The Stax Thread III

[greggf]

How high do you turn up the volume?
 
If you're a low-level listener, get the 009 first and just use your STAX amp.  
 
If you like high volume levels - it looks like you might? - I'd get a better amp and use it, for now, with your 007.
 
I'm a low level listener.  I'm doing fine with a STAX SRM-727II.  Many people, I assume, wouldn't do so well.

 

[Ampeezy]

  How high do you turn up the volume?
 
If you're a low-level listener, get the 009 first and just use your STAX amp.  
 
If you like high volume levels - it looks like you might? - I'd get a better amp and use it, for now, with your 007.
 
I'm a low level listener.  I'm doing fine with a STAX SRM-727II.  Many people, I assume, wouldn't do so well.

Im usually at about 12 o'clock
Definitely leaning toward the sr-009
 
This did not help lol: https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/56oeki/my_monstrous_amplifier_upgrade_impressions_in/#bottom-comments

 

[paradoxper]

Get the amp, stop gimping your 007. Then invest and scale from there.

 

[Ampeezy]

  Get the amp, stop gimping your 007. Then invest and scale from there.

was just talking to a buddy who said essentially the same thing. It is decided.

 

[funkforfood]

Starting from an old Lambda Pro, can L300 be considered an upgrade in terms of sound quality?, it makes sense?

 

[Tinkerer]

I need some help with a tough first world problem. I have the stax srm 007TA driver unit, and the sr-007 sounds very good out of it, but having been told it is most likely under-driven I was looking to acquire a KGSSHV carbon. Thing is, I was considering adding the sr-009 to my collection before this amp discussion reared its proverbial ugly head. To those who have heard both the 00TA and a good KGSS/KGSSHV build, is it better to get the KGSSHV carbon rather than get the sr-009?


 


There are a few moments where it is obvious the 007TA suffers with dynamics, you can hear all the detail but you can tell there is some compression. So I know it will be an upgrade, but is it worth it? will I plug in the stax sr-007 into the carbon and find angels singing into my ears? or are the improvements minor, like eking out the last 5% of performance?


 


Any input is greatly appreciated. thnx

 


If you like the 007 sound, then just keep it and upgrade the amp/source end.

Just in my experience, what a better amp does for the 007 is gives it better bass, and helps the sense of space, instrument separation, that kind of thing. It just sounds clearer, but is basically the same headphone tonally. It is very noticeable though to the point you'll recognize other instruments on tracks you thought you knew well and so on.

The 007TA is probably 80% of a Carbon though. But then an SR-207 is probably 80% of an SR-007. So you know, typical log increase in cost for additional performance in hifi.

I got to the point where it's almost harder to find music stuff that's actually mastered better than upgrade the hardware.

 

[TheGadaffiDuck]

  Starting from an old Lambda Pro, can L300 be considered an upgrade in terms of sound quality?, it makes sense?

The L300 is the newest series of Lambdas. I listened to old Lambda 407s briefly, and own the L300. L300 is very detailed, and very engaging. Very accurate in throwing every little detail in your face, without being fatiguing at all. I thought that the old series was too trebly in the upper mid section, and didnt sound natural.. L300s take it back a notch, and they sound very natural. I have never listened to the Old Lambda Pros, but i am sure that there is an improvement from going from old stock to new stock. I could be wrong on tho lol

 

[TheGadaffiDuck]

 

  I need some help with a tough first world problem. I have the stax srm 007TA driver unit, and the sr-007 sounds very good out of it, but having been told it is most likely under-driven I was looking to acquire a KGSSHV carbon. Thing is, I was considering adding the sr-009 to my collection before this amp discussion reared its proverbial ugly head. To those who have heard both the 00TA and a good KGSS/KGSSHV build, is it better to get the KGSSHV carbon rather than get the sr-009?
   
  There are a few moments where it is obvious the 007TA suffers with dynamics, you can hear all the detail but you can tell there is some compression. So I know it will be an upgrade, but is it worth it? will I plug in the stax sr-007 into the carbon and find angels singing into my ears? or are the improvements minor, like eking out the last 5% of performance?
   
  Any input is greatly appreciated. thnx

 


If you like the 007 sound, then just keep it and upgrade the amp/source end.

Just in my experience, what a better amp does for the 007 is gives it better bass, and helps the sense of space, instrument separation, that kind of thing. It just sounds clearer, but is basically the same headphone tonally. It is very noticeable though to the point you'll recognize other instruments on tracks you thought you knew well and so on.

The 007TA is probably 80% of a Carbon though. But then an SR-207 is probably 80% of an SR-007. So you know, typical log increase in cost for additional performance in hifi.

I got to the point where it's almost harder to find music stuff that's actually mastered better than upgrade the hardware.

I agree with him on this one. The 007 is a warmer sound, while the 009 i thought was quite bright. Technically speaking, the 009 is a much better headphone in terms of overall clarity, but that is also attributes to its brightness i thought. I am young in more ways than one, and that includes hearing. If you're a bit more sensitive to brightness, i think sticking with the 007 is your best bet (and much cheaper bet), and look to upgrading your amplifaction later on. This difference in tonality is what urged me buy the 007 MK2 over the 009. (r.i.p. bank account.) Speaking of Amps, i do have a Bryston 2BLP hooked to a Woo Audio WEE. Immediatly this set-up is much better than the stock amp with the L-300, but the L-300 isnt super picky to drive either. I will come back to you on this subject on how the WEE handles the James Bond 007 Stax.

