The Stax Thread III

[alota]

Wait for omega 20 six feet under

 

[bobkatz]

Direct coupled versus transformer coupled: the sonics.

I am sad to report that my Estat amp build using a Pascal 80 watt amp and a high quality toroidal output transformer is a bit too colored at least for my taste.

It sounded very pleasant with either the Stax 007 mk2 or the Audeze CRBN1. But when I moved up to the CRBN2 the amp is just too “warm” or “fat” if you will. The CRBN2 has the best bass response of any Estat phone, I am confident enough to say. It needs the most uncolored amp possible. My Mjolnir Carbon fits the bill and sounds glorious, transparent and impacting into any of those phones, with the CRBN2 on top.

Not to get me wrong, the transformer coupled amp sounds nice but too far from accurate for a phone like the CRBN 2.

I haven’t auditioned a Blue Hawaii but I’m pretty sure it will also do. But I’m not a fan of tube maintenance unless I have to.

So I’m giving up my search for making a second amp to have using transformers. Someday I guess I’ll buy another Mjolnir! A direct coupled kit in the KGSS vein sounds way too complicated for a mortal like me to build.

 

[Chefguru]

Wait for omega 20 six feet under

I sense a x9000 v2 will drop in 2026 based on timeline with 009/009s and crbn now having the crbn2

 

[RogueCrusher]

Does anyone here have experience comparing the SR-009 (OG) against ES Labs ES-1a? I generally like the tuning of the SR-009 just that it sounds a bit thin on note weight and in the bass department but on the other hand I find the SR-007 (MK 2.9) a bit too laidback for my tastes.

The ES -1a has been labeled the SR-008 by many since it sits somewhere in between these two. I had the 007mk 2.9 and ES-1a on the same chain, and also listened to the 009s (but not side by side on same chain so a comparison is not accurate) and I would very much agree.

 

[ufospls2]

The ES -1a has been labeled the SR-008 by many since it sits somewhere in between these two. I had the 007mk 2.9 and ES-1a on the same chain, and also listened to the 009s (but not side by side on same chain so a comparison is not accurate) and I would very much agree.

Yes, I agree with this. I found it sat between the two, but the only issue I really found with the ES-1a was it lacked a bit in the low end. If you are willing to bump the low end with EQ, it was a really good pair of headphones especially for the cost. If you are averse to EQ and looking for more note weight and less thin than the 009 it might not be the best choice.

The new ES-2a is very interesting, and I'm hoping it has a bit more low end. That + the reduced weight could be incredibly compelling at $2000USD. The only other thing I'm hoping for is slightly more clamp force, I found the ES-1a very loose, and I have a pretty big head.

 

[RogueCrusher]

Yes, I agree with this. I found it sat between the two, but the only issue I really found with the ES-1a was it lacked a bit in the low end. If you are willing to bump the low end with EQ, it was a really good pair of headphones especially for the cost. If you are averse to EQ and looking for more note weight and less thin than the 009 it might not be the best choice.

The new ES-2a is very interesting, and I'm hoping it has a bit more low end. That + the reduced weight could be incredibly compelling at $2000USD. The only other thing I'm hoping for is slightly more clamp force, I found the ES-1a very loose, and I have a pretty big head.

EQing in a bass shelf was indeed helpful with the ES-1a and solved that problem. In my case, I just used X-Bass to introduce more authority in the low end.

Mr. Wong was willing to make (by request) the headband thicker by a millimeter and overall narrower by 3cm. So that will increase the clamp force nicely.

 

[K3cT]

The ES -1a has been labeled the SR-008 by many since it sits somewhere in between these two. I had the 007mk 2.9 and ES-1a on the same chain, and also listened to the 009s (but not side by side on same chain so a comparison is not accurate) and I would very much agree.

Nice, this is very helpful. How do you find its midrange and treble compared to the SR-009? Like is the presentation in those areas as forward as the SR-009?

 

[number1sixerfan]

I did a write up when I had the ES-1a alongside the 007/009, although I only had them for like 6-8 months. But the thing that stuck out was that they seemed like some odd (but enjoyable for the most part) mix of the two. Better performance than the price tag for sure though, like all of ES labs offerings. Will keep paying attention to impressions of the next iteration..

 

[ludoo]

A while ago I ordered a Sirrah from Andreas (High-Amp), as I wanted a "modern" amplifier to use beside my vintage T1s for peace of mind and future-proofing. I chose the Sirrah as I don't need gobs of power to drive the Stax I use (SR-Xmk1/2/3, SR-L500, and other PB or NB Lambdas), and I prefer a smaller form factor and reasonable budgets. A bonus when ordering was that Andreas was willing to add a normal bias socket next to the pro bias one, and a second set of RCAs in parallel like in the old Stax amps.

