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During the summers, I run a summer school, and leave my house and listening room to live in on a campus. I bring a turntable, maybe 50 records, a hard drive full of lossless, and now even some high resolution, digital files (I use a MacBook into a Musical Fidelity V-Link into a Benchmark DAC-1). It is a nice way to have music during these stressful months. And for various reasons, it is an all-headphone time.
I am using a Scott 299A as an integrated amplifier, and I also have my Grado headphone amp, to which I connect GS 1000 phones. The turntable goes into the Scott, and the tape out goes to the Grado. It sounds good with that combo.
But I'm pleasantly surprised at the sound I get when I run my old Stax SR 80 'phones into the SRD 4 converter, which goes into the speaker outputs. I get to have the tube output as part of the mix, and I like the combination a great deal. I'm wondering if anything else in Stax's line allows me to use my own amp, as opposed to one of their dedicated units? Is the SRD converter good enough that I could use it with a better Stax headset that works on the same principle as the SR 80 "electret" type? Or does one have to upgrade the converter box as you get better headsets?
Thanks,
David
Follow Ups:
I got them free from a co worker a few years ago.
They need an amp to work also.
They are worth about $350 for the set as noted on eBay when i checked prices.
The Stax SR Lambda are the original great earspeakers. The box with the ones I have is just the box for adding the earspeakers to an amp.
My 'regular earphones are Sennheiser HD800 via a Rudistor RPX33mk2, so I do not know if the Stax would be better, or just a different flavor.
I am not likely to stick them on my current amp, and am probably going to look for a small nice amp just for the Stax and box.
It's funny--I also have the very Audio Technica's you mention--and I like them as well. Best value in a full size headphone that I've met.
.
I had a pair Stax Sr-80's a long time ago and the convertor box did not work with true electrostatic headphones. There's a strightforward explanation on Headwize (just google it) that might bring some clarity to the issues involved. I did like the electrets but they are nowhere near the experience of the Stax higher end electrostatics, imho.
Thanks for that Headwize lead--I'll read it. I guess what I mean is that the true electrostatics seem to need a corresponding Stax amp. I just didn't know if the SR 80 was the best of the electret style. I can't afford the electrostatics at this point (and I believe you when you say they are way better), so I'm just looking for a little bump in quality.
Thanks again,
David
Yes, probably the best I've heard of that type headphone. Also, yes, Stax electrostatic HP require a specific amp to drive them. And, yes they can be quite expensive. Right now I've opted to go cheap on the HP front and use Audio Technica ATH-AD700 Headphones which are quite nice, easy to drive, have an expansive sense of space and can be had on Amazon for $76, shipped. They however are not as deetailed and transparent as electrostatics. If I remember correctly, I like them better than the Stax electret. HP's have come a ways since the SR-80's were current. It is fun to listen to all sorts of vintage equipment, each component usually has its charms. Enjoy!Bill
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