[catscratch]

The L700 Mk1 headband is very fragile. Mine broke at the square plastic yoke that holds the earcups. The Mk2 yokes are metal for that reason.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Can anyone familiar with the Stax SRM-1/mk2 amp help me understand what a fair used price for one is? I have one and it seems like I was practically about to give it away according to hifi shark lol... I'm seeing $600-800, can that be right?? I bought mine quite a long time ago and can't remember what I paid.. will still give a deal but any insight would be appreciated!

 

[armani006]

Has somebody any ideas to improve power section of 006tII amp? I mean power transformer, is it any better variants on market?

 

[Zoide]

I've just ordered the L700 Mk2. So I will have both and be able to compare.

Did you ever compare them? Is there a sound difference between the two?

Thanks

 

[timb5881]

I just received my new (made from new parts by Birgir at Mjonir) a SR-404 Lambda. So far they sound great!

 

[AudioThief]

I just received my new (made from new parts by Birgir at Mjonir) a SR-404 Lambda. So far they sound great!

I recently got my hands on a pair of SR-404 which I plan to have on my cabin in the woods. My impressions of them in short:

The SR-404 have traits from the current lambda family. The soundstaging is somewhere between L300 and L500, the treble and overall tonality I feel is closer to the L700. The level of microdetail or overall detail is to my ears similar to L700. It has a lot of "punch" to its sound, and I feel its more hardhitting than the current lambdas. I wouldn't hesitate recommending it to anyone looking at the current lambda lineup, because they can be had for very cheap. In terms of fidelity or "technicalities" it lies closer to the L500/L700 than the L300 to my ears.

The SR-404 is first and foremost a bit different than the L500 in direct comparison through the same amp (006t). I think the L500 is a bit more refined sounding, with larger soundstage, more well defined/higher quality bass, and a more even frequency response. The SR-404 is a bit brighter, just like I feel the L700 is. The good thing is that both the SR-404 and L700 push details further up in the mix, and so is a bit more analytical sounding to my ears. In conclusion, I think the SR-404 is a bit more specialist than the L500 and L700. Its like a L300 with more impact, more technical capabilities, and a bit larger soundstage. Its fantastic for classical, acoustic, the normal "stax"-genres. The newer lambda series, especially the L500 and L700 I feel have been made to work with more genres than Stax of old (except the 007 and maybe the original Omegas, which I haven't heard). In that department, progress have been made. But in terms of detail, clarity and so on, the SR-404 feels right at home and is an awesome headphone which is still very similar sounding to the current lambda lineup.

When reading about the 404 online, it got all sorts of hate. I don't know why, its really good, and at the price you can get it now, its really a fantastic purchase. I hold the L500 in very high regard, and the SR-404 isn't far off to my ears in terms of overall enjoyment, and the 404s are probably a bit more detailed than them even.

 

[Armored Soul]

How do the Stax SR-Sigmas compare with Jecklin Float Electrostatics? It doesn't matter which models are used to be compared.

 

[John_M]

I had an SRM-323S (353X without the balanced connectors) and never went beyond 3, mainly around 2.5. This is with SR-L300. Going from the SRM-323S to a NAD C275BEE stereo amp with Mjolnir Audio SRD-7 transformer was a noticeable difference, mainly in the low end presence and an overall fuller, punchier sound. Immediately put SRM-323S up for sale after the comparison...

Thanks for the reply. It is very difficult for a non specialist to make a judgement when people say such opposing things. We have had one guy swearing blind that it would be impossible to make a distinction like this in a blind test and others saying it is as clear as day. It is annoying to hear you maybe aren't getting the best possible sound. If push came to shove I could redesign my living room a bit and make an extra dedicated table for one of the large amps + DAC + SR 009. It would be interesting for someone to do an actual blind test on this and hopefully resolve the issue...

 

[rayofsi]

Phenomenon improved Carbon amplifier,lot's of light inside,excellent built

was this ever compared to a carbon? or kgsshv, i think i saw a mention of you getting one to compare

 

[AudioThief]

Thanks for the reply. It is very difficult for a non specialist to make a judgement when people say such opposing things. We have had one guy swearing blind that it would be impossible to make a distinction like this in a blind test and others saying it is as clear as day. It is annoying to hear you maybe aren't getting the best possible sound. If push came to shove I could redesign my living room a bit and make an extra dedicated table for one of the large amps + DAC + SR 009. It would be interesting for someone to do an actual blind test on this and hopefully resolve the issue...

