The Headcase Stax thread

[catscratch]

Originally Posted by The Monkey

I heard a McAlister driving some Stax phones at the NYC Meet. I liked the McAlister a lot.

I would like the sound of my amp a lot, except that it arrived damaged (I think) or is simply not properly designed. It clips during loud, dynamic passages like whoa, in both channels. It's immediate with the SR-404 and less immediate but still noticeable with the SR-003.

I have been too lazy to negotiate with Peter for it to get fixed. Peter doesn't seem to know the meaning of punctuality, and while he seems like a nice guy, talking to him has been a hassle. On top of that, the original amp he sent me was lost by Canada Post, so he sent another. I can only imagine the financial loss he took. This one was based on a slightly different circuit, which is why I'm more prone to thinking that there is something wrong with the design itself - but if you saw the build quality, you would easily imagine that something, somewhere, could have fallen off. The amp really is built down to a price.

Which is all a shame since it shows a lot of sonic potential. It's from a very different school sonically than the Stax amps; it doesn't try to be as neutral and transparent as possible, rather, it tries to be as vivid and engaging as possible. It's slightly bright, very dynamic, very focused, and has a massive, open soundstage. It gives up points in transparency to the SRM-007t but on the whole it would sound one heck of a lot better - if it worked.

Fixing it is definitely a possibility as far as driving the SR-007 goes, and I'll probably take up this route if transformer boxes fail, at least initially, before moving onto something else. I'm beginning to think that building a KGBH might be the best option. I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to DIY, but I could afford the components, and I certainly not that dumb that I can't learn this stuff in the process.

Maybe there's a DIY'er that could build one at the original Headamp price?

Originally Posted by cclragnarok

I actually (mostly) agree with your description of the SR-404 sound, except I think the flaws are subtle enough that the SR-404 is still a very good headphone overall.

In comparison to the SR-404, every high end AT I've tried (W5000, AD2000, L3000) was more colored in the midrange IMO. I also thought that the Qualia had a more offensive tone than the SR-404. That said, I think I might be able to get used to the sound signature of these headphones as well if I get longer listening sessions with them.

Oh well. All I'm saying is that every headphone has its flaws (though some have fewer flaws than the others). Different people choose to tolerate different flaws, and some people might even like a headphone more because of its flaws. I personally find the sound of the SR-404 very good overall.

I should probably shut up now considering the fact that I might sell my SR-404 soon.

I value the midrange more than anything else in my systems, and anything with an offensively colored midrange is right out. Every headphone I've ever liked has shared one quality - a somewhat forward, lush, fluid, but very clear midrange (i.e. SR-003, K340, ES2, HD650 balanced, HE90). I like a warmish midrange coloration that comes from a slightly boosted lower midrange, but I can't stand a thin, brittle coloration that comes from a boosted upper midrange or a recessed lower midrange. That's why the SR-404 doesn't cut it for me.

P.S. hope this is all coherent. I'm smashed off my face.

[cclragnarok]

Originally Posted by catscratch

I value the midrange more than anything else in my systems, and anything with an offensively colored midrange is right out. Every headphone I've ever liked has shared one quality - a somewhat forward, lush, fluid, but very clear midrange (i.e. SR-003, K340, ES2, HD650 balanced, HE90). I like a warmish midrange coloration that comes from a slightly boosted lower midrange, but I can't stand a thin, brittle coloration that comes from a boosted upper midrange or a recessed lower midrange. That's why the SR-404 doesn't cut it for me.

P.S. hope this is all coherent. I'm smashed off my face.

It all makes sense. Like I said, I think we are hearing (mostly) the same thing, we just have different preferences on what we like to hear.

[Tachikoma]

Originally Posted by Smeggy

K1000 is awesome, SR-X pro is awesome, SR-Lambda is more awesomer than the 404.

mmm I hope so. The SR-X normal doesn't quite cut it compared to the SR-5 pro and GP.

Binaural recordings do work better with the SR-X though.

[postjack]

Stax amp question: I might find myself in need of a normal bias Stax amp in the not to distant future. This amp will be used to power my SR-Lambda. An additional pro bias output is a plus, just for flexibility's sake. Price range is ~$500, but I'm not married to that price, and would like to hear all my options.

