The Stax Thread III

[astrostar59]

Look for the Spritzer page, an older post hear somewhere. It is pretty easy and only needs a bit of solder and wire.
Make the 727 sound as good as the 717, which Spritzer says is the best Stax amp apart from the T2.

 

[kothganesh]

What phones did you try the WOO WES with? In a demo room, at a show, with your own known tracks? What front end?
I just don't believe you, sorry. Would recommend you get a home demo or spend more time with the WOO,
KGSShv or a BHSE.

Remember, the 009s reveal everything, and if the source isn't top notch, it will show it for sure. Some lower quality front ends sound better with the 507 or 407 IMO as it doesn't reveal the limitations upstream. The 009s have to be driven by a great front end to sing and provide a natural sound. It's about system synergy. 

What is your front end for the 009?

 

[greggf]

astrostar, this thread  http://www.computeraudiophile.com/f6-dac-digital-analog-conversion/15-universal-serial-bus-industry-standard-cables-connectors-and-communications-protocols-between-computers-and-electronic-devices-spdif-converters-shootout-15327/  suggests that your front end sounds a bit "thin".  Is it possible that the STAX amps are simply showing you clearly what you have? 

 

[astrostar59]

Ha Ha funny yes very funny. Hmm, as good as the DCS Scarlatti? 
 

The full Evo stack on the other hand was clearly the best, having the best resolution and HF extension, great layering of instruments and sounding very refined, ultra smooth and fluid. It was even better than Scarlatti CD/SACD transport in terms of resolution, articulation and lack of grain. It lacked a bit in terms of tonal color and texture, sounding at times a little bit lightweight and 'ethereal', but in general, they were both on the same level. 

The USB - SPDIF is only part of a front end. You also need a good - smooth DAC and a smooth clean USB feed - read no dirty power supplies.
My setup has tons of Bass and dynamics. In fact the 009s with the Audio Note DAC 4.1 is as good as the LCD3, but has the transparency to go with that. I have heard the 009s driven by the BHSE and the Esoteric K-01 and my setup is very close indeed. Having tubes my DAC is slightly warmer, the Esoteric a bit colder. My KGSShv kicks in the bass. It  flaws my Stax 717 which is purported by many to be the best Stax amp bar the T2. 
 
And I was not saying my front end is over bright, rather the Stax amps are edgy and crude in the treble. Funny, with my KGSShv it is as smooth as a babe in a milk bath, deep as the Pacific and transparent as the sky in Spain. I want more folk to go out there and try / listen to more amps for thier Stax phones. IMO the headphones scale really well, which to me, says the Stax amps are the bottleneck. 
 
Any more questions?

 

[realmassy]

I'm probably in the minority, but I disagree with the common idea of the Stax amps being poor: I've lived for one year with the 600ltd and tried on loan the 007i and they were both superb with the 009. There was no brightness or harshness, they probably are not the last word in terms of dynamics e soundstage but timbrically (which is by far for me the most important attribute) correct.
I only got a different amp because I wanted the best out of the 009 (for my budget and my musical preferences) and because these are my only headphones and I don't use speakers. I could have happily lived with a Stax amp

 

[realmassy]

And I'll add that a good source (and they tend to be more expensive than amps) will have a larger impact on the sound.

 

[astrostar59]

Ask David1961. We were at his house with my own SRM-717 amp and 009s and it was flawed by the BHSE, I mean way way behind. Dynamics, treble smoothness, everything you care to mention. David had the 007t and he didn't think much of it, sounded worse than my 717 apparently.

 

[realmassy]

I have no doubt you or David have preferred the BHSE, but that doesn't mean that the 007i is poor. We look for difference things in the musical reproduction, we have different musical tastes and, more important, we have different ears!

 

[davidsh]

I have no doubt you or David have preferred the BHSE, but that doesn't mean that the 007i is poor. We look for difference things in the musical reproduction, we have different musical tastes and, more important, we have different ears!

And listen at different volumes. I think that one is underrated, esp. with 'stat amps.

 

[greggf]

astrostar, I think you're mistaking what is merely your own personal opinion with what is "the truth" for everybody!  We live in postmodern times.  There is no more Franco! There is no absolute truth!  Especially in audio! 

 

[David1961]

I've mentioned that when I had the SRM-007t, it was driving the 007mk1's I once had, and I thought that amp didn't drive those 007's at all well.

 

[greggf]

davidsh, yes, I think you've put your finger on the real issue here:  the volume we listen at.  I love STAX amps, but I listen at very conservative volume levels. 

 

[astrostar59]

Yes that's true, I like it to sound good!

 

[complin]

+1
It usually a problem elsewhere in the audio chain IMO Stax amps are much maligned
Yes the Boutique amps are better but they are likely to be more expensive and you have to build it too !
 
Quote:

I'm probably in the minority, but I disagree with the common idea of the Stax amps being poor: I've lived for one year with the 600ltd and tried on loan the 007i and they were both superb with the 009. There was no brightness or harshness, they probably are not the last word in terms of dynamics e soundstage but timbrically (which is by far for me the most important attribute) correct.
I only got a different amp because I wanted the best out of the 009 (for my budget and my musical preferences) and because these are my only headphones and I don't use speakers. I could have happily lived with a Stax amp

 

[complin]

This is hardly a fair comparison, the BHSE would cost over double that of the top end Stax amp. Paying such a premium I would expect it to be considerably better ! 
 
Quote:

  Ask David1961. We were at his house with my own SRM-717 amp and 009s and it was flawed by the BHSE, I mean way way behind. Dynamics, treble smoothness, everything you care to mention. David had the 007t and he didn't think much of it, sounded worse than my 717 apparently.