[kinsale]

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmatrix /img/forum/go_quote.gif Kinsale, I would suggest upgrading your amp or source. The O2mk1 are brutally revealing and will let you know if there are any weakness. Likewise, the Sr-x will still scale with the new equipment. What's your budget?

My budget is not really suitable for this forum LOL. I have $500 to spend on either a DAC or power Amp. I'm stuck with a laptop as source as I do most of my listening at work for 8 hours.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinsale /img/forum/go_quote.gif My budget is not really suitable for this forum LOL. I have $500 to spend on either a DAC or power Amp. I'm stuck with a laptop as source as I do most of my listening at work for 8 hours.

Believe it or not, a Travagans Green USB DAC amp with 5-watt speaker out and an SRD-7 Pro can drive an O2 Mk2 very nicely and sounds very nice to my ears. You can get the amp for $190 and the SRD-7 Pro comes up occasionally for $300-400. It is the cheapest setup that can come close to reasonably driving Stax O2 from a laptop. I even talked Blutarsky into one, although he then sold me his O2 Mk1 (but still has ESP950 and SR-Lambda to drive with it).

 

[johnmatrix]

Kinsale,

Upgrade your source first, the music starts there. I am not sure what DACs to get as I use CD players.

 

[j2kei]

after hearing and really liking the sound of stax at canjam, ive been interesting in getting into sta. i was wondering if anyone has written a faq or anything about stax? a simple guide/walkthrough saying difference between pro and normal bias (not just the difference in voltage and pins, but sound?), difference between lambda, lambda pro, lambda signature, 202, 303, 404? something like multiple variations of lambda pro? energizer?

so far my understanding of stax is pretty limited. all i understand is stax requires energizer to power it, which could be a SRD7 amped by speaker amp (power amp?) or amplifier made for electrostats. all the pro, normal bias, and different variation with same model name really confuses me.

thanks

 

[plaidplatypus]

Right, the SRD-7 hooks up to a speaker amp. STAX only makes SRM amps now so you can only find SRD adapters used. Take note SRD-7 and SRD-7/SB are normal bias so you will not be getting the most out of pro bias earspeakers with those. The SRD-7 Professional has two pro biased jacks and the SRD-7 MKII has one normal, one pro bias. You can't plug normal bias (6-pin) earspeakers into a pro bias (5-pin) jack.

Read through this entire thread if you want to know about the sound of a particular earspeaker. All of the Lambda-type earspeakers sound similar but everyone has their favorite. The original normal bias SR-Lambda has the least amount of sonic quirks, best mids, and usually is the best value too. The Lambda Professional can be a good value if you plan on staying with all pro bias gear. If you want super-sparkley highs get the Lambda Signature. I haven't spent much time with the SR-x0x line but I've tried the SR-404, it is more lambda style goodness and their drivers stuffed into an old SR-Sigma make for a nice treat.

With a nice amp Omegas are wonderful especially for vocals but they don't have the pronounced highs of the Lambdas. I think the Omegas are more Hi-Fi but I can understand why Lambdas get so much love, I'm getting to get a couple pairs today.

 

[leaf]

I have been looking for SRD 7 pro or mk 2 for a while and 2 came up for sale in audiogon yesterday. Guess what, both have already been sold. It pains me to see that it was so close yet so far.

 

[Rhinosaur]

You could also try using this excellent page to search through some of head-fi's megathreads to find what you want.

Been very helpful for me.

Home / Head-Fi Megathreads

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2kei /img/forum/go_quote.gif a simple guide/walkthrough saying difference between pro and normal bias (not just the difference in voltage and pins, but sound?), difference between lambda, lambda pro, lambda signature, 202, 303, 404? something like multiple variations of lambda pro? energizer?

I've found nothing is so simple when it comes to Staxen, but there is much wisdom in this thread. And faust's wikiphonia is pretty great.

 

[manaox2]

I am hoping to attempt modifying my SRD-7SB to an mkII. I'm sure its cheaper then trying to find one by far.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaox2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am hoping to attempt modifying my SRD-7SB to an mkII. I'm sure its cheaper then trying to find one by far.

The size of the transformers inside it will make it take much longer to charge up a phone to Pro bias than a SRD-7 Mk2 SB that came from the factory as pro-bias, but it can work.

 

[ericj]

After much deliberation, I am joining Team Babystax. Just agreed to buy a slightly used SR-001 Mk2 kit from a guy on craigslist.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif The size of the transformers inside it will make it take much longer to charge up a phone to Pro bias than a SRD-7 Mk2 SB that came from the factory as pro-bias, but it can work.

What?

That makes no sense Larry and it should be no problem to modify. Most SB's have a third transformer which steps up the voltage off the audio transformer even higher but all of the Stax bias supplies are limited to a 100v input so a Pro or a normal bias unit makes no difference. It's also easy to grab a drill and add a small hole to fit a power cable.

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif After much deliberation, I am joining Team Babystax. Just agreed to buy a slightly used SR-001 Mk2 kit from a guy on craigslist.

The SR-001 sounds great but I can't bear its discomfort

 

[dickbianchi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif After much deliberation, I am joining Team Babystax. Just agreed to buy a slightly used SR-001 Mk2 kit from a guy on craigslist.

I hope you like it as much as I like mine. However, you do, I hope, realize
that it just the beginning of the madness.

 

[edstrelow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Knight /img/forum/go_quote.gif The SR-001 sounds great but I can't bear its discomfort

I never understtod that complaint since all you have to do is bend the metal headband to reduce the pressure on the ears. You can have them so loose that they nearly fall off.