Useless Stax O2mk1 impressions. Stax O2 rig on a budget $2300 total

[purrin]

I tried the Mk2.5s out of a few lesser amps (GES, SRM323, SRM-T1) and directly compared it to the Mk2. The Mk2.5 bass was a tiny bit more controlled (not as good as the Mk1), but the Mk2.5s did not seem to be more forward - OK, maybe a slight bit. The Mk2.5s did seem much easier to drive than the Mk2s though. Now I'm wondering if there are inconsistencies with the manufacturing process.

 

[WilCox]

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Any discussion of Mk2's isn't complete without stating which Mk2 you have as they sound nothing alike.  The SZ2 units sound very close to the Mk1's and simply by adjusting the headband for the correct fit they are close enough to care.  That's indeed how I have my very early SR-007A setup.  No port or spring modding necessary though the former is needed if you want the bass to behave like on the Mk1. 
 
Then we have the Mk2.5 or the SZ3-xxxx, these I don't care for since they are so bloody forward.  The laid back nature of the earlier models (and indeed the SR-Omega) is gone and end result is a bloody mess.  I have only done light mods to my set but I honestly don't think I turn these into something useful. 

Good point.  My Mk2 is an SZ2.
 
 

 

[Skanda]

this thread is just making me crave a stax rig more and more...

 

[sydneyaudio]

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Good point.  My Mk2 is an SZ2.
 
 

Well, i have an 323s on the way (thanks Spritzer).
I was going to pair it with a HE60, but missed out on the recent ones that have come up for sale. Having previously had a SR-404, I think its time to try the SR-007 .

I am finding it confusing as to what to get as there seems to be huge discrepancies in the sound of the various iterations.
Anyway, if anyone wants to sell there SR-007, drop me a pm.

 

[wind016]

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Water is not good for an electrostat, I'm guessing the water increases the electrical conductivity of the air and cause the diaphragm to arc with the stators, causing all sorts of nasties. KG lost his O2's at a meet a while back, sad day indeed.
 
Dude, the O2's are the best full size sleepy headphones in existence. The headband, cable entry and pads all independently rotate. So you can have the headband near your forehead to lift all the weight off, the cable entry can be routed safely away, and the pads can be set for the best seal. You can always bend the arcs back into shape if something were to go wrong. The mk2 has a good strain relief, so no problems there.
 
But I don't do that anymore nowadays just in case I go drooly drooly on them =P.

Who's KG and can you explain what happened exactly?
 
They may be good for sleeping but I wouldn't risk it. The bed is a mighty dusty place so wouldn't that be really bad? And with the way I sleep, I'll probably end up waking up electrocuted with my arm punched through the drivers.

 
Quote:

this thread is just making me crave a stax rig more and more...

Craving Stax is craving music.

 

 

[Lil' Knight]

It's funny when we are talking about Stax stuffs without knowing who "KG" is. You should check the Chicago CanJam's impressions thread to have an idea about this.

 

[wind016]

Are you all referring to THE Kevin Gilmore? Now I know his works, of course. =) 

 

[spritzer]

Yup, it was Kevin's Omegas that were fried at CanJam when somebody spilled water over them and the DIYT2.

 

[aRRR]

 

[Skanda]

are there any links to his writings?

 

[purrin]

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are there any links to his writings?

You mean HeadWize? Lots of interesting DIY stuff in there: http://gilmore2.chem.northwestern.edu/
 

 

[wind016]

I just turned on the Stax O2s again today. I left the DAC turned off and there is still hum which is most prominent on the right driver. I'm not sure if it's the transformer or my wall.

 

[wink]

 
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Yup, it was Kevin's Omegas that were fried at CanJam when somebody spilled water over them and the DIYT2.

Who believes in capital punishment?

 

[deadlylover]

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Who believes in capital punishment?

 
You say somethin' about "death by stat amp"? 

 

[maverickronin]

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You say somethin' about "death by stat amp"? 

 
Hook it up to a metal chair and blast "Ride of the Valkyries" maybe?
 
I'd be worried about the amp though.  Will it get seriously unhappy without a high enough impedance load?  What's the hand-to-hand impedance of the average human?