[Craylock]

Thanks guys for sharing your thoughts. First time I see it opined that 009 bests the S version. Understand that I need to hear both versions before purchase, but it wont be anytime soon. I have had L300/700Mk2/007Mk2 for only a year or so, and my bank doesn't love me anymore. Since theer is so much experience here I'd like to ask about amps as well. I have Mjølnir KGSShv, SRM717/007TII and a promodded SRD7. What would proper upgrade cost me in that department? And is it Carbon CC or are there other options?

 

[ThibSan]

I also echo that Justin is a great guy to do business with, even from Europe.

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

007 has a more full bodied bass, but it sounds quite dark and the timbre in female vocals is off - can't imagine a non-basshead choosing 007 over 009.

went from SR-009 to SR-007. Mostly listening to Vocal, Jazz, Orchestral. Some Rock and EDM on and off.

 

[tigon_ridge]

Welp, my SRS-3100 has served me well for years, but I finally managed to end my L300's career. After the unit broke in two different places on the cheap, flimsy, toy-quality headband, I frankensteined it back together, but now I seem to have damaged the left driver by attempting a deep clean. I cleaned the right driver correctly, but for the left one, I made a boo boo, so now there's a big channel imbalance.

Do NOT try to clean your inner dust filter with a wet cotton swab. Instead, disassemble everything (be very careful not to expose the diaphragm to dust!), then rinse the filter with water, then dry it. The cotton swab probably did something to the stator, and now the driver is way underpowered.

Rest in Stax heaven, my beloved L300.

 

[DaddyWhale]

Thanks guys for sharing your thoughts. First time I see it opined that 009 bests the S version. Understand that I need to hear both versions before purchase, but it wont be anytime soon. I have had L300/700Mk2/007Mk2 for only a year or so, and my bank doesn't love me anymore. Since theer is so much experience here I'd like to ask about amps as well. I have Mjølnir KGSShv, SRM717/007TII and a promodded SRD7. What would proper upgrade cost me in that department? And is it Carbon CC or are there other options?

Hi! I have a Carbon, but NOT the CC version. I love the Carbon. When i was looking to buy a couple years back, it was suggested that the CC was NOT necessarily an upgrade over the plain CC. So you might want to look into that. If i recollect correctly, the CC adds some "sparkle," which you may or may not be looking for.

Also, you might want to look into the Blue Hawaii SE as well.

 

[Mach3]

I can't find any good reviews Stax Omega vs other hi end headphones

The Stax Omega is different to the SR-007 mind you. Super wide soundstage, they are a different flavor to the 007 or the 009 series.

1266 are so ugly.

Are you buying headphone/earspeaker for sound or is the priority aesthetic here?

 

[zomkung]

Any headphones would be a good implement to the Stats/Stax system? (Contrast of the ethereal)

I would like to have either HE6 or Abyss TC-1266. Have heard that the TC-1266 has some trouble with EQING due to the distortion in the treble.

 

[Menkau-ra]

252 has CCS in the final current boost stage; 400S photos show large power resistors, which suggest it probably uses resistors (instead of ccs) in the output stage, hence the "softer" sound?
Or maybe one can call the 252 sound harder/sharper?

Since you were auditioning the 400s, which is about $1k.... with that kind of budget, why f#c& with budget-grade amps? 717 costs less than that (and if from Japan, quite a bit less). And the 717 was the flagship/top-dog model in the lineup.

l just purchased SR-009 and waiting for the package. I know you said 717 should be really good amp, but I did not find it yet. There is new KGSS Mini under $1000. How is it compared to 717?

 

[Menkau-ra]

if audition is difficult to arrange, get the sr007 + 717/727 combo and see how your like it. That will tell you a lot about whether electrostatic is for you.

Stax gears hold their value well, you don't lose much $$ if you end up going other directions and sell the stax. especially if you get them used. Just treat it as "rental fee".

There is a 727ii in the for-sale section, very good price for a US voltage version, no need for step-down transformers. I would have jumped on it if I haven't just won a 727 on yahoo.jp.

what's the difference between 717 vs 727?

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

Most people agree that default 727 is a crappy design, to be avoided unless modded. They've excluded the output stage from feedback loop iirc. So if you're confident to do some modifications, go for the cheaper one, otherwise 717.

 

[BenF]

l just purchased SR-009 and waiting for the package. I know you said 717 should be really good amp, but I did not find it yet. There is new KGSS Mini under $1000. How is it compared to 717?

Are you talking about this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/224475834032
Does anyone have an experience with this builder - JR Audio?

 

[Menkau-ra]

Most people agree that default 727 is a crappy design, to be avoided unless modded. They've excluded the output stage from feedback loop iirc. So if you're confident to do some modifications, go for the cheaper one, otherwise 717.

is there a manual for that mod? I need to see how hard it is.

 

[Menkau-ra]

Are you talking about this? https://www.ebay.com/itm/224475834032
Does anyone have an experience with this builder - JR Audio?

Yes, that one, from MyHeadFi. Is it any good? The price is affordable.

 

[DuncanDirkDick]

is there a manual for that mod? I need to see how hard it is.

https://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/8703-the-srm727-thread/

 

[Menkau-ra]

https://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/8703-the-srm727-thread/

I think that I'd better buy 717 or KGSS Mini if it's good