The Stax Thread III

[LarsHP]

I haven't tried those. I don't have much to complain about with Media Monkey but i mostly use it for its library curation tools rather than as a player.

I do still extensively use my Squeezebox devices, and despite the fact that Logitech abandoned the product line 10 years ago, the ecosystem is still alive and well. They just have to call the server Lyrion Music Server now.

I'm actually embarking on a project to assemble a new player using the PiCorePlayer OS on an old raspberry pi 3 with a touchscreen and an outboard DAC (adding spdif output to the Pi). I've been running my own server for at least 15 years, it's not hard to stand up, and picoreplayer can host a server on the raspberry pi as well. Among the original devices, the ones that have digital output either lack a physical user interface or are prohibitively expensive. The Squeezebox Touch was a very promising product that reportedly has a badly designed internal power regulation circuit that eventually fries the whole thing.

I also use LMS, both with (two) Squeezebox Touch and Gustard R26. Excellent software and good parametric equalizer plug-in. Worked clearly better for me than Audirvana which often caused stops during playback.

Regarding the internal power circuit in the SB Touch, I haven't had any issues with either unit even though they have been powered on constantly for months at a time during the years I have had them.

 

[ericj]

I also use LMS, both with (two) Squeezebox Touch and Gustard R26. Excellent software and good parametric equalizer plug-in. Worked clearly better for me than Audirvana which often caused stops during playback.

Regarding the internal power circuit in the SB Touch, I haven't had any issues with either unit even though they have been powered on constantly for months at a time during the years I have had them.

I was considering picking up a Touch and came across an ebay listing for one that wasn't powering on after a long time in storage.

After reading some threads on the lyrion forum i decided it wasn't worth the $80 gamble. I'm not sure if it was an issue with only a certain serial number range or what, but a guy who sounds like a reasonably skilled repair tech said that the only broken SB Touch that ever came across his workbench that he got working again was one where the IR sensor had burned out -- you can just replace that sensor. The working ones for sale are hundreds of dollars.

It could be that some people plug in the wrong power supply, which will certainly nuke them. Or some of the power supplies were not so good. But he said that when internal power regulation goes, the damage is pretty extensive.

At any rate it sounds like the ones that are gonna die are dead by now maybe?

I have a classic, two booms, and 3 radios. I mostly use the Radios outside, and I guess two of them are spares.

Almost all of what I listen to is files on a server and I have plenty of bits and knowhow. Just chose to order a DSI screen for the rpi rather than use an hdmi/usb touchscreen i already have. Everything else is already here.

PiCorePlayer's UI is called JazzLite as it is based on the last open-source release of the Jazz UI on the Radio, Touch, and Duet. They say it now has "most" of the features of the last closed-source firmware, demos look pretty good, people seem happy with it. You can run backend and frontend on the same device, as with a Touch. there seem to be raspberry pi touchscreens that come with a full enclosure but idk that they have room for an spdif or dac hat.

At the most benign a laptop is still more distracting than an appliance.

 

[davidbea]

I received my Spritzer modified 007A's today and have tried them with my SRM1/Mk2 (nice) and now with my SRM T-1. Listening to Messiaen's Chants de Terre et de Ciel with Suzie Leblanc on ATMA Classique. Breathtaking. The voice floats...Earlier when listening to the Turangalîla Symphony I was impressed by the increased but not over emphasized detail and air but was aware of some limited dynamics but not offensive. Suggestions for next steps that wouldn't sabotage when I have always appreciated. I'm listening from a Brennan B2 feeding an Mhdt Havana. Anybody using a Spritzer modified SRM-007tA? Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[ericj]

I think any square stax, depending on preferences, will be better than Koss 95X

Well, between two pair of normal bias lambdas and an L300, and my esp/950, I suspect that you're right wrt the 95x.

I haven't heard the 95x like i said, but the general vibe from the massdrop headphones I've heard is that they give 'em bigger bass, right? I have their HE-4xx as well as the HE-400S orthos and basically the 400S is neutral as heck and the 4xx is a bit "fun".

