mongeddavid
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2013
- Posts
- 30
- Likes
- 12
I've spent some more time now with my SR-507 + SRM-600 combo and find it to be an incredibly satisfying combination. The SR-507 is wonderfully clear and detailed but doesn't come off sounding bright or shrill in any way. I've thrown every genre of music I have at these and found so sound satisfying with everything, which might be a first for me. Sure the HD800 or K1000 might have beat these on a few aspects on a few songs but they were not as consistent in the level of performance (especially in the bass). The signature of this combo is very neutral sounding but still musically engaging similar to the K1000 but has all the detail of the HD800. The soundstage is great and is generally appropriate to the recording, where the HD800 or K1000 might have inflated to come off as more spacious sounding. It's worth noting that my SRM-600 was modified by its original owner who upgraded several of the lack luster components in the amp with better performing audiophile components. I can't comment on the sound of the stock amp, but what ever was done seems to have only improved it. It's great when you get new gear that really shows off new details and nuances in the music rather than just hearing the same stuff but just presented differently. It's generally hard for me to be satisfied with a single headphone, the HD600 + Bottlehead Crack being another great generalist pairing which exhibited great synchronicity. For my first Stax purchase I'm very impressed and satisfied with the results. I'm still very curious to try some of the more famous vintage Stax Lambda models but I'm pretty skeptical that they will perform on the same level as the SR-507 with all music leaving me with a headphone which is just marginally better with only a handful of songs.
Can't be sure until I've tried it for myself though....
I have the original normal bias Lambdas and they do have their merits over the 507 in my view. They are leaner in presentation with the bass and midrange being lightweight compared to the 507 but with this brings an even more transparent presentation. It seems to suit instrumental/classical very well and small scale music. I also found it very pleasing on stuff like Peter Gabrial. It does make you want to crank the volume more than the 507 but the leaness brings with it a sense of even moor agility and in some respects musicality thats quite addictive. If I have to let one pair go it will be the original Lambda ( and this is a possibility due to my missus complaining on the number of headphones i have which is modest in my view but oh well. ) However it is very nice to have both and i would recommend you seek out a pair assuming you have the normal bias output on your amp.