spritzer Posted November 22, 2013 Report Posted November 22, 2013 The SR-404 is identical and the SR-SC1 and SR-404LE are all similar sounding, though the latter are quite a bit superior.
John Buchanan Posted November 22, 2013 Report Posted November 22, 2013 I'd stay away from the SRM-600 given the very high failure rate. It's always the plate resistors that die so they could just be replaced but that's pretty much the amount of work needed to change a T1/006t to use ECC99's so hardly worth the price difference. The Koss isn't a bad choice. Simply upgrading the wall wart for the E/90 amp won't make a dramatic difference so your best bet is always a Stax amp. Even cheaper is the Stax SRS-2170 which is pretty much untouchable at that price. Sounds far better than the 307 too and the Japanese units are easy to use with a domestic 12VDC psu modified for the correct pinout. Any of the Lambda Nova units would also be a good choice but many of them aren't aging all that well. The adhesive used is acting up and the pleather parts are flaking or even worse. Some of my favorite headphones ever though and my main set these days is pretty much a Nova Signature. The Lambda Nova Signature is an excellent ear speaker. I would love to hear one on a BHSE.
nopants Posted November 22, 2013 Report Posted November 22, 2013 I'd stay away from the SRM-600 given the very high failure rate. It's always the plate resistors that die so they could just be replaced but that's pretty much the amount of work needed to change a T1/006t to use ECC99's so hardly worth the price difference. The Koss isn't a bad choice. Simply upgrading the wall wart for the E/90 amp won't make a dramatic difference so your best bet is always a Stax amp. Even cheaper is the Stax SRS-2170 which is pretty much untouchable at that price. Sounds far better than the 307 too and the Japanese units are easy to use with a domestic 12VDC psu modified for the correct pinout. Any of the Lambda Nova units would also be a good choice but many of them aren't aging all that well. The adhesive used is acting up and the pleather parts are flaking or even worse. Some of my favorite headphones ever though and my main set these days is pretty much a Nova Signature. Does that mean you've frankensteined a bunch of lambda parts together where the drivers are from an LNS?
shellylh Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 (edited) Birgir (and others): What is your thought on 207 vs 404LE and 323S vs 252S? I have a 404LE at home and have thought about getting a 323S or 252S to use with it for the office. Also, is the 207 better, worse or just different than the 404LE? I know you like the 207 quite a bit. Also curious about the comfort level of 207 vs 404LE. Do they use a different headband? The 404LE have leather earpads which should probably help with comfort. Edited November 23, 2013 by shellylh
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 (edited) Birgir (and others): What is your thought on 207 vs 404LE and 323S vs 252S? I have a 404LE at home and have thought about getting a 323S or 252S to use with it for the office. Also, is the 207 better, worse or just different than the 404LE? I know you like the 207 quite a bit. goddamnit shelly. The 404LE has chewed up my last few days. If you have one available? Here in our town? I just re thought everything. (whispering) Hey, Shelly ... Your so pretty... If you happen to have a 404LE for sale? Just let me know, okay? lol. Edited November 23, 2013 by s1rrah
shellylh Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Oops, yeah, in Houston. I guess I didn't think about whether you'd be interested in hearing it. Maybe I just like to mess with you. Nah, just getting old and forgetful.
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 @ Shellylh My previous comments were only regarding ear speakers. Just so you know. Oops, yeah, in Houston. I guess I didn't think about whether you'd be interested in hearing it. Maybe I just like to mess with you. Nah, just getting old and forgetful. Sorry, chica ... Just being careful ...
HeadphoneAddict Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Does that mean you've frankensteined a bunch of lambda parts together where the drivers are from an LNS? If I recall, Birgir has LNS drivers in his HE-90's
spritzer Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Yup that's it. A couple of drivers that most people would have thrown out fitted to the most expensive frame money can't buy. Birgir (and others): What is your thought on 207 vs 404LE and 323S vs 252S? I have a 404LE at home and have thought about getting a 323S or 252S to use with it for the office. Also, is the 207 better, worse or just different than the 404LE? I know you like the 207 quite a bit. Also curious about the comfort level of 207 vs 404LE. Do they use a different headband? The 404LE have leather earpads which should probably help with comfort. The 404LE is a bit more refined but the tone is similar. The 323S is the better amp than the 252S but the small one is damn good for something so tiny. The major limitations don't show up until you start to push it. Same headband used on both though the head pad is different. The earpads on the 207 are roughly the same thickness but vinyl so not as nice. The 207 is also a bit lighter given the less substantial cable.
shellylh Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 OK, doesn't sound like there is any reason to get the 207 then.
