The Stax Thread III

[aldavey]

  He wasn't inquiring about the SRM-T2.

Exactly, I think he was asking for a build?

 

[mulveling]

  Has anyone seen a DIY T-2 for sale / sold?  I'm curious what price it would bring.

Parts cost was in the neighborhood of $6K, and a decent build listed used would start at $8K - 9K. But they are pretty rare, and builds vary. A custom build at the quality level of a BHSE would cost much, much more than 10K. 

 

[Sound Trooper]

Guys.. need your opinions before i pull the trigger.

Any thoughts about the SR-007 mkii + 353x combo?

 

[astrostar59]

Guys.. need your opinions before i pull the trigger.

Any thoughts about the SR-007 mkii + 353x combo?

If you mean the new 007 MK2 I have that version and it is great, better IMO than the troubled (dull, boomy) 007 MK2 pre 2015).
 
I haven't heard the current 353 but would have to say it would follow the other Stax amps and prove to be under powered having experienced that in the 007T and my own 717. BTW the 717 is a nice amp, possibly better than any current Stax amp but still under powered for the hungry 007. 
 
You will get a system going, but IMO it will not be end game, and won't be hearing what the 007 can actually do. 
 
I would get the 007 but source a KGSShv or KGST or even a Carbon if you can find one for your budget. Then IMO you will hear what the 007 is capable of.
 
Getting the 007 is a good move, it is close in SQ to the 009 IMO (different character) then you have a gap down to the rest of the range.
 
Ask around to get more opinions but don't rush into buying till you hear / are sure what to do. And don't forget to consider used (if you haven't already).

 

[astrostar59]

  The T2 is a ******* myth. So, uh, exhausted with this process. I am not quite sure how Justin puts up with these people.
 


No pain, no gain, right. Ugh. 

Nice colour indeed. Like it a lot. Good luck with the last stage Cory!

 

[paradoxper]

  Nice colour indeed. Like it a lot. Good luck with the last stage Cory!

We'll see. As none of you caught onto, they engraved the PS upside down. So, yes, it has gone back for an unprecedented third time...

 

[JimL11]

So, it sounds like it's not going to be ready for the Albuquerque meet, that is, assuming you still can make it.

 

[paradoxper]

  So, it sounds like it's not going to be ready for the Albuquerque meet, that is, assuming you still can make it.

No. Someday. Just maybe. Sigh.

 

[astrostar59]

 

  Nice colour indeed. Like it a lot. Good luck with the last stage Cory!

We'll see. As none of you caught onto, they engraved the PS upside down. So, yes, it has gone back for an unprecedented third time...

Jeeze, sypathy for that. But kudos for the courage for going for the T2 as well, and I am convinced it will be worth it (and the wait). You know, everything comes to he who waits...
 
Loving my headinclouds Carbon. But if the cash was there, I am sure I would have a tubed KG amp as well for the different take of it.

 

[Sound Trooper]

If you mean the new 007 MK2 I have that version and it is great, better IMO than the troubled (dull, boomy) 007 MK2 pre 2015).

I haven't heard the current 353 but would have to say it would follow the other Stax amps and prove to be under powered having experienced that in the 007T and my own 717. BTW the 717 is a nice amp, possibly better than any current Stax amp but still under powered for the hungry 007. 

You will get a system going, but IMO it will not be end game, and won't be hearing what the 007 can actually do. 

I would get the 007 but source a KGSShv or KGST or even a Carbon if you can find one for your budget. Then IMO you will hear what the 007 is capable of.

Getting the 007 is a good move, it is close in SQ to the 009 IMO (different character) then you have a gap down to the rest of the range.

Ask around to get more opinions but don't rush into buying till you hear / are sure what to do. And don't forget to consider used (if you haven't already).

Hi Astro,

I'm currently holiday-ing in Japan and will be taking an opportunity to lug back a set of SR-007A and SRM-353X. As I'll be getting the 007s new, I'm pretty sure that's the new version. I have also read that the SRM-353 is one of the better stax amps?

Thanks.

