spritzer

For me the SR-Omega has many qualities but it isn't without fault either. Their biggest issues is the lack of control at high levels, some slight non-linearity in the bass and some upper midrange etch. So not perfect but pretty damn close and a far better headphone then the HE90. I do prefer the SR-007 but I could live happily with either one.

When used like that they are fine for short test sessions (they are great for checking hum in amps and other issues like that) but the tips weren't comfy enough for and long term listening.

It has more to do with the heavy air damping going on rather then the structure. The open area on the SR-001/003 stators is only about a quarter of the total area. There is plenty of bass to start with but it is cleaner. Highs have more range but it is mostly the midrange which gains a lot more presence. Electrostatic transducers don't move air in that sense, they produce sound via vibration. But like Dusty said, the size of the transducer has to be in context with the air it needs to excite. The SR-003 isn't a circumaural but comfortable they are not.

If all of that fails, cave your head in with our utterly over the top amps.

Happy Birthday!!!

Sorry for missing this. Happy belated birthday!!!

Neither of those things applies to Stax and that's what makes it so puzzling to me. I've long lost count of how many SR-404's I've owned over the years (20+ probably) and they all had this annoying as hell midrange honk which means I can't spend more then 10 minutes listening to them. This one is more like the 404LE, slightly thin compared to the SR-007 but midrange etch. Have you ever heard the SR-003 off a BH? Well worth the audition.

I believe those amps have the "Sustained Plateau Bias" or what it was called where the bias is variable but the amp should never leave Class A.

It gets easier the second time around. Also Mk1 pads are slightly easier then the Mk2 pads as the material is much nicer. SR-Omega pads are even worse though with those small socket/pin fasteners.

I have a feeling that I'll be keeping this set intact for testing new amps. I do think the Sigma enclosure needs the extra edge as the NB Lambda is very peaky in an undamped housing. Ohh and the Alps RK27 may rot in hell!! Just installed one of the Alpha pots in the KGSS (the TKD's wouldn't fit because of the thick front panel) and the difference is far from subtle.

Damnit!!! Who's going to patch us up after a drunken bar fight or some horrendous midnight baking accident??!!??

Right now I'm listening to a bit of a puzzle, a SR-404 which doesn't suck. \ I bought this set on Y!JP as a future donor for a Sigma transplant but after cleaning them I gave them a listen and while they are bright and edgy as any Lambda the midrange isn't shouty and grating. Now this could be a SR-SC1 which somebody has removed all the markings but I doubt it. They are clearly from early on in the production and 100% stock (I did pull out the earpad foam as it had holes in it). Very strange indeed...

I've never tried it but since there are no drivers to install I don't think there would be any issues.

I use the Trends UD-10.1 for just this role. I bought it for the multitude of outputs which is perfect for my gearwhoring but it works perfectly.

That would be pure win as it has plenty of power even for the Lundahl transformers. I think I better mail the box though as I can't open it up to explain what it truly is...

Nothing really. Some heatshrink over the plug makes it look nice but that's about it.

Damnit!!! I was looking forward to breaking into the hotel kitchen, drunk as a skunk and starting to make something that resembles bread with you. One question to the gang, will anybody have an amp at the meet that can drive a Stax transformer box?

The RCA sockets are Vampire and used by pretty much everyone as they are one of the few good PC mounts you can buy.

Here is a picture of the volcano, shot yesterday by my dad on a xrappy Kodak camera: Uploaded with ImageShack.us Here is what it is doing to the countryside...

For a seasoned engineer the prototyping cost would be lower. I'm sure they experimented with different transformers and operating points but that shouldn't have been too expensive. Still the markup has to cover that cost plus all other aspects of the design. Whether the amp is worth 10K$ is not for me to say but Todd is only following what others have done. Ray has sold quite a few of horrible "preamps" at insane prices and for most people, MOAR $$$ = MOAR GOOD!!!! As for Mikhail, the guy used the cheapest crap he could find for everything (often running the parts out of spec) which is why we have hundreds of amps which will not last very long. He also reused parts which could be clearly seen in my ES-1 as the EL34 sockets had cut wires on all 8 pins but they aren't all used plus you have spliced wires all over the place.

I'm still waiting on the J271's...

Welcome to the other side Frank. Transformers certainly have enough merit for me to make a genuine attempt at the high end. I've been logging a lot of hours on my two transformer boxes lately (Lundahl LL1630 and vintage Koss iron) and even from a lowly Gainclone they are well worth the time and expense. All my time until CJ is booked with finishing current projects but after that I'll order up some D3a's and some custom iron.

Markup of 3 times the cost of parts is about as low as you could possibly go for a boutique product sold directly. Normal high end markup is much, much higher with distributors, dealers all taking a cut.

Shots anybody? I still have fond memories (or lack there of) of two weeks spent in Greece drinking nothing but 160proof Stroh rum.

Happy Birthday Ari!!