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Once you go Stax...you never go back!

99.227.238.213

In Reply to: RE: headphone advice posted by John Elison on October 04, 2019 at 04:25:57

That said, I also own the Koss electrostats. The best upgrade for the Koss is to play them through a Stax headphone amp...it definetely opens up the sound.

Between my old antiquated SR-404s and my Koss, I actually prefer the Stax. They are more open, with more detail. That said, both sound much better with an after-market tube headphone amp (I use a McAllister headphone amp).

You can currently get a Stax SR-507 for a good price, I haven't heard these, but some say they aren't as good as the old SR-404 or the current SR-L500 but I haven't heard the SR-L500 or SR-507 myself. The SR-L700 are supposed to be much better but they are a lot more money.

If you want to talk the SR-007 or the SR-009, that is another matter completely. My suggestion is just try a second hand Stax, maybe a SR-407 or similar, with a Stax amp, and if its your liking, you can upgrade headphone or amp one at a time..

Grant

Follow Ups:

RE: Once you go Stax...you never go back! Until you hear RAAL TRUE RIBBON Headphones ! - tincup 19:08:04 10/07/19 (1)
RAAL TRUE RIBBON HEADPHONES !
- https://darko.audio/2019/04/kih-66-raals-requisite-ribbon/ (Open in New Window)
- RE: Once you go Stax...you never go back! Until you hear RAAL TRUE RIBBON Headphones ! - sisterray 18:43:56 10/08/19 (0)
  Intriguing. Have you heard them? I wonder about diaphragm weight. A comparison against various electrostatic headphones (just not Stax) would be in order.
  
  Thanks for the link. Much appreciated.
  
  "'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
RE: Once you go Stax...you never go back! - sisterray 18:00:56 10/05/19 (0)
Grant -

Very, very true. Nothing in my experience beats stats. That said, it's a pretty closed ecosystem. Not a lot of amplification choices, and the two primary players are Stax & Koss. Both situations are slowly changing. The equipment does keep its value.

I do want to try the Koss, using an adaptor cable & my SRM-1/Mk2.

I prefer the 507s, although I'd be intererested in listening to the L-700s. The opinion of some on Head-case.org is that the 507s are awful, the worst compared to others in the product line, that even the intro-line 207s are better. I won't engage in defending my personal preference. I respect one specific person's other opinions on that board, and pissing contests are not for me. This is a hobby, not religion, politics, nor soccer.

For me, Bass definition is better in the 507s compared to the 207s. Drums sound more saturated. Presentation may also be a bit quicker. The 507s have a thinner diaphragm, which means less mass to move. Ergonomically, they fit my head more comfortably. The pads are leather, and the cable is detachable. The cable itself & the plug are quite durable.

"'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"
RE: Once you go Stax...you never go back! - John Elison 05:57:23 10/05/19 (2)
Thanks for the info! I know that Stax are the best; I just wish I could find a reputable discount seller. Apparently, Stax has excellent control over price. ;-)

Best regards,
John Elison
- RE: Once you go Stax...you never go back! - Grant99 06:52:57 10/06/19 (1)
  I don't know about US pricing, but here in Toronto they are still selling the now discontinued SR-507s for a lot less...about 800 CDN$ they were originally more like 1100-1200. Some say the SR-507s aren't Stax's best effort, I haven't heard them myself.
  
  I own the Koss, but I have only used the Koss amp once or twice; they sound much better with the Stax 006t amp.
  
  cheers
  Grant
  - RE: Once you go Stax...you never go back! - sisterray 14:42:07 10/06/19 (0)
    Grant -
    
    When were the 507s discontinued? I wonder whether the Lambda series is intended to take over for the upper end of the x07 series earspeakers.
    
    I'd like to try the L-700 & the SR-007. For amplification, the SRM-353X is attractive & barely affordable. As I mentioned to John, the ESP/950 would be neat to try. I believe the diaphragm is larger than on the Stax offerings, but I have no idea re diaphragm thickness. I think that is key.
    
    "'Cause when love is gone, there's always justice./And when justice is gone, there's always force./And when force is gone, there's always Mom. Hi Mom!" Laurie Anderson, "O Superman (For Massenet)"

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