There's a nice list of discontinued amps on the Stax Earspeakers Wiki, but its hard to discern what the quality choices are in those amps.

Thanks!

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by catscratch

Maybe there's a DIY'er that could build one at the original Headamp price?

I really doubt that it is possible as some parts are hard to find and the current sources need to be upgraded because of that.

Originally Posted by postjack

Stax amp question: I might find myself in need of a normal bias Stax amp in the not to distant future. This amp will be used to power my SR-Lambda. An additional pro bias output is a plus, just for flexibility's sake. Price range is ~$500, but I'm not married to that price, and would like to hear all my options.

There's a nice list of discontinued amps on the Stax Earspeakers Wiki, but its hard to discern what the quality choices are in those amps.

Thanks!

The obvious choice is one of the many versions of the SRM-1 as almost all of them had a normal bias output. Then there is the T1's which can be found for about 500$ if you are really lucky. One of my favorite normal bias amps is the SRA-3S though they might need to be recapped due to age and the cramped chassis.

[deepak]

Yeah doubtful the Blue Hawaii will be as cheap as the original Headamp. I've been spec'ing mine and it's adding up to quite a bit.

The WooAudio GES might be the amp to get for best bang for the buck. Keep in mind I have never heard one.

Originally Posted by catscratch

I would like the sound of my amp a lot, except that it arrived damaged (I think) or is simply not properly designed. It clips during loud, dynamic passages like whoa, in both channels. It's immediate with the SR-404 and less immediate but still noticeable with the SR-003.

pabbi1 had similar problems with his McAlister.

[The Monkey]

Originally Posted by spritzer

It's not bad but you could do better such as the SRM-1 Mk2.

What's a good price for that amp?

[spritzer]

The Blue Hawaii won't be cheap but I'm looking to keep mine under 6k$ all in all. It will however depend on how crazy the chassis will be and whether I use an RK50 or not.

Originally Posted by The Monkey

What's a good price for that amp?

They can be found for 100$ (that's what the P.P. model sitting on my desk cost me ) but 250-400$ is the norm.

[Tachikoma]

Originally Posted by Tachikoma

mmm I hope so. The SR-X normal doesn't quite cut it compared to the SR-5 pro and GP.

Binaural recordings do work better with the SR-X though.

*cough*

updated impressions: The SR-X doesn't suck anymore after a few hours of burn in the highs and lows have come out of hiding, and it is by far the most "solid" sounding electrostat I've heard. I really like the way it doesn't have any inherent headstage/soundstage of its own (in other words the soundstage is entirely dependent on the recording).

What kind of tape does stax use for attaching their earpads? If I can find the equivalent of that I'm going to use it to attach the SR-5's drivers to the enclosure

[grawk]

duct

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by Tachikoma

*cough*

updated impressions: The SR-X doesn't suck anymore after a few hours of burn in the highs and lows have come out of hiding, and it is by far the most "solid" sounding electrostat I've heard. I really like the way it doesn't have any inherent headstage/soundstage of its own (in other words the soundstage is entirely dependent on the recording).

What kind of tape does stax use for attaching their earpads? If I can find the equivalent of that I'm going to use it to attach the SR-5's drivers to the enclosure

They are monitor phones after all...

The need a sheet of double sided adhesive. There are many different kinds, Stax uses some eco friendly crap, and you just have to buy all you can find and test them. The stronger the adhesive, the better.

[Nanoha]

Originally Posted by spritzer

Then there is the T1's which can be found for about 500$ if you are really lucky.

The T1 is a great value in my opinion. I bought both of mine for between $500 and $600. I'll most likely be picking one up again in a few months.

[milkpowder]

I posted this over at Head-Fi. You guys might be vaguely interested too. Sorry if you've had to see/read this twice

Initial impressions of the SR-Lambda Signature

Thanks Spritzer for selling me his excellent example. Purchased on Tuesday, arrived on Thursday I only got back from holiday this morning and couldn't wait to get my hands (and ears) on it.

