The Stax Thread III

[draytonklammer]

This confirms most feedback and my own results. Best units were late 70 and early 71. Something about those are super clear sounding with strong dynamics but controlled bass.

Makes me curious what you'd think of my 702xx
To my ears, it seems to exhibit the "favorite" traits often described with 007mk1 cherry-picked samples.

 

[Chefguru]

Makes me curious what you'd think of my 702xx
To my ears, it seems to exhibit the "favorite" traits often described with 007mk1 cherry-picked samples.

I’d guess it’s probably close or the same.

I’ve had other headphones where each serial is a little different also (my grado hp-1000s were like that). More a function of the manufacturing not getting 100% each time imo

 

[oneguy]

I concur with that sentiment. The guy or gal setting up the machine has a say in the process and final outcome.

 

[Tachikoma]

Meanwhile...

 

[KDS315]

I have t1 now with ccs and 007 first release. For now t1 modded sounds better compared to 007 stock but this last has bigger soundstage. In any case i sent 007 for upgrade(meaning ccs) to see differencies

Well hope you decided to also swap the tubes against 6S4A tubes, stronger they are and more linear!! This with CCS is called "Black Forest" Mod

 

[ruhian]

Hi could anyone share impressions of LNS / L700 vs Lambda NB please? Thank you!

 

[Chefguru]

Hi could anyone share impressions of LNS / L700 vs Lambda NB please? Thank you!

The LNS is much "sleepier" than the L500/L700 with less sibilance and more low-end. The "large" part of the driver is also forward facing on the LNS, which changes the orientation of the soundstage. On the carbon and megatron, the LNS has a very complete overall-sound with excellent balance between low-end and treble. I have heard many lambda, including some of the rarer ones like the Lambda pro from the 80s, and have concluded it sounds the closest of the lambda to neutral timber. It seems to require more energy to drive (this could be damping related) - for instance I had a friend's L700 and LNS off my megatron (which has 2 pro jacks) the other day and the 700 is louder at the same volume setting. In the LNS's best expression, which I found with the carbon, the LNS has excellent musicality and layering. It is not better than any of the omega models, but it does sound more "complete" and probably is a better studio monitor.

The L700 has a brighter, clearer sound, but is imo too fatiguing and thin. I don't find the L700 to scale very well, and mostly expresses the same signature on all of the amps I've heard it with.

Now the Sr-Lambda NB is a different story... I've only heard it once, but it has REALLY good dynamics and energy. I would say it's in a similar bucket as the he60. Less low-end than the LNS, but it packs a strong punch and will make all the hairs on the back of your head stand up with classical. Fantastic headphone.

 

[ruhian]

The LNS is much "sleepier" than the L500/L700 with less sibilance and more low-end. The "large" part of the driver is also forward facing on the LNS, which changes the orientation of the soundstage. On the carbon and megatron, the LNS has a very complete overall-sound with excellent balance between low-end and treble. I have heard many lambda, including some of the rarer ones like the Lambda pro from the 80s, and have concluded it sounds the closest of the lambda to neutral timber. It seems to require more energy to drive (this could be damping related) - for instance I had a friend's L700 and LNS off my megatron (which has 2 pro jacks) the other day and the 700 is louder at the same volume setting. In the LNS's best expression, which I found with the carbon, the LNS has excellent musicality and layering. It is not better than any of the omega models, but it does sound more "complete" and probably is a better studio monitor.

The L700 has a brighter, clearer sound, but is imo too fatiguing and thin. I don't find the L700 to scale very well, and mostly expresses the same signature on all of the amps I've heard it with.

Now the Sr-Lambda NB is a different story... I've only heard it once, but it has REALLY good dynamics and energy. I would say it's in a similar bucket as the he60. Less low-end than the LNS, but it packs a strong punch and will make all the hairs on the back of your head stand up with classical. Fantastic headphone.

Thanks - I am looking at getting into NB models and not sure what to expect....pretty much agree with your take on LNS too...@ YJ prices I believe its presents the best value for dollar on the market!

If they are in the same bucket as HE60.....perhaps i should take the plunge haha.

 

[alota]

Well hope you decided to also swap the tubes against 6S4A tubes, stronger they are and more linear!! This with CCS is called "Black Forest" Mod

Correct. 6s4a tubes. The seller of amp gave to me 4 sylvania but Dominik chooses best tube

 

[Chefguru]

Thanks - I am looking at getting into NB models and not sure what to expect....pretty much agree with your take on LNS too...@ YJ prices I believe its presents the best value for dollar on the market!

If they are in the same bucket as HE60.....perhaps i should take the plunge haha.

Awesome. I’m kicking myself for not getting a NB jack on the MT…. But perhaps on the future T2 haha

 

[oneguy]

Awesome. I’m kicking myself for not getting a NB jack on the MT…. But perhaps on the future T2 haha

There are two schools of thought on splitting jacks.
1. Go with the majority. There are more Pro Bias models out there so why waste your time with a Normal Bias output?
2. Versatility. How often are you going to need two Pro Bias headphones plugged in with similar sensitivities at the same time for two listeners?
I ended up opting for the versatility school of thought.

Meanwhile...

Gotta keep those vintage cans running any way you can! The previous owner of my Omega had to do the same thing with similar pads.

 

[Tachikoma]

Haha, they aren't vintage per se (O2 mk1), just doing a pad rolling experiment. I was using stock pads without the spring and cloth filter (to make the sound less dark), but there was an irritating treble peak somewhere and an annoying lack of oomph. Switching to these "Senn-like" pads took care of both issues, but the soundstage is a bit more intimate now, and the sub-bass is a bit more subdued (kind of like a Super Sennheiser HD650).

I also tried putting ES-R10 pads (R10 clone, $450 pads!) on them for fun, and that worked quite nicely - it was like listening to an ES-R10 with 200% technicalities. The O2 is a lot more amenable to pad rolling than I had expected.

On NB jacks - I would never get an amp without one. You're missing out if you haven't heard a Stax-terminated KSE1500.

 

[oneguy]

I meant vintage as in the mk1 is a quarter of a century old headphone model (just saying that sounds weird). Obviously they continued on with the 007 even to today so I guess there are two ways of looking at it. Currently, vintage? Vintagely, current? Lol

I haven’t pad rolled an 007 but I had favorable result swapping Omega pads for X9000 pads on an Omega with 007 drivers. May give some 007 rolling a try in the future.

I’m picking up my first NB headphones today assuming the weather cooperates.

 

[Kiats]

All the talk about the Lambda NB got me inspired to bring out mine out for a run on a Sunday morning. Agree on how it is such an excellent listen!

Frankly, I think the Stax NB range are really much better than they are given credit for. And perhaps not spoken about as much because you would need a NB output from your energiser.

 

[oneguy]

Not the greatest of lighting in my place at night but I added it to the shelf with some of my other Lambdas. No room in the glass case until I get another one after Christmas.