The Stax thread (New)

[DefQon]

Quote:

I think someone has used the 407 arc assembly on the 507s in the past successfully, as they found the 507 arc uncomfortable. The new type Lambda arc can't be used on the old Lambda/Lambda Pro/Lambda Signature/ Sigma/ Sigma Pro earspeaker cases, unless you remove the metal part that the old arc assembly used to insert into (i.e. the newer plastic pin has a greater diameter that the older metal pin). 

All the new Lambda's share the same arc since the 202's which have a bigger diameter pin of the arc assembly that goes into the stator housing (unless there is one special off model that uses a complete different one). The new Lambda arcs/headband assembly can also be used on the vintage Lambda models, you need to use a pair of tweezers to unscrew the barrel secured into the pin area of the stator housing. Once removed it gives the right diameter clearance to install new Lambda arc/headband assemblies.

 

[NamelessPFG]

Quote:

I've been owning my 303s for relatively long. I was sceptic about the performance of the old Lambda when I was intruduced to it but time after time I found it somewhat more enjoyable. Its midrange glitters and that is why it's more pleasurable to listen to. I wouldn't say I have the proper amplification as I have only a all-FET struggler so the sound charasteristic would differ hooked up to a stronger one but via this setup its bass sounds a bit flatter compared to the 303's; in other words: bass is present in a good amount but somewhat differs. Nevertheless, I am not planning to get rid of the 303s as it is still very enjoyable with the ol' Tesla turntable and the rest of the analogue setup as provides fuller bass and still good with some other digital recordings. But still wondering if the NB-Lambda's signature and its "great midrange" is due to the mineral wool damping(?) or it's transducer technology . The Pro also have the same damping and optically the same size of drillings on the stators but higher bias voltage that may favorable for the bass quality and quantity so still wonder if it also preserving the midrange of NB? So maybe the same mids? (Sorry if my inferences are way too wrong)

 
I don't think it's the mineral wool, because my SR-Lambda didn't come with any. This set's not exactly stock, what with that mineral missing wool, rebuilt drivers with 2.5um diaphragms, 5-pin cable because whoever worked on this set before probably couldn't find a 6-pin cable, and so on. (It's probably why I managed to score it for just $250 with an SRD-7/SB.)
 
Of course, that just introduces even more variables (on top of the different amp setups, what with the Normal bias Lambda being powered with an old Onkyo receiver + SRD-7/SB and the SR-202 being powered with an SRM-212 because I don't have a dual-bias amp)...but it's still the same stators at the same 0.3mm Normal bias spacing. I'm still hoping to get my hands on a stock SR-Lambda, whenever my wallet permits, to find out how similar and different my particular set is.
 
The only thing I can say for sure at this point is that that vintage Lambda still remains my favorite headphone compared to everything else I've ever auditioned, in both comfort and sound presentation. I'm just trying to figure out exactly what's behind that sound presentation, especially when the different Lambda frame models clearly don't sound all that similar...

 

[soren_brix]

Quote:

I brought my Omega II and SRD-7/MK2 to one of my local Hi-Fi stores today.
Hi-Fi Klubben to be precise.

One of the guys who work there met me right inside the door and asked if he could help me. I told him that I was looking into buying an integrated amplifier, and was especially interested in the Lyngdorf TDS2200 (picture).
While he lead way into the High End room he asked me what kind of speakers I have. He looked strange at me when I answered that I put my speaker (headspeakers) on my head.

We first hooked up the Lyngdorf TDA2200/CD1 combo to a pair of B&W 805s speakers, and performed some listening. Then after a while I pulled out the Omega II cary case and asked if he was ready for some headphone **magic**. He had never seen anything like this before, and pulled the SRD-7/MK2 out of my hands and started to connect it to the Lyngdorf.
In a matter of seconds the Omega II was playing music. he he

For your information. The Lyngdorf TDA2200 is a solid state fully digital amplifier, priced at $4.500.

I was first out, since after all I was the customer. It was soon pretty clear to me that this amplifier had some great potential. It clearly had the Omega II's under stronger control than what my SRM-007t can manage. But it also seemed to lacks some of the warmth and "magic" I get from of the SRM-007t. Maybe because the Lyngdorf is a fully digital solid state amplifier, while the SRM-007t is solid state/tube. Or perhaps because the SRD-7/MK2 add something to the sound that? I really don't know. But it seems like I enjoy tube amplifiers more than solid state one.

After I have concluded my listening tests I handed the Omega II over to him (the guy who worked there). He listened to some of his favorite tracks, and at the end these were his only words; "These put out the BEST midrange I have EVER heard!!". Thats not bad, coming from a guy which handle speaker rigs worth $50.000's daily. We might actually have other switcher on the way!


