WilCox
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Posts posted by WilCox
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They already did that. It's called the O2 Mk2, it's more Lambda-like, and I don't like it because of that.
The O2 Mk1 is about as flat as I've ever heard a headphone sound. Now, there's nothing wrong with liking a more colored sound, but I hate that particular coloration, and the day Stax decided to put that coloration into their flagship headphone is the day they lost my respect. There are plenty of more pleasing and euphonic colorations to choose from if they actually wanted to pre-tune a headphone for easy listening, and if this wasn't simply shoddy quality control and lazy engineering.
I hope they get their shit together, and there is some pressure from listeners and a few dealers who refuse to sell the Mk2, so I guess time till tell. All they need to do is to replace the coating or whatever it was that violated health codes on the Mk1, and put both that and the 717 back into production. Not exactly a whole lot of R&D money invested in that move, and there will be a significant sonic upgrade as a result.
But if you like a peak in the upper mids, and more midbass besides, then check out the O2 Mk2. It's halfway between the Mk1 and the SR-404 in terms of sound signature. Complete with a more Lambda-like diffuse soundstage and slightly loose bass.
I was just kidding about making the O2 more Lambda-like. (Thus the
)I bought a used 717 and O2 Mk1 a few months ago and agree that it's the cat's meow!
Progress doesn't always advance the state-of-the-art. -
I don't hear an upper mid suck out on the O2.
After listening to the Lambda series for about 20 years and being accustomed to their, uh-hum, unique sound signature, the missing upper midrange peak in the O2 was very noticeable at first.
So, while I have come to accept that the O2 may be the more neutral of the two, I have now learned to appreciate the strengths of each, and regularly use both, depending upon the music and source.
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If the 404-LE cable is better than the standard 404/007 cable, should we take bets on how long it is before our beloved Icelandic loony puts it on his 007?
Stax were obviously thinking future cable upgrades for the SR-Omega, odd that didn't carry over to the O2.
Yep! Putting the upgraded cable on an O2 could cure that upper-midrange suckout and make them sound like a proper Lambda.
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Other than the color change, the headband looks exactly the same to me.
You're right! I didn't study Birgir's pics enough.
http://earsp.web.fc2.com/lineup/sr404limited/sr404lsrlamp_jpg_view.htm
The Stax on the right with the narrower arc is an earlier Lambda that looks like my long-gone Lambda Pro. My 404 Signature and 202 Basic have the same headband configuration as the 404 Limited.
In any event, I'm most interested in seeing whether the changes to the Limited will bring any meaningful improvement to the 404 Signature.
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Happy Birthday Kevin! I had a Glenfiddich tonight in your honor!
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I meant to say "Thanks for this link!" Unfortunately, I don't have permission to correct my stupid mistakes.
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Third times the charm eh... anyway here are some pics of the new SR-404 Limited edition.
This for the link! The leather pads look thicker and the headband looks improved -- both good things.
I ordered these a week ago from PriceJapan.com and they said about four weeks for delivery. We'll see if they come though.
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Which one is that beefy? Do you mean the Mini-MAX ... or something even newer?
Something newer - MAX V1.2! It's an update of the previous MAX, incorporating the low-noise power supply improvements from the Mini, as well as relay switched inputs and a place on the board to mount a Bantam DAC and a few other improvements.
There's more info on the MAX DIY forum that shows the proto board as well as TomB's comments on his and Colin's new baby:
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Oops. You are absolutely correct. There was another major amp out there at the
time that used buf634's. Brain fade.
There were also amps that used stacked buf634's or stacked 5002's. Don't remember the names of those either.
Jan Meier uses stacked BUF634's in his CORDA amps.
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Welcome to head-case!
Thanks! Great to be here!
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I'm not sure that I don't prefer the SR-202 over the SR-404 or Lambda pro myself. But my comparisons have been sparse. Unfair to call it. I still think that the 2020/2050 rig offers the best (production) amp/headphone buy that there is in headphonedom.
I agree with Duggeh 100%! Yes, my 4040 system is better, but not 2X to 3X better than the 2050 system. This is a classic example of the point of diminishing returns, which causes us audiophiles to pay a huge premium for the last few tenths of a percent of performance. The 2020 system is almost a steal at its price point.
)
Progress doesn't always advance the state-of-the-art.
Koss fraud. Wow, not good.
in Headphones
Posted
If anyone wants to read more details about this bizarre crime, here's a story from a local magazine that was published a couple of months ago: The Diva - Features - Milwaukee Magazine