Which STAX amp to buy? (tubed?)

[marios_mar]

For the SR404s that is.

I want an amp and my budget is up to around $600. I am also interested in the used market.

What are the tube amp sound characteristics compared to SS? Tamed highs is not what I am desperately after since my main source is analog and I want my system to be optimized towards that.

What will a tube and a SS give me at its best? What about body and impact. Which amp will do that better? Midrange?

Are the STAX amps hybrid SS.tube desings or are they fully tubed units with no transistors?

Now what are my choices for my budget new and used SRM313,006t? used, SRMT1 , SRM1-MKII, SRX???

The 6moons review says that the 006t is not really worth it as far as i know or is that not true?

thanks guys

 

[marios_mar]

has anyone tried the srm313 vs 006t?

would the comparison be similar to a 007t vs the 717? Or are srm313 and 006t in a different class. Bigger price diff than the 007t and 717.

 

[Dave1]

I own both a 313 and a 006T. I think that they sound very similar, and they both sound great. I have also had a chance to spend some time with a 007t and it also sounded great. All three of these amps sound surprisingly similar, which is not to say that I couldn't tell the difference, but I don't think you would go wrong with any of them. I think the next step up is a Gilmore, KGSS or Blue Hawaii, both of which coincidentally also sound very similar to each other.

 

[marios_mar]

006t is double the amount. I just ordered the 313. I like treble and i wouldnt like not to have enough of them.

 

[NeilPeart]

I've heard the amps mentioned above and I'd rank 'em like this (using Omega II and SR-404; the only amp I've heard with the HE60 is the KGSS):

1. Blue Hawaii - very similar to KGSS except in the transients and midrange, where the BH really presented its improvements; the two amps still are remarkably similar-sounding, however.
2. KGSS - allows the Stax cans to really have the power they need at their disposal; the improvements in dynamics and bass detail over the SRM-717 and SRM-313 are stunning
3. SRM-717 - an excellent amp and would be my choice if the KGSS did not exist; the amp is fast and detailed but the KGSS is better in nearly every regard
4. SRM-313 - better than the SRM-717 in terms of midrange IMO, but falls behind in dynamics and speed; it's the best value of all the amps, IMO
5. SRM-007t - I never liked this amp as it sounded worse than the 717 in every arena other than midrange
6. SRM-006t - I briefly heard this amp with the SR-404 and as much as I'd like to say the 007t was better (it probably was) I didn't have enough time to decide (though it was far slower than the 313 and 717)

If I were looking for an electrostatic amplifier I would forget the Stax amps and focus on the Gilmores. Then I'd forget the Blue Hawaii because the KGSS was so close in nearly every way (and still what subtle differences did exist may not be improvements to everyone) and costs $1000 less. I would reserve that same $2500 and build a maxed-out KGSS rather than a stock Blue Hawaii (and there's no need to upgrade any tubes with the KGSS). Then I’d get an Omega II and steal ayt999’s HE90.

 

[ayt999]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilPeart Then I’d get an Omega II and steal ayt999’s HE90.

maybe I shouldn't let you borrow my HE90... you might keep it.

 

[NeilPeart]

I'd only keep it for a couple months that's all, and so what if I randomly moved to some tiny city somewhere and I forgot to return that icky HE90?

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilPeart I've heard the amps mentioned above and I'd rank 'em like this (using Omega II and SR-404; the only amp I've heard with the HE60 is the KGSS): 1. Blue Hawaii - very similar to KGSS except in the transients and midrange, where the BH really presented its improvements; the two amps still are remarkably similar-sounding, however. 2. KGSS - allows the Stax cans to really have the power they need at their disposal; the improvements in dynamics and bass detail over the SRM-717 and SRM-313 are stunning 3. SRM-717 - an excellent amp and would be my choice if the KGSS did not exist; the amp is fast and detailed but the KGSS is better in nearly every regard 4. SRM-313 - better than the SRM-717 in terms of midrange IMO, but falls behind in dynamics and speed; it's the best value of all the amps, IMO 5. SRM-007t - I never liked this amp as it sounded worse than the 717 in every arena other than midrange 6. SRM-006t - I briefly heard this amp with the SR-404 and as much as I'd like to say the 007t was better (it probably was) I didn't have enough time to decide (though it was far slower than the 313 and 717) If I were looking for an electrostatic amplifier I would forget the Stax amps and focus on the Gilmores. Then I'd forget the Blue Hawaii because the KGSS was so close in nearly every way (and still what subtle differences did exist may not be improvements to everyone) and costs $1000 less. I would reserve that same $2500 and build a maxed-out KGSS rather than a stock Blue Hawaii (and there's no need to upgrade any tubes with the KGSS). Then I’d get an Omega II and steal ayt999’s HE90.

