The Headcase Stax thread

[spritzer]

Patience, patience. There's a slowly developing plan regarding long-term stat amplification.

I hope you've finally come to your senses and dropped all of this DIY nonsense and just got the best there is, a Rudistor Coriolan 2. I mean how can you go wrong with something as advanced...

[catscratch]

I hope you've finally come to your senses and dropped all of this DIY nonsense and just got the best there is, a Rudistor Coriolan 2. I mean how can you go wrong with something as advanced...

PFFT. Quite clearly the Proline 750 has Unique Surround Sound Effect Technology , and you should forget those dinky Koss and go with the real thing. Mr Pinna said so, and he's never wrong!

[spritzer]

PFFT. Quite clearly the Proline 750 has Unique Surround Sound Effect Technology , and you should forget those dinky Koss and go with the real thing. Mr Pinna said so, and he's never wrong!

Don''t even bring up that fucktard. Back when HF had some balls an idiot like that would have been banned for spamming everywhere but now...

I never looked at that Rudistor monstrosity before but it's nice to see that Rudi has decided to add a second parallel connected 6SN7 to his crappy Egmont Signature and jack up the price by 2000

[Torpedo]

Hi Spritzer,

As I commented on another post elsewhere, I'm considering to set up an electrostatic rig based on Omega II cans (not sure mk1 or mk2 so far). Living in Europe and being already a Rudi user, the Egmont was one of the options I'd be looking at to amplify the Omegas. Would you please elaborate why IYO is the Egmont a rip off and deserving criticism? Is it just for being very expensive using mid-fi parts and not being innovative in its circuit design, or it also has sound issues which don't make it any better than the Stax amps?

Rgrds

[Cankin]

What do you guys think about this combo?

AudiogoN ForSale: Stax Signature System II

[deepak]

I hate the SR-404 so much. Koss ESP/950 system >>>>> that shit.

[catscratch]

I hate the SR-404 so much. Koss ESP/950 system >>>>> that shit.

Lol. I wouldn't use the word "hate" but I don't like it very much either. That midrange just completely ruins whatever else the cans do well... I can't believe I had the patience to live with them for over a year, and try time and again to turn them into something presentable.

Too bad, because if the midrange was linear, they really would be very good.

I second not getting a 404 if at all possible. Just get the amp, get your Koss, and get them reterminated to a Stax plug. And up the bias voltage on the amp if possible.

I'm thinking of picking up an ESP950 to play with, if only because that horrid E-90 box is mobile (and because of the possibility of other potential mobile ways to drive them... but shhhhh, I'm not allowed to say anything yet!)

P.S. how is the midrange on that 950? If it's anything like the A250 it's probably not up my alley, but if on the other hand it's closer to the O2, then I'm going to like it a lot.

[deepak]

I'm thinking of picking up an ESP950 to play with, if only because that horrid E-90 box is mobile (and because of the possibility of other potential mobile ways to drive them... but shhhhh, I'm not allowed to say anything yet!)

P.S. how is the midrange on that 950? If it's anything like the A250 it's probably not up my alley, but if on the other hand it's closer to the O2, then I'm going to like it a lot.

I have never heard the A250 (didn't really buy into to the fotm when people were hyping them up to me amazing).

It's hard for me to describe the ESP/950 midrange, it's closest to the Sennheiser HE60 if you've heard those. Otherwise I can't offer much in the way of opinion

[MaloS]

I have never heard the A250 (didn't really buy into to the fotm when people were hyping them up to me amazing).

It's hard for me to describe the ESP/950 midrange, it's closest to the Sennheiser HE60 if you've heard those. Otherwise I can't offer much in the way of opinion

It is a tad try, but maintains great presence and is rather even. HE60 is actually a good point of comparison, I agree.

[deepak]

It is a tad try, but maintains great presence and is rather even. HE60 is actually a good point of comparison, I agree.

Are you talking about the A250 or the ESP/950?

[MaloS]

Are you talking about the A250 or the ESP/950?

ESP. A250 is bordering treble-heavy at times, I am not particularly a fan of it, although I recognize that at the price it went before it was discontinued, it was pretty damn good.

