Starting the weekend over here in the Equator with the Stax Alpha Pro. I am very pleasantly surprised by how much I am enjoying it. 
I was at HeadAmp today and compared my SR-L700mk2 with the SR-X9000 on the BHSE, with the Chord Hugo TT2 as the DAC and my ZX707 Walkman as the player connected via USB.
To my ear, the L700 is warmer (more upper bass and lower mids), overall more intimate (sound elements closer to the listener), and has the distinctive triangular soundstage shape of the Advanced Lambda line with the prominent vocal localization in the front and center. The L700 also has a "crystalline" quality to the leading and trailing edges of vocals, a bit like the sound of glass shattering. It's probably an emphasis of certain sibilant components of the transient. The overall effect is like making vocals "scratchier" in sound with a slightly harsher edge to them.
The X9000 is more open, with a spherical soundstage shape and greater size. Vocals are still prominent and forward, but due to not having the triangular soundstage, they aren't focused on spatially. Vocal tonality is more even and there isn't that crystalline quality. Not as much upper bass presence to have less warmth, but I think bass impact isn't harmed by this. The X9000 has more upper treble, but it's more even, while the L700 has less overall upper treble but a peak around 11.5 KHz. The X9000 may be a bit more fatiguing in the long run, or on bad days (sometimes I'm more sensitive to upper treble while on other days less so). I did not find it fatiguing during my 3-hour demo.
I find the X9000 to be substantially more comfortable. This might be my head shape, but the sides of the L700's earpads focus much of the pressure on one part of my cheekbones. I guess I have prominent cheekbones or something. The X9000 has less clamp pressure and better clamp distribution through the round earpads so there aren't cheekbone hotspots.
To my ear, the L700 is warmer (more upper bass and lower mids), overall more intimate (sound elements closer to the listener), and has the distinctive triangular soundstage shape of the Advanced Lambda line with the prominent vocal localization in the front and center. The L700 also has a "crystalline" quality to the leading and trailing edges of vocals, a bit like the sound of glass shattering. It's probably an emphasis of certain sibilant components of the transient. The overall effect is like making vocals "scratchier" in sound with a slightly harsher edge to them.
The X9000 is more open, with a spherical soundstage shape and greater size. Vocals are still prominent and forward, but due to not having the triangular soundstage, they aren't focused on spatially. Vocal tonality is more even and there isn't that crystalline quality. Not as much upper bass presence to have less warmth, but I think bass impact isn't harmed by this. The X9000 has more upper treble, but it's more even, while the L700 has less overall upper treble but a peak around 11.5 KHz. The X9000 may be a bit more fatiguing in the long run, or on bad days (sometimes I'm more sensitive to upper treble while on other days less so). I did not find it fatiguing during my 3-hour demo.
I find the X9000 to be substantially more comfortable. This might be my head shape, but the sides of the L700's earpads focus much of the pressure on one part of my cheekbones. I guess I have prominent cheekbones or something. The X9000 has less clamp pressure and better clamp distribution through the round earpads so there aren't cheekbone hotspots.
Schiir Eitr > ModiMB > Lokius [on] > Jot2 > Rekkr > SRD-7 > SR-Xmk3
SRD-7mk2 pics:
I plan to only pull the 4 thermistors from the pcb and replace with 2 new resistors. Still a bit intimidating procedure for a rookie with shaky hands. I think I will practice on the cheaper SRD-7mk1 first.
I plan to only pull the 4 thermistors from the pcb and replace with 2 new resistors. Still a bit intimidating procedure for a rookie with shaky hands. I think I will practice on the cheaper SRD-7mk1 first.
ludoo
1000+ Head-Fier
mk1 is different
just unscrew the pcb, rotate it being careful not to pull on any wire, and everything will look super easySorry for newb question right before committing to thermistor surgery, but is .5% improvement in distortion thru SRD-7 audible? Rest of chain being Schiit Rekker and x Lambda and low volume listening?
And do these measures really translate to SRD-7mk2 since there are some differences.
More newb question:
Is amp distortion added or multiplied by transducer? For example, would SRD-7 thermistor just add .5% distortion to L-300?
And do these measures really translate to SRD-7mk2 since there are some differences.
More newb question:
Is amp distortion added or multiplied by transducer? For example, would SRD-7 thermistor just add .5% distortion to L-300?
I read .5% as .05%. Nevermind. I only got a few hours sleep.
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Good morning folks! I thought I would share these photos of the Orpheus from yesterday. Some friends on HF know I have been working through some persona struggles. Hence, @Uncle Wilson has been most kind to offer up his Orpheus to keep me company through this rough patch.
