The Headcase Stax thread

[DefQon]

I have a gut feeling on a new Lambda range or model or TOTL model for the Lambda series. As for the companies new flagship, who knows.

Edited September 24, 2015 by DefQon

[comzee]

Registered just to ask this question

I've posted on Head-FI here and there, but upon lurking, the people here seem... more articulated.

 

I have Master 7 DAC from Kingwa, unfortunately his website failed to mention anything about controlling the preamp volume / add-ons you could get. The M7 preamp is stuck at max power, unless I send it back to Kingwa to get volume integrated inline (thinking total cost around $350 because of shipping).

The crux of my issue is preamp volume control wouldn't effect SQ (but I don't have that option...yet) and software volume control does, so I'm at an impasse.

 

I've never had a big problem with this because I was using the 2.5v stereo output for my previous rig, now I'm using the 5v balanced out with my amp (I got a Carbon from Spritzer). To break down the first 4 volume notches on the Carbon, .75 into the first notch the right cup spins up, another .75 (at notch 1.5 now) the left comes into full balance. To me, comfortable listening is notch 2.5 - 3. What's disconcerting to me is that the volume has 21 notches.

The point is I'm working within an extremely narrow band to control comfortable listening levels. Between notch 2-4 for a maximum range of volume. This leads to my ultimate question. I know there's a difference between headphone volume, and how "driven" the headphones are. I guess I don't particularly mind being contained within a narrow band of volume control, but I'm worried that maybe the amp isn't giving it's maximum potential?

To make this more clear, on a scale of 1-100. Preamp is 100, making me put my amp at 15. Would I get better SQ if my preamp was set at 50 and my amp set at 50? If what I'm experiencing is a problem, I'm going to bite the bullet and send my M7 to get volume control.

Edited September 24, 2015 by comzee

[grawk]

If your preamp isn't overloading the input on your amp, using the amp's volume control won't degrade sound quality.

[skullguise]

Agree with Dan.  And if there is an issue with volume range between steps, you might consider some XLR attenuators inline, much cheaper than adding the volume control.  Not sure they'd be great for signal quality, but may help....

[comzee]

@skullguise

Interesting idea. I definitely would like more physical knob movement for volume control. Literally moving the knob millimeters to get the exact volume I want is... less then ideal. Although it's extremely accurate and capable of such things, it feels like I'm performing surgery every time I want to switch volumes.

Not sure if it's just me, but I also do hear a recess is clarity when I use software volume control. Most likely the reason is because I use Tidal, better programs like jriver etc.. might digitally control the volume much better. 

I found these that appear to have good reviews, but if it decreases the SQ at all.... idk?

[dripf]

So what is the intent of these new lambda drivers? Is it designed to increase the stiffness of the electrode, or is it an attempt to make the high frequency drive more uniform across the membrane?

[spritzer]

Stiffer stators but still encased in that plastic housing...  Yeah, not the best plan. 

[Cucera]

I was at the Canjam Europe last Sunnday and was amazed to find that malvalve had developed some Elektrostatic drivers, that were able to put out some real Bass and high resolution.. If he finds someone (I recommended him the right person, but he despises him) who is able to design a good Housing this will be 009/007 Territory. And he plans a Headamp 4 with >2400V stator to stator based on KT77. When he started on topology it seemed to me he has studied Kevins Designs.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2015 by Cucera

[DefQon]

Look at the size of them. Size comparable to the Jecklin Floats.

KGST's starting to surface in Japan:

http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/k198381037

http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/e168977315

And then there is this one:

http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/p491700709

I know the seller won them on an auction last year for about 50000 yen but I did not expect it to have a custom RK50AX2 pot fitted inside?

Don't know any other round pots (other then a few custom ones from Taiwan) that are brass or gold like the RK50...

Edited October 1, 2015 by DefQon

[Laowei]

Looks like a TKD P65CS stepped attenuator

http://www.tkd-corp.com/products/att/pdf/p65cs-e.pdf 

 

[spritzer]

Those KGST's make me feel ashamed that my boards are used in such a way. 

[arnaud]

Of interest: http://www.fujiya-avic.jp/blog/?p=20418

[labrat]

Looks like new Case holder.

New Electrostatic elements.

No foam inside speakers.

Everything else looks like present SR-507.

Edited October 1, 2015 by labrat
Mistyping!

[spritzer]

Yeah, pretty much as boring as it can be.  Finally putting balanced connectors on an already balanced amp... 

[JimL]

On another subject, I bought a normal bias jack off of ebay from this seller in Estonia:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stax-Headphones-Kopfhorer-Earspeaker-Normal-Bias-Socket-Jack-Chassis-Panel-Mount-/181879564971?hash=item2a58ddeaab

They are delrin, the fit is a bit snug but after pushing the back end of a drill bit into them a couple times I was able to push a normal bias Stax plug into and out of them with just a bit more force than with the HeadAmp jacks.  They seem like a good bet if you're building an amp with normal bias, since Justin (HeadAmp) isn't selling normal bias jacks any more.  He also sells pro bias jacks.  On the upside they're less expensive, on the downside there are striations (machining marks?) across the front, they are delrin rather than teflon, they are black (or very dark gray) and the HeadAmp jacks just look nicer IMHO.

[wink]

http://www.fujiya-avic.jp/blog/?p=20418

[dh]

...

I found these that appear to have good reviews, but if it decreases the SQ at all.... idk?

This is what you need:

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Resolution-Computer-Independent-Analog-Control/dp/B001PGMNRG

I love mine -- smooth, noiseless, and purely passive analog.

[mwl168]

http://www.fujiya-avic.jp/blog/?p=20418

Very interesting! Looks like these new headphones are expected to be officially on the market in Japan by end of October.  

[Laowei]

FYI, PJ now has the Stax SR-L700 for presale on their site. Shipping on October 23rd. 

[bellhead]

I see there is a Carbon mini. What are the dimensions/weight? Thx.

[spritzer]

FYI, PJ now has the Stax SR-L700 for presale on their site. Shipping on October 23rd. 

I'm probably going to order one soon. 

I see there is a Carbon mini. What are the dimensions/weight? Thx.

It is roughly 330mm wide, 360mm deep and 100mm tall.  Weight is about 8kg. 

[Laowei]

I'm probably going to order one soon. 

I ordered one today, but leave on a two week business trip on October 22.

When you get yours, please post your impressions here so I can read about them first. 

[nopants]

do you guys think the lr 500 and 700 share the same driver?

[Laowei]

http://m.av.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20151002_723926.html

From the photos, the SR-L500 looks like a conventional Lamda driver. The SR-L700 driver looks like a Lamda crossed with SR-009  stators. 

Edited October 10, 2015 by Laowei

[arnaud]

L700 housing pictures make it appear like the driver is angled a bit, much less than a sigma but a few mm. Hard to tell for L500, maybe it's just the pictures.

L-700

L-500