The Stax Thread III

[timb5881]

i may be wrong, but it looks like the solaris has a normal bias output? that definitely won't be enough to power any of the omegas (5 pin pro bias vs 6 pin normal bias)

It does look like a normal bias socket, but the specs say it is a 480 v. Sopunds to me like a person with a normal bias Stax will fry it.

 

[chocolates]

that's kind of concerning...

 

[elton7033]

Why is it not comparable? Both drive e-stats and one does it most likely better than the other so it should be comparable.

Edit: Oh you're saying that the BHSE is miles better right? Yeah that's what i was assuming.

I only a few electrostatic amp through out the past 10years
but sadly there are only a few amp in the market can compare with the BHSE eg: KGSShv Carbon/ Woo WES/ T2
Not even the new stax flagship T8000 come anywhere close in my opinion.
Never tried the Solaris with e-stats but I had tried it with Utopia, but its a very decent amp. I am just assuming it shouldn't be worst than the 727 so I guess with something like a SR009/S will be better since its much less amp dependent compare to the SR007Mk1/Mk2/A/Mk2.9 as the only thing that's make me worry is the high voltage on a normal bias socket as mentioned above by fellow headfier.

 

[elton7033]

Try unplugging the headphones and touching its pins with your finger. Shorting them out this way worked for my 009S' when the left ear started making noise as you described.

I do that sometimes as well, when my 009 start to sound a bit low volume when continues plug into my KGSShv Carbon for 3days and it return to normal instantly, I think it just discharge all build up electrostatic on the driver...correct me if I am doing something wrong.

 

[DesignTaylor]

Hey there, I've been following this thread for a little bit, seems like there are some very knowledgeable contributors.

I got into electrostatics pretty recently after being a hardcore speaker and headphone guy. I've owned a bunch of HP gear... dynamic and planar, open and closed, various brands, solid-state and tube amps, various DACs, etc. but estats are a whole new ball game.

A few pages back there was a discussion about value perception and how the audio community perceives STAX which I found pretty interesting as I have started dipping my toe into the electrostatic waters.

My initial impression after purchasing my first set up (L300 LTD w/ L700 pads/band + stock SRM-T1) is extremely positive. I came to electrostatics a bit skeptical as from the outside they seemed expensive and complex but what I've heard so far is very rewarding. Now I've only gotten to sample one set up so my experience with STAX is very limited, but my impression is not that they are outright better or worse than dynamics or planners but simply that they are different. There are some things that they obviously excel at and other attributes which I prefer one of my other setups for. What is clear to me is that they offer a new expression and differentiated presentation from anything else I've listened to and that's trilling.

I think the question of cost is interesting. My initial sense is that the price is actually pretty comparable to planar or dynamic setups that offer a similar level of performance. Since my current STAX setup is about half the cost of my best planar or dynamic setup I've been motivated to see what's possible if I level the playing field. My plan is to sell some of my existing gear to afford a better set of electrostatic components.

I'll likely be going with a modded STAX unit from Mjolnir as it seems to offer the best bang for my buck. I'm on the fence about which ear speaker to go for. I tend to appreciate a warmer presentation so the s007 seems appropriate but I'm also super curious about the ES-1a as the reviews I've read suggest that it might better balance fullness and detail, sort of in between the 007 and 009.

Feedback and input welcome!

 

[elton7033]

Hey there, I've been following this thread for a little bit, seems like there are some very knowledgeable contributors.

I got into electrostatics pretty recently after being a hardcore speaker and headphone guy. I've owned a bunch of HP gear... dynamic and planar, open and closed, various brands, solid-state and tube amps, various DACs, etc. but estats are a whole new ball game.

A few pages back there was a discussion about value perception and how the audio community perceives STAX which I found pretty interesting as I have started dipping my toe into the electrostatic waters.

My initial impression after purchasing my first set up (L300 LTD w/ L700 pads/band + stock SRM-T1) is extremely positive. I came to electrostatics a bit skeptical as from the outside they seemed expensive and complex but what I've heard so far is very rewarding. Now I've only gotten to sample one set up so my experience with STAX is very limited, but my impression is not that they are outright better or worse than dynamics or planners but simply that they are different. There are some things that they obviously excel at and other attributes which I prefer one of my other setups for. What is clear to me is that they offer a new expression and differentiated presentation from anything else I've listened to and that's trilling.

I think the question of cost is interesting. My initial sense is that the price is actually pretty comparable to planar or dynamic setups that offer a similar level of performance. Since my current STAX setup is about half the cost of my best planar or dynamic setup I've been motivated to see what's possible if I level the playing field. My plan is to sell some of my existing gear to afford a better set of electrostatic components.