Wow, you're making the 313 sound really good. Even better than the 006t/007t... Can't wait for mine

Thanks for the thoughts, I always enjoy reading your summaries.

 

[marios_mar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilPeart I've heard the amps mentioned above and I'd rank 'em like this (using Omega II and SR-404; the only amp I've heard with the HE60 is the KGSS): 1. Blue Hawaii - very similar to KGSS except in the transients and midrange, where the BH really presented its improvements; the two amps still are remarkably similar-sounding, however. 2. KGSS - allows the Stax cans to really have the power they need at their disposal; the improvements in dynamics and bass detail over the SRM-717 and SRM-313 are stunning 3. SRM-717 - an excellent amp and would be my choice if the KGSS did not exist; the amp is fast and detailed but the KGSS is better in nearly every regard 4. SRM-313 - better than the SRM-717 in terms of midrange IMO, but falls behind in dynamics and speed; it's the best value of all the amps, IMO 5. SRM-007t - I never liked this amp as it sounded worse than the 717 in every arena other than midrange 6. SRM-006t - I briefly heard this amp with the SR-404 and as much as I'd like to say the 007t was better (it probably was) I didn't have enough time to decide (though it was far slower than the 313 and 717) If I were looking for an electrostatic amplifier I would forget the Stax amps and focus on the Gilmores. Then I'd forget the Blue Hawaii because the KGSS was so close in nearly every way (and still what subtle differences did exist may not be improvements to everyone) and costs $1000 less. I would reserve that same $2500 and build a maxed-out KGSS rather than a stock Blue Hawaii (and there's no need to upgrade any tubes with the KGSS). Then I’d get an Omega II and steal ayt999’s HE90.

Thanks NeilP very interesting comments!

 

[ayt999]

you might be able to get a used KGSS for about $600... although they rarely go on the market and I've only seen one or two go for that low.

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayt999 you might be able to get a used KGSS for about $600... although they rarely go on the market and I've only seen one or two go for that low.

The ones that go that low tend to be the ones made by a Head-Fi member who stopped supporting them (I'd avoid a zzz-made KGSS). While they may work, there tend to be significant techical problems with them.

IMO the SRM-007t tends to be underestimated. A good set of 6CG7's can give the amp a lot more detail and punch than it starts out with. Unfortunately, you need to rebias the amp when changing tubes, which is a pain in the butt. The procedure requires three hands to accomplish simply. It can be done with two hands, but that requires patience and luck

 

[Canman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hirsch IMO the SRM-007t tends to be underestimated. A good set of 6CG7's can give the amp a lot more detail and punch than it starts out with. Unfortunately, you need to rebias the amp when changing tubes, which is a pain in the butt. The procedure requires three hands to accomplish simply. It can be done with two hands, but that requires patience and luck

I can vouch for this. Hirsch's 007t sounds very good. It's a great amp for the Senn HE-60, as Hirsch uses it.

 

[NeilPeart]

I wish I heard Hirsch's SRM-007t because the one I heard was probably stock and it just sounded so subdued and lifeless (and sluggish) with the Omega II (which is what I considered the OII to be until I heard it again with different gear - it still isn't my cup of tea but I recognize its strengths and weaknesses and conclude that it's indeed up there with the greats, but I still prefer my HD650 for most music). I should add that I enjoyed the SRM-T1 as well, but I still preferred the KGSS (this was at the SoCal meet); I think I may have preferred the T1 to the SRM-717 and SRM-313 had they been available but this is pure speculation/memory. My dad acquired the SRM-T2 from a Japanese dealer a while ago; I listened to the Omega II/SRM-T2 combo two times for less than a half hour (this was over a year ago, the last time I visited him) so I cannot speak of its quality - it did wow me at the time (that was the first time I had ever heard electrostatic headphones) but not as much as the Blue Hawaii combo did in Alex's rig that day with "Money for Nothing." However, once my dad had the KGSS he sold the SRM-T2 (that says something I suppose); I wish he would have taken some detailed inner pics and possibly some PCB photos. I can’t wait to hear Alex’s HE90, especially after he maxes out his Blue Hawaii; he knows this so he makes up any excuse to maintain my anticipation…

 

[spritzer]

The SRM-313 is a very good amp and can hold it's own even when compared to the maxed out Blue Hawaii. It doesn't have the bass power and resolution of the Blue Hawaii nor does it have the midrange magic but for the price it is unbeatable.