The Stax Thread III

[Ali-Pacha]

Yeah, SR-2170 is quite a steal. And despite its entry level status, it has some kind of mafia approval.

 
Ali

 

[Tachikoma]

Also consider the various vintage models, i.e. SR-5, SR-X, SR-Gamma (the Gamma being the most Lambda like). Those cans don't have the soundstaging or frequency response of the Lambdas, but generally sound more involving and maybe more "organic", depending on your definition of the word anyway. I've always liked the older headphones better than the Lambdas for some reason.

 

[Ali-Pacha]

I do agree for "regular" SR-5, tons of mids and the most grado-ish Stax out there...but I find SR-5 Gold / SR-X mk3 a bit sterile compared to Lambda NB.
Anyway, don't you have some vintage round-shaped pro stuff to sell ? 

Ali

 

[RAZRr1275]

Thanks so much -  All of this info has been super helpful. I've done some probing to see what's available for me to buy and at what price and I was curious what you guys think of my thought process so far as far as options
 
Option 1) Stax SR-X MKIII with the SRD-7 - I could get this for $400. It seems as if it would be the least detailed/soundstaged headphone but the most smooth and involving (maybe the most forward sounding?) I'm curious how it is for rock that gets a bit noisier/more busy? I love acoustic stuff too so its still an option if it excels at that. I'd use my 25 WPC Temple Audio Bantam Gold speaker amp as the amplifier (does the SRD-7 attach to the speaker amp via spades or bare wire?)
 
Option 2) Stax SRS-2170  (SRS-207 with SRM-252S amplifier) - I could get this for about $660. Seems like it would still be pretty warm but less so than the SR-X but with the bonus of more detail retrieval/soundstage and more extension on both ends
 
Option 3) Stax SRS-207 with SRM 323 or SRM-1/MKII (if I go this route I think I'd prefer the SRM-1 since it can power the vintage normal and pro bias cans as well as the modern ones and supposedly sounds similar to the 323) - This would be about $800
 
Option 4) Stax SR-407 and Woo Wee, SRM-323 or SRM-1/MKII - This would run me all the way to my 1K budget ceiling - This seems to be the most detailed/most soundstagey but also the brightest/least involving
 
Am I right in terms of my impressions? Would Stax stuff be a good all arounder? Any more comments on sonic differences between these options? 

 

[NoPants]

The brightness of the [345]07 is fairly overstated in my opinion, but there's no compelling reason to invest in these more expensive models over the 207. You would probably find a long-term solution in the 323s and 207- the amp choice would allow you to explore other models without upgrading everything else.

 

[AnalogSavior]

That's what I've read during my research on the current Stax line.  Though I wont be able to audition the 207 myself, I'll likely get to listen to a 507 and 404LE at an upcoming meet.  If they work for me, I intend on grabbing the 2170 system for the exact reason you stated.
 
I don't know how I feel about the dual volume control on the 323S, but I do know it is considered one of, if not the best Stax amp currently available.  Anyone have experience with it?

 

[NoPants]

I own the 323s, it's capable for the lamda series. the dual volume control allows for imbalance adjustment should it occur in the headphones

 

[AnalogSavior]

Thing is I just know I'll spend more time trying to make sure I've got my balance perfect than listening to music!

 
Do the two channels happen to track together once you get them where you want them?

 

[NoPants]

Yes the main volume knob tracks both channels, and the knob for balance adjustment can be set independently 

 

[AnalogSavior]

That's actually really good to know.  Thanks for answer my questions.

 

[Michgelsen]

Yes the knob is pretty clever. The two parts stick together firmly during normal use, so you're unlikely to change the balance accidentally, but when you need to it can be done.

 

[gepardcv]

The 2170 is a great Stax system, for sure. I compared the 207 and 407 side-by-side closely, and found them nearly indistinguishable. (Replacing the 207's pads with the leathers from the 507 might even tip the balance to the 207 for comfort reasons — the stock 207 can get a little warm after an hour or so.)

Incidentally, if you find yourself in Tokyo, the 2170 set can easily be found for under 500 USD (including consumption tax, currently 8%).

 

[AnalogSavior]

Thanks for commenting. I've seen it on Price Japan for about $550 I think. I'd just have to find a good tutorial on switching it to the correct voltage. Since Yamas is notorious for bad service, I'm not too worried about losing the 1 year warranty.

 

[Michgelsen]

There's no switching the voltage internally on the SRM-252s, since it uses an extenal adapter. You just buy a new adapter with the correct plug and that's it.
 
Only on the bigger Stax amps, you have to switch the voltage by changing a selector on the back (older amps), resoldering jumpers internally (not-so-old amps), or resoldering transformer windings (newest amps).

 

[AnalogSavior]

That's right, I had forgotten that the 252S had the external adapter. Thanks.