 

[astrostar59]

  I need some help with a tough first world problem. I have the stax srm 007TA driver unit, and the sr-007 sounds very good out of it, but having been told it is most likely under-driven I was looking to acquire a KGSSHV carbon. Thing is, I was considering adding the sr-009 to my collection before this amp discussion reared its proverbial ugly head. To those who have heard both the 00TA and a good KGSS/KGSSHV build, is it better to get the KGSSHV carbon rather than get the sr-009?
 
There are a few moments where it is obvious the 007TA suffers with dynamics, you can hear all the detail but you can tell there is some compression. So I know it will be an upgrade, but is it worth it? will I plug in the stax sr-007 into the carbon and find angels singing into my ears? or are the improvements minor, like eking out the last 5% of performance?
 
Any input is greatly appreciated. thnx

The Stax amps are not great at driving the 007, and the dynamics and soundsage is weak, the bass one note and the treble synthetic and cold. This also applies to the 009 and the Stax amp, though the 009 will play a bit louder. But basically louder sound that is still not great (to what both those HPs are capable of).
 
So, I would say get the KGSShv or Carbon, then look to get the 009s for sure. TBH I have the 007A (current build 007) and it is very good indeed out of the Carbon. Other thing to consider is the 007 is more forgiving so you could keep going on your current source no doubt without having to look at that as well (don't know your source), as the 009 is very transparent and can throw up system issues quite ruthlessly.
 
Last point, the jump from a Stax amp to the KG amps is not subtle, you are in four a treat!

 

[funkforfood]

I thought that the old series was too trebly in the upper mid section, and didnt sound natural..

 
Yes, this is my main complain, I especially would like to improve in this aspect.
Thanks.

 

[zolkis]

Relative to driving the 007, I am using now an SRM-1 with modified PSU and a few other changes as an intermediary solution until my new amp is ready. While it doesn't sound as good as my other/previous amps, it does drive the 007 quite well even with classical music with high dynamic range, albeit I need to set the volume about 12 o'clock. It definitely tops the 353X. 
 
Note that I use 009 pads on the 007 (even those modded) and without the springs. That makes the 007 Mk1 sound much more open, with a sound signature very similar to the SR-Omega, albeit with less treble level. Also, the bass is improved both in impact and depth, together with sound stage. Therefore less volume is enough, and doesn't need a powerful [tube] amp to open it up (even though it's good if one has it). Although the driver properties are not changed, and it's the same difficult to drive it (ear volume didn't change with the mods), for psychological reasons the more open sound makes it acceptable with more amps (if volume requirements are not extreme).
 
The 007 Mk2 needs a very smooth amp, but it's somewhat less difficult to drive than the Mk1. Also, mods don't help it as much as the Mk1. So there I'd recommend a KG amp for sure.
 
The 009 needs a warm and smooth amp, and transistors amps work well.
 
My advice to anyone would be to decide on the headphones first, then on the amp. If you are on a budget, IMHO a [modded] SRM-T1 with the 009 or a [modded] SRM-1 with the 007 is still better than most systems in the similar price range. Then you can wait until a KG amp pops up at a good price - or until you build your own (we can't be grateful enough to Dr. Gilmore!).
 
For instance, when choosing between an L700+Carbon and 009+T1, I would pick the latter. If nothing else, it will teach/motivate you to build a good system . But it's personal I guess.

 

[Ampeezy]

 
The Stax amps are not great at driving the 007, and the dynamics and soundsage is weak, the bass one note and the treble synthetic and cold. This also applies to the 009 and the Stax amp, though the 009 will play a bit louder. But basically louder sound that is still not great (to what both those HPs are capable of).
 
So, I would say get the KGSShv or Carbon, then look to get the 009s for sure. TBH I have the 007A (current build 007) and it is very good indeed out of the Carbon. Other thing to consider is the 007 is more forgiving so you could keep going on your current source no doubt without having to look at that as well (don't know your source), as the 009 is very transparent and can throw up system issues quite ruthlessly.
 
Last point, the jump from a Stax amp to the KG amps is not subtle, you are in four a treat!

Yup, went with the carbon just this morning, i'll be sure to post impressions when it comes in. I have the Gustard x20 Pro

 

[donunus]

Hi guys I want to get another stax again but am only fearful that the next one I get will have the problem I had with my first one. I got a japanese version from audiocubes with the japan step down transformer and i had to touch the chassis of my amp to get rid of a ground hum. It was a 2050 system. Too bad because I really liked the sound. So musical and if it didn't have any hum I wouldn't have cared to upgrade all the time. Sonetimes I enjoyed them more than my hd600 rig. I wonder if the same issues are present with higher model stax amps.

Now for another question, has anyone reviewed the L300 and compared them in detail with the L500, L700, or both?

 

[Ampeezy]

Hi guys I want to get another stax again but am only fearful that the next one I get will have the problem I had with my first one. I got a japanese version from audiocubes with the japan step down transformer and i had to touch the chassis of my amp to get rid of a ground hum. It was a 2050 system. Too bad because I really liked the sound. So musical and if it didn't have any hum I wouldn't have cared to upgrade all the time. Sonetimes I enjoyed them more than my hd600 rig. I wonder if the same issues are present with higher model stax amps.

Now for another question, has anyone reviewed the L300 and compared them in detail with the L500, L700, or both?

I've experienced no such grounding issues

 

[donunus]

where do you live? you may have different power than what we have in the Philippines. No ground here unless I bury a long steel post in a deep hole in the ground myself and sprinkle a sack of salt on top of it.