[spritzer]

Hi Spritzer,

As I commented on another post elsewhere, I'm considering to set up an electrostatic rig based on Omega II cans (not sure mk1 or mk2 so far). Living in Europe and being already a Rudi user, the Egmont was one of the options I'd be looking at to amplify the Omegas. Would you please elaborate why IYO is the Egmont a rip off and deserving criticism? Is it just for being very expensive using mid-fi parts and not being innovative in its circuit design, or it also has sound issues which don't make it any better than the Stax amps?

Rgrds

I'm way too tired to go into all of this now but he's just selling the same crap over and over again in a new 30

[Torpedo]

Thxs for the reply. I assume you've seen the insides and also tried it.

To drive the Omegas I'd get the 717, it's my first affordable and safe option. I lived for some time with the 404/006t combo, and wasn't very pleased. I didn't like the 3030 system, but for different reasons. I suppose the OII/717 should be a different animal.

I've had a look inside my RPX-100. Not a technician myself, so I cannot judge the circuit and its implementation. IMHO build quality ain't that bad, maybe it could use more boutique parts for the price, but there aren't crappy ones either but for the phones outputs.

Sound-wise it's quite OK, it can drive any phones I plug in and doesn't exhibit easily noticeable flaws. In fact it has some sort of musical flow preservation that I like. Of course I think it's overpriced, but most hifi stuff with some pretentiousness is. Nontheless I'm glad I got it used, had I paid full price maybe I'd be a bit disappointed. After all building a power amp to deliver 1w, 2w @ 30R keeping the signal path clean and simple shouldn't be that difficult nor that expensive.

Rgrds

[luvdunhill]

Thxs for the reply. I assume you've seen the insides and also tried it.

To drive the Omegas I'd get the 717, it's my first affordable and safe option. I lived for some time with the 404/006t combo, and wasn't very pleased. I didn't like the 3030 system, but for different reasons. I suppose the OII/717 should be a different animal.

I've had a look inside my RPX-100. Not a technician myself, so I cannot judge the circuit and its implementation. IMHO build quality ain't that bad, maybe it could use more boutique parts for the price, but there aren't crappy ones either but for the phones outputs.

Sound-wise it's quite OK, it can drive any phones I plug in and doesn't exhibit easily noticeable flaws. In fact it has some sort of musical flow preservation that I like. Of course I think it's overpriced, but most hifi stuff with some pretentiousness is. Nontheless I'm glad I got it used, had I paid full price maybe I'd be a bit disappointed. After all building a power amp to deliver 1w, 2w @ 30R keeping the signal path clean and simple shouldn't be that difficult nor that expensive.

Rgrds

[spritzer]

Thxs for the reply. I assume you've seen the insides and also tried it.

To drive the Omegas I'd get the 717, it's my first affordable and safe option. I lived for some time with the 404/006t combo, and wasn't very pleased. I didn't like the 3030 system, but for different reasons. I suppose the OII/717 should be a different animal.

I've had a look inside my RPX-100. Not a technician myself, so I cannot judge the circuit and its implementation. IMHO build quality ain't that bad, maybe it could use more boutique parts for the price, but there aren't crappy ones either but for the phones outputs.

Sound-wise it's quite OK, it can drive any phones I plug in and doesn't exhibit easily noticeable flaws. In fact it has some sort of musical flow preservation that I like. Of course I think it's overpriced, but most hifi stuff with some pretentiousness is. Nontheless I'm glad I got it used, had I paid full price maybe I'd be a bit disappointed. After all building a power amp to deliver 1w, 2w @ 30R keeping the signal path clean and simple shouldn't be that difficult nor that expensive.

Rgrds

I haven't tried the Egmont and will hopefully never touch one built by Rudi. I do have the schematic and I'm building one with a far better PSU then the crap Rudi uses and not the cheapest possible parts.

About the RPX-100... You have Casino access so go search for it there. It has quite possibly the worst PCB design seen in the last 25 years and those output capacitors aren't doing the crap circuitry any favors. Elna's aren't that expensive but it's clear that he just doesn't care to spend anything more then the bare minimum. If you like your amp then that's fine and don't let me stop you but you should compare it to something excellent like the B22 or a Dynahi. Now lets talk about something that doesn't involve people trying to rip you off...

