The Stax Thread III

[Thomsen132]

I started several years ago (2014) with a Set of SR-307 and SR-323s, which is for its money also a quite good amp.
Some years later i bought SR-L700. Some years later again, i upgraded to a refurbished SRM-717.
Then 2022 upgraded to Mjolnir Carbon and SR-X9000.
Every stage was nice, and my personal way was to slowly climb the ladder. I enjoyed every stage.
You can already have very good electrostic sound beginning with SRM-3XX Amps. I would however not start with SRM-2XX and its derivates.
Stax SRM 717 can already drive SR-X9000 quite good. Better amps give the last 10-15 percents.

 

[Svperstar]

Stax SRM 717 can already drive SR-X9000 quite good. Better amps give the last 10-15 percents.

This. The 717 gets you most of the way there. An acceptable stopping point imo

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Thanks.
Why do you have the HE1000se if the e-stats are superior? (Or, what are its strengths over the e-stats?)

I had it before I got into estats a few months ago and I'm keeping it as a backup.

Bass quantity is a strength but there's no point to it when you compare against the 009 which has a lot better definition and texture. Instrumental timbre is very good on the HE1000se and only the SR-009S can match up to it.

 

[LarsHP]

I had he-6 original and latest version. Very close to 009 with proper amplification

Wow! Thanks for your impression there. This suggests the gap between my current headphone and even top model electrostatic headphones may not be that big.

 

[Svperstar]

Wow! Thanks for your impression there. This suggests the gap between my current headphone and even top model electrostatic headphones may not be that big.

If you want to experience estats without breaking the bank see if you can track down a used Koss 95X:
https://koss.com/products/koss-esp-95x-electrostatic-headphone-system

They have a lifetime warranty

Then if you get a converter cable to let it work with any Stax compatible estat amp, you can buy any amp you like:
https://fongaudio.com/store/default/koss-esp-950-to-stax-5-pin-adapter-cable.html

Plenty of people in the Koss 95X thread stop there. It's an excellent estat on par with the Lambda series. Only held back by the included amp.

 

[LarsHP]

If you want to experience estats without breaking the bank see if you can track down a used Koss 95X:
https://koss.com/products/koss-esp-95x-electrostatic-headphone-system

They have a lifetime warranty

Then if you get a converter cable to let it work with any Stax compatible estat amp, you can buy any amp you like:
https://fongaudio.com/store/default/koss-esp-950-to-stax-5-pin-adapter-cable.html

Plenty of people in the Koss 95X thread stop there. It's an excellent estat on par with the Lambda series. Only held back by the included amp.

Thanks for your suggestion.
I can't find the headphone sold separately, so that's a clear drawback. Paying for an amp I probably won't need later doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[Svperstar]

Thanks for your suggestion.
I can't find the headphone sold separately, so that's a clear drawback. Paying for an amp I probably won't need later doesn't sound like a good idea.

Yeah it's a combo system.

 

[LarsHP]

Okay, I found a SR-007 Mk II at a good price, new. This is a quite old model, discontinued now.
How does it measure up to a modern model like SR-L700 Mk II?

 

[Svperstar]

Okay, I found a SR-007 Mk II at a good price, new. This is a quite old model, discontinued now.
How does it measure up to a modern model like SR-L700 Mk II?

That depends on your opinion. They just discontinued it not long ago. One amp maker in the estat community thinks the 007mk2 is the best estat Stax makes

 

[LarsHP]

That depends on your opinion. They just discontinued it not long ago. One amp maker in the estat community thinks the 007mk2 is the best estat Stax makes

I see you have the 007 Mk II and several amps, including KGSSHV Carbon and SRM-717. How do they compare with that headphone?

 

[Svperstar]

I see you have the 007 Mk II and several amps, including KGSSHV Carbon and SRM-717. How do they compare with that headphone?

The 717 was released specifically to pair with the 007 because it's a bit harder to drive then other Stax. They go well together. The Carbon gives you the last 10-20%. Plus a lot more volume.

 

[LarsHP]

The 717 was released specifically to pair with the 007 because it's a bit harder to drive then other Stax. They go well together. The Carbon gives you the last 10-20%. Plus a lot more volume.

Thanks.

STAX SR-007 MKII ORDERED!

 

[LarsHP]

I see a Stax SRM -T1 locally for sale at a low price. Is that powerful enough for the 007 Mk II?

 

[Svperstar]

I see a Stax SRM -T1 locally for sale at a low price. Is that powerful enough for the 007 Mk II?

If it has the CCS mod it should be. I own the T1S, which is the same thing but it has XLR. The 007mk2 sounds fine out of it but just a little dark and the bass is kinda bloomy. On a more powerful amp it brightens up a bit and the bass is a lot better. The T1S it has the same basic sound signature tho

 

[arielext]

good value for money could be the 353x energizer combined with L500 or 007a, all 2nd handed. These will still give you near TOTL electrostatic goodness imo.
Getting that last ounce of detail or a different flavour can cost a lot more. Between the 353x and 700s energizers.... L500 is bright, 007a darker pick which you prefer. 007a has a way better build quality compared to the L500.
This is then again 100% my opinion and from my experience