spritzer Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Nope, except our mantra of MOAR!!!! I've been on a bit of a counter swing to that today as I was doing some inventory and realized I had way too much crap. Assembling and testing Stax headphones from parts can be fun... until one doesn't work as it should. 1
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Oops, yeah, in Houston. I guess I didn't think about whether you'd be interested in hearing it. Maybe I just like to mess with you. Nah, just getting old and forgetful. When I settle on an amp, we'll have to get together (and you can then sell me the LE's at a "local" rate!) ... ;-) ... I'm pretty sure I'll already love them as I really liked the 303's and from what I've read (literally, five days worth of reading) ... I think the 404LE's will trump the 303's. More and more, I'm leaning towards investing in a NIB Koss ESP950 and a SRM-323S solid state amp (I still have the SR-307's). I'll have to source an adapter for the Koss cans but that shouldn't be too bad; I certainly won't be making one myself!). As my $$$ piles up, I keep thinking I'd like to keep the dynamic setup and just add the electrostats to it. Hmmmmmm ... chew chew chew ... we'll see! ;-)
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 You can have the supplied extension cable modified to be an adapter, no biggie. Brilliant!!! I didn't even think about the extension cable angle! Wow .. that's a relief. I didn't want to hard mod the Koss phones for obvious, warranty related reasons ... ...
shellylh Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 When I settle on an amp, we'll have to get together (and you can then sell me the LE's at a "local" rate!) ... ;-) ... I'm pretty sure I'll already love them as I really liked the 303's and from what I've read (literally, five days worth of reading) ... I think the 404LE's will trump the 303's. More and more, I'm leaning towards investing in a NIB Koss ESP950 and a SRM-323S solid state amp (I still have the SR-307's). I'll have to source an adapter for the Koss cans but that shouldn't be too bad; I certainly won't be making one myself!). As my $$$ piles up, I keep thinking I'd like to keep the dynamic setup and just add the electrostats to it. Hmmmmmm ... chew chew chew ... we'll see! ;-) Ha, that's assuming I want to sell...
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Ha, that's assuming I want to sell... (hypnotizing hand gestures) You will sell ... You will sell ... You will sell ... ...
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Ha, that's assuming I want to sell... Seriously, though??? (if such a thing is possible) ... I just bought a Koss ESP-950 that comes with a Stax modified extension cable; which means I can now find a Stax amp to use with it (and my 307's for now).
shellylh Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 (edited) Based on what I have read, if I were in your position, I would get the SRM-323s. Accoding the Spritzer the little amp 252s is very good and cheap but I believe it has a wall wart which might bother you. If you are interested in buying one new, Justin/Headamp sells them cheaper than Elusive Disk (same price as Yama) and ships fast. http://www.headamp.com/order/index.htm Edited November 23, 2013 by shellylh
spritzer Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 The 323S would be an excellent choice. Only upgrade to that at a sane price would be any of the T1/006t amps upgraded to ECC99 or the TOTL amps from Stax modified. Speaking of which, the modified SRM-007tII doesn't have a chance in hell of driving these Sigma Nova Signatures... Too tired to fire up the BHSE though.
VPI Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 I have enjoyed the 323s the few times I have listened to mine. Was really just a temporary thing while I waited for the BHSE but I really have not had any desire to listen in months so it sits unused. Maybe I will listen to some Stax tonight.
s1rrah Posted November 23, 2013 Report Posted November 23, 2013 Based on what I have read, if I were in your position, I would get the SRM-323s. Accoding the Spritzer the little amp 252s is very good and cheap but I believe it has a wall wart which might bother you. If you are interested in buying one new, Justin/Headamp sells them cheaper than Elusive Disk (same price as Yama) and ships fast. http://www.headamp.com/order/index.htm Once the smoke settles from the Koss purchase (which is done) .. then I will most likely follow your advice and get the 323s amp .. which was my own advice, too .. but just thought I'd re type it all for drama's sake. ;-) ... 1
s_r Posted November 25, 2013 Report Posted November 25, 2013 So I've detected some low level hissing/noise on my SR-507s left channel. Not sure what to blame since I don't have other amps to check if it's something with my kgsshv. The noise persists even when I unplug them (stops when I discharge the pins though), so I don't think it's the amp at least. Any ideas?
spritzer Posted November 25, 2013 Report Posted November 25, 2013 Only one cause for that, there is some dust that has entered the driver. Takes a lot of patience and skill to get rid of that. Pretty much impossible in the standard Lambda drivers prior to this generation... Spent most of yesterday looking for that in the number of sets I'm about to put up for sale.
s_r Posted November 25, 2013 Report Posted November 25, 2013 I was worried it'd be that, oh well. At least the noise is very quiet. I don't suppose I could ask you to take them from me to get rid of the dust could I? I should be getting their replacement from PJ in a few weeks anyway.
spritzer Posted November 25, 2013 Report Posted November 25, 2013 Nope, I even hate doing that to my own sets. One set I'm about to sell has this in both drivers but I just can't get rid of it. Still it's not always there and this is with the glued Lambda drivers so almost impossible to clean.
s_r Posted November 25, 2013 Report Posted November 25, 2013 Is it even worth sending them in to stax to get them repaired? Or would they just replace the drivers (for however many hundred dollars it costs to do so)?
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now