I don't know.I listen to the Pro more than my normal bias nowadays. like them both. A lot!
My goal of getting an 007 keeps being delayed by my enjoyment of my Sigmas, and by my children's college bills.
I'd like to get into Stax gear, specifically Omega IIs.
From what I have been able to glean to really get the best out of the Omega IIs you should look at non-Stax amplification such as Woo or HeadAmp (Gilmour). I like the idea of keeping the amplification Stax, keeps things simple and slightly less expansive. I assume that the Stax amps below (SRM-007tA and the SRM-727A) are decent amps with the difference being valves in one and SS in the other. They also offer balanced operation so I could use a balanced DAC.
I would be most grateful for opinions on these amps vs other options.
I also like to run my Stax Pro and Non Pro headphones on Stax Amplifiers. I have tried other amplifiers with Stax, names I will not mention, but I was present at Canjams in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and I have attended other local NYC area meets. I must admit that I have never heard a really clear sound when Stax were used on other high end amps. There was always something missing; a blury mid range or a bass that was tight. I think that Stax has got it right with the Omega twos and the SRM007t; with the 4070 and the SRM007t and the Sigma Pros and the SRM))7t. I am not so sure about the SRM007ta. I also question whether the Stax company will honor a warrantee if you are using one of it's products with another amplifier. Scottsmrnyc
Given that Stax have sold quite a few of Dr. Gilmore's amp designs under their own name (i.e. they licensed them) it would be hard to suddenly say they were somehow incompatible. For some of the other amps and designs around they could give you grief but they never will. If the headphones are broken then Stax will fix them, simple as that.
I have a pair of O2 MK1 coming my way but I only have a 313 to power them. After reading this thread and a few others, the recommendations for O2s seem to start at a minimum of a 717s and recommended KGSS. I hope I'm not too underwhelmed by them. The best I've heard the O2s were on a WES (I've never heard the KGSS or BH/BHSE) and I was impressed with how they sounded. I hope the 313s will do the job for a while until I can save up and move up the ladder to power them properly.
Other than the 717s (they don't seem to go on sale often), are there any other under the $2K mark that will be suitable (albeit not the best), GES possibly?
Other than the 717s (they don't seem to go on sale often), are there any other under the $2K mark that will be suitable (albeit not the best), GES possibly?
I can't build amps either, but I'm sure some folks will be offering to build HV units for a fee. That's how I'm planning to get mine. The other option is a Woo WEE and an amplifier.
The 717 is your best bet but the 727 is an option though it can be much better if you just swap out 8 resistors. The stock amp is very colored but that doesn't mean you won't like that coloration. I would advise you try it before you buy though, the sound is that polarizing.
I do quite like the GES as well and I personally wouldn't waste money on upgrading the parts inside.
Thanks for your comments Spritzer! I look forward to hearing it out of my 313 first and then decide on how I want to step afterwards. It won't be immediate so i'll have time to wait for one of those units to be available.
Thanks again Spritzer! And from reading this thread, you've moved up quite a bit (a definite understatement on my part) from the 313. I hope to be able to hear the O2 from BHSE or T2 to hear how the O2 can really sing. I'm exciting to hear the O2 MKI from my system soon.
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