[Torpedo]

LOL Thxs for the reply Spritzer

I wish I could try a B22, but unless I get someone to build me one for 230V and pay for it completely blindly, I don't think I ever can. AFAIK there's not a single one in Spain.

Rgrds

[spritzer]

LOL Thxs for the reply Spritzer

I wish I could try a B22, but unless I get someone to build me one for 230V and pay for it completely blindly, I don't think I ever can. AFAIK there's not a single one in Spain.

Rgrds

Most of the B22's use an off the shelf transformer and they almost always have a dual primary i.e. two 117v windings which are parallel connected for US voltage but can be connected in series for 230v. That's exactly what I did with mine.

The B22 sounds great but it is also versatile and can drive speakers and Stax transformers with ease.

[deepak]

Can't wait to hear the B22

[naamanf]

Most of the B22's use an off the shelf transformer and they almost always have a dual primary i.e. two 117v windings which are parallel connected for US voltage but can be connected in series for 230v. That's exactly what I did with mine.

The B22 sounds great but it is also versatile and can drive speakers and Stax transformers with ease.

When I built the last four B22s two of them were for 230v. Anybody that can build a 110v B22 should be able to build a 230V one. It can even be made switchable with a IEC that can switch between 230V and 110V.

[MaloS]

While we are on topic of B22 - for a 4-channel build, how many Sigma boards would be reasonable in order to power SRD-7 pro?

[naamanf]

I would go with two PS boards to be safe.

[grawk]

4, 1 per b22 board overkill ftw

[MaloS]

4, 1 per b22 board overkill ftw

I need to run one SRD-7 pro, not 4 of them ;-) (although 8-stat parallel action sounds pretty tasty)

[dvse]

I use zip-ties to secure the cables, one closer to the opening and a second directly above it on the cable for extra protection. I use pliers to grip the free end and the lock at the same time for a tight fit. Here is a pic of my SR-X Mk3 Pro:

Thanks a lot! But now that I've received my pair I'm hesitant to mod them because it is actually an SR-X Mk2 rather than Mk3, which was advertised, and near perfect cosmetically as well. Sound is also surprisingly smooth and pleasant (if somewhat midrange centric), even out of an onboard soundcard through an SRM-313 in my office set-up - I easily prefer them to SR-003

Is it correct that these use the same driver as SR-3 but in a more rigid metal housing?

One more question, would SR-Sigma earpads from audiocubes fit on a Lambda - they are the cheapest and as far as I can gather Stax has 'rationalized' the earpad types for discontinued models.

[spritzer]

Thanks a lot! But now that I've received my pair I'm hesitant to mod them because it is actually an SR-X Mk2 rather than Mk3, which was advertised, and near perfect cosmetically as well. Sound is also surprisingly smooth and pleasant (if somewhat midrange centric), even out of an onboard soundcard through an SRM-313 in my office set-up - I easily prefer them to SR-003

I've had a few of those and they are very nice indeed (I'd like to find a Mk1 though... ) and will give you a taste of the vintage Stax sound. The Mk3 is better all round (the headband is also less fragile) but I've never liked them as much as the Mk2.

Is it correct that these use the same driver as SR-3 but in a more rigid metal housing?

The housing is plastic like all of the SR-X's though the drivers are mounted to an aluminum "cup" which sits on the plastic frame. The drivers are very similar to the SR-3 units but I don't remember if they are identical. \

One more question, would SR-Sigma earpads from audiocubes fit on a Lambda - they are the cheapest and as far as I can gather Stax has 'rationalized' the earpad types for discontinued models.

They will fit (slightly shorter) but since the Sigma pads are completely flat they will alter the sound as much of the Lambdas sound staging ability is down to the pads. The Sigma pads available are identical to the old stuff and the only pads they have "tampered" with are the SR-Ω units as well as dropped some. You'll get a PM now for a place that has cheap-ish Stax pads...