Seeing that some people have been complaining of the lack of relatively lengthy "reviews", I decided to cook something up myself. Mind you, this is not a "review" in the usual sense (written over weeks after months of extended listening) and I don't intend it to be one because I've only had these headphones for a day! However, I have been listening enough to gain a good understanding of the SR-Lambda Signature's characteristics and capabilities. Anyhow, I would kindly ask you to overlook any mistakes. I'm jetlagged and have tried to write this in one-take, so to speak.

I shall be using both 16bit/44.1kHz ALAC and 24bit/88.2kHz FLAC through ASIO foobar passthrough to my 740c and discs played through the 740c itself. Everything will be upsampled to 24bit/384kHz and sent to my SRM-006t. I put in a duet of NOS Raytheons damped by Herbie's Labs. Power cables are Russ Andrews PowerMax and all components are isolated with Vibrapods and cones. To be absolutely honest, I really don't think any of the tweaks (not including tubes) are having any affect on the sound at all, but I'm far too lazy to remove them now

I only have two other headphones in front of me at the moment, the Sennheiser HE60 and the Stax SR-Lambda Professional. I'll be making comparisons with those.


So here are my very preliminary thoughts (all that you read is subject to the usual 'YMMV-IMHO mercy rule' ):

Generally speaking, the SR-Lambda Sig is a bright-sounding, fast, detailed headphone with a very unforgiving sound signature. The soundstaging is believable, layered, imaging sharp, attack well defined with a very controlled and accurate, unexaggerated decay... Unfortunately, the midrange is very bright (even brighter than the HE60, almost Grado-like) and the etch is noticeable (especially with violins and female vocals).

The first thing that came to my mind when I started listening to the 'Signature' was "HE60". The two have a lot in common. Both are bright, fast and very detailed. In my rig, both have a drier, leaner, more anaemic sound than the SR-Lambda Professional. In all honesty, this is the very first time I've listened to the HE60 having just listened to another headphone and not thought that the latter pair was lacking in details. In other words, the 'Signature' more or less matches the HE60 in terms of shear resolving power. What the HE60 does better at is reproducing reverberation cues and other very, very fine details which really makes a recording come alive. As a result, the 'Signature' doesn't quite project as realistic (or life-like) an image as the HE60. Having said that, it images a lot better than the 'Professional'.

As with all Lambda-series headphones I've listened to (SR-202, SR-404, L-Pro and now the L-Sig), the 'Signature' decay is longer and attack not as focussed compared to what I experience with the HE60. As a consequence, and I don't mean this to be a bad thing, the Lambda-series don't sound as intense or clinical/clean.

The 'Signature' has very nice, textured bass. It's impactful and extends pretty deep. I see it as a good mixture of the 'Professional' 's rich bass and the HE60's detail and control minus the rolled-off. Listening to music such as Liszt Piano Sonata in B minor or Money for Nothing (Dire Straits) on the HE60 is an aural treat, but I always find myself wanting more oomf and substance, particularly in the lower registers. The 'Professional' provided that oomf and substance, but at the expense of resolution and as a result the realism of the performance. The 'Signature' is a compromise between the two. It isn't quite as rich-sounding (some like to call this musical) as the 'Professional' but far more transparent and detailed. Similarly, it isn't as insanely resolving as the HE60 (though very close!), but delivers an adequate punch in the bass and lower midrange. The result is superb. That said, some may not necessarily prefer this compromise.

I want to say a little about the soundstaging too. The 'Signature' is leaps and bounds above the 'Professional' in this area. The latter has a very diffuse, big, airy sound, but it is ridiculously artificial. It only gives the illusion that the performers are in a large arena playing miles in front of you when in fact (if you listen carefully), they are no further away than a few meters. The 'Signature', with its superior resolving power, actually gives you a sense of the size of the recording studio/hall and a good idea of where each sound is coming from. More reverberation and ambient cues are presented to the listener, making for a much more realistic listen. IMO, the HE60 is a class above both in this area. It's amazing how life-like and precise the Sennheisers renders performers in their own 'acoustic space'. I actually think that the 'Signature' is more forward than the HE60. It sounds to me like the performers are closer to me.

