The Stax Thread III

[bearFNF]

  The older SRM-717 is much better I found than the current 727. The 323 is thinner and sterile IMO and a step back. Pity the 'new' amp from Stax is not out yet (for the 009s).
I would say get hold of a good 717 and save / commission a KGSS or KGSShv. Don't waist your hard earned cash on the current Stax amps (sorry if this sounds harsh, have spent before on the subject...).

My recommendation was for the options listed, but if we are going to open it up for other options, I would add the LL2 to the list along with the BHSE. I have not heard the KGSS/HV so cant say either way on them.

 

[Earspeakers]

There are a lot of discussions on DAC's for Stax, but most of them are out of date, so sorry if it's an old topic but I could really use some suggestions as there are so many choices. 
 
I have an extensive Stax collection, nearly every one they made new and old, same for the amps, plus the new DIY variants (KGST, T2, BHSE, etc). I've also got a Stax Quattro 1 and 2 as sources, but need a decent DAC to drive all this too (I have a pretty good Chinese one now but should upgrade). Here's what I'm looking for
 

1. The best I can get in transparency and detail for my price. I use the headphones/amps to match my mood and music
2. Ideally under $1k but can go higher
3. Balanced and single ended out
4. USB in
5. A DAC/Power Amp (speaker) combo would be great - that way I can drive my Stax transformer adapters

 
Thanks for any suggestions. 

 

[Jones Bob]

There are a lot of discussions on DAC's for Stax, but most of them are out of date, so sorry if it's an old topic but I could really use some suggestions as there are so many choices. 

I have an extensive Stax collection, nearly every one they made new and old, same for the amps, plus the new DIY variants (KGST, T2, BHSE, etc). I've also got a Stax Quattro 1 and 2 as sources, but need a decent DAC to drive all this too (I have a pretty good Chinese one now but should upgrade). Here's what I'm looking for

• The best I can get in transparency and detail for my price. I use the headphones/amps to match my mood and music
• Ideally under $1k but can go higher
• Balanced and single ended out
• USB in
• A DAC/Power Amp (speaker) combo would be great - that way I can drive my Stax transformer adapters

Thanks for any suggestions. 

A used Schiit Gungnir with USB 2 for ~$500.

For icing on the cake, add a Schiit Wyrd for $100 or an Uptone Audio Regen for $175.

 

[Earspeakers]

A used Schiit Gungnir with USB 2 for ~$500.

For icing on the cake, add a Schiit Wyrd for $100 or an Uptone Audio Regen for $175.

Thanks, I'll study that option. I'll admit I've avoided Schiit, I'm sure they're good and nice guys, but the marketing annoys me. I don't really want equipment with (to my stupid mind stupid) names like "Schiit" (what are they implying with that? duh), "Wyrd", etc. Just call it A1, B2 and be done with it. 
 
Edit: Yeah, unfortunately in the back of my mind I'd see my 009/BHSE, or NOS Sigma Pro being driven by something named ... shiit, while listening to Mahler. Just doesn't work. Obviously that marketing has worked for them to kickstart a small company, but it's not my thing. 

 

[soren_brix]

 
Edit: Yeah, unfortunately in the back of my mind I'd see my 009/BHSE, or NOS Sigma Pro being driven by something named ... shiit, while listening to Mahler. Just doesn't work. Obviously that marketing has worked for them to kickstart a small company, but it's not my thing. 

 
As Shiit aparently are the names for followers of Shiism, I guess it could bring some new dynmaics to the great jew ...

 

[Jones Bob]

Cogito ergo Schiit.

 

[DougD]

 
<snip snip> 
 
Edit: Yeah, unfortunately in the back of my mind I'd see my 009/BHSE, or NOS Sigma Pro being driven by something named ... shiit, while listening to Mahler. Just doesn't work. Obviously that marketing has worked for them to kickstart a small company, but it's not my thing. 

 
The Gungnir has a logo, but the word "Schiit" doesn't appear anywhere on the visible side, per the pictures on their website.
 
By reputation, the Gungnir is a worthy contender. (I don't have one, and have not A-B'd it vs other gear.)
 
But no question, emotional responses play a part in our decisions on what gear to buy or pass on. Life is not entirely rational. (I'm re-reading Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow." It's pretty amazing how often and easily our intuitive/heuristic thinking takes over, rather than our rational thinking systems.)

 

[rgs9200m]

I think $1K on a DAC is not worthy of a 009/BHSE (or even something more humble). Chord or EMM or something of that caliber. It's a big imbalance of resources. 

 

[Jones Bob]

I think $1K on a DAC is not worthy of a 009/BHSE (or even something more humble). Chord or EMM or something of that caliber. It's a big imbalance of resources. 

100% agree. IMHO, it is path of upgrades best experienced and arrived at personally.

