spritzer

Dual mono supplies with a single amp section. I like that he used GM70's in a headphone amp as Lamm is charging 100k+ for a similar amp for speakers...

I changed my mind after I started to make my own... see the Stax thread...

I'll have one as well...

Ditto. I've been working on a review of the whole Lambda line for over a year now and it's mostly been an overview of the history and what changes were made with a few impressions thrown in.

The whole SR-X line is great and there is the Stax SR-Lambda, Lambda Pro, Lambda Spirit/Pro Classic. Lambda Nova Basic and SR-202. If you want some more bling then the SR-5NB is a sure choice.

There is a lot of hype surrounding this player right now and that is usually my cue to run away. It is said to use an algorithm to make it "sound good" and use 32bit dacs even if they don't use the only 32bit DAC chip in existence. The processor they use as a dac might be 32bit but that doesn't make the signal 32bit.

The Fischer connector isn't cheap and it should be easy to get an adapter cable for something like 150$. Moon Audio sold them and some others as well.

It only takes about a day or two to throw together a simple tube amp. An Egmont or even something half-way decent...

The HE90 needs a capacitor coupled and rather warm one at that. The older Stax tube amps are a good place to start and with some basic mods can make them very good. I much prefer my modified T1 over the Blue Hawaii for the He90. The SRM-007t isn't as good but as a cheap option it is worth it.

LOL!!!!

This is crap IMO. The review is spot on and is a benchmark against all others should be judged. The reviewer has been in the headphone game longer then most (search Headwize for his posts) and has a clear understanding on what makes them tick.

Since I finally have some stands display my collection on I thought it would be time for a picture. I need about 20 extra stands to finish the job but I'll get there. The rest of the collection is scattered over the house. Pictured are from left to right, back to front: Top shelf: SR-Lambda, SR-Lambda Pro, Lambda Signature, Lambda Spirit, Nova Signature, SR-404. The reserved space is for the SR-SC1. Middle shelf: SR-Sigma, SR-5 NB, SR-003, He60, SR-Sigma Pro Bottom shelf: Beyer ET-1000, Fostex T-50 Mk1, He90, SR-Gamma Pro, SR-Alpha Pro Excellent, SR-Gamma, SR-X Mk2, SR-X Mk3, SR-Lambda, SR-3, SR-5, SR-3 New

I wonder sometimes how many of those saying that the "balanced amps" are the second coming have heard phones driven by a good, powerful SE amp?

Thanks, I think I'm up for it.

More current brings more control over the driver but the problem with speaker amps is the excessive gain and that they are designed for a 2-16ohm load, not 300. Noise is an issue unless you use resistors to lessen the load.

It sure is. I need to fins a SRM-T2 one of these days... \

For 15k I want a quad of 845's with 45's as drivers, all transformer coupled. There is also the Morgan Jones 845 based design to consider aka. "The Beast". No teflon for me if I can get away from it. I'll take the slightly duller sound of oil over the sheen of Teflon any day. It's a shame Jensens are so horribly unreliable or they would be a contender. Very cool... Welcome to the dark side!

It really is the best review ever written. I think I have it in pdf form and I'll try to find it. Edit: Found it... The O1 vs. O2 comparison is right on the money as well. Read it here.

A capacitor with a resistor across the leads maybe? I've never really thought about it... What is the impedance of a 120pf capacitor at 100v? Doesn't everybody have a spare HE90?? I can't see no reason to use them... I ran up the numbers some time ago but I believe the V-caps would be close to 800$ (less if you skip the input caps) and the Mundorf closer to 600$. Add to that Riken resistors, all silver wiring, RK50 pot and a new tube rectified PSU and the Aristaeus can reach new heights in cost...

A headphone driver (dynamic) is simply a coil of wire so it doesn't care if you feed it SE or bridged. What it does like is more power so the should be some benefit.

Those massive heaters in the Zana make for a very toasty amp. I've been looking at equipment stands and the only one I'd want is an extra wide SRA Craz. Silly money for something like this but it is very sturdy and there is nothing better. I really do like the idea of a 2.5 wide rack as we use a lot of abnormally sized equipment so it is easier to cram 3 Stax amps in a row.

I have this sneaking suspicion that you need a second rack...

The Siemens are very balanced tubes so not too warm like the Tele's or sterile/bland like the new stuff. The coupling caps are the weak point of all capacitor coupled amps. The Aristaeus uses Solen caps which are, while not that good, dependable so many manufacturers use them. An upgrade to something like Mundorf silver or gold caps would be a huge step forward. V-caps are also an option but at a price an the A-N silver caps are for those that have left their sanity behind. Start tinkering and it will come. You learn most by doing and second most by seeing others do it. Buy a cheap tube amplifier kit and assemble it for some good experience without the real bore of diy, the case work...

Amen brother!!

JJ ECC83....?? No wonder it sounded bad. I don't like Telefunken, period, since they are way too warm and mushy. Siemens and Mullard are the way to go but Amperex could also be a good option. Btw. When are you going to have Justin upgrade those coupling caps? Some Mundorf Gold caps would be a huge upgrade and much more stable then the stock Solen caps.