why does everyone quit dynamic headphone to go for Stax system?

[piotr z]

Dr Gilmore should design amp. based on GM70

- dreaming

 

[vpivinylspinner]

Hey Spritzer, it is actually a power regenerator with plenty of output for the 007t. The power straight from the wall varies greatly most of the time but is regularly well below 117. Comparing with and without the ExactPower EP15a the dynamics are weak, the midrange is recessed and the bass is not very well controlled straight from the wall in my particular system.

I definitely agree that the 007t is the weak link. I intend to spend some time with alternative amps at the NYC meet next weekend to help in my decision of which amp manufacturer to get it line with.

 

[spritzer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by piotr z /img/forum/go_quote.gif Dr Gilmore should design amp. based on GM70 - dreaming

There are much better tubes out there then the GM70 that are also easier to work with. Some nice tetrodes and pentodes (triode strapped of course) that can handle enough power are what is needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vpivinylspinner /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey Spritzer, it is actually a power regenerator with plenty of output for the 007t. The power straight from the wall varies greatly most of the time but is regularly well below 117. Comparing with and without the ExactPower EP15a the dynamics are weak, the midrange is recessed and the bass is not very well controlled straight from the wall in my particular system. I definitely agree that the 007t is the weak link. I intend to spend some time with alternative amps at the NYC meet next weekend to help in my decision of which amp manufacturer to get it line with.

Since the power fluctuates then you need something like the EP15 but a dedicated line is a very good investment.

 

[Quint]

They’re two very different presentations. Just depends which one you prefer. I went the other way—from ‘stat to dynamic. I mainly listen to rock and roll, and for my preferences dynamics just handled that genre better. BTW, I’ve heard a number of different ‘stats, most driven by very good, very expensive amps. I even owned the original Omegas. All sounded quite impressive in their way—just not to my tastes.

 

[Fitz]

Quote:

why does everyone quit dynamic headphone to go for Stax system?

Everyone doesn't. I've heard a few Stax (SR-5, SR-X/Mk3, Lambda, Lambda Pro Sig, Sigma, Omega 2) but I still like my dynamics just fine.

 

[Gradofan2]

So... are you saying (among other things) that... one can obtain better sound with Stax phones... if... they have tube DACs and tube buffers in line prior to SS Stax amps to achieve the combo of a rich, warm sound with sufficient power to drive Stax phones?

 

[TheMarchingMule]

So I'm guessing dynamic headphones compared to electrostatic 'phones are like comparing solid-state amps to tube amps?

 

[jherbert]

I have owned several electrostats: The original Jecklin Float, an early american design by a company named Superex and a stax lambda pro with tube and solid state amping plus diffuse field equalization.

All are gone now except for a sennheiser he60/hev70, but even this is used rarely since I rediscovered dynamic headphones. This started with my ipod and a pair of shure e500 inears. Next came an Denon d2000, which was quickly followed by a AKG K701 and a Beyer DT880.

Guess what? I love them all, and I enjoy listening to a broad range of music much more than through the electrostats. I even started to wonder if I should keep speakers (Canton Vento Reference 5) and amp (Lyngdorf TDA2200+).

The early designs (Jecklin, Superex) came with transformers, not amps. They used to blow my accuphase e 202 when driven a bit louder. The stax was nice and detailed, but lacked punch. The sennheiser had some of this but not enough due to a not so powerful amp.

The dynamic phones I own now are much more fun to listen to, and its fun to change them once in a while and play around with amping (yulong DAH1 and meier corda2move at the time being, considering a grace m902).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[nikongod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by khbaur330162 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd say that technically stats are superior. Whether or not you find them sonically superior, however, is up to your ears and that's a "different" story.

eeh, that is definitely where the different story comes into play.

with some 30 electrostatic heapdhones to choose from you could easily listen to everything that comes in under $1000 and not find a suitable sound. when you take into account that 10 of them are stax lambda variants, and some are the same headphone in different shells the options look really slim.

when you start to consider the problems with the less expensive electrostatics, dynamics dont look so bad anymore.

once you get past a certain level, the differences between dynamic and electrostatic headphones becomes much smaller indeed. in this ballpark of higher tier headphones it is somewhat difficult to guess what you are listening (dynamic or electrostatic) without outside knowledge.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Several people here have mentioned that electrostats do better with certain genres than others. I know the cans are different, but would someone be nice enough to make some generalizations? I'm looking for a pair that will excel with jazz, classical and various acoustic music. I have my eye on the 404 and 4070, but am not committed. I have a Gilmore triode in parts (have to get out of this office) that's high on the DIY list. Sorry if this is a threadjack.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jherbert /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have owned several electrostats: The original Jecklin Float, an early american design by a company named Superex and a stax lambda pro with tube and solid state amping plus diffuse field equalization. All are gone now except for a sennheiser he60/hev70, but even this is used rarely since I rediscovered dynamic headphones. This started with my ipod and a pair of shure e500 inears. Next came an Denon d2000, which was quickly followed by a AKG K701 and a Beyer DT880. Guess what? I love them all, and I enjoy listening to a broad range of music much more than through the electrostats. I even started to wonder if I should keep speakers (Canton Vento Reference 5) and amp (Lyngdorf TDA2200+). The early designs (Jecklin, Superex) came with transformers, not amps. They used to blow my accuphase e 202 when driven a bit louder. The stax was nice and detailed, but lacked punch. The sennheiser had some of this but not enough due to a not so powerful amp. The dynamic phones I own now are much more fun to listen to, and its fun to change them once in a while and play around with amping (yulong DAH1 and meier corda2move at the time being, considering a grace m902). Just my 2 cents.

I think this means that you're a hobbyist, or what some people call an audiophile. You like to alter the presentation, try different things, make (at least loose) comparisons, go from speakers to headphones (both dynamic and electrostat). I'm the same way.

So to the OP, if this sort of thing appeals to you, then I'd say you should give electrostats a try. My guess is that you would find that Stax 404 system (forget the name of the matching amp) would be on a more or less equal level with the GS1000 (although totally different sounding).

If you're looking for a "one system forever" type of solution and don't want to waste time (and especially money) doing all sorts of experimentation on your own, I'd suggest that you attend a Head-Fi meet and listen to as many rigs as you can. No better way to learn than by doing your own listening.

I've known dozens of people who have done this and it typically adds a bit of confusion to their mind, but also clears up a lot of other bits of confusion that they have. But you would have to attend a rather large meet (CanJam '08 would be ideal) and you would have to be "focused" in the sense that its easy to spend most of your time chatting rather than listening.

Yet, for a lot of people, this is the ticket! They come away from it with a real sense of what they like best, almost in rank order fashion, and then can decide where to go next depending on budget and so on. Listening is truly a demystifying experience.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jherbert /img/forum/go_quote.gif All are gone now except for a sennheiser he60/hev70, but even this is used rarely since I rediscovered dynamic headphones.

You should sell your He60 on our sales forum so others can enjoy it. Hev70, well...

 

[scompton]

I listen to dynamics more that electrostatics because I don't have stats at work. Although I should have 2 pair and a pair of electrets waiting for me on Monday

All of my stats are relatively low end and I like my best dymanics as much as my stats. I usually listen to 5 or 6 different headphones each day. I doubt that I'll ever stop listening to either type.

 

[vcoheda]

they're both good.

as for broad generalizations, i would say possibly that stats have more detail while dynamics are more musical.

 

[nickchen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif Several people here have mentioned that electrostats do better with certain genres than others. I'm looking for a pair that will excel with jazz, classical and various acoustic music.

These genres are deepest electrostat territory IMO. Get a 303 and be happy.