I'll likely be going with a modded STAX unit from Mjolnir as it seems to offer the best bang for my buck. I'm on the fence about which ear speaker to go for. I tend to appreciate a warmer presentation so the s007 seems appropriate but I'm also super curious about the ES-1a as the reviews I've read suggest that it might better balance fullness and detail, sort of in between the 007 and 009.

Feedback and input welcome!

The 009 is more detail than the 007, the 007 are more detail than the es1a, but the original omega is even a hair more detail than the 009.

 

[DesignTaylor]

Thanks! Which would you describe as being the most full-bodied, or warmer? The L300 feels a little thin at times and like the upper mids are peaky. I recognize the amp may be part of the issue.

 

[tabness]

i have the 009S, Omega, and L500 MK2 in terms of electrostats (heard them on T1S and 353X)

the only one i feel is a bit lacking in "body" is the L500 but to me it isnt much of a problem... though in general i prefer the mids of my CD3000 over any of them and that is the phone that gets the most listening time (well ignoring earbuds lol)

i actually think the Omega is more veiled than the 009S, the 009S seems to be the ultimate clarity i have heard in any transducer (well that and maybe the Utopia)

Just going by the common impressions maybe the 007 is what you're looking for and is worth auditioning? (disclaimer: never heard it)

 

[118900]

Thanks! Which would you describe as being the most full-bodied, or warmer? The L300 feels a little thin at times and like the upper mids are peaky. I recognize the amp may be part of the issue.

007s with spritzer mod are excellent

 

[chocolates]

i've listened to L300/L500 and 007mk1 and greatly prefer the 007mk1 personally. could be bias but even technicalities aside the tonality is much more pleasing. I struggle to listen to the lambda for longer than a couple hours without fatigue settling in, though it also just doesn't quite have as good a fit on my head as the omega does.

on a slightly unrelated note (but only slightly) - got my vesper earpads in for the 007 and they're amazing! a little bit of a tight fit and you can't seem to wrap them around the insert disc and the rotating headphone disc, but it's totally fine since i no longer need to fiddle with it for the seal - i just set it to the correct orientation and i don't have any issues with it cutting out or anything.

 

[elton7033]

i've listened to L300/L500 and 007mk1 and greatly prefer the 007mk1 personally. could be bias but even technicalities aside the tonality is much more pleasing. I struggle to listen to the lambda for longer than a couple hours without fatigue settling in, though it also just doesn't quite have as good a fit on my head as the omega does.

on a slightly unrelated note (but only slightly) - got my vesper earpads in for the 007 and they're amazing! a little bit of a tight fit and you can't seem to wrap them around the insert disc and the rotating headphone disc, but it's totally fine since i no longer need to fiddle with it for the seal - i just set it to the correct orientation and i don't have any issues with it cutting out or anything.

I agree, I prefer the 007Mk1 to my already sold SR-404LE, and most of the time i actually prefer 007Mk1 to 009 when listening to music which are downloaded where i dont always need the high resolution of the 009s

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

I agree, I prefer the 007Mk1 to my already sold SR-404LE, and most of the time i actually prefer 007Mk1 to 009 when listening to music which are downloaded where i dont always need the high resolution of the 009s

I'm the opposite. I can't stand the tonality of the 007 mk.1s
I much prefer the 404LEs or even the Lambda professionals.

Thanks! Which would you describe as being the most full-bodied, or warmer? The L300 feels a little thin at times and like the upper mids are peaky. I recognize the amp may be part of the issue.

A set of Lambda Professionals with an SRM-T1 is a match made in heaven. I used to run my lambda Pros with a t1s before I got the ed-1 diffuse field equalizer and Srm1 mk2.

I believe that people who prefer more thin and analytical headphones will prefer lambdas but those who want a more thick, laid-back sound will like Omegas.

As a side note, you could pick up the Massdrop Koss stats with a stax adapter. They're sort of a middleground in-between the lambda sound and the omega sound.

Specifically the massdrop version though. They have a slightly different sound signature than the regular koss estats.

 

[Tugbars]

Any omega with a proper amp sounds way more analytical to me than lambdas.

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

Any omega with a proper amp sounds way more analytical to me than lambdas.

Which lambdas have you heard?

I'm not very fond of the current generation. The 507s and 404LEs are both very good. I also enjoy the Lambda Professionals and Lambda Signatures.

Stax did have a bit of trouble with quality control on the 507s though.

I have compared the 007 mk.1 to the lambda professionals and 404LEs over and over again and the Omega simply isn't as open or transparent. It does have a nice warmth and bass though.

In the end, I sold my 007s and my BHSE.

 

[6PANDEMONIUM6]

I don't mean to attack people who do enjoy the 007s though. They simply aren't my cup of tea. That's why Stax sells lambdas and omegas.