 

[astrostar59]

 

If you mean the new 007 MK2 I have that version and it is great, better IMO than the troubled (dull, boomy) 007 MK2 pre 2015).

I haven't heard the current 353 but would have to say it would follow the other Stax amps and prove to be under powered having experienced that in the 007T and my own 717. BTW the 717 is a nice amp, possibly better than any current Stax amp but still under powered for the hungry 007. 

You will get a system going, but IMO it will not be end game, and won't be hearing what the 007 can actually do. 

I would get the 007 but source a KGSShv or KGST or even a Carbon if you can find one for your budget. Then IMO you will hear what the 007 is capable of.

Getting the 007 is a good move, it is close in SQ to the 009 IMO (different character) then you have a gap down to the rest of the range.

Ask around to get more opinions but don't rush into buying till you hear / are sure what to do. And don't forget to consider used (if you haven't already).

Hi Astro,

I'm currently holiday-ing in Japan and will be taking an opportunity to lug back a set of SR-007A and SRM-353X. As I'll be getting the 007s new, I'm pretty sure that's the new version. I have also read that the SRM-353 is one of the better stax amps?

Thanks.

Watch the mains voltage as the new amps apparently now don't have extra windings, so 100V is fixed. The 353 is last man standing in a mixed bag IMO, doesn't mean it is good....

 

[Sound Trooper]

Watch the mains voltage as the new amps apparently now don't have extra windings, so 100V is fixed. The 353 is last man standing in a mixed bag IMO, doesn't mean it is good....

Thanks again Astro. Will be getting a step-down transformer with my purchase.

 

[Pokemonn]

 

Watch the mains voltage as the new amps apparently now don't have extra windings, so 100V is fixed. The 353 is last man standing in a mixed bag IMO, doesn't mean it is good....

Thanks again Astro. Will be getting a step-down transformer with my purchase.

i personally recommend to audition stax tube amps too. they sound soft/gentle/less fatigue compare to solid states amps such as 353. maybe depend on your preferences?

 

[lavendermist]

Guys.. need your opinions before i pull the trigger.



Any thoughts about the SR-007 mkii + 353x combo?

 


I have the latest SR-007 (SN.: SZ3 -22XX) headphone as well as a 353x and a 717 amp.


Regarding the sound it all depends (all classical and chamber music):


Pros 353X: very sweet sound at very low listening levels (probably because of being a 3 stage amp)

Pros 717: very cohesive sound with stable bass foundation, but less sweet highs (4 stages), which can be tuned with a bit brighter cable.


With the right tuning with the right cables (all balanced) and dac both can sound very similar. I use darker cables for the 353x and a bit brighter cables for the 717. I just use industrial grade balanced cables - no fancy stuff.

I would wait for the new stax amp that hopefully will appear soon. I hope that it will not sound too dry.

Having heard 2 different kgsshv builds I have to say that these amps have unbelievable airness and bass, but they can be very very unforgiving to less well mastered material - which most of the music is.

You will have to experiment a little bit with cabling and especially dacs with any amp to find your own sound signature. Just use what is available in your area and forget all the exotic stuff, that is, very often, engineering garbage.

Summary: 353x with 007 sounds good at very low listening levels, especially with acoustic music, but otherwise look elsewhere e.g. a used 717, a 727 and apply Spritzers feedback mod or wait for the new Stax amp.

If you like the kgsshv sound signature, go for a decent build, like Spritzers (Mjölnir) - who knows what he is doing.

Try it out first and do not believe anyone, because we all have different ears and tastes!

Regards and happy journey!

 

[Sound Trooper]

i personally recommend to audition stax tube amps too. they sound soft/gentle/less fatigue compare to solid states amps such as 353. maybe depend on your preferences?

Hi Pokemon, I've tried the SRM-007t + SR-009 combo and loved it. But alas I couldn't convince myself to stretch to that price point, hence the decision to settle for the SR-007A + SRM-323x combo.

Before deciding on the SRM-323x I was looking at the SRM-006t but it seems like reviews are not as positive. Have you tried the SRM-006t?