The Stax thread (New)

[MuppetFace]

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That is, so long as that "mosquito noise"/squealing doesn't return. It wasn't an interconnect issue on the prior owner's part after all. When it gets going, it even persists after I unplug the headphones, until I short the pins with my finger. It seems to be random as to when it shows up and when it doesn't.

Sounds like dust got to them.
 

 

[NamelessPFG]

 
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Sounds like dust got to them.

That could be the case, but I'm wondering how dust would work its way in to start with. From the inside, there's foam and a Mylar layer. From the outside, there's more foam and...some sort of material that's not like what they used on the vintage Lambdas. Seems a lot less solid.
 
Speaking of the foam, my ears just touch it, and it feels a tad rough. I'm tempted to replace the pads and foam with genuine leather ones and cloth, though the EP-507 set is rather expensive at $100 from Yama's/STAX USA, then move the current pads to the vintage Lambda (which is in dire need of new pads). Only thing is, I'd probably need to get these serviced eventually, so I'd rather keep my $100 around for that, just in case.
 
Surprisingly enough, though, the higher clamping force isn't disturbing me nearly as much as I thought it would. This is probably because the large earpads distribute the pressure well.

 

[ex0du5]

I'm thinking of getting into Stax. A few questions:
 
1) I have the AKH K702 which are often described as light on bass. How are the low end Stax headphones in comparison?
2) Am I generally best to start off with the cheapest Stax/amp combo? I'm assuming there must be heavy diminishing returns at some point.
3) What would my best entry into Stax be, in your opinion?
4) I'm in Canada. Where would be the best place to order the headphones?

 

[livewire]

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I'm thinking of getting into Stax. A few questions:
 
1) I have the AKH K702 which are often described as light on bass. How are the low end Stax headphones in comparison?
 
I own both the K702 and the SR-202. Yes they are both bass-lite, the K702 does better if properly amped.
 
2) Am I generally best to start off with the cheapest Stax/amp combo? I'm assuming there must be heavy diminishing returns at some point.
 
That is what I did, and have no regrets. I paid $500 for a slightly used SRM-252 and SR-202 combo. I love it!
 
3) What would my best entry into Stax be, in your opinion?
 
IMO, the SR-407 and SRM-323. Best bang for the buck, new.
 
4) I'm in Canada. Where would be the best place to order the headphones?
 
Dont know about that one. I went the ebay route, some say to order directly from Japan.
Most retailers in the USA are priced on the high side, and then there is shipping to Canada. Ouch!

 

 

[NamelessPFG]

 
Quote:

I'm thinking of getting into Stax. A few questions:
 
1) I have the AKH K702 which are often described as light on bass. How are the low end Stax headphones in comparison?
2) Am I generally best to start off with the cheapest Stax/amp combo? I'm assuming there must be heavy diminishing returns at some point.
3) What would my best entry into Stax be, in your opinion?
4) I'm in Canada. Where would be the best place to order the headphones?

I can't compare to the K702, but this Headphiles review helps convey what the bass is like:
 
 
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First thing I have to tell you. If you are, like me, coming from a dynamic background you have to leave your preconceived notion of presentation of bass behind. The stax system does not push air into your ear canal, in fact it presents it just outside your ear giving a slightly brighter presentation, fantastic detail and attack but perhaps not any bass slam.

Now when I say bass slam I mean oomph not bass itself. This is what I mean - you have to re-educate yourself on how bass is really presented to the listener as more of an extension into the mix to give depth where needed or to emphasize a moment. This means you understand bass is there - in shed loads if I may say so, but not in a slam slam manner, but more in a deep cavernous manner designed to broaden what already is a massive sound stage.

 
I'm starting off on more affordable Stax gear myself; as you can see, I just moved up to an SR-202 and SRM-212. It's not as wallet-slaughtering if you keep your eyes peeled for good deals.
 
The consensus in here is that the best starting point for Stax is a vintage Lambda system. Pre-Lambda models can be good, but not downright outstanding in their eyes, I suppose. (I haven't listened to anything other than a modified/rebuilt SR-Lambda and SR-202, so I can't chime in for myself.) Just keep in mind that the more affordable systems come with transformer boxes, so if you don't already have a speaker amp in some form (for instance, an A/V receiver), that's an additional cost.
 
As for being in Canada...that complicates things. I don't know if Yama's/STAX USA will ship up there or if there's a Canadian distributor. However, I'm sure you'll find Stax owners all over North America (and even overseas) that will ship to you.

 

[DaveBSC]

For what its worth, there's currently an SR-507 on Audiogon at a pretty good price.

 

[Elysian]

Not a bad price.  I think the last 507 on the HF marketplace went for $650.

 

[livewire]

You dont see this stuff every day -
 
Entry level Stax system on Audiogon too!
 
Link:  http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1328405991&/Stax-SRS-2050-System-used-ears
 
Besides the SR-507, there is a SRM-323 on Agon also for a pretty good price.
Wish I had the dough, I'd buy them both. (SR-507 & SRM-323 amp)

 

[milosz]

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You dont see this stuff every day -
 
Entry level Stax system on Audiogon too!
 
Link:  http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrplan&1328405991&/Stax-SRS-2050-System-used-ears
 
Besides the SR-507, there is a SRM-323 on Agon also for a pretty good price.
Wish I had the dough, I'd buy them both. (SR-507 & SRM-323 amp)

Decent price, and he's including a step-down xformer too.
 
 
 

 

[milosz]

I feel that Audiogon is dissing us.  They have no separate category for headphones!  You have to list them as speakers.  The ignominy! The pain of it all!
 
 
                     I am angered.
 

 

 

[DaveBSC]

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I feel that Audiogon is dissing us.  They have no separate category for headphones!  You have to list them as speakers.  The ignominy! The pain of it all!

Yeah, you usually see them listed as "monitors". That's something Audiogon is supposedly going to fix with their coming redesign. Still, they aren't the greatest place for headphones anyway, you find only a few listed and even fewer amplifiers. Same with home theater equipment like A/V receivers, eBay has about 100X as many of those. Audiogon's focus is really 2 channel.
 

 

[Hawaiiancerveza]

By any chance has there been a review on the sr007-MK2.5?  I can't find anything on its sound signature if it's changed from the first mk to the last one.  Can someone please help me.  Thanks

 

[BoogieWoogie]

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By any chance has there been a review on the sr007-MK2.5?  I can't find anything on its sound signature if it's changed from the first mk to the last one.  Can someone please help me.  Thanks

That's the one in production, z3 series and is the worst sounding of the O2s mostly because of the brightness.
 

 

[Hawaiiancerveza]

Worst because there should be a treble peak?  Strange.  I'd think they'd stick to the more laid back sound.  
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That's the one in production, z3 series and is the worst sounding of the O2s mostly because of the brightness.
 

 

 

[NamelessPFG]

 
I contacted Yama's today regarding what it might take to fix that driver squeal. They suggested to just replace the whole thing to fix the squeal, claiming it was a diaphragm issue, and while they did offer discounts...they're nowhere near half price.
 
SR-207 $375 ($420, $45 discount)
SR-307 $410 ($460, $50 discount)
 
If they offered $210 and $230 respectively, I'd probably go through with it, but at those prices, definitely not.