The Stax Thread III

[Blackmore]

With all respect, but no way, unles you are really lucky, but still I dont believe in that, sorry...
 
If you on the budget, Stax amp is not that bad idea at all, as they do keep their value, even many up here dont think that way or will agree. I was / is in the same situation and again, when the money are limited, you are stuck with Stax own amps for sure, so, just find the best possible match and enjoy, imo.
 
SRM 600LE with L700 are fantastic, same with Lambda ear speakers like 404LE, 404 or 507.
 
 
 
 
Quote:

  009 / 009 get the 009, it is the business.
As long as your DAC is not too bright or low budget. I would look for a used SRM-717 or SRM-600 at around 700USD as that will be ok on the 009. Then save for a Carbon or other KG amp. Don't forget the KGST either.

 

[paradoxper]

Buy Arnauds 727.

 

[astrostar59]

 

Sorry, I meant 006t
http://www.head-fi.org/t/726642/stax-srm-006t-energiser-amplifier-in-excellent-condition

 

[astrostar59]

  Buy Arnauds 727.

Or TheAttorney?

 

[comzee]

If you on the budget, Stax amp is not that bad idea at all

 
I think if one is on a budget, Stax isn't great in the first place. This might make some heads spin, but electrodynamic systems kill Stax in price v.s. performance.

 

[paradoxper]

 
Or TheAttorney?

Whomever is closest. 

 

[VandyMan]

I'm selling my modded (by HeadAmp) 727 II because I now have a BHSE.

 

[Blackmore]

No problem, fair enough.
 
THX
 
Quote:

 
Sorry, I meant 006t
http://www.head-fi.org/t/726642/stax-srm-006t-energiser-amplifier-in-excellent-condition

 

[Rozenberg]

 
I'm not sure on this upgrade path. If you go for L700 and KGSS, then yes you'll have a great sounding rig from the start. But if SR009 is what you really want, then it will be cheaper in the long-run to get SR009 first, together with a lesser Stax amp than KGSS (e.g. SRM-323), to tide you over until the $$$$ are ready for the amp upgrade to BHSE or KGSShv Carbon, or whatever. With L700/KGSS you will always have to upgrade both and will likely lose money on both, I know I always do when I sell stuff...).  With my suggestion at least SR009 is sorted up front and you'll only lose a smaller amount on the cheaper Stax amp than L700/KGSS. I think with this path your dream rig will also happen faster than if you start off with L700/KGSS.
 
SR-009 reliability seems to be improving, in that reports of driver failure are seemingly becoming far less common but that is no guarantee.  I went thorugh a similar thought process to you a few months back and ended up buying new SR009 from UK dealer with 2 years warranty because I didn't want to take the risk with either used (channel imbalance, possible abuse/misuse), or going through PJ with very limited warranty and potential expense in sending back and forth to Japan.

 
Actually yeah, I'm leaning more toward getting the 009 first. Then I don't know, maybe an 006t for the amp later.
I just can't justify paying the price of BHSE or KG Carbon. Maybe max I can tolerate is a full size KGSSHV, if found for good price.
Well, life is still a journey, I have plenty of time to think.
 
By the way, is there anyone here has ever successfully contacted Stax for replacement parts for the Omega series?
Different from Lambdas that have replacement parts available from some online shops and completely modular too, I didn't see any for the Omega series.
I assume it'll be hard to find or costly, when for example the arc spring or headband breaks...

 

[rgs9200m]

The SR009 sounds extremely nice with a KGSShv mini and a *warmish* DAC (be sure to get a sweet, non-fatiguing --in the upper mids + highs-- DAC).
These amps can be found more or less regularly used for good prices, so I would go this route even if you have to save up an extra grand or so. 
This combo would work long term and you would not feel the need to upgrade and will cost a lot less in the long run than thrashing/selling/trading.

 

[astrostar59]

  The SR009 sounds extremely nice with a KGSShv mini and a *warmish* DAC (be sure to get a sweet, non-fatiguing --in the upper mids + highs-- DAC).
These amps can be found more or less regularly used for good prices, so I would go this route even if you have to save up an extra grand or so. 
This combo would work long term and you would not feel the need to upgrade and will cost a lot less in the long run than thrashing/selling/trading.

Dunno, if he doesn't have the budget right now, and buys wisely (SRM-727 for example) at a good price, you can sell almost for NO LOSS after and move up.
 
Totally agree on the warmish DAC and 009s. The KGSShv Sanyo however is very warm already so on that amp almost any decent DAC will sound good IMO. It comes down to treble energy and detail - lots of sugar on the cake kills the taste sort of thing and leads to feeling sick (ear fatigue). Not heard the Mini version.

 

[astrostar59]

Transparency Wars
On this recurring subject I am thinking after all the different DACs in my house over the years, I am in the warm and no emphasis camp. I dig great detail and decay, those clues that get you excited and feeling like you are 'there'. But in many cases it has led me to a treble overkill and aversion to digital processing. It has to be balanced and sound convincing, and not irritating either. IMO it is best to compare a DAC against live / real music rather than to another DAC, or the point of reference can be wrong.
 
My route and the path I have got close to my audio nirvana is a tubed NOS DAC at the source and the 009s on the other end. Because I can tweak the sound a bit in my DAC with cap swops and / or tubes. I can tweak that last bit of upper treble energy that I found a bit of a curse on high end headphones. I do like listening quite loud so I guess this 'treble edge' eversion is more of a problem?
 
System Synergy
The other route that I believe can work extremely well is have tubes in the amp, or tubes in the Dac AND the amp. I am scared to commit to a full SS system as I then have no control over the sound and can see myself going on the buying and selling bandwagon again. Total respect to those who have a full SS system mind.
 
Anyway, that is my (personal) theory. Maybe others have had similar experiences. I am sure some lucky ones hit it right first time and think, 'what is this plonker on about?' But for me, I have come to a happy place along a bumpy road limited by budgets and access to demos of any gear I fancy the look of (buying blind).
 
Seems daft that I have found it complicated getting there in a headphone system, but I actually think it is as complex as any top speaker system. All IMO.

 

[rgs9200m]

I also always keep at least one tube amp so I can tweak things.
I switched to VT231 tubes on my dynamic amp (and different VT231 tubes sound significantly different from each other too). The VT231 is an RCA version of the 6NS7 and is known to be nice and warm.
Yep, I'm always chasing that holy grail of transparency and musical ease. 

 

[cat6man]

  The SR009 sounds extremely nice with a KGSShv mini and a *warmish* DAC (be sure to get a sweet, non-fatiguing --in the upper mids + highs-- DAC).
These amps can be found more or less regularly used for good prices, so I would go this route even if you have to save up an extra grand or so. 
This combo would work long term and you would not feel the need to upgrade and will cost a lot less in the long run than thrashing/selling/trading.

 
an r2r dac is a perfect match for sr009, in my opinion.

 

[astrostar59]

   
an r2r dac is a perfect match for sr009, in my opinion.

Ooh, now you said it first I have to agree. I recommend Audio Note Kit 3.1 or 4.1 and you can tweak the parts and tubes. Great fun to build as well.