So everything is good and the 'Signature' the next FOTM? Not so fast. Something will really kill it for people, and that is the infamous midrange etch. This is something that is found in a lot of Lambdas to varying degrees and also the HE60 to a lesser degree. Strangely enough, it is in my experience that the more expensive Lambdas are affected the most (eg SR-404 vs SR-202; L-Sig vs L-Pro). I don't hear it in the SR-007.

I'm listening to a spectacular recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto, IMHO the best there is - Isabella Faust with the Prague Philharmonia/Belohlavek on Harmonia Mundi. I have to admit that the 'Signature' does just about everything right here, except for the violins! It's as if Ms Faust swapped her own violin for another one with different sonic characteristics! The upper midrange is annoyingly thin and unatural. This is not an issue with the 'Professional' and minor enough enough with the HE60 to be ignored. I'm sad to say I cannot get the 'Signature' 's rather unique presentation out of the way. Granted this is my first day with it, I may get used to it, eventually...

Then I switch to another very good recording, the FIM K2HD remaster of Cantate Domino, originally released by Proprius on SACD. The first track is also called Cantate Domino. It contains a mixture of brass, vocals and organ. Rather unexpectedly, it seems that the midrange etch is a nonissue with organ music. In fact, the 'Signature' sounds very at home. The low notes are adequately resonant and the higher ones exquisitely rendered. There's enough brightness to bring out the choir and the bright organ stops. The 'Professional' sounds a bit thick in comparison and doesn't exhibit the same clarity or tone purity.

Lastly, I have a listen to some solo female vocals, eg Jennifer Warnes, Norah Jones, Christmas Song from Cantate Domino, etc...

*Eargasm* Absolutely fabtastic. The 'Signature' 's combination of a decent bass response and highly detailed sound really hits this one on a bulls eye. Sure, the HE60 still delivers a much more mesmerisingly life-like listening experience, but the 'Signature' is so much cheaper! If anything, I think that the midrange is a bit too pronounced. I'm getting the same type of Grado midrange brightness I got with the RS-2, albeit to a much lesser extent.

All in all, I have really enjoyed my first day with this wonderful, wonderful headphone. Whether I will ultimately love it as much as the HE60 or SR-Lambda Professional remains a mystery. To me, the 'Signature' is a highly capable headphone with numerous very likable characteristics, but it doesn't quite sound as musical as the 'Professional' nor as life-like as the HE60. At the same time, one may be put off by the midrange etch. Only time will tell...

Unfortunately, I have a very busy schedule for the next three months and don't see any way I would have time to take this "review" any further. Feel free to PM me and I will try my best to answer within a reasonable time frame Now I really need to go and unpack *looks at multiple suitcases with luggage tags and straps still attached*

[GPH]

Thanks for your impressions. I'm supposed to get my pair on next Tuesday so I'll see how my impressions compare to yours.

[deepak]

Interesting...I don't hear any of the midrange "etch" on my SR-Lambda.

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by deepak

Interesting...I don't hear any of the midrange "etch" on my SR-Lambda.

The damping material in the earcups takes care of it though there isn't much to begin with. There some treble etch but not a whole lot.

[Smeggy]

Nice writeup milky, it'll be interesting to see which way you go.

I agree that the SR-Lambda doesn't suffer much from the infamous etch. I imagine many will prefer the original for that very reason, it's nicely balanced though still a little bright. I like mine a lot, but I;m still gonna screw with them because, well, that's just what I always do

[milkpowder]

I'm guessing the thicker the film, the less likely it is to 'etch'. The SR-Lambda has 2.0um and is the thickest amongst the Lambda series.

[spritzer]

Originally Posted by milkpowder

I'm guessing the thicker the film, the less likely it is to 'etch'. The SR-Lambda has 2.0um and is the thickest amongst the Lambda series.

Stator assembly has also a lot to do with it as will the coating used, the housing and the tension the diaphragm is under. Blaming it all on the diaphragm is the same as saying a Dac upgrade will transform a CDP...

[milkpowder]

I see. I'm too simple minded.