The esp/950 is certainly more of a fun-forward headphone than any of the stax i have. I'm not sure giving it a bigger bottom end is a great idea.

 

[HoodedHoodlum]

Update: well guys, for those of you that have seen my posts within the past week or so, I'm gonna need several Fs in this thread... So, initially, I thought things were looking positive regarding my X9000s. I had them sitting in their storage box untouched for the past couple of days, and lo and behold, the channel imbalance was finally gone!

However, the squealing persisted... And the imbalance was slowly coming back. Since the squealing was due to something causing the diaphragm to arc, whether dust or something else, I figured I had nothing to lose, so, I decided to carefully open up my driver, hoping I'd find a speck of dust that I could clean off. Upon moving one of the stators out of the way, I was greeted to this...:

https://imgur.com/a/7XWWDef

Yup, a hole got burned in the diaphragm. The diaphragm itself, to my surprise, was actually spotless and free of dust. So, what caused the hole to develop? Now that I remember, before I first noticed the imbalance, I was listening to them like usual, but needed to check on something, so I took them off of my head and set them down for several minutes (still connected to the Woo WEE).

It wasn't until a couple of minutes had passed, when I heard a sudden snapping/popping noise, like the sound of Party Snaps. One of my cats, who was with me in my bedroom when it happened, kept staring towards the X9000s after the snapping/popping. I had thought maybe something fell on the ground, so I didn't think much of it back then.

Since I cannot get to the ballast resistors in the Woo WEE due to the inner casing lids being sealed with adhesive, I could not have users like ericj verify whether my unit is one of the bad ones. But, after seeing that the diaphragm was dust-free, it looks like the WEE was most likely the culprit.

I decided to clip off that one free hanging tab in the hole, so that it would not touch the stator. After reassembly, I tested them on my 353X. The channel imbalance, along with the squealing, was finally gone. And, despite the hole, the left driver surprisingly plays damn well, to the point you can't even tell there is a hole.

I know I'll need to buy a new driver eventually, but in the meantime I can live with the hole (or just using my other e-stats).

 

[Alex-Hu]

Looking forward to the ES-2a impression!

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Looking forward to the ES-2a impression!

me too

 

[AudioThief]

F for HoodedHuoodlum. That sucks. Of course your post also fills me with dread about my own X9000 which arrived to the postal terminal this morning. I will be frantically be updating the tracking page so I can drive to the post office and pick it up the second it is scanned there. Horrible thoughts of dead drivers, channel imbalances etc. Going through my head. Ive bought 4 brand new Stax headphones where one, the L500mk1 developed a channel imbalance. The seller just sent me a new one, so didnt have to wait for repair. In this case, the X9000 dealer who sold me this pair is getting rid of all of their stock due to another company taking over the Stax brand in Norway. This was one of two remaining X9000 in their stock. So if there are any issues, its unlikely I can just get it replaced in an instance.

Crossing my fingers. Once I receive the headphones later today, I will make some super early impressions. Its always fun to write down and later look back on the very first impressions a headphones gives. And this certainly feel like one of the more special headphones purchases Ive made.

In other news, Ive really been enjoying my L700mk2 lately. There is something about the treble that is just doing something so incredibly right to my ears. The 007mk2 has more resolution, better sense of scale and higher fidelity bass. And while I think the treble does a great act of balancing between too little and too much, I cant help but feel that the L700s treble, in combination with the lambda series unique presentation creates something truly special that I have yet to hear anywhere else. There is something so incredibly visceral about the sound yet never bright. I dont even feel like the L700 lacks body. I am beyond intrigued on where the X9000 will fall in comparison to L700 and 007. If they are even comparable, as I understand the sound stage is quite significantly larger than the models mentioned.

 

[jody2k]

I decided to clip off that one free hanging tab in the hole, so that it would not touch the stator. After reassembly, I tested them on my 353X. The channel imbalance, along with the squealing, was finally gone. And, despite the hole, the left driver surprisingly plays damn well, to the point you can't even tell there is a hole.

