The Stax I thread

I have heard the LL2T with a 007 (not sure which version). It sounded terrible. Muted and muffled. The 009 plugged into the same amp blew it away, and got me started with Stax. I incorrectly blamed the headphone. I have since learned that comparing a 007 and a 009 plugged into the same amp is a difficult way to evaluate the two, because the 007 will always play more quietly compared to a 009, so you have to conscientiously reset the volume knob when switching.

So it may be the case that if I knew how to compare the 007 and the 009 more fairly on the same amp, I would have come away with a better impression. Or (as I think is more likely) I would still have concluded that the LL+007 pairing sucks, whereas the LL+009 pairing sounds great. As is, it took me years after that to try the 007 again, and realize that I actually like it a lot, and that the 009 is a bit shrill.

 

100% agreed.

I hope to hear it some day, but I am happy with the Omega.

I've done some more testing and I might need to do a whole re-thinking of my chain.
The 007 seems very sensitive to the source, mine just really doesn't suit its characteristics. The Omega seems easier to set up, much more consistent.
When set up right though, the 007 can keep the Omega quite honest at least up to this point, I am planning to share some more thoughts when I did a comparison on a "more complete" chain.

 

I agree with you on the LL2. I have a LL2 SS and IMHO, it's not quite an ideal pairing with the 007. I've also tried it with an L700, and also thought it was odd (weird tonality). But, popping in a SR009 it seems to complement the flaws of the SR009 very well. It's almost like the LL2 was tuned to the SR009, which makes it weird for a lot of other things. In comparison the Liquid Lightning 1 sounded much more neutral and seemed to exacerbate the SR009's flaws.

 

After a long pause, a KGSSHV Carbon (GRLV+GRHV) has just arrived at my doorstep - fortunately in one piece, the postwoman almost dropping it right at the finish

With regards to the standard KGSSHV, same, yet different: warmer, sweeter, even more control, stage, detail, etc.
But to my surprise, this newfound refinement almost makes the sound too refined with the O2 Mk1 and LNS to a lesser extent the O1 as well. Despite what the mafia says, just like what was said in this video, I'm not in love with the O2 Mk1+Carbon combination sometimes. It's as if that extra transparency and refinement would make that velvety character and slow bass stand out a bit more. It can do better than this.

The O1 fares much better here: great bass with amazing texture, staggering detail, transients, etc. so I might just need to digest this a bit more. In the previous setting, I imagined that somewhere between O1 and O2 would be a nice overall balance between bright and warm (X9000 brighter still, 009 even more so). The O1 has moved in that direction in the grand scheme of things, but not quite in the way I imagined. Instead of becoming more of a monster low down, it has put on an even fancier suit, becoming more polite up top and in general, putting the emphasis on even more texture and relaxed detail, a bit more analytical, rather than being "more live". Maybe it's just all up to the DAC now, I will try a few others in due course, but that's all the budget I have now...

On the other hand, it is much more fun with the flamboyant trio: Sigma Pro, Gamma Pro and the biggest beneficiary, the Lambda Pro, where the love-hate relationship has finally settled, stepping up to be a rather good all-rounder companion. Dynamic, punchy, immediate, yet the treble isn't harsh anymore. Some residual brightness, slight Lambda-like wispiness still there sometimes, but counteracted by a health dose of bass, dynamism and refinement. This way, the clarity plays a supporting role to the music, not taking over. Instant winner in my book, especially for the price, a real surprise, maybe it was Stax's biggest hit for a reason after all (Although sounding quite different with the bundled SRM-1 Mk2 Pro amp...)
The flagships certainly can play on a much higher level (when elements of the music get dismantled, it becomes obvious that the Omegas have so much more still, transparency, depth, nicer piano tone, amazing vocal attributes, etc. etc.), but they just seem to be so frustrating to dial in properly (especially on a budget...), that I almost start to think about just settling on a nice Lambda. Considering the Pro's relation to the NB Lambda, I am expecting great things from it later on, maybe that's where everything comes together even more - yet again

 

Welp, I guess I'm pretty much maxed out on the amp side for electrostats at this point. So far, though I haven't had much time to listen, it comes across as tonally balanced with the best grip on the drivers that I've heard thus far. Will report back once I am able to do some more listening.

 

Until Headamp releases the Grand Cayman, anyway.

 

An old post from headphoneclub.com regarding the Woo Audio's flagship 3ES got head-case's attention recently:


Original post: http://www.headphoneclub.com/thread-747598-1-1.html

HC discussion:https://www.head-case.org/forums/topic/26125-the-problem-with-the-woo-audio-3es/

Some people may certainly roll their eyes and say "another head-case amp criticism?", but if you're thinking about this amp, or really any Woo Amps, this is worth the read.

 

Not sure when they've made the WES, maybe 2009 as this 'review' says, world's best headphone sound?
They've built KG's original all-triode design as the GES, already lost their way since then, so this is no new news.


On a more personal note, I've recently gotten an SRD-X Pro, and I am somewhat surprised.
I thought I'd just plug it in and then ditch it based on what I've read about its design, but with the NB Lambda it sounds surprisingly decent. Bass control and depth far from optimal, but even without those, the sound is actually quite enjoyable.
Maybe it speaks more about a good NB Lambda having an inability to sound crap out of anything (and maybe not scale as dramatically on a Carbon compared to others), as I tried other Staxes and the synergy was less impressive.
Couldn't compare against the SRA-3S yet, which was my favourite bargain basement item, and it may put it in its place (runs very hot though).

But it might not be a fair comparison anyway, as I could just get a USB-powered DAC and some batteries and my laptop to have a completely portable setup, independent from mains power.


From my understanding Eksonic is working on building the mafia's new portable amp, it should be a lot better than this, so looking forward to it. (Just hoping there is some way to use NB headphones with it.)

 

The SRD-X never sounded particularly bad to me when I had it. Makes me wonder how Kingsound's take on the idea sounds (the M-03 is basically a modernized SRD-X).

 

Just saw the follow up to this. Looks like woo confirmed this is a mosfat output amp.



https://www.head-fi.org/threads/can...ruary-25-26-2023.967080/page-15#post-17424705

 

First post in a while. I could do it as a status update but this thread deserves a bump. I have an opportunity to buy a boxed SR-Lambda Signature and SRM-Xh. The Signature is late 80's and from what I can see was TOTL at the time. The energiser is less tasty and seems to be an early version of the SRM-252S. I won't have an opportunity to listen before buying, so could someone please provide a reference against L500 or SR207, both of which I have owned? Anything other than channel imbalance to worry about on the old Stax? And what would a reasonable price be, provided it is on top shape?

 

I would consider paying a fair amount for a Lambda Signature maybe up to 800$ with that energiser if it is really mint. One of the best Lambdas out there. However, if you don't feed it enough power (I am talking about either a Blue Hawaii or a Carbon or similar, with an SRM-717 it only starts to sound good) it will be thin and bright like how this guy evaluates it.
So not exactly a 'beginner' set in that regard, unless you are fine with brightness and midrange etch so you might want to choose something else on a narrow budget..