[kevin gilmore]

It is LEDs btw and they are used to get some stabilized voltages…

absolutely not. they are neon lightbulbs and are input protection for the fets.

there are also red led's that are used as voltage reference for the current sources.

 

[ufospls2]

Yes the omega-types all present a spherical head-stage; the L700 do not. I listen to a lot of rock and the L700 serves this very well - its unique staging presentation is part of its charm, but not its ONLY charm in comparison to the omega types. I really like the L700 a lot; always have. It maxes out on a BHSE or this HEV90 clone, but also does well on a KGST. Seems to love tubes. The Mk 2 version was a good revision that makes the L700 even better

As far as efficiency - it seems like reports on this ES-1a have been varied. Perhaps this was affected by early pad swapping? Here, with the current stock pads, I find its efficiency to be nearly the same as 007 Mk I - i.e. not very efficient. It's less efficient than the 009, and much less than L700! The HEV90 tube amp audibly struggles to retain grip over the omega types at higher volumes, but does beautifully with L700. It sounds excellent with ES-1a, but you're limited in the volume you can push here before SQ degrades. The 500V IXYS KGSShv provides excellent drive and grip over everything, but is not the best tonal match for 009 and L700.

I also found the ES1a to be pretty similar in terms of efficiency as the SR007mk2.

 

[droido256]

absolutely not. they are neon lightbulbs and are input protection for the fets.

there are also red led's that are used as voltage reference for the current sources.

Ah so they are neon, I thought they looked like the ones sent with my tesla coil……so more of a power spike absorber….. unpacking it and looking inside through the vent…. Def is one nice set of kit. Never saw neon in a amp circuit before.

 

[droido256]

Ah so they are neon, I thought they looked like the ones sent with my tesla coil……so more of a power spike absorber….. unpacking it and looking inside through the vent…. Def is one nice set of kit. Never saw neon in a amp circuit before.

On a side note. Holy hell this thing is HUGE. Oh but does it ever have excellent control over what I guess is the stators. Currently testing it through the L-300 on the erm offchance something goes wrong, sadly rather fry a 400$ headphone vs a 1700$ one. It isn’t any louder, but the detail, I guess estat really is dependant on its driver (testing vs d-10, and a 252) this song tho through it I’m listening to now, def a remarkable improvement over the d-10, and the Srm-252 (not knocking either of those two, both esp for their price are still astounding in their own right.

 

[oneguy]

Just got an email that my X9000 is at the shop I ordered it through. I wasn’t expecting it for another 2-6 weeks but I think I’ll get it it by the end of this week.

 

[KDS315]

Just got an email that my X9000 is at the shop I ordered it through. I wasn’t expecting it for another 2-6 weeks but I think I’ll get it it by the end of this week.

Which AMP will you be using to drive it with?

 

[oneguy]

@KDS315 KGGG

 

[hifixman]

Just got an email that my X9000 is at the shop I ordered it through. I wasn’t expecting it for another 2-6 weeks but I think I’ll get it it by the end of this week.

when and where did you order it?
Congratulations

 

[droido256]

Ok now my nosy stage is active. Curious who makes the fet? Pulling up the J5502 number brings up a Fairchild data sheet. Anyone decode these numbers better? Lol again curiosity

 

[droido256]

Ok now my nosy stage is active. Curious who makes the fet? Pulling up the J5502 number brings up a Fairchild data sheet. Anyone decode these numbers better? Lol again curiosity

Found it, Onsemi, J5502 design from their acquisition of Fairchild Semi. Or so things seem to line up as such.

 

[oneguy]

when and where did you order it?
Congratulations

Apr 21st through the company e-earphone. When I ordered it Stax was quoting 2-3 months for delivery.

 

[Ciggavelli]

Wrong thread

 

[seadog123]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but I can’t find any historic threads about it.

Anyone prefer the current STAX 007 mk2 over the Focal Utopia ? I had a Final D8000 Pro and sold it for an IEM system and want to move back to headphones.

My budget now is STAX 007mk2 and the 400S energiser. With intentions of going the 700S energiser in 18m time.

Both will have the Chord Qutest as DAC source. For budget reasons, the Utopia will be matched to Focal Arche.
So budget wise, 007Mk2, 400S, Chord Qutest vs Utopia, Arche and I’ll have to add my Chord Mojo2 as the DAC until I have funds in 18m for Qutest.

My music is varied, but a lot of pop. Rock, country, punk. I value speed, punch, detail and soundstage.

 

[droido256]

Question about the 400s, the iPhone directly cabled into rca through the little dongle thingy, doesn’t seem to have as much oompfh with the 400s as it did with the 252 and the d10, are these higher end amps harder to drive off something like a iPhone? Sound quality is ….. astounding but directly connected to the iPhone have to have the volumes on both turned pretty far up, around 2:00 on the 400s.

Oh! Edit, is the xlr in the 400 balanced? Before I go and buy a balanced 2.5 to dual xlr cable.

…….. see folks this is what happens when you finally after 20 years buy a srs-3100…… get sucked into this paradise…. And money whole love it, wish I bought them 20 years ago, well the equivalent then

 

[padam]

My budget now is STAX 007mk2 and the 400S energiser. With intentions of going the 700S energiser in 18m time.

My music is varied, but a lot of pop. Rock, country, punk. I value speed, punch, detail and soundstage.

You are wasting your money with a 700s (even more so than the 400s).
Not that it's a terrible amp or anything, but it is no different to a 717 or a slightly better modified 727. You can get these on the used market for 3x less.

I've seen some fantastic looking builds from @johnwmclean, so I would consider contacting him.
Here is an example