The Stax thread (New)

[krmathis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michgelsen /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah except the one where that guy is supposed to be enjoying them, but they are not plugged in.

Yeah. If they are not connected to an amplifier out of the picture that is..

 

[audiod]

Just a update on my break in of the new SR-007mk2. It’s now been about 80 hours of playing music on them with my SRM-717. I’ve also tried them on my SRM-007t and KGSS. They are still considerably down in level as compared to my SR-007’s. The channel balance is fine. The bass is evening out a bit but nowhere near the impact and power of the O2. They seem veiled. Like I’m listening through a cheese cloth. At this point it is not even a contest with the O2. I was listening to some acoustic Jazz and thought the sound was pretty good, then I switched to the O2 and went WOW. I’m beginning to think that maybe I have a defective set.

 

[dvse]

Sorry to hear that, audiod!

I think it was suggested before, but try gently bending the headband arc to get the same clamping force as the original SR-007 - this can potentially give better seal and quite a different sound.


Also, what's your take on KGSS vs SRM-717 thus far?

 

[audiod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sorry to hear that, audiod! I think it was suggested before, but try gently bending the headband arc to get the same clamping force as the original SR-007 - this can potentially give better seal and quite a different sound. Also, what's your take on KGSS vs SRM-717 thus far?

I have adjusted the headband on the mk2 and the seal is now good.

The KGSS and 717 don’t sound anything alike. The 717 and 007t are quite close. The 717 sounds like a good tube amp with better top, bottom and dynamics. It’s funny that when I tried the new 727II I didn’t like it at all (veiled and bland). The 717 has a more laid back sound (especially in the midrange) than the KGSS. The 717 has a considerably larger soundstage and does a better job of creating the environment of large acoustic recordings. I think that people that listen to a lot of Pop music with typical flat presentation may like the KGSS better. When you listen to the 717 you hear delicate low level details and ambiance that the KGSS seems to mask. One time when I was listening to the KGSS I thought I had my preamp in mono but it wasn’t. I have been extremely happy with the 717/SR-007 combo. Sometimes I can’t seem to leave well enough alone. I still plan on a lot more listening. This is preliminary.

 

[edstrelow]

Inflation of classic phones continues.

A low bias Sigma just closed on Ebay for $256.23, in spite of the warnings foam is deterioated and " have no way of testing these."

I was able to get a good functioning unit, with a neat cardboard display, last year for $125.00.

Of course there are only a limited number out there.

 

[dvse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edstrelow /img/forum/go_quote.gif Inflation of classic phones continues. A low bias Sigma just closed on Ebay for $256.23, in spite of the warnings foam is deterioated and " have no way of testing these." I was able to get a good functioning unit, with a neat cardboard display, last year for $125.00. Of course there are only a limited number out there.

If audiod's pair is representative of SR-007 MK2, then just wait for price of the MK1 to hit 3k+ ; )

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiod /img/forum/go_quote.gif Just a update on my break in of the new SR-007mk2. It’s now been about 80 hours of playing music on them with my SRM-717. I’ve also tried them on my SRM-007t and KGSS. They are still considerably down in level as compared to my SR-007’s. The channel balance is fine. The bass is evening out a bit but nowhere near the impact and power of the O2. They seem veiled. Like I’m listening through a cheese cloth. At this point it is not even a contest with the O2. I was listening to some acoustic Jazz and thought the sound was pretty good, then I switched to the O2 and went WOW. I’m beginning to think that maybe I have a defective set.

I'm beginning to think it's a defective set as well. There could be a connection loose or the something else. Have you spoken to your dealer yet as I seriously doubt Stax would release an inferior version especially since the drivers are supposed to be identical.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif If audiod's pair is representative of SR-007 MK2, then just wait for price of the MK1 to hit 3k+ ; )

There are 3 sets now on Y!JP so get cracking...

 

[edstrelow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm beginning to think it's a defective set as well. There could be a connection loose or the something else. Have you spoken to your dealer yet as I seriously doubt Stax would release an inferior version especially since the drivers are supposed to be identical. There are 3 sets now on Y!JP so get cracking...

It could also be the head cold messing up his hearing. I sometimes find that a cold can reduce my listening ability for a week or more, because of bloked eustachian tubes.

 

[dvse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiod /img/forum/go_quote.gif The KGSS and 717 don’t sound anything alike.

Thanks for the comments! Is that a Headamp KGSS? Interestingly, I found it to be an improvement over SRM-717 in virtually every area, even though I agree with your observation about the latter being more laid back. Perhaps I should do another comparison now that I'm used to the sound.

 

[dvse]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif There are 3 sets now on Y!JP so get cracking...

Sounds like too much work - we need a futures market in headphones! ; )

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edstrelow /img/forum/go_quote.gif It could also be the head cold messing up his hearing. I sometimes find that a cold can reduce my listening ability for a week or more, because of bloked eustachian tubes.

That could very well be it but the fact that the bass was anemic or even non existing when the phones were running open suggests that there is something very wrong with them. Anybody with a planar headphone other then the 4070 should try to hold it about 1" from the ears while playing music and see what happens. When you break the seal on the Mk1 you get mad bass...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sounds like too much work - we need a futures market in headphones! ; )

That would be a great idea if we were in it for the money

 

[audiod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvse /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the comments! Is that a Headamp KGSS? Interestingly, I found it to be an improvement over SRM-717 in virtually every area, even though I agree with your observation about the latter being more laid back. Perhaps I should do another comparison now that I'm used to the sound.

It is a Headamp made unit that I just purchased used. It is about 1 1/2 years old. It is in pristine like new condition.

 

[audiod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edstrelow /img/forum/go_quote.gif It could also be the head cold messing up his hearing. I sometimes find that a cold can reduce my listening ability for a week or more, because of bloked eustachian tubes.

Over the weekend I had a friend (a 02 owner) come over and listen. He had the same conclusion.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiod /img/forum/go_quote.gif Over the weekend I had a friend (a 02 owner) come over and listen. He had the same conclusion.

They must be broken then. The Mk1's can take a while to charge up but nothing like this and I doubt Stax would release a sub par headphone...

 

[audiod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer /img/forum/go_quote.gif They must be broken then. The Mk1's can take a while to charge up but nothing like this and I doubt Stax would release a sub par headphone...

Those are my thoughts also. I plan to talk to the Stax USA distributor today. If my 007's are fully discharged they come up to about 95% in less than 10 minutes. I also want to know what the reaction has been by other people.