[KaiserTK]

I got a chance to compare the 009 vs 009S today on the BHSE and these two have quite pronounced differences.
The 009S seems to compress the soundstage but make every sound a lot cleaner and bass more tight. I enjoyed some Diana Krall better on the 009S, but songs like Al DiMeola I still liked the 009 more.
This was just my first impressions and the 009 pads were more worn down than the 009S pads so YMMV.

 

[Whitigir]

I got a chance to compare the 009 vs 009S today on the BHSE and these two have quite pronounced differences.
The 009S seems to compress the soundstage but make every sound a lot cleaner and bass more tight. I enjoyed some Diana Krall better on the 009S, but songs like Al DiMeola I still liked the 009 more.
This was just my first impressions and the 009 pads were more worn down than the 009S pads so YMMV.

About the pads...my 009 pads are much softer than 009S X_X

 

[SeaWo|f]

Seal isn't as good and there probably other issues affecting sound but we worn stax omega pads are super comfy imo.

 

[ahmedie]

Does anyone know if the 353x (and/or 353xbk) sounds better than 323s? Wondering if it's worth the upgrade even though I don't have a balanced dac yet.

I had both for very long period, 323s sound better than 353x

 

[Ali-Pacha]

I had both for very long period, 323s sound better than 353x

Any idea why ? They should be the same technically, no ?

Ali

 

[luthersloan]

Hi everybody! Glad to see so much knowledge around here. After owning a L700 and SRM-353X for few days, I first noticed today that the amp/energizer permanently makes a an electrical buzzing sound, combined with a quiet slight humming. It's annoying in a quiet room at night. I'm inexperienced, these are my first STAX. Is the normal mode of the amp completely silent? Or is this sound fairly normal? Would this be a typical "grounding issue" as described in the manual? What would I need to connect to the GRND terminal, and where would I connect it... Didn't find anything on that, hope you can help.

edit: Already tried another power outlet.

 

[xevman]

Have you tried disconnecting the source feeding the srm353x? With the l700 connected to the amp and no source feeding them does the sound persist, if yes its likely the unit is defective.

 

[xevman]

Does anyone know if an SRM323II is adequete for driving SR007 MKii or will it struggle? I heard that SR007 MKII aren't as efficient as the Lambda line as a general rule of thumb.

 

[Rhamnetin]

Does anyone know if an SRM323II is adequete for driving SR007 MKii or will it struggle? I heard that SR007 MKII aren't as efficient as the Lambda line as a general rule of thumb.

Volume shouldn't be a problem, but that will not bring the SR-007 near its full potential.

 

[xevman]

I'm sure it would be beneficial to run with a better energizer but I doubt it will make a night and day difference. I've auditioned the L700 with much higher end energizers and the differences were subtle at best.

 

[Rhamnetin]

I'm sure it would be beneficial to run with a better energizer but I doubt it will make a night and day difference. I've auditioned the L700 with much higher end energizers and the differences were subtle at best.

L700 is in another league, less amp picky. As a former SR-007A owner, if I were to assign arbitrary numbers to it, it can go from being a 6/10 system to a 9/10 system, when comparing a KGSS to a BHSE. Not even sure where Stax amps would fall, but it'd be below the KGSS I'm sure.

And once you get a BHSE tier amp in the mix, DAC starts to matter a TON. All of a sudden the Chord Mojo or yesteryear's upper tier DACs (like my Bel Canto DAC 3 for reference) are way behind the likes of the Chord Hugo 2 and the differences are no longer subtle like they were with the KGSS.

 

[luthersloan]

Have you tried disconnecting the source feeding the srm353x? With the l700 connected to the amp and no source feeding them does the sound persist, if yes its likely the unit is defective.

I'll try tomorrow. Maybe I should clarify that the sound origins from the energizer itself, the earspeaker sound on both channels is fine with no buzz. So the powered-up energizer in general makes no noises at all?

 

[pegasus21]

I'll try tomorrow. Maybe I should clarify that the sound origins from the energizer itself, the earspeaker sound on both channels is fine with no buzz. So the powered-up energizer in general makes no noises at all?

My 353X makes no audible noise when it is in operation

 

[xevman]

The STAX energizers assuming everything is ok should make 0 noise. My srm323ii plugged into varying sources with nothing playing on maximum volume has no background noise.

 

[astrostar59]

The STAX energizers assuming everything is ok should make 0 noise. My srm323ii plugged into varying sources with nothing playing on maximum volume has no background noise.

You will get some noise from the Stax units that have tubes.

L700 is in another league, less amp picky. As a former SR-007A owner, if I were to assign arbitrary numbers to it, it can go from being a 6/10 system to a 9/10 system, when comparing a KGSS to a BHSE. Not even sure where Stax amps would fall, but it'd be below the KGSS I'm sure.

And once you get a BHSE tier amp in the mix, DAC starts to matter a TON. All of a sudden the Chord Mojo or yesteryear's upper tier DACs (like my Bel Canto DAC 3 for reference) are way behind the likes of the Chord Hugo 2 and the differences are no longer subtle like they were with the KGSS.

Indeed, DACs have a big impact on the sound as you up the headphone and amp. I am confused why so many ignore it. It is not unlike adding a big full range high end speaker v a bookshelf, it is going to reveal a lot more...either as problems or better sound. Often better sound, but then you realise the other bits of the chain.... the thrills and spills of this hobby!