The Stax I thread

Dang, the translation wasn't worth a damn but those were some cool pictures of Stax central.

 

They've been claiming that a new top end amp was in the works for years now. Let's hope that the 80th is really a target release!

 

There are lots of folks who have gone the conerter route and talked about great results. IMHO, the 007 is not a great candidate to be driven by the converter.

It might hold you over while you buy or build an amp, but consider your experience with the 950... if you set yourself up to be underwhelmed you are likely to be underwhelmed.

 

As for pricing, if STAX doens't do something completely crazy they could come in with something "reasonably" priced compared to Senny and HiFiman. The key is that they come up with something that sounds good enough to be worth the price. Does STAX have the right inovators still? I'd like to think the positive reception of the new L Lambdas means they do.

 

I'm guessing that they'll go up from the 009 prices. High price means it must be good right? But if they make a subtle increase they'll still be light years away from the other crazy offerings and they might sell a hell of a lot more. But it's got to sound good!

 

Indeed, this has been whispered about for a while now. Nice to see yet more confirmation.

Supposedly:
-SR-007 will be retired
-SR-009 will take its place as the "lower tier flagship"
-A new flagship will replace the SR-009. Maybe an "SR-011" or something.
-New statement amp for the new flagship.

 

My prediction for the new flagship amp + headphones will be around $10k. Let's see how close I am.

 

That $10k feels about right @MuppetFace. And with things like the Focal and Abyss already setting the mark it's not hard to think of this as "reasonable" compared to $50+ for the Senn and well north of $30-45k hiFiMan offerings... IF it ahs the sound to back up the price tag. I'm looking forward to finding out.

 

Do you ever “read” yourself out of enjoying a headphone? I’ve done it on more than one occasion. Lately it’s been the STAX 009.

I see them sitting idle and I fixate on the latest negative impression I’ve stumbled across. “Too bright.” “No bass.” “Too forward.” “Thin.” “Plastic timbre.” “Too expensive.” “Needs an uber amp.” Fill in the blank here with many of the other criticisms that have been handed down.

Most of these comments seem to come from folks making impressions at meets or speculating because they heard a SR-307 that they can now interpolate what the 009 sounds like. It’s no surprise to me that the most expensive headphone in the line up is probably one of the most polarizing as well.

The net noise creates a bias in spite of my own listening experience that keeps me from wanting to listen to this headphone.

With the N3erling HE-90 clone inbound I have been spending some time with a few stats that I hadn’t listened to in a while. Knowing I have a short time with the clone, I want my own impressions fresh in my mind.

So today, and tonight, I’ve been listening to the 009. I’m using my typical stat rig (Mac Mini Music Server using BitPerfect for playback -> dCS Debussy -> BHSE). I’m reminded why the 009 has been heralded as one of the best headphones ever. I recall why so many experienced folks in this hobby have spent time with it as their headphone of choice; building serious systems around it.

This headphone can impress. Bass extension and texture defy the typical stat stereotypes and instead offers dynamics and slam that rival the best headphones out there. I know many won’t agree, but the midrange is stunning, and there is nothing plastic about how real these vocals sound. The natural treble coupled with the speed of the stats always impresses me. One of the most important traits for me is coherence, and few headphones can compare, let alone beat the 009.

There is a reason that some folks want to listen to nothing else once they have the 009. They get hooked on what it does right, and what it does right is pretty darned good.

Sounds like it can do no wrong? Right? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. If it were that easy I’d only own a single headphone. The 009 is not without flaws. It can be quite forward and leans towards thin for me. A little too much of a “hi-fi” sound. It’s such an intense presentation that I find it to be a little too much for really long extended listening sessions, especially when listening volumes are pushed up. It does better with some genres than with others, which is something that I find hard to forgive in a headphone.

But make no mistake, and don’t take my criticisms too far, this is a world-class headphone. At this level we expect nothing but the best, and we pick apart even the smallest deficiencies.

It’s not the headphone for everyone, but for some it’s the only headphone.

These flaws, these small issues, are enough to send some enthusiast, who are on the never ending journey for the best, for “the end game”, to move on, but few walk away not singing it’s praises.
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/electrostatic-vs-everything-else.143/#post-2673
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/electrostatic-vs-everything-else.143/page-2#post-2949


So tonight I let my own ears recall why I love the 009. It really is an amazing headphone. I also remember why it’s not the only headphone I own.

As I sit and listen, it reminds me why I still enjoy this hobby. If you’re open to it, there’s a lot more learning to be done. There is so much great gear available to us that lets us really hear the music we love.

Tonight I’m putting the net bias aside and rediscovering the 009, but most of all I’m enjoying the music.

Peace out.

 

@stratocaster : lambda normal bias and srm1 would be my choice. Hands down.

 

The normal bias Lambda is still one of the best Lambdas you can buy. Period. It's fantastic. Definitely makes for a nice first stat.

However I'm not sure the SRM-1 with two normal bias sockets is the best option for future exploration. However at that price, I'd say go for it, if you are willing to possibly get a better amp in the future (like a T1 or something).

Another thing to consider. You can find used SRS-2050 and SR-2157 systems (with the SR-202 / 207) for reasonable prices if you're patient. I'm sure some used SRS-3100s will pop up too in the not too distant future.

The L300 really is an amazing headphone.

 

Please, let us shed the "playnar" meme once and for all.
It's "planar."

Stats are planars too, really.