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I have an opportunity to obtain a pair that are in very nice condition, although not refurbished. The stock ear pads are still in excellent condition.
Price is not cheap of course. Wondering if this set of Stax are still competitive with current production electrostatic headphones? At one time these were considered some of the finer choices out there, do they still hold up?
Thank you for any information, opinion, or observations you can share.
Follow Ups:
So the Stax arrived the other day, and I have had a chance to get them powered up and get a good listen to them after 24 hours of being plugged in.A couple of observations to make when I was unpacking. This amp is big, bigger than I thought it would be. While not terribly wide at 6 inches, and only 3.5 inches tall, but its long at 14 inches Takes up a bit of space. Also the headphones are lighter than I thought they would be, and even though they are bulky looking they are very comfortable. To achieve that light weight the framework is pretty sparse, and these are phones you want to treat with care and respect. They won't fare well with careless handling.
Now as far as the sound goes, they are gorgeous. My other phones are a pair of Focal Stellia, and while I like them, these are more natural and holistic sounding. Very spacious, no colorations to speak of, very precise imaging, and what is really amazing is the quality and output of the bass. These phones can hit some serious SPL, they will get louder than any sane person needs.
A common line of thought is that modern headphones have advanced in terms of sound quality of vintage ones, and in most cases this would be right. But not in this case. I am not sure what it takes to better the upper tier Stax headphones, but I do think it is going to cost a suitcase full of money to achieve this. These are going to be long term keepers for me. Actually the Stellia will also, as those are very very nice in their own right. The strengths of those phones is how deeply you hear into the mix, these are incredibly detailed phones. Different in overall presentation to the Stax, but they are sealed back so you would expect that. These will be great for times when others can be disturbed by the sound of an open back phone, so there is a definite need for this style. I guess I am fortunate to have these two options.
Edits: 12/09/20 12/10/20
try listening to them in [very] close proximity to a sub-woofer balanced with the head gear ... you will have a guaranteed 'profound' listening experience ... of course it won't be as 'private' but it will be addictive
two subs are even better!
congrats on the Stax score
with regards,
I have used a pair of SR-202 (Lambda-style) Basic with an SRM-1/MK2 energizer (along with a couple of vintage SR-5 and SRX-III), and nothing else I have tried even comes close. Granted, I haven't tried the higher end models, but I am not going to spend a few thousand dollars for them either.
I know that it isn't a fair comparison, but I bought and quickly sold a pair of Hifiman HE-400 planars and a Rega Ear amp because they weren't even a shadow of the Stax system. Being planars, I thought they might be close. I have a few other pairs of dynamic phones, but only for portable or tape deck use.
I really hope that this sig line meets with 51's approval. Oh yeah ... https://lincolnproject.us/
Well as an update I did end up buying the Lambda Pro and the SRM1/MK II amplifier. The person I bought from is someone I know from a previous purchase, and he has access to a good local tech. So I asked that the amp be sent to him for a recap before its mailed out. So I am going to be waiting for it for awhile, I am not sure what the backlog of work is. Could be awhile. As a follow up the second set of headphones and amp were not Lambda series, but the SR3 and matching amp. I chose to pass on those at $250, as I felt I had no use for them with the Lambda Pro here.
I have a pair of Deon AH-D5000 and a pair of newly acquired AKG 702 of Austrian origin to listen to while I wait. I also acquired a Channel Island VHP2 and the VAC1 power supply to use. Along with the Audio Engine B1 DAC I have something to keep me occupied until the Stax is done being refurbished.
Excellent choice, and good call getting the recap. These energizers get very hot, and that is very tough on capacitors. You will love the Stax system. I have been selling off my dynamic headphones since I got mine.
Congrats!
I really hope that this sig line meets with 51's approval. Oh yeah ... https://lincolnproject.us/
Have the amp looked at. If it has not been recapped, have it recapped immediately. Its not a difficult job and not very expensive.I have owned the exact same combo since Christmas 1990 and they are superb. I also own a pair of Focal Clears and the Lambda Pros are a better listen. I have owned Sennheiser HD580, HiFI Man HE400S and Sennheiser Momentum. None of those are not as good as the Lambda Pros.
The Focal Clears are very good but cannot compare to the speed and reproduction of short transients like on cymbals. The ability to reproduce every instrument with ease is very hard to describe unless you are used to estat headphones.
There are ribbon and planar dynamic headphones that almost deliver what full range estats can, but for my money full range estats are the best. You will understand as soon as you get a listen.
It is very hard to compare to full range estats.
Edits: 10/23/20
I bought an SRM-1/Mk2 early last spring. Played it for a week or two with the original caps, then recapped it. Made a noticeable difference. High end was much better.
It's an easy job, too.
The problem is not that there is evil in the world, the problem is that there is good. Because otherwise, who would care?
The person who I am buying from is someone I know from a site, I bought a pair of amps from him earlier in the year. This fellow has a good local tech, and I am asking for it to be recapped before sent out. So I should be able to arrange that.
This looks like a decent deal for me. I can get a second set of headphones in the package with an extra long stax cable that fits the second set. I can get the amp and both set of stats and cable for $900 shipped from coast to coast. The phones and amp are in excellent shape. If I have the second set of phones I can have a back up pair if the other needs refurbishment.
From the reading I am doing it looks like this particular amp was commissioned by Mercedes Benz to evaluate road noise on their cars back in the day.
I think I am going to take the deal, after all life should be an adventure!
I bought that combo after STAX went bankrupt for the first time 15 years ago.They listed for $2800 and I bought them for $1500 from an Audio Advisor closeout.
The former STAX engineers bought the company and resurrected it.
Sound great, and hold up to the newer models closely.
I suggest replacing the Tubes with NOS low noise RCA clear tops .ENJOY!
Edits: 10/23/20 10/23/20
The SRM1 MK II amp is a FET input Class A DC coupled amplifier. All SS, so there are no tubes to replace.
The SS are not as good as the tube /FET models IMO.Tubes are a must for best sound on electrostatics.
Edits: 10/25/20
How old's the amp? Has it been recapped? That could be a weak link. What's your current head stat?
"'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)"
Edits: 10/22/20
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