But I have some spare dough and thought I should try to do it fairly right first time in e-Statsville. HPs are my primary transducers these days.
 
Hopefully I've made the right choices. Expensive doorstops if I don't like them.  

  

 
Your comments are very reassuring. As are other opinions I've read at HF.
 
Cheers, and back to the waiting game,
 
R

 

[xzobinx]

Quote:

I have paid a premium, but when gear is available in Oz I try to support the specialist HP shops. Good for warranty shipping too (hopefully - and hopefully never needed). We don't have many full on HP specialist retailers in Oz. And they all run bricks and mortars as well as online, so I understand their pricing. Gotta make a buck.
 
I normally wouldn't consider spending that much on an amp. A grand for HPs was always within my budget for my next system.
But I have some spare dough and thought I should try to do it fairly right first time in e-Statsville. HPs are my primary transducers these days.
 
Hopefully I've made the right choices. Expensive doorstops if I don't like them.  

  

Congrats on your combo ges + 507. I was thinking about getting it when I saw a2a's ad but after some research I decided the 407 should be a better p/p. I plan for a ges and 407 in the end of this year of next year so I'm looking forward to your impression. 
p/s: no need to worry about a2a. They are great. I'm lucky to live in Mel and visit their store all the time and bought all my stuff from them 

 

[realmassy]

I'm sure you'll like the setup, altough I never heard the GES.
The 507, as any other good headphones, are very sensitive to the source. Personally I had to change a few dacs before finding the right one, and differences between them were more obvious than amps. I tested the 507 with a LL: it was as good as my SRM600. Things were different with the Omegas

 

[rubenpp]

Quote:

I.... Personally I had to change a few dacs before finding the right one, and differences between them were more obvious than amps. I tested the 507 with a LL: it was as good as my SRM600. Things were different with the Omegas

If I may ask , was it the M2tech Young that you ended up preferring and what qualities did it have over lets say the Havana did you like more ?
 
TIA

 

[Raksasa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xzobinx /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Congrats on your combo ges + 507. I was thinking about getting it when I saw a2a's ad but after some research I decided the 407 should be a better p/p. I plan for a ges and 407 in the end of this year of next year so I'm looking forward to your impression. 
p/s: no need to worry about a2a. They are great. I'm lucky to live in Mel and visit their store all the time and bought all my stuff from them 

 
Thanks xzobinx. I went for the reduced price 507 as it was only $50 difference from the 407. Comments at HF seemed to suggest they are both very similar, with a very slight edge to the 507 ?
 
I saw photos of A2A's listening room. Looks great with a lot of choice. Unfortunately, due to my current circumstances, I can't get to Melbourne to listen. Also I don't think they carry a stock GES as it can ordered with upgrades. They seem great so far in my dealings with them.
 
Cheers,
 
R

 

[Raksasa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by realmassy /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'm sure you'll like the setup, altough I never heard the GES.
The 507, as any other good headphones, are very sensitive to the source. Personally I had to change a few dacs before finding the right one, and differences between them were more obvious than amps. I tested the 507 with a LL: it was as good as my SRM600. Things were different with the Omegas

 
Thanks realmassy.
 
I have a budget of up to $1000 for another DAC. I presently have a Meier Audio StageDAC and a Cambridge DACMagic. I much prefer the Meier to the Cambridge, so I will be replacing the Cambridge. I also really like the fixed / variable outputs of the StageDAC as I run HP amp from fixed output and speaker amp from variable output.
 
My speaker amp sounds so much better bypassing it's preamp with the StageDAC straight into it's power section. Tested by going backwards back into NAD pre section. It was day and night. I went straight back to StageDAC as pre within 3 minutes after warming up and lstening !!!
 
Again, I cannot test drive different DACs unless I buy them. The StageDAC is discontinued and being replaced. I have corresponded with Jan Meier - he is doing an evolutionary version of it (his words). The new model, when available, will have 24/192 USB and upgraded capacitors in it which apparently refine the sound further. It will still have it's dual ouptut / preamp functionality (yay !!). There may be other changes that I am not aware of. As it is a sound I know and am happy with, I'll probably go with it, depending on final price.
 
But as you say, the U/Ged GES / 507 combo will most likely be more revealing. Yet much more research to be done. The new Meier DAC probably won't be available for at least a month or two. So I will use my StageDAC initially with the new setup.
 
BTW I went with the same GES upgrades as DragonOwen - Premium Parts & DACT attenuator.
 
I have also had correspondence with Brent Jessee re tubes. Can't afford the megabuck nice 12AX7s. I basically told him my circumstances, application and music preferences (basically most genres except C&W and Metal). I said ugly tubes are OK as long as they measure close to new, ie best bang for buck. I then gave him my budget and asked him to advise tubes he recommends, as he will have forgotten more about tubes than I will ever know in this lifetime !! Also told him I ordered a quad of matched Raytheon 12BZ7s from Woo to try. Getting a spare set of 6S4s as well.
 
He was amazingly quick in his responses. He recommended 2 types of 12AX7 - one being neutral and balanced in his opinion, the other set being warmer. So I have gone over budget yet again as I couldn't make my mind up (doh !!!) and ordered both sets of 12AX7s to try. 

 
I will have 4 quads of drivers to try - stock EHs, Woo matched Raytheon 12BZ7s, matched 50s GE longplates (neutral) and a matched set of RCA Butt Uglies (warmer - dont know what type). I'll be busy !!!
 
Cheers,
 
Raksy in feverish anticipation. 

 

[realmassy]

If I may ask , was it the M2tech Young that you ended up preferring and what qualities did it have over lets say the Havana did you like more ?

TIA

I tested the Havana, the Rega, the Calyx, the M2Tech Young and, a DIY 1541 based dac and the Neko D100.
The Havana had a nice timbre with acoustic music but too 'closed' on the top end.
The Rega was harsh, same with the 1541.
The Calyx was very good but a bit too laid back and I preferred the Young, especially with the additional battery power supply.
Finally a few months ago I've listened to the Neko and was love! Great dynamics, not as fast as the young, but with a natual decay of the notrs.
Fantastic timbre accuracy with acoustic music and small combo. I'm using it with a M2tech EVO with battery supply. I think the Neko and the Lambda are a very good match.

 

[realmassy]

double post

 

[Raksasa]

Dumb post - text deleted as redundant.  

 
Stoopid R