Conclusion!
I am sure a 'speaker amplifer' -> SRD-7/MK2 -> Omega II system would sound great. But I will have to test some more amplifiers before I decide if I want to stick with the old trustful SRM-007t, or not.

Stay tuned!

Hi krmathis
 
I don't know wheather this still applies?
Anyway, I have a Stax 4040 and a TDAI2200, also I have the SRD-7/mk2 box your are refering to.
 
Listning to the 404 Signature on a SRM-006t and the SRD-7/mk2 I would prefere the 006t; to me the sound is simply bigger and more open. Might be a question of personal taste.
If I had the SRD-7/mk2 and the 404, would I buy the 006t? probably not ... not that big a difference.
 
I have had a pair of 007II for a few month using them in the TDAI2200 (simply as a DAC) -> SRM-006t combi.
The 007II is cleary a very good headspeaker  ... and compared to the 404 ...well .... I'd prefere the 007II ... that is out of the box, so to speak.
 
If you do a little of tweaking, using the DSP from the TDAI, and try to straigthen out the fq response, the difference is less, at least to me ears ... in fact I returned the 007II.
BTW I found an Excel sheet done by someone else, that can create voicing files ... that way you can upload a voicing that tweaks your speakerphones, choose that when you want to do some listing using headspeakers....and choose Neutral, or some other voicing when listing using main speakers (using the TDAI with RoomPerfect disables the DSP feature, thus the only way to tweak the repsons will be through use of voicings).
 
BTW it is kind of impressive how much knowledge floating around in here, thnx a lot guys 
 
/S

 

[wuwhere]

krmathis hasn't been here in awhile.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/518687/journey-getting-to-an-end

 

[plektret]

The Bando transformer in my SRM-006tA has gone bad. I'm on a tight budget and need a cheap suitable replacement component that is at least as good as the Bando (which I've heard isn't that good). I've looked at Lundahl's transformers, but they are too expensive. Can anyone help me? Thanks

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

The Bando transformer in my SRM-006tA has gone bad. I'm on a tight budget and need a cheap suitable replacement component that is at least as good as the Bando (which I've heard isn't that good). I've looked at Lundahl's transformers, but they are too expensive. Can anyone help me? Thanks

 
Bando is good enough to be used in the highest end Japan only Sony gear where cost was truly no issue.  A custom unit to fit the exact specs will not be cheap to get as you need just one.   
 
A transformer doesn't just die though as it is all sealed in resin.  It's probably the thermal fuse that blew but why that happened is a better question. 

 

[SquireC]

@krmathis
 
You said that ' It seemed to lack some of the warmth and "magic" I get from of the SRM-007t. Maybe because the Lyngdorf is a fully digital solid state amplifier, while the SRM-007t is solid state/tube. Or perhaps because the SRD-7/MK2 add something to the sound that? I really don't know.'
 
IMHO it's not the SRD7 that has affected the sound. I've used an SRD7/MK2 for many years with various amps, and the better the amp the better the sound. I use a solid state pre amp and  valve power amp. I have heard very good results with all solid state but not easy to find one that provides the 'magic'.
 
Good hunting.
 

 

[plektret]

 
Bando is good enough to be used in the highest end Japan only Sony gear where cost was truly no issue.  A custom unit to fit the exact specs will not be cheap to get as you need just one.   
 
A transformer doesn't just die though as it is all sealed in resin.  It's probably the thermal fuse that blew but why that happened is a better question. 

 
A few seconds after I turn the amp on I can hear a clicking sound (after the self-test) and then smoke comes from the transformer. I don't have the technical knowledge to guess what's wrong. So I take it there's no easy solution to replace it?

 

[spritzer]

So when the HV comes on the transformer smokes.  Sounds a lot like tube issues. 

 

[plektret]

Two years ago I switched tubes to RCA 6CG7 "black plates". I only biased them once.

 

[spritzer]

Biasing could be an issue but probably a tube has shorted.  Smoke comes from too much current so something has shorted.  If you have the stock tubes try to install them and see what happens.   Could also be anode or cathode resistors. 

 

[plektret]

I've just tried with the stock tubes, but there's still smoke. I've also measured the resistors and they seem to be fine.

 

[jcx]

its really not recommended to keep trying when the component has emittted smoke - you really should get the smoking part fixed/replaced

 

[DefQon]

Yep, if it's a tube short, refrain from using that tube again, I had one that I used as dummy/tester for my other tube amp whilst short I didn't know and it smoked the trafo's next to the chokes. Dispose of it.

 

[spritzer]

No sense in changing out the transformer with the cause of the transformer issue still at large.  Could be a number of things from a shorted capacitor to the transformer shorted to the chassis.  I've seen both on that vintage of Stax amps.