Hi John, so I want to add something to this:

- I can't say its impossible to hear the difference. In fact, its much more likely there being a difference between electrostatic amps than regular headphone amps. There are clear sound differences to be found between electrostatic amplifiers, especially tube vs solid state. I personally believe there is a audible difference between the 3 amps I've owned - 252s, 727ii and 006t. I haven't blind tested, so I can't know for sure of course, but thats my subjective opinion.

The issue I have is that people claim there is a difference in sound quality from one capable amplifier to another, as we've discussed several times. I can't prove them wrong, in fact that would be very hard even if I did have the amps in question and the equipment to test. But I will say that taking someones word on that kind of purchase is a bad idea, simply because we know how much biases and placebo play into our perception of music quality. We expect more from a huge, expensive amplifier that we've read is the holy grail. The difference in sound, if there at all, is extremely unlikely to be in any kind "objectively better" when you can do the math and see the power is there to drive the headphones.

As for the 009, they are a lot easier to drive than the 007, and if I were you, I'd pair it with the 007T or 006ts, as I think they pair well with tubes. It is also easily driven by the 727ii. If you want to go the safe route, the top end stax amps are designed for the headphones, by the most renowned and trusted estat headphone company in the world. While the third party amps are capable, it just makes no sense they would make the 009s sound better, if different at all. And when you can't even demo it, and just have to take a leap of faith based on what a few users who bought it say...

edit: just as food for thought, consider this: The guys who bought the BHSE swear by it over the Carbon. The guys who got the Carbon swear by it over the BHSE. The guys who have the T2/DIY T2 says its ANOTHER step up from the Carbon again.. does this make logical sense? The headphones are already capably driven by the top stax amps, mathematically speaking. The Carbon is a beyond overkill amplifier, why do "expert audiophiles" claim the T2 is even better? None of it makes any sense.

 

[rayofsi]

Finally got my new amp running. Reserving judgement until later. I know some tubes are so bright, my ears want to bleed.

 

[mulveling]

edit: just as food for thought, consider this: The guys who bought the BHSE swear by it over the Carbon. The guys who got the Carbon swear by it over the BHSE. The guys who have the T2/DIY T2 says its ANOTHER step up from the Carbon again.. does this make logical sense? The headphones are already capably driven by the top stax amps, mathematically speaking. The Carbon is a beyond overkill amplifier, why do "expert audiophiles" claim the T2 is even better? None of it makes any sense.

But the guys who have owned all 3 will tell you that the Carbon and BHSE are on the same approximate level, while the Gilmore'd T2 is on another level! Carbon makes a very strong match with 009S and 007 (Mk I in my case) - probably, most would prefer it to the BHSE here. But the Carbon can be a bit too bright and aggressive with 009 and L700. Some have gone so far as to introduce tubes upstream (including a tube preamp) if they have this combo. The BHSE does very well on all 4 headphones; just a great all-rounder. If you want to run primarily 009 and/or L700 you might do better with the BHSE, and it will still do great if you add a 007 later (I don't believe there's any point in getting a 009S if you already have a BHSE & 009). The L700 runs very near - if not at - its maximum capabilities on a BHSE.

The DIY T2 simply elevates 007, 009, 009S, and he90 to a whole new level. Yes, even the relatively easy to drive 009 & 009S. You have to hear to believe. The 009S get a little left behind the others, but only slightly. A good case could be made for any of the other 3 being "ultimate" on the T2. Though sadly the L700 doesn't seem to get elevated on T2 like the others - it's not any worse than on a BHSE, just not much better.

 

[robo24]

Decided to try my favorite ZMF pads on the the SR-007 MK2, the Universe suede & perforate suede. While they fit, they're very close to too big. They certainly fit better and are more comfortable than the stock 007 or 009 pads I've used on them, and I also prefer them over the Brainwavz pleather/velour hybrid perforated pads. I generally dislike the feel of leather, and living where I do, it makes my face sweat too quickly. I think the ZMF pads sound as good as the others, but can't really give details on the difference. I have a poor sound memory and swapping pads can take a few minutes. If you have ZMF pads, they may be worth trying.

 

[Mach3]

Hi John, so I want to add something to this:

- I can't say its impossible to hear the difference. In fact, its much more likely there being a difference between electrostatic amps than regular headphone amps. There are clear sound differences to be found between electrostatic amplifiers, especially tube vs solid state. I personally believe there is a audible difference between the 3 amps I've owned - 252s, 727ii and 006t.

Well my wife has zero interest or knowledge regarding headphones. But even she can tell the difference in all my Stax energiser, 252S, SRM-T1S, SRM-600 LE & the SRM-007t.
I have two SR-007 MK1 that was used for the comparison.

 

[Hubert481]

Can you describe the difference - or your wife?