I received the amp yesterday and connected it this morning for a first listen. Initial impressions are "wow": compared to the T1s (which I recapped a while ago) it's more extended at both extremes, noticeably less laid back, and with slight bass elevation. With the SR-X at my normal listening levels I'm at 20% volume compared to ~40% on the T1s, so despite being the smaller model in High-Amp lineup it's still deceptively powerful. Sinergy with the Soekris DAC I'm using also seems pretty great.

Here it is over the T1s (cables are a bit messy, I just swapped it in for my Lyr+ for testing).

 

[alota]

A while ago I ordered a Sirrah from Andreas (High-Amp), as I wanted a "modern" amplifier to use beside my vintage T1s for peace of mind and future-proofing. I chose the Sirrah as I don't need gobs of power to drive the Stax I use (SR-Xmk1/2/3, SR-L500, and other PB or NB Lambdas), and I prefer a smaller form factor and reasonable budgets. A bonus when ordering was that Andreas was willing to add a normal bias socket next to the pro bias one, and a second set of RCAs in parallel like in the old Stax amps.

I received the amp yesterday and connected it this morning for a first listen. Initial impressions are "wow": compared to the T1s (which I recapped a while ago) it's more extended at both extremes, noticeably less laid back, and with slight bass elevation. With the SR-X at my normal listening levels I'm at 20% volume compared to ~40% on the T1s, so despite being the smaller model in High-Amp lineup it's still deceptively powerful. Sinergy with the Soekris DAC I'm using also seems pretty great.

Here it is over the T1s (cables are a bit messy, I just swapped it in for my Lyr+ for testing).

From your write, seems that solid state amps have same dna. i have polaris from a few days and my impression is the same. Of course polaris has more output voltage compared to sirrah. I honestly still have to get used to this new type of presentation. I'm testing it these days with my two headphones
P.S.: i saw now you are italian, me too but live in Portugal

 

[sillie]

A while ago I ordered a Sirrah from Andreas (High-Amp), as I wanted a "modern" amplifier to use beside my vintage T1s for peace of mind and future-proofing. I chose the Sirrah as I don't need gobs of power to drive the Stax I use (SR-Xmk1/2/3, SR-L500, and other PB or NB Lambdas), and I prefer a smaller form factor and reasonable budgets. A bonus when ordering was that Andreas was willing to add a normal bias socket next to the pro bias one, and a second set of RCAs in parallel like in the old Stax amps.

I received the amp yesterday and connected it this morning for a first listen. Initial impressions are "wow": compared to the T1s (which I recapped a while ago) it's more extended at both extremes, noticeably less laid back, and with slight bass elevation. With the SR-X at my normal listening levels I'm at 20% volume compared to ~40% on the T1s, so despite being the smaller model in High-Amp lineup it's still deceptively powerful. Sinergy with the Soekris DAC I'm using also seems pretty great.

Here it is over the T1s (cables are a bit messy, I just swapped it in for my Lyr+ for testing).

Years ago I also had a Sirrah. Very nice amplifier with fine resolution and powerful bass. After that I updated to the Alpha Centauri and half a year ago I had the Alpha Centauri converted to push-pull. And now I walk on air.

 

[Svperstar]

The CRBN2 has the best bass response of any Estat phone, I am confident enough to say. It needs the most uncolored amp possible. My Mjolnir Carbon fits the bill and sounds glorious, transparent and impacting into any of those phones, with the CRBN2 on top.

I haven’t auditioned a Blue Hawaii but I’m pretty sure it will also do. But I’m not a fan of tube maintenance unless I have to.

As someone with a Carbon who is impatiently waiting for the CRBN2 upgrade this is making me more impatient. Also I have a Blue Hawaii and all the maintenance you have to do is swap 4 EL34/6CA7 tubes. I have 4 different matched quads of tubes I bought from different manufacturers to have a stash if some of the tubes die and also to see if I hear any difference and I think tube rolling on a Blue Hawaii is a placebo effect due to the way its designed, it is a not a "pure" tube amp its a hybrid. I thought the 6CA7 had better bass, then I randomly mixed tubes and everything sounded identical.

 

[VandyMan]

I sense a x9000 v2 will drop in 2026 based on timeline with 009/009s and crbn now having the crbn2

Based on the seven years between the 009 and 009S, I think you will be waiting until 2028. I would expect an 007 replacement next (x7000 perhaps).

 

[TheAbyss2022]

Based on the seven years between the 009 and 009S, I think you will be waiting until 2028. I would expect an 007 replacement next (x7000 perhaps).

X9000 was supposedly inspired by the original Omega and people say they sound very different. Largely favouring the Omega and only the bass for the X9000.

I have no hope they will recreate the MK1 007 lol.

 

[genefruit]

I have no hope they will recreate the MK1 007 lol.

with x9000 headband assembly and detachable cables