Electrostatic Vs Everything Else

Discussion in 'Headphones' started by Rotijon, Oct 6, 2015.

  1. takato14

    takato14 God of Ruin

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    654
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Michigan, USA
    The only "true" electrostat I've heard was a Stax SR-X MKIII (NB) with what was possibly a malfunctioning SRD-7SB attached to a $20 Chinese Class T amp from Amazon. Harsher highs have never been heard before.

    But I have played around with a Toshiba HR-810, which is a bipolar back-electret and essentially capable of the same performance level as a full electrostat. With mods I was able to get slamming bass out of it (!!!) without sacrificing tightness. It was a very nice headphone, one I probably should not have sold, but it was still "missing something" that was keeping me from getting involved in the music. Something I had plenty of in my Sansui SS-100 (ortho) and Pioneer Monitor 10-II (dynamic).

    *shrug*
     
  2. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

    Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Hi folks, sorry to bother you guys. Someone who owns a 60KG Japanese cd-transport and a expensive (about $20k) DAC from the same brand, a pair of Sr-009s, and a Stax-717 (bypass) with a $20k Preamp and a bunch of $10k cables. He said the 717 + $$$ Preamp combo sounds (much much) better than the BHSE/Electra with the same spinner/dac. Gee, is this true?
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2016
  3. n3rdling

    n3rdling Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    929
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Of course not, he's just married to his preamp.
     
  4. Griffon

    Griffon 2nd biggest asshole on SBAF

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,309
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Hipster capital of Canada
    Stop speculating spending big money equals having legit experience.
     
  5. mtoc

    mtoc SBAF's Resident Shit-Stirrer

    Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2015
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    28
    lol, that guy just upgraded to the $165k many-piece transport/DAC combo....
     
  6. HitmanFluffy

    HitmanFluffy Hoping to see real genitals someday!

    Anti-SBAF PSYOPS Banned
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,532
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Austin, Texas
    Noone cares and quit messing up the thread.
     
  7. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    261
    Trophy Points:
    63
    I remember reading a post by birgir that the 009's had some changes a 2-3 years ago, that made the highs less sharp, does anyone know which year the changes were made or a link to his post? Ive been looking for that post for some time.

    Just putting this out there just in case anyone is looking for a 009 like me.

    EDIT: In case anyone is curious, birgir confirmed that the ones past march 2014 definitely have changes made to the 009.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2016
  8. 4x0

    4x0 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Allegedly there were also four silent revisions of the SR-007Mk1, three of the SR-Omega and several for other models. Incidentally quite a few people don't seem to hear a difference among the silent revisions but I imagine Birgir's industry connections and propensity to dismantle these things afford him some exclusive insight.

    IMO electrostatics are a pretty dangerous game since they're more vulnerable to cognitive bias relative to the other transducer types. The most well-known electrostatic pairings are hilariously expensive, prompting (mis)attribution of price to quality and aggravating post-purchase rationalization. There are just a few opinion leaders that are extremely influential, easily capable of disparaging nonconformist products/people to the point of financial/reputational ruin. Add to that a small and easily impressionable market and, well, stats are serious business.

    I'll take a good HD 800 over a KGSSHV + SR-009, but I prefer the SR-Omega or HE60 over either (even on a crappy stat amp). While I consider the SR-007 to be too unremarkable and the SR-009 to be too annoying, some electrostats are just really special.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2016
  9. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    332
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Pretoria, South Africa
    Hey all,

    Have an opportunity to buy new old dealer stock Stax SRS-3170 combo for a very sweet price. Are these lower end Stax models worthwhile?
     
  10. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,923
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, MI
  11. shipsupt

    shipsupt Admin

    Staff Member Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,119
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bay Area CA
    Sweet price? Go for it. It's a solid combo. Is it the be all end all end game? Of course not... But for the right price why not?
     
  12. Scubadude

    Scubadude Almost "Made"

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2016
    Likes Received:
    332
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Pretoria, South Africa
    Sweet the price is ... about half of the Massdrop price given current ZAR16/USD exchange rate. Maybe I should just give it a go ...
     
  13. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    Likes Received:
    89,771
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Padre Island CC TX
  14. Smitty

    Smitty Too good for bad vodka - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    562
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Ca$hburn, NoVA
    Go for it. It's not totl fantastic, but you'll not have problems getting rid of it if it's not your cup of tea.
     
  15. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,923
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, MI
    You must be forgeting the tachyon radiation that you emit to control all your minions brainwaves
     
  16. sorrodje

    sorrodje Carla Bruni's other lover - Friend

    Staff Member Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    2,812
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Dijon / Burgundy / France / EU
    Uh uh uh. That's a refreshing way to talk about stats (i personaly love).

    Entry level stax are absolute bargains that trounce shitloads of so called totl headphones. Go for that srm 3170!
     
  17. Rotijon

    Rotijon Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    261
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Its a good introduction to the stax airy and more natural sound, compared to the more solid sounding planar and dynamics. Try it out if you want.
     
  18. Whitigir

    Whitigir New

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    3
    This is very true ! Just finished my Carbon and believe it or not, BOM lists is only the minimal requirements. There are a lot more work involved. But DIY is very rewarding, headaches but fun. The best part of it is that I got to decide which parts I want to use. People who don't work on electronics will not know this, once in a first powered up, if something goes wrong, then manything will follow and it is a whole train wreck to be working around for .....more fun, if you are into these types of stuff. Especially, if something blow in your face, it wouldn't be fun....

     
  19. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9,024
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Amsterdam
    Home Page:
    At Canjam Europe in Essen I had the privilege of trying out many headphone set ups.

    If I were rich and did not have budget limits, a Stax rig would be in my house (007).

    Thing is I am not rich and I have a limited budget. So a modified HD650 or modified HD800 are pretty much end game for me.
     

Share This Page