[The Headcase Stax thread]

Thanks, all.  Feeling more relaxed about the entry point I've set up for myself.

I'm an engineer (digital hardware verification), so I appreciate the dedication I see here from folks like Spritzer in picking apart the 727 and other products.  Critical analysis is absolutely necessary to keep the pursuit of perfection ever-advancing; it's what ultimately enables us to appreciate every wrinkle and vein in the petals of those sonic flowers.  :-P

It doesn't bother me to hear that the amp I chose is imperfect; I happen to firmly believe that perfection isn't a state of being, but rather a target that forever remains on the horizon.  It's helpful to have expert opinions of where the 727 might be lacking.  I just wanted to make sure it's not a total lemon.  Even the best companies will swing and miss once in a while.

Pretty sure this setup is going to blow me away.  I'm setting aside my anxieties and mentally compiling playlists.  Can't wait for my first few steps into Stax-land.  Maybe I'll pop back in and share some impressions when I get it all running.

Cheers!

[The Headcase Stax thread]

5 hours ago, zolkis said:

I'd say it's a pretty good start, perhaps enough for most people.  High-end people are just a too loud minority :). Take a bit of time with the new system, listen to a lot of music, and you will get to learn and grow your own preferences in the process. Later you could get in mods (or get them done by someone else, as they do matter), or eventually change the amp and/or the headphones altogether, but you will need to spend multiple times your current expenditure if you want to seriously move up (e.g. Mjolnir Carbon + 007/009). The question is, will you really want to do this, or will you be left satisfied with this system. It depends on one's music preferences, listening culture and preferences etc. So just relax, enjoy the music at least for a year, and compare other options to this system. Imagine you'd have a much better system now: you'd still enjoy the same music :). So don't let that spoiled by the itching thought there are even better systems out there :). 

Thanks.  I've been through that whole process with loudspeakers and eventually found the balance point where I'm happier now with what I have than I would be by continuing to chase incremental improvements.  For headphones, however, I never progressed beyond HD650s, and I've never even had a very serious dedicated setup for those.  I was in the process of building one up when I ran headfirst into Stax and, based on long-ago listening sessions with electrostatic loudspeakers, instantly knew I needed them strapped to my head. :-)

By jumping straight into a L700 + 727 stack my goal was to create a "beachhead" setup for getting to know the Stax with a good solid state amp.  Got spooked by reports of muddy bass, harsh highs, etc., that accompanied the mods discussion.  As a new arrival who has never actually heard any Stax, it's impossible for me to decipher whether the 727 problems are severe enough to spoil my honeymoon period with the L700s or merely an obstacle that prevents the 00x earspeakers from reaching their fullest potential.

My order hasn't even shipped yet (I think), so I've been second-guessing whether amending my order to step down to a 353 would put me in a better position to form first impressions.  I'm less inclined to head the other direction and invest more in better amp solutions since I'm already heading deep into unknown territory.  In any case, my intention is simply to do exactly what you're suggesting: quit panicking and enjoy the music for a while before I entertain thoughts of next steps.  And what I got from your response is that the 727 is not such a bad starting point for that.  Thanks for that.

[The Headcase Stax thread]

Hi.  First post.  Just discovered Stax and enthusiastically jumped (totally blind) into ordering L700's and 727ii amp.  Then started reading all about 727 problems, mods, etc.. Did I make a mistake?  Should I have gone for 353 instead, perhaps?  Or should I get over my jitters and prepare to be blown away by my first foray into the world of stats?

Clarifying points: not at all comfortable doing amp mods, and no experience with tubes so I'd prefer to start with SS amp.