I know I'll need to buy a new driver eventually, but in the meantime I can live with the hole (or just using my other e-stats).

I remember I had squealing issue's with my Hifiman Jade II when my dust layer got destroyed.
The squealing noise was the main reason the dust was free now to touch the diaphragm itself.

I'm really surprised that your diaphragm with a whole in it is still working fine wasn't expecting this.
Fingers crossed for you buddy i'm really glad for you it still works

 

[HoodedHoodlum]

F for HoodedHuoodlum. That sucks. Of course your post also fills me with dread about my own X9000 which arrived to the postal terminal this morning. I will be frantically be updating the tracking page so I can drive to the post office and pick it up the second it is scanned there. Horrible thoughts of dead drivers, channel imbalances etc. Going through my head. Ive bought 4 brand new Stax headphones where one, the L500mk1 developed a channel imbalance. The seller just sent me a new one, so didnt have to wait for repair. In this case, the X9000 dealer who sold me this pair is getting rid of all of their stock due to another company taking over the Stax brand in Norway. This was one of two remaining X9000 in their stock. So if there are any issues, its unlikely I can just get it replaced in an instance.

Crossing my fingers. Once I receive the headphones later today, I will make some super early impressions. Its always fun to write down and later look back on the very first impressions a headphones gives. And this certainly feel like one of the more special headphones purchases Ive made.

In other news, Ive really been enjoying my L700mk2 lately. There is something about the treble that is just doing something so incredibly right to my ears. The 007mk2 has more resolution, better sense of scale and higher fidelity bass. And while I think the treble does a great act of balancing between too little and too much, I cant help but feel that the L700s treble, in combination with the lambda series unique presentation creates something truly special that I have yet to hear anywhere else. There is something so incredibly visceral about the sound yet never bright. I dont even feel like the L700 lacks body. I am beyond intrigued on where the X9000 will fall in comparison to L700 and 007. If they are even comparable, as I understand the sound stage is quite significantly larger than the models mentioned.

I have a feeling that you should be okay, provided that you will be driving them with something reliable that won't destroy the drivers, and of course, storing them well when not in use. I'd also advise on not keeping them plugged in when not in use. Will you at least have some sort of warranty? My warranty is long gone so any repairs will be out of pocket. Switching gears, I haven't heard an L700 MK2 but I'm curious as to what a pair sounds like. I wonder how it'd compare to my L500 MK2.

I remember I had squealing issue's with my Hifiman Jade II when my dust layer got destroyed.
The squealing noise was the main reason the dust was free now to touch the diaphragm itself.

I'm really surprised that your diaphragm with a whole in it is still working fine wasn't expecting this.
Fingers crossed for you buddy, keep it out of the dust by all cost

Thankfully, my dust covers are still perfectly intact, and that is reinforced by the fact that the diaphragm was completely spotless. And not to worry, I made sure on reassembly that the diaphragm was still free of dust, which thankfully it was. Yeah I was really surprised and impressed that, despite the hole, the driver still performs as if it wasn't there. And now that I snipped the tab, no more imbalance and squealing. As long as the hole does not get any bigger, which I have a feeling it won't as long as there is no more arcing, I can live with it until I'm able to source a new X9000 driver.

 

[AudioThief]

I have a feeling that you should be okay, provided that you will be driving them with something reliable that won't destroy the drivers, and of course, storing them well when not in use. I'd also advise on not keeping them plugged in when not in use. Will you at least have some sort of warranty? My warranty is long gone so any repairs will be out of pocket. Switching gears, I haven't heard an L700 MK2 but I'm curious as to what a pair sounds like. I wonder how it'd compare to my L500 MK2.

Thankfully, my dust covers are still perfectly intact, and that is reinforced by the fact that the diaphragm was completely spotless. And not to worry, I made sure on reassembly that the diaphragm was still free of dust, which thankfully it was. Yeah I was really surprised and impressed that, despite the hole, the driver still performs as if it wasn't there. And now that I snipped the tab, no more imbalance and squealing. As long as the hole does not get any bigger, which I have a feeling it won't as long as there is no more arcing, I can live with it until I'm able to source a new X9000 driver.