 

[Rayzilla]

  Plus Hong Kong no customs duty! Luck you!
 
I asked a similar question regarding amps recently.
Why not the first option? The general consensus seems to be that the 323s is the 'least screwed up' of the Stax amps.

The no customs duty (and sales taxes too) is a welcome change from my days in Canada where I rarely ever imported because I never knew how much the item was going to cost me in the end.
I came to the same conclusion as you from my research on here.
 

I would also say number 1 is the way to go, but I would make sure you are getting an SRM323s not sure what an SRM3232s is...

So far this was the way I was leaning towards because of the generally positive things I am reading about the SRM-323s.

 My mistake on the SRM-3232s (I was testing you guys and you caught it 

) but what is the SRM323s? 

 

  I would go to Mjolnir Audio and get a KGSSHv or KGST.

I will check on the pricing of these but I have two concerns: I am already stretching my budget because I am also interested in getting a closed headphone for my new job (I tried the LCD-XC and really liked what I heard out of them); I assume the Mjolnir is not made in Asia, so shipping will not be cheap since amps are relatively heavy.
 
But I will read up on this amp to see if I can somehow fit it into my current budget.
 

  The older SRM-717 is much better I found than the current 727. The 323 is thinner and sterile IMO and a step back. Pity the 'new' amp from Stax is not out yet (for the 009s).
I would say get hold of a good 717 and save / commission a KGSS or KGSShv. Don't waist your hard earned cash on the current Stax amps (sorry if this sounds harsh, have spent before on the subject...).

Now you are putting some doubt into the 323s but then the 717 will cost quite a bit more unless I can find one used locally or nearby. Still, the option is to stick with something like the 323s before upgrading in a year or so later. I need something to run the 009 when I get them so I thought the cheapest/logical option was the 323s, which adds about $550 on the purchase of the 009 from Price Japan (this is in total shipped prices).
 

  My recommendation was for the options listed, but if we are going to open it up for other options, I would add the LL2 to the list along with the BHSE. I have not heard the KGSS/HV so cant say either way on them.

I would love to get a Cavali of any kind but these two considerations are even more than my current budget. If I get one of these, I won't have a headphone to use with these amps. 

 

[EveTan]

I'm curious, for those who have bought a Sr-009 from PriceJapan and had it shipped to the US, have you ever had to pay import tax on that?

 

[Jones Bob]

I'm curious, for those who have bought a Sr-009 from PriceJapan and had it shipped to the US, have you ever had to pay import tax on that?

My 4 or 5 Stax orders from PJ were delivered by EMS (USPS) without import tax.

 

[Tinkerer]

I've bought lots of stuff over the $200 minimum from japan over the years. Never got hit with duties, ever, whether by SAL or EMS. The latest things I got were my SR-007 and my SRA-12S in separate packages by EMS too.

 

[uchihaitachi]

  The no customs duty (and sales taxes too) is a welcome change from my days in Canada where I rarely ever imported because I never knew how much the item was going to cost me in the end.
I came to the same conclusion as you from my research on here.
 
So far this was the way I was leaning towards because of the generally positive things I am reading about the SRM-323s.

 My mistake on the SRM-3232s (I was testing you guys and you caught it 

) but what is the SRM323s? 

 
I will check on the pricing of these but I have two concerns: I am already stretching my budget because I am also interested in getting a closed headphone for my new job (I tried the LCD-XC and really liked what I heard out of them); I assume the Mjolnir is not made in Asia, so shipping will not be cheap since amps are relatively heavy.
 
But I will read up on this amp to see if I can somehow fit it into my current budget.
 
Now you are putting some doubt into the 323s but then the 717 will cost quite a bit more unless I can find one used locally or nearby. Still, the option is to stick with something like the 323s before upgrading in a year or so later. I need something to run the 009 when I get them so I thought the cheapest/logical option was the 323s, which adds about $550 on the purchase of the 009 from Price Japan (this is in total shipped prices).
 
I would love to get a Cavali of any kind but these two considerations are even more than my current budget. If I get one of these, I won't have a headphone to use with these amps. 

Can't you try out the amps in Hong Kong somehwere?
 
Members can make recommendations but it's always going to be down to your preference at the end of the day.
 
I used to have the BHSE, SRM007 and SRM 727 before I got rid of all of them you mentioned (which I am regretting now dearly and searching for a new electrostatic amp) but I think it's worth for you to check them out personally.
 
On your limited budget, I don't think it's really worth it to spend a significantly larger amount on the amps such as the BHSE, KGHSSV and etc. when you can get another pair of closed backs for that sum.

 

[rgs9200m]

KGSS-HV all the way. I fooled around w/stax amps for years and finally gave up and my little Kgssvh-mini is a revelation. 'should have done it earlier. And there's nothing like a true Stax system. It has a unique sound.