Using Stax Omega II with Stax 006t Amplifier

[lambdaman]

Hi All,

I have just received my new Stax Omega II headphones. Unfortunately, the SinglePower ES-1 amplifier I ordered will not ship for at least two weeks (I hope!). Meanwhile, I have an old Stax 4040-006t combination. Can I plug the Omega II into the older amplifier without damaging either? I though that I could start burning in the headphones while the new amplifier is being finished.

lambdaman

 

[Meyvn]

Yes, you can. You can plug the Omega II into any Stax electrostatic earspeaker jack. If it's pro, it'll work perfectly; even if it's the old 'normal' bias, it'll still work, you'll just need more volume. The 006t is still pro, anyway, though, so you're golden.

 

[Duggeh]

Burn in is not something I can personally say has been a major factor in my O2 listening, what is important (IMHO) is having the O2 well charged. To this end, I would recommmend keeping the O2 plugged into your existing amp until you new one arrives. Whereupon I would change over on as rapid a basis as practical.

The O2 benefits more from a good charge up than any of the lambda series that I have heard. And the sonic particulars of this good charging come in a combination of treble extension, dynamic range and general coherance with complex sound.

BTW, congrats on the headphones, I'm sure youll love them.

 

[lambdaman]

Duggeh, how long do you recommend charging the phones? I noticed a distinct improvement in sonics over time with the 404-006t, but the time frame is now a little fuzzy, and I am not sure if the amp or the headphones improved most.

 

[Duggeh]

I notice an improvement in the O2 on my utterly pitifully unworthy sources as much as 3 days into a charge. Although id be perfectly ready to accept that after 24 hours charge, what I am hearing is placebo.

So yeah, once youve got those O2s, keep that amp plugged in theres more difference in a charged O2 than there is in an O2 run from an MZ-R91 and a Kenwood tuner (personal experience).

In short, IMHO, the O2 NEEDS charging. it benefits more than the SR-202 or the ESP-9 ever have ( in my experience).

 

[Carl]

Plug it in, turn it on, and leave it on overnight. When you come back to it tomorrow it'll be ready to go. The 006t won't make you reconsider buying the ES-1, but it'll keep you jiving until it arrives.

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh In short, IMHO, the O2 NEEDS charging. it benefits more than the SR-202 or the ESP-9 ever have ( in my experience).

i agree with that. the o2 sounds VERY diferent the second time a cd plays (vss the first) after just turning the amp on. the lambdas dont seem to change nearly that much. the efect is about the same plugging them into a warm or cold amp.

is it possible that the "aftermarket" amps use a diferent resistor value for the bias voltage so that the o2's charge faster? when i plugged into the es-1 it took very little time for the cans to sound amazing.

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikongod is it possible that the "aftermarket" amps use a diferent resistor value for the bias voltage so that the o2's charge faster? when i plugged into the es-1 it took very little time for the cans to sound amazing.

From my experience, having voltage across the plates also has a charging effect, and aftermarket amps usually have quite a bit more voltage swing than Stax's amps do.