Big shout out to @Uncle Wilson and Jaben SG for the joy you have been sharing with me these past few months in any event by sending me audio goodies as demo units. Hence, I thought I would share some of this particular joy with everyone too. I have to wait for the adapter from @spritzer to arrive in Singapore so I can plug this in and find bliss.
Notice Wilson was kind enough to pack the Orpheus into the excellent HippoCase that Jaben SG customized for HPs to be carried around with great protection. It worked for my HD800 and Fostex TH900 when they went back for change of earpads and head bands. And now, it works for the Orpheus to travel incognito home as well.
Big shout out to @Uncle Wilson and Jaben SG for the joy you have been sharing with me these past few months in any event by sending me audio goodies as demo units. Hence, I thought I would share some of this particular joy with everyone too. I have to wait for the adapter from @spritzer to arrive in Singapore so I can plug this in and find bliss.
Notice Wilson was kind enough to pack the Orpheus into the excellent HippoCase that Jaben SG customized for HPs to be carried around with great protection. It worked for my HD800 and Fostex TH900 when they went back for change of earpads and head bands. And now, it works for the Orpheus to travel incognito home as well.
It’s another dull and dreary day in the Equator with year end intermittent showers. Time spent with the SR-X Mk1, circa 1970, the warmest of the SR-X NB series. Great for easy going jazz vocals, and ACG vocals.
It is early Thursday morning here in the Equator. Some respite from the rain with sun out.
A special Stax earspeakers arrived yesterday. The venerable SR-1, circa 1960. The Stax earspeaker that started it all for Stax. It still sounds good after all these years. That is indeed amazing!
A special Stax earspeakers arrived yesterday. The venerable SR-1, circa 1960. The Stax earspeaker that started it all for Stax. It still sounds good after all these years. That is indeed amazing!
Chefguru
Headphoneus Supremus
It is early Thursday morning here in the Equator. Some respite from the rain with sun out.
A special Stax earspeakers arrived yesterday. The venerable SR-1, circa 1960. The Stax earspeaker that started it all for Stax. It still sounds good after all these years. That is indeed amazing!
Would be cool to see a ranking of how you place all the gear since you have access to such an awesome collection
Thanks! Currently I get more time with my collection (as well as spend meaningful time on Yahoo JP for opportunistic purchases) as I am working through some prolonged illness issues. Hopefully, I will have time also slowly but surely build up my mental library of comparisons.
What I can tell for sure is that as Stax has pursued thinner and thinner drivers, there has been a trade off between a warmer, more organic sound towards perhaps a more transparent technical sound. Of course, there will be starts and stops along the way. Hence, recently since I have been afforded more time, I have done more exploration of the NB Stax earspeakers as well the early Lambdas.
In the meantime, I will take a pause sooner on acquisition and revisit the early Lambdas Pros that came before the LNS and the Omega.
Chefguru
Headphoneus Supremus
Yeah for me I’ve felt like the omega up to omega 2 era had a nice balance of organic tone.Thanks! Currently I get more time with my collection (as well as spend meaningful time on Yahoo JP for opportunistic purchases) as I am working through some prolonged illness issues. Hopefully, I will have time also slowly but surely build up my mental library of comparisons.
What I can tell for sure is that as Stax has pursued thinner and thinner drivers, there has been a trade off between a warmer, more organic sound towards perhaps a more transparent technical sound. Of course, there will be starts and stops along the way. Hence, recently since I have been afforded more time, I have done more exploration of the NB Stax earspeakers as well the early Lambdas.
In the meantime, I will take a pause sooner on acquisition and revisit the early Lambdas Pros that came before the LNS and the Omega.
Sr-lambda NB is actually closer to the 009/current lambda lineage imo.
It would be cool to see which pro jack gems you think are worth picking up. I’m itching for a few more units to test on the megatron.
Speaking of driver thickness do we know what X9K thickness is in comparison to older models from both Omega & Lambda series? Would be very interested to know!
What would you be looking for in terms of balance?
Interesting that you feel that Lambda NB being closer to the 009/current Lambdas. In what way do you think they are closer?
Replaced thermistors on SRD-7 with resistors. Im mildly surprised I succeeded with newb solder skills.
Can I tell the difference? No, because I spent hardly any time listening to SRD-7mk1 and SR-Xmk3 before hand. Sounds good!
I am a bit afraid to do the same mod on SRD-7mk2 because I paid so much more. :|
Can I tell the difference? No, because I spent hardly any time listening to SRD-7mk1 and SR-Xmk3 before hand. Sounds good!
I am a bit afraid to do the same mod on SRD-7mk2 because I paid so much more. :|
