The Headcase Stax thread

[Lil' Knight]

SRM-1 is not that bad with O2, it's not the best amp for it, but if you have a good source with a hot output it will work just fine.

Great to hear that

uhmm, what's a hot output?

[Lil' Knight]

thanks

btw, do I have to adjust the bias to use the srm-1 w/ the o2 or just plug-n-play?

[mypasswordis]

I'm pretty sure you can't adjust the bias on the SRM-1. The O2 just uses standard pro bias, 580V.

Also, it's reasonably listenable but just keep in mind you're amping a 1500 dollar TOTL headphone with a 300 dollar amp from the early 80s.

[GPH]

Lil' Knight, do you have a good speaker amp you can use? If it's the case, the Stax transformer boxes are nice budget option. I thought the O2 sounded better out of a SRD-7 Mk2 (using either Cambridge 840A or Quad II as speaker amp) than a SRM-T1 or SRM-007t. By "sounded better", I mean it had more dynamics and punch and it had a less sleepy sound than with the tube amps, with the sacrifice of some microdetails though.

[Voltron]

^^agreed. Or go with a 717 if you can find one for the time being.

[mirumu]

717s aren't as commonly available as they used to be. I've been keeping an eye out for them for a while now in case a bargain showed up, but I don't recall when I last even saw one for sale. Then again I don't trawl HF's for sale section.

[Lil' Knight]

Lil' Knight, do you have a good speaker amp you can use? If it's the case, the Stax transformer boxes are nice budget option. I thought the O2 sounded better out of a SRD-7 Mk2 (using either Cambridge 840A or Quad II as speaker amp) than a SRM-T1 or SRM-007t. By "sounded better", I mean it had more dynamics and punch and it had a less sleepy sound than with the tube amps, with the sacrifice of some microdetails though.

I don't have any speaker so no amp right now. I just wonder if I can use the speaker output from my M3 and then to the SRD-7?

I know someone (vvs_75, I think) using the B22+SRD-7 to drive his O2. So how does this compare with a dedicated Stax amp?

[spritzer]

Curiosity question: between the current-production 006tII, 007tII, and 727tII, which one is technically the best for the OII as a general comparison point against aftermarket non-Stax amps?

The 727 but I don't like how it sounds. It has the ability to push the SR-007 adds too much of it's own onto the music.

717s aren't as commonly available as they used to be. I've been keeping an eye out for them for a while now in case a bargain showed up, but I don't recall when I last even saw one for sale. Then again I don't trawl HF's for sale section.

They do show up from time to time in Japan but often bundled with an Omega.

[mirumu]

Yahoo Japan is definitely on my trawl list. Then again I tend to be there looking for other things anyway.

[faust3d]

I'm pretty sure you can't adjust the bias on the SRM-1. The O2 just uses standard pro bias, 580V.

Also, it's reasonably listenable but just keep in mind you're amping a 1500 dollar TOTL headphone with a 300 dollar amp from the early 80s.

Well it was once a TOL amp and sold for about the same money as T1 and 717, but that was back in the day. It's actually a very nice amp for any of the Lambdas, and as I said I think it is batter than any of new Stax solid state amps except the big 7XX models.

[Voltron]

Agreed. SRM-1 + Lambda Pro/Sigs = Goodness. Great budget rig. Not so for O2s to my experience, and I would think it wouldn't be worth the time or effort to go buy an SRM-1 to use with them. 007t with O2s is adequate even though not very satisfying.

[Currawong]

I wish my LNS had the detail of the O2s as they are lovely with the 007t. I've traded the fun of them off for the detail of the O2s though recently. I might use the LNS when I feel like being Shpongled or similar.

[luvdunhill]

I'm pretty sure you can't adjust the bias on the SRM-1.

what, does it have some sort of solder prevention circuit installed?

[mypasswordis]

Well, there is that route.

[vvs_75]

I don't have any speaker so no amp right now. I just wonder if I can use the speaker output from my M3 and then to the SRD-7?

I know someone (vvs_75, I think) using the B22+SRD-7 to drive his O2. So how does this compare with a dedicated Stax amp?

I used B22 + SRD-7mkII combo with ESP950. They sound better in every way than with stock Koss amp. You know that anything sound better than Koss amp. I never tried this combo with O2 or other headphone.

[n_maher]

I don't have any speaker so no amp right now. I just wonder if I can use the speaker output from my M3 and then to the SRD-7?

I know someone (vvs_75, I think) using the B22+SRD-7 to drive his O2. So how does this compare with a dedicated Stax amp?

Unless you have a balanced M

[spritzer]

He might get some sound from the transformers but that isn't good performance by any means. I'm also not sure the M3 will like the low impedance all that much.

[Lil' Knight]

Thanks all for the responses.

I've just contacted Craig to see if I can get a package of O2+007t from him.

[publiusenigma]

I have a Stax SR-X headphones and Stax SRA-3S that I'm going to sell. There is great condition.

Someone here listed the amp 600$. Yet, this poster from Iceland so haven't found out if that is in dollars.

Anyway, if interested, let me know.

[grawk]

read the pm you got when you registered, thanks

[spritzer]

With the modded SR-404 gone I needed a new project and seeing how a Mk1 SR-007 sounds with the Mk2 pads would be an ideal choice. I even took some pics of the installation... I've never installed a fresh set of Mk2 pads before and lets just say it is a fucking pain!!! The vinyl is too thick and not as easy to handle as the leather on the Mk1 pads.

I've used them for only a few minutes now but there seems to be some extra bass and no issues that I can detect.

[HeadphoneAddict]

With the modded SR-404 gone I needed a new project and seeing how a Mk1 SR-007 sounds with the Mk2 pads would be an ideal choice. I even took some pics of the installation... I've never installed a fresh set of Mk2 pads before and lets just say it is a fucking pain!!! The vinyl is too thick and not as easy to handle as the leather on the Mk1 pads.

I've used them for only a few minutes now but there seems to be some extra bass and no issues that I can detect.

Why do you think I haven't taken off the Mk2 pads a second time to do the port mod on the O2 Mk2 yet?

[Elephas]

You primates must have 10 thumbs. The Mk2 pads are so much easier than the Mk1 to install it's not even funny. The Mk1's flimsy, thin and soft wrap-around part is much more difficult to wrap into the housing.

Oops, aren't we not allowed to talk about O2 earpads anymore?

[Tachikoma]

I have no idea why people think O2 pads are difficult to install. It takes me no more than 5 minutes for each pad nowadays.

[The Monkey]

My O2 mk1 now has new pads, new headband, and a new arc assembly. The only thing keeping this O2 from being essentially mint is that I scratched/dinged the metal trying to remove that fucking headband. :faceplam:

These marks are very minor and are noticeable/material only to crazies like us, but they're there. Dos anyone have experience with minor repair/touch-ups on the metal part? Is it even possible to touch up?

And I'm also considering the pad swap because a) I'm curious and I think the mk2 pads are more comfy.