Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Blue /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Whoops! I stand corrected, assuming the above is correct, the SRD-4 will only drive electret headphones with built-in bias.
|
A normal-bias energiser like a SRD-6 or SRD-7 will drive a pair of pro-bias earspeakers, just not "optimally". They'll be somewhat quieter, and not as dynamic, but they will function.
An electret energiser with no bias supply will not power either a normal or pro-bias earspeaker, unless they are still capacitively holding bias current from being plugged into an energiser with a bias supply. This will wear off over time, then they'll go dark.
An electret earspeaker is permanently biased, and does not require bias current from the energiser. The energiser in this case is simply a pair of step-up transformers for the left and right positive and negative signals to the stators, without a bias supply.
No idea why Stax made these all pin compatible, but at least you can't do any damage to either earspeakers or energisers given the 5 and 6 pin arrangements.
I suppose theoretically you could damage your amp, the transformers in your step-up box, and arc the drivers in your earspeakers by running them with too low/no bias and cranking the volume to compensate.
I have noticed when my SR-XmkIIs and SRD-7 have been sitting turned off for some time, if I turn everything on but leave the SRD-7 disconnected from the mains, I will get some very quiet sound at high volume. I don't reccomend trying this...
