The Stax Thread III

[Svperstar]

Luckily I managed to get mine for $400 AUD, which I think is a good price. I managed to talk the guy down from $550, as the ad was really old with not much interest.

Those won't be the last tho...

 

[jody2k]

I took the 009 out the box for a final listen but this time on the Phantom on tube mode. I forgot how holographic and special it sounded with tubes so I had to pull the listing and keep them. I much prefer it on the Phatom with tube mode compared to the Carbon CC.

https://www.gifntext.com/temp_generations/2lLTxp6g.gif

Wise choice I think you would have regret selling your 009

 

[Gradostax fan]

I took the 009 out the box for a final listen but this time on the Phantom on tube mode. I forgot how holographic and special it sounded with tubes so I had to pull the listing and keep them. I much prefer it on the Phatom with tube mode compared to the Carbon CC.

https://www.gifntext.com/temp_generations/2lLTxp6g.gif

it's a matter of system matching. The carbon cc and kg/mjolnir amps in general suits sr007 much more while sr009 perform its best with tubes. Unfortunately there's a group of stax users who are fans for the sr007 mk1 trash the 009 every now and then.

 

[Kiats]

it's a matter of system matching. The carbon cc and kg/mjolnir amps in general suits sr007 much more while sr009 perform its best with tubes. Unfortunately there's a group of stax users who are fans for the sr007 mk1 trash the 009 every now and then.

Well, I think folks just need to realise that each of us look for different things and also listen out of different chains. I am a big fan of the Mk1. And I still enjoy my 009 and 009S. But that is because I have a wider range of DACs and amps that I match with depending on my mood and the sound signature I am in the mood for, and the kind of music I want to listen to.

@TheAbyss2022 : just listening to the near mint 71xxx I just received yesterday. It had to content itself for a bit of wait cos I was on the MDR-R10 which is with me courtesy of kindness of a friend. But, yes, I think having the 70xxx and 71xxx works as the differences are discernible yet complementary.

 

[alota]

Wise choice I think you would have regret selling your 009

I sold mine this week just because i listen only one headphone. But i regret this sell...

 

[Svperstar]

by the way, I listened to x9000 and I think I understood why you installed Audeze leather LCD earpads on them)))

Wearing them right now. Like many X9000 users I bought mine used. I ordered a new pair of Stax pads if I decide to remove the Audeze pads. That way fresh new pads on them if I ever choose to sell them. I'm curious if there is any sonic difference between new Stax pads and old. Probably not.

 

[aokman]

Tell us more about that Yama rebuild!

It’s on youtube Once this amp is done, its back to some Lundahl stuff and see if I can make anything more of the transformers

 

[mbrennwa]

@aokman Beautifil work! Need to remember the Play Doh trick to hold the sockets.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Jude said the 009 was the first headphone better then the HE90, which he later walked back. I actually read some really old reviews of the HE60/HE90 from the 1990s that said the HE60 was a more engaging listen then the HE90.

yes but in HE90 the driver size is much larger, the scene is much better - "so many people, so many opinions" (c)

 

[Svperstar]

yes but in HE90 the driver size is much larger, the scene is much better - "so many people, so many opinions" (c)

For sure. The HE90 is so old and so rare now that its basically a magic artifact like the Holy Grail or Ark of the Covenant. Some reviews from the 1990s said the HE60 was "90% the same as the HE90" and that the bass was better on the HE60. That contradicts other reviews.

 

[DougD]

it's a matter of system matching. The carbon cc and kg/mjolnir amps in general suits sr007 much more while sr009 perform its best with tubes. Unfortunately there's a group of stax users who are fans for the sr007 mk1 trash the 009 every now and then. (emphasis added).

Interesting choice of wording.

As a long-time reader, I've never detected any animating factors in the discussions beyond the normal diversity of opinions expected, due to different experiences & different preferences.

I say that as someone who doesn't have enough ear-time with 007 and 009 models to be sure of my own favorite/s. (i.e., if there are different camps with vested opinions, I'm not in any of them.)

 

[DougD]

As a person who would PREFER for budgetary reasons to have one TOTL e-stat amp, rather that a solid-state AND a tube model (N=2), I've been enjoying the discussions of tube and s/s amps.

The impression I'm getting is that the effect of tube-rolling is subtle on (existing/semi-common) e-stat tube amps.

Anybody have experiences to share about how using a tube PRE-AMP with solid-state e-stat amps compares? e..g, I have a Schiit Freya+.

 

[number1sixerfan]

For sure. The HE90 is so old and so rare now that its basically a magic artifact like the Holy Grail or Ark of the Covenant. Some reviews from the 1990s said the HE60 was "90% the same as the HE90" and that the bass was better on the HE60. That contradicts other reviews.

That would be an interesting statement for sure lol. For starters, they are really different. They have entirely different signatures. I would say the HE90 without question is a lot better than the HE60, although not to the point of the drastic difference in the vintage prices. The HE90 for sure has better bass than the HE60, as the bass on the HE60 is a bit deficient. That's also what gives the HE60 a bit of an advantage in clarity overall. The HE60 is still really good, and was a bargain at a time.. the prices for both skyrocketed after they were discontinued.

 

[alota]

it's a matter of system matching. The carbon cc and kg/mjolnir amps in general suits sr007 much more while sr009 perform its best with tubes. Unfortunately there's a group of stax users who are fans for the sr007 mk1 trash the 009 every now and then.

I tried all my staxs with tubes. In my opinion, are at the same level with, of course, differencies. I do not believe that 009 is better compared to 007 with my amp. I like both and each one has point of excellence

 

[number1sixerfan]

The only reason I have the 009 over the 007 is because it holds its own better against today's absolute TOTLs because its a bit more resolving. It's more detailed than the TC/Susvara and it's not just about tonality/brightness. It's only slightly behind the Shang Sr./Immanis/x9000 and I wouldn't be able to say the same for the 007. That said, they are totally different and the arguments on here have been brutal at times lol. I enjoy both and think they're both amazing. I've also trended in the direction of more appreciation for the 007 and more scrutiny for the 009 over the past few years in the hobby. The 009 has more tradeoffs for sure and is less of an all rounder.