The Stax thread (New)

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeggy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I made a tentative start on the faux sigma last night and it doesn't sound too good. Sorta boxy like the Lambda puled away from the ears and little bass or upper treble. Spatially it sounds good and not as bad as I was thinking it'd be but far from usable. It'll be very helpful seeing what Stax did to get around this. Still, early days

I guess some of it has to do with the earpads which are flat on the Sigma and not angled. The drivers are also not completely at 90° in relation to the ear but rather about 70°when you factor in the shape of the head and how the flat earpads interact. The shape of the Sigma chassis isn't an accident as it forces the sound towards the ears with the think damping materials.

I was just studying the design and a modern day Sigma with a chassis like the 4070 (more rounded and better braced) could be something really special.

 

[krmathis]

spritzer. Nice to see that you have taken no serious damage from todays earthquake.

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Strong earthquake rocks Iceland

For a little time I was worried about you...

 

[mypasswordis]

Woah, I hope you're doing okay and nothing of importance was damaged, spritzer.

 

[spritzer]

I'm fine as I'm pretty far from the epicenter of the quake. The SR-Ω nearly fell to the floor but I manged to secure it but that was the only thing out of place here.

 

[randerson3024]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm fine as I'm pretty far from the epicenter of the quake. The SR-Ω nearly fell to the floor but I manged to secure it but that was the only thing out of place here.

Sounds like I missed some excitement there. At least you saved your Omegas.

My Omega 2 MK2's are in, and first impressions are very good, although they will need to break in for a while. Unfortunately I have a raging ear infection and I can't listen for very long.

The new Esoteric clock makes an absolute stunning difference! I will try to figure out a way to post new pictures from this slow crappy link we have on the ship.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by randerson3024 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sounds like I missed some excitement there. At least you saved your Omegas. My Omega 2 MK2's are in, and first impressions are very good, although they will need to break in for a while. Unfortunately I have a raging ear infection and I can't listen for very long. The new Esoteric clock makes an absolute stunning difference! I will try to figure out a way to post new pictures from this slow crappy link we have on the ship.

It wasn't that big of a deal but the press here acts like it Ragnarök (the Nordic version of the apocalypse).

The SR-007A is a fine headphone but it's simply not as good as the older model. I have to spend some time with them with the APL and the BH driving them but there is some nastiness in the midrange that definitely shouldn't be there on top of the bass hump.

It it's easier for you to to email the pictures send them to me and I'll upload them. I'll drop you a line from my new email...

 

[Voltron]

As a result of Jack Wu's kindness, I have had the Woo GES prototype in my house since CanJam ended. I have not spent as much time as I might have hoped with the GES, but it is a big improvement over the Stax 007t and made me actually think the Omega II was enjoyable (right before I sold them!). Although the prototype is an old model (obviously) and is not supposed to be up to the current production model's standard, it is a very good match with all of the Stax cans I have thrown at it. That would include the O2, 4070s, Lambda Pro, Lambda Signature, and Stax SR-5NB Gold, and each of them improved with the GES over the 007t. That is also saying something special because the 007t was being fed a balanced signal from the EMM Labs rig, while the GES got merely single-ended signal from lesser cables. Anyway, I cannot do a full review of this wonderful amp for lack of time spent and time to commit to it, but I can definitely say that its greater power and increased finesse both add greatly to the listening experience.

When I upgrade or add to my electrostatic setup, the Woo GES will be at the top of the list. Even upgraded in a few ways that Jack recommends and with top-notch tubes, it is still a much more affordable option than other available high-end amps. Also, it is a one-box and compact unit in the stock configuration, which is another plus in my book and given my overcrowded racks!

Congratulations to Woo Audio for another fine amp in their line-up. In fact, there is a rumor circulating (and I have not spoken to Jack about it yet) that there will be another Woo electrostatic amp in the near future. It is a higher-end model and I know basically nothing about it other than it is supposed to be on the way. I will be watching for sure!

Here are a couple pics of the Woo and Stax 4070s. I didn't have room on the rack for a solo spot so the GES is sitting on top of the VPI SDS speed controller. Enjoy (I know I do!):

 

[aaron313]

This is good news. So, what exactly is the availability of this thing? I have been agonizing over amp choices for my future O2 purchase.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Great,

I've been saving my pennies, and selling off some beloved Grados and amps, to afford a Woo GES, and now you are gonna cause a run on them that will make it take longer for me to get one.

Thanks.

 

[WilCox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltron /img/forum/go_quote.gif As a result of Jack Wu's kindness, I have had the Woo GES prototype in my house since CanJam ended. I have not spent as much time as I might have hoped with the GES, but it is a big improvement over the Stax 007t and made me actually think the Omega II was enjoyable (right before I sold them!). Although the prototype is an old model (obviously) and is not supposed to be up to the current production model's standard, it is a very good match with all of the Stax cans I have thrown at it.

Thanks for your feedback on the GES. Does the prototype you are evaluating have upgraded coupling capacitors or does is have the standard Solen caps?

 

[Voltron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif Great, I've been saving my pennies, and selling off some beloved Grados and amps, to afford a Woo GES, and now you are gonna cause a run on them that will make it take longer for me to get one. Thanks.

You're welcome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaron313 /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is good news. So, what exactly is the availability of this thing? I have been agonizing over amp choices for my future O2 purchase.

If you mean the GES, it is currently available. It is about $1500 in stock form. Check out the Woo Audio site for details and feel free to email Jack because he is very helpful. If you mean the new one, I don't know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilCox /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for your feedback on the GES. Does the prototype you are evaluating have upgraded coupling capacitors or does is have the standard Solen caps?

No idea, but it was the prototype, so standard seems like a safer bet.

 

[The Monkey]

I've also spoken to Jack about the new 'stat amp. It will indeed be a higher end offering. I'll post more info if it's ok with Jack.

I am becoming increasingly pleased by the Woo amps, and I am very seriously considering the GES for my Signatures.

 

[Voltron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey /img/forum/go_quote.gif I've also spoken to Jack about the new 'stat amp. It will indeed be a higher end offering. I'll post more info if it's ok with Jack. I am becoming increasingly pleased by the Woo amps, and I am very seriously considering the GES for my Signatures.

GES and Sigs are a nice match, Vincent. I'd be tempted to get upgrades and the separate PS and all that, but the stock unit is a killer for the price and so conveniently-packaged.

I have got to talk to Jack about returning the proto and then I can ask him some details on the new monster. I also have to respond to your nice PM from earlier. What are you doing up this late anyway?!

 

[derekbmn]

What the heck ....this was suppose to be a PM .......

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltron /img/forum/go_quote.gif GES and Sigs are a nice match, Vincent. I'd be tempted to get upgrades and the separate PS and all that, but the stock unit is a killer for the price and so conveniently-packaged. I have got to talk to Jack about returning the proto and then I can ask him some details on the new monster. I also have to respond to your nice PM from earlier. What are you doing up this late anyway?!

Hi. I have been discussing buying a GES with Jack via emails this month. Jack just did some upgrades to my WA6 that sound wonderful, as I just got it back a couple of days ago. Now I am trying to justify NOT doing the max upgrades on a GES, to make it more affordable, while at the same time spending money to make the WA6 better. Doh!

It sure would be helpful if I was able to demo/review the prototype GES that you have. I realize that could get complicated pretty easily. Could you at least verify with Jack whether it is a basic model or upgraded? If it is the basic model and you like it so much, then I would feel better about ordering the basic model for my HE60 (stax plug) and SR-Lambda Sigs. Thanks!