Luckily norwegian consumer laws are very consumer friendly. All consumer purchases of goods have a base warranty of two years, and if the product is clearly expected to last longer than two years - such as in case of Stax headphones - the warranty is 5 years. This will be a bit of a tangent, but as a soon to be masters of law, I also find that making companies comply with the law is usually pretty straight forward. In case of a dispute, there is also a consumer supervision authority which any consumer can make a formal complaint and have the authority mediate between each party. If the case isn't settled between the parties, the case can be forwarded to The Consumer Disputes Commission which will make a legal judgement - at which point the parties can accept the judgement or appeal it to the court system. I had the privilege of doing an internship at the consumer supervision authority where I among other things wrote decisions for the consumer disputes commision. So I have a lot of faith in any matter being fixed - eventually. But obviously, I want to have my audio nirvana from today with no issues until I am old and gray! So hope I don't have to deal with anything at all, hehe.

I can make some comments on the L500mk2 vs L700mk2, as I own both. They are more similar than they are different. In terms of resolution, sound stage etc. I don't think there's any significant differences. The listening experience is certaintly far, far from any "night or day" difference to my ears in terms of technical performance. I think going from the L300 to the L500mk2 is a much bigger step up. Not that the L300 aren't great headphones - they are. But in terms of sound, they are a bit too much of a one trick pony for my liking. They lack the necessary sense of scale for certain music, which also hurts its overall transparency although they are very resolving. The bass also feels less disciplined and can be either too much or too little depending on track.

Stepping up to the L500mk2, you get a significantly better sense of scale and thus seperation. The bass is more controlled. Above all, L500mk2 are very neutral sounding to my ears. Incredibly clean, resolving sound. Not to mention the comfort/build quality improvements over the L300. My main "issue" with the L500mk2 is that they can be fatiguing over long sessions or on certain tracks. I lived with the L500mk2 as my only electrostats from early 2019 to late 2024 and enjoyed them a lot. If I was less treble sensitive, they might be one of my favorite headphones ever. However due to my personal preferences, the L700mk2 beats them out quite handidly. This mainly comes down to a less hot treble which to my ears makes them both less fatiguing and more enjoyable to listen to. In my opinion, once you get to L500mk2 and above in terms of sound quality it really comes down to preference. Of course this is essentially always the case. But my point is that while for instance the 007mk2 is pretty obviously more resolving and has more body than the L500mk2/L700mk2, this is irrelevant - especially long term - for someone who predominantly listens to acoustic guitar, soprano operas or violin/piano classical etc. Their preference in terms of headphone tuning/balance and treble energy for instance, is much more important. Same as a true basshead should stay clear of Stax alltogether. So it really comes down to personal preference.

What I would tell any L500mk2 owner is that, if you feel the L500mk2 in general or on certain tracks are too bright - you should seriously consider the L700mk2. I can't underline how important the right tuning is not only on the enjoyment of the headphone, but also how we perceive the technical greatness of the headphone. To me, the L700mk2 is one of the best headphones ever made and strikes an incredible balance with treble energy being exciting without ever being fatiguing. The bass is also impactful and controlled, and the soundstage/imaging - while not being large - creates an immersive listening experience that is exciting but never fatiguing. To me, this is one of the best complements I can give a headphone because it seems most headphones, to me, fall into "not fatiguing, not exciting" or "exciting but fatiguing".

 

[Rob80b]

I can make some comments on the L500mk2 vs L700mk2, as I own both. They are more similar than they are different. In terms of resolution, sound stage etc. I don't think there's any significant differences......However due to my personal preferences, the L700mk2 beats them out quite handidly......

