Bit of an update on the SRX Plus build
Amazed in one word.
Now admittedly i did a few modifications (additions mostly) to the diagram found in head-case, both in the PS and in the main unit, plus i used the best components one can get as i won't be replacing this, bit too old for "future upgrades"..
When your 'future' is now kind of a thing, only not exactly like in the movie!
Now to start off with the basics, amazed when compared to my modified T1, my two custom ES amps (and these are totally custom, my design) and amazed when listening to it with a Sigma, Signature Pro, Classics Pro or old SRs. The new 009s has yet to be in my possession, thank you COVID, so cannot say.
If, like me, you're old enough to have started with a transformer because that's all there was in the beginning, moved on to energisers and eventually 'upgraded' to dedicated amplifiers, what the 'Plus' will do is give you that signature Stax sound, only without any of the well known (amp depending) negatives basically. It really does feel like a 'T2' of an energiser, really does sum it up.
(and it being the reason i've refrained from purchasing any of the DIY amps; the more i read, the more i feel.. cautious. Improvements are great, but the character, signature if you will, is crucial for me; must not stray far from what got me into Stax in the first place. Just a personal opinion here. Put differently to avoid misunderstandings, no way i'd risk purchasing prior to critically listening to them, ie in my home, ie impossible.)
(also why i stuck with the modified T1 rather than my two own; never quite managed to keep that 'Stax signature' sound, whatever their other strengths were and they were admittedly plenty. Just didn't sound much like.. Stax anymore)
Advices three:
- Started with cheaper components during my testing and can easily guarantee you that at a cost as measly as JimL mentions, this can and will surprise you; you honestly need not look upwards in terms of amps, not unless spending is your actual hobby.
- Unless you can work on the PCB some more, tubes are really important, don't go NOS unless like me you're old enough to have unused ones and can hand-match them; go new and matched pairs.
- I'm not quite sure why there's a "copyright by Kevin Gilmore" on the PCB, it's not his and it's also not listed in Geneva, nor quite sure why the layers are offered as they are, sans the main Proteus file (ie without offering the possibility to do any modifications). You can however easily import all the layers to the software of your choosing; all you need do is rename the .txt extensions to .gbr and import them accordingly (ie top silk to top silk, etc). Sole exception being the drilling file, whose extension needs be renamed to that of your own software, ie .DRL for mine. You can then actually work on it. Probably didn't need to mention this, you'll already know, but just in case.
I'll refrain from posting detailed listening impressions for three reasons:
- Not much to say that isn't stated in head-case, except:
- It can scale up, ie it won't sound as good as it could, unless you use proper mats. Hint, don't use toroidals just because
everyone else others do. For starters anyway. Albeit again, even at a basic quality level, it
will surprise you.
- Reproduction source matters even more and i don't use what is.. prevalent today, so any specifics i might give are moot for most. Amps do play a slightly larger role with electrets than with dynamics as they say, true, but the basics are still the same (source, source and source). Since however i've not come here to start arguments, let's leave it at that.
I would once again wish to thank JimL for that lovely article, and Kevin Gilmore for contributing to the design further, but JimL especially.
Twice now you've helped me.. bless you
(nephew thanks you too, or would have had he known to, as he's now inherited the modified T1)
