February 23, 201511 yr A not-so-perfect way to do this would be plug the ear speakers almost all the way in the do a continuity test between the exposed pin and the other socket, pin for pin. With the amp off. Then repeat on the other socket. This isn't perfect, but it's an easy triage test and easier than opening the amp up.
February 23, 201511 yr Bringing this over from the LIO train wreck -- apologize for being so out of the loop but what was the "fix" and when did it surface? I'm enjoying the hell out of the 009 and BHSE combo. Not sure when it was implemented and Stax aren't saying, the whole mantra that they will continue to improve (or fuck up) the product holds true with them. Basically they changed the diaphragm setup so now they aren't as bright. For me they went from basically unusable to very good just because of that.
February 23, 201511 yr Thanks Birgir. I don't find my set bright at all -- whether due to Stax's efforts or my own tin ears -- so it's all good.
February 23, 201511 yr Given that used 202's from YJ go for cheap as chips yeah that sounds about spot on with my pair, huge treble, not much mid bass to lower mid range but I find that surprisingly neutrally helpful on some recordings. The 404's are pretty bassy, dominant mid bass section but liquid smooth sounding with a little etch present on the upper mids that some people find emphasized, bright and uninvolving, ymmv of course. The problem with 202 drivers in the Sigma enclosure would be the sound would be too brittle and light sounding and the treble would be the main bit you will hear. The Sigma/404 combo is different because the dominant mid bass of the 404 drivers in it's stock enclosure becomes a bit more distant in the bigger Sigma enclosure thus resulting in a more neutralish and slightly laid back balanced sound with the low's nicely filled that even the stock Sigma's and Sigma Pro's fail to accomplish and provide to the listener. By all accounts the Sigma has a large mid to upper bass hump and rolled off treble even though the SR-Lambda which uses the same drivers is very close to flat with a slight midrange emphasis and gently rolled off extremes. I don't think using a driver with more bass (except for the low bass) is going to help the issue, but I haven't heard a Sigma/404 so reserve judgment until then. All this talk of a SR009 that isn't as bright really makes me want one now. Maybe I'll pick up a used pair a few years down the line.
February 23, 201511 yr The Sigma/404 well I used the 303 drivers instead which is the identical drivers used in the 404 sounded very balanced due to the nature i explained i my post.
February 24, 201511 yr All this talk of a SR009 that isn't as bright really makes me want one now. Maybe I'll pick up a used pair a few years down the line. Thanks Birgir. I don't find my set bright at all -- whether due to Stax's efforts or my own tin ears -- so it's all good. I don't think my set is bright either and this is an older set. In a direct comparison with Mulveling's new set, my SR009 is very slightly warmer sounding. Not sure why is this. The only time that I find the SR009 unbearable is when I'm running it off the KGSTwith RCA tubes. The GE tubes work much better for me.
February 24, 201511 yr Not sure when it was implemented and Stax aren't saying, the whole mantra that they will continue to improve (or fuck up) the product holds true with them. Basically they changed the diaphragm setup so now they aren't as bright. For me they went from basically unusable to very good just because of that. Maybe at some point in the future I'll send my new 009s to Tyll for measuring. He measured my original pair way back when (link) so it would be interesting to see if there are any substantial differences in the charts for a newer pair.
February 24, 201511 yr One must do mod with the 009 is to stuff the inside of the earpads with some foam. This restores the soundstage they are missing.
February 24, 201511 yr One must do mod with the 009 is to stuff the inside of the earpads with some foam. This restores the soundstage they are missing. So what do you think is the explanation for this effect?
February 24, 201511 yr My 009s are from december of 2013, not sure if that counts as a 'new pair'. Probably doesn't matter but the serial is SZ9-2295. Either way I don't find them bright at all. Anyway, mind sharing the details of the foam mod you've done?
February 24, 201511 yr The serial on mine is 2561 so yours could be the fixed one. Stax would never tell us though... The goal of the foam mod is to increase the height of the earpads behind the ears to get a better angle of the drivers above the ears. I made a wedge shaped piece of foam (think ( on it's side) and out the thickest part where the small recess behind and under the ears is.
February 24, 201511 yr What type of foam did you use? Just a few mm thick I assume? What about that wool mod on the other site? I'm almost tempted to get new earpads to try these out.
February 24, 201511 yr I'm waiting for the Analaxitive mod. Edited February 24, 201511 yr by Hopstretch
February 24, 201511 yr So what do you think is the explanation for this effect? Simple, the earpads are too flat. A 009 user from Finland is arguing for changes in the sonic signature of these foams produced by changing the foam material.
February 24, 201511 yr I stole some foam from worn out 007 pads, cut those in half and shoved both halves into the back of the 009. Seems to do the trick for me
February 25, 201511 yr My 009s are from december of 2013, not sure if that counts as a 'new pair'. Probably doesn't matter but the serial is SZ9-2295. The serial on mine is 2561 so yours could be the fixed one. Old Pair: 1207. New Pair: 2957
February 25, 201511 yr Birgir, could you provide a picture of the when mounted to the headphones? Somehow I have a hard time understanding exactly what you did. I would greatly appreciate it.
February 25, 201511 yr Birgir, could you provide a picture of the when mounted to the headphones? Somehow I have a hard time understanding exactly what you did. I would greatly appreciate it. Here you go, this is a shot of the left earpiece: So the goal is the increase the height of the earpads in the back to get a greater angle. The greater the angle, the better the soundstage.
February 27, 201511 yr One must do mod with the 009 is to stuff the inside of the earpads with some foam. This restores the soundstage they are missing. Could EP-007's be used on 009's Birgir, and if so would they achieve the same goal ? Edited February 27, 201511 yr by Dave R
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