Thanks for your synopsis...my current pair of L300s, with the thicker leather pads and the MKII headband assembly, from what I've read should I assume correctly be very similar to the L500 MK II and if I'm honest sound remarkably accomplished given their price point.... but I've been sitting on the fence with regards to moving up to the L700 MKII, still not totally convinced if I'd appreciate the improvements.
Treble is rarely an issue with me on most headphones and so far the Stax treble is one of the finest and as a flutist one which I can really appreciate....bass and a wider deeper sound-stage I'm reading though is better resolved on the L700 though than the L500?

But my point is that while for instance the 007mk2 is pretty obviously more resolving and has more body than the L500mk2/L700mk2, this is irrelevant - especially long term - for someone who predominantly listens to acoustic guitar, soprano operas or violin/piano classical etc

Almost went for a pair of SR 007mk2 last week but also given my preferences decided it would be better to aim for the 009 if I ever decide to go that route.

 

[AudioThief]

Luckily my SR-X9000 arrived and with no issues! I'm listening to my first tracks now and making some initial impressions.

As I was looking for the first track to listen to, I felt both butterflies and an ominous lump in my throat. As I've mentioned, my expectations were conservative considering there's so, so many years I've been truly WOW'ed by a pair of headphones. In fact I felt a very real possibility of me being straight up disappointed considering (a) the cost of the headphones and (b) reading impressions and reviews haven't really given me a clear answer on where the headphone stands compared to the previous omegas or lambdas.

In fear of being disappointed or underwhelmed, I went for something relatively simple to start us off:

Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries

The track has been a true staple in my listening sessions both for general music listening but also to test equipment. My immediate reaction was: wow! The sound is really big! This sounds awesome. I also heard some sounds I hadn't recognized before. The clarity seems really crazy. I honestly didn't expect that I'd notice any details, but the transparency on these are really next level. Next track is Mezzoforte - Cruising. Initial impression is again wow, the sound is so big. Its not that anything feels distant, but rather that the sound feels like it comes from the room and not a pair of headphones. This sensation is of course to some sense presence in lambda and omegas, but this is the most immersive I've ever felt it. The bass present from the bassist in this band also makes me question comments I've seen on these being bass light. Its very much present and has great impact. Polyphia - Playing God again underlined just how punchy the bass is, and again I'm so surprised at how big the sound is. I've never listened to headphones where I can fool myself into thinking I'm listening to speakers when I close my eyes. Maybe its the light weight of the headphones? LOL

Just three tracks in and I must say I am very positively surprised. I did not expect this jump in technical abilities. Very immersive sound and no hot treble detected. Damn! I must saviour this experience because I know it might just be my last head-fi experience of actually feeling "blown away".

 

[HoodedHoodlum]

Luckily my SR-X9000 arrived and with no issues! I'm listening to my first tracks now and making some initial impressions.

As I was looking for the first track to listen to, I felt both butterflies and an ominous lump in my throat. As I've mentioned, my expectations were conservative considering there's so, so many years I've been truly WOW'ed by a pair of headphones. In fact I felt a very real possibility of me being straight up disappointed considering (a) the cost of the headphones and (b) reading impressions and reviews haven't really given me a clear answer on where the headphone stands compared to the previous omegas or lambdas.

In fear of being disappointed or underwhelmed, I went for something relatively simple to start us off:

Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries

The track has been a true staple in my listening sessions both for general music listening but also to test equipment. My immediate reaction was: wow! The sound is really big! This sounds awesome. I also heard some sounds I hadn't recognized before. The clarity seems really crazy. I honestly didn't expect that I'd notice any details, but the transparency on these are really next level. Next track is Mezzoforte - Cruising. Initial impression is again wow, the sound is so big. Its not that anything feels distant, but rather that the sound feels like it comes from the room and not a pair of headphones. This sensation is of course to some sense presence in lambda and omegas, but this is the most immersive I've ever felt it. The bass present from the bassist in this band also makes me question comments I've seen on these being bass light. Its very much present and has great impact. Polyphia - Playing God again underlined just how punchy the bass is, and again I'm so surprised at how big the sound is. I've never listened to headphones where I can fool myself into thinking I'm listening to speakers when I close my eyes. Maybe its the light weight of the headphones? LOL

Just three tracks in and I must say I am very positively surprised. I did not expect this jump in technical abilities. Very immersive sound and no hot treble detected. Damn! I must saviour this experience because I know it might just be my last head-fi experience of actually feeling "blown away".

And they'll only continue to get more awesome the more you listen to them and get accustomed to their sound signature, they truly are impressive in how they render 3D space in well-mastered tracks. It's quite a euphoric experience where you just want to keep listening and not taking them off your head hahahaha. I will say though, if I were to nitpick one thing, is that I wish the pads were full leather, like the 007 pads. The X9000 pads are only leather on the ring section that touches your head, all the rest is synthetic. Because of this, the pads on a 007 feel just a tad more luxurious, and I bet will last longer.

 

[SolarCetacean]

Luckily my SR-X9000 arrived and with no issues! I'm listening to my first tracks now and making some initial impressions.

As I was looking for the first track to listen to, I felt both butterflies and an ominous lump in my throat. As I've mentioned, my expectations were conservative considering there's so, so many years I've been truly WOW'ed by a pair of headphones. In fact I felt a very real possibility of me being straight up disappointed considering (a) the cost of the headphones and (b) reading impressions and reviews haven't really given me a clear answer on where the headphone stands compared to the previous omegas or lambdas.

In fear of being disappointed or underwhelmed, I went for something relatively simple to start us off:

Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries

The track has been a true staple in my listening sessions both for general music listening but also to test equipment. My immediate reaction was: wow! The sound is really big! This sounds awesome. I also heard some sounds I hadn't recognized before. The clarity seems really crazy. I honestly didn't expect that I'd notice any details, but the transparency on these are really next level. Next track is Mezzoforte - Cruising. Initial impression is again wow, the sound is so big. Its not that anything feels distant, but rather that the sound feels like it comes from the room and not a pair of headphones. This sensation is of course to some sense presence in lambda and omegas, but this is the most immersive I've ever felt it. The bass present from the bassist in this band also makes me question comments I've seen on these being bass light. Its very much present and has great impact. Polyphia - Playing God again underlined just how punchy the bass is, and again I'm so surprised at how big the sound is. I've never listened to headphones where I can fool myself into thinking I'm listening to speakers when I close my eyes. Maybe its the light weight of the headphones? LOL

Just three tracks in and I must say I am very positively surprised. I did not expect this jump in technical abilities. Very immersive sound and no hot treble detected. Damn! I must saviour this experience because I know it might just be my last head-fi experience of actually feeling "blown away".

I'm glad to read that you're enjoying the X9000! I also went from the L700mk2 to the X9000, and I brought my L700 with me to my demo of the X9000. My thinking was that if the X9000 was good, but just a slight upgrade from the L700, then maybe it wouldn't be worth it. Literally a few seconds of listening was enough to tell that no, the X9000 was not just a slightly improved L700, it's substantially different, and for me, better.

The L700 was noticeably warmer to me, with more of a mid/upper-bass hump. For most percussion instruments, the L700 sounded bassier, though the X9000 was also no slouch in bass and I prefer its more neutral (IMO) bass presentation. The L700 had the classic Stax midrange honk while the X9000's midrange peak was better disguised. However, the L700 could often sound like I was listening to the raw mic feed from the studio, which can be a nice effect. The X9000 sounded more real, like the instrument was being played live in front of me. I also love the spaciousness of the X9000, though the L700 still renders an interesting wedge-shaped soundstage which is immersive in its own way and is basically the unique feature of the L-series Lambdas, at least to me.

These comparisons are based on several months of listening to the two during demoes and at home. While I still have the L700 in my signature, I haven't actually listened to it in 9 months because it's with a friend of mine. After I brought both to a meet, he found that he enjoyed the L700 more than the X9000 while I preferred the X9000 over the L700, and since we live pretty close by, I've let him borrow my L700 since then. He thinks I'm being a pal and letting him do long-term at-home demoing of headphones and amps; little does he know that I've been using him as free storage for gear I don't use anymore, but am too lazy to sell, yet too stingy to give away.