A S.E.X. for Stax. Putting the E back in sEx :)
- Thread starter johnsonad
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johnsonad
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At HF9, my sonic memory isn't the best so unless they were all side by side I woudn't want to say how different it sounds from the current Stax offerings. I did compare it against my power amp to the Stax SRD-7 transformer box tonight and the S.E.X. still has some break it ahead of it. I don't think this project is going to be the end all be all of Stax amps but does offer something a little different. I'm still happy with how it sounds but it isn't there yet after only 24 hours of burn in. I may roll some caps in the future to fine tune the sound.
The transformers were originally intended for the new SR45 design and still may move over to that amp when it is released.
At Fraggler, HF9 has it pretty close on cost. They were not cheap. There is no extra charge for the zero gap version. If I end up finding a better amp to try them in then the S.E.X. will go stock form.
The transformers were originally intended for the new SR45 design and still may move over to that amp when it is released.
At Fraggler, HF9 has it pretty close on cost. They were not cheap. There is no extra charge for the zero gap version. If I end up finding a better amp to try them in then the S.E.X. will go stock form.
johnsonad
New member
48 hours of burn in and the sound is improving. My biggest grip is with the highs and upper midrange. After doing some reading it seems Jon L ran into the same thing with the Audio Cap Theta's and bypassed them with Russian FT-1 Teflon caps. I ordered a few today and will report back as to how it makes an improvement. I'm considering using the ClarityCap MR series if the bypass doesn't give me the top end I'm looking for.
Tonight I listened to Bat For Lashes, The Haunted Man and Junior Boys, Begone Dull Care through this combo and both CD's sounded nice. This is very easy to listen to for extended periods of time.
Tonight I listened to Bat For Lashes, The Haunted Man and Junior Boys, Begone Dull Care through this combo and both CD's sounded nice. This is very easy to listen to for extended periods of time.
I think I might take a very different approach to an ESL headphone amp than modifying one of our existing designs. I'd have to do some calcs, but I should think the power bandwidth of something as small as a headphone panel wouldn't require much current. I'm thinking like a voltage quadrupler for volts and maybe like some 6BK4s for drive.
johnsonad
New member
Four days of break in and it's opening up nicely. It's very easy to listen to and has about as much top end as I would want. Transients and "air" could be a little better (but not much better) and I hope the FT-1 bypass caps will take care of that. I also ordered a pair of 18uF ClarityCap SA for the power supply.
I've owned a dozen high end pairs of headphones but got out of the revolving cycles a few years back. This is the first combo I've enjoyed for extended periods since my first combo (WA6/HD650) in 2006. I nit pick the details but I'm very happy with this combo and will continue to make small tweaks.
@Dan, PB had another design in mind using EF86's. I went with the S.E.X. because I needed something....... It would be cool if you guys could come up with a kit for the Stax crowd at some point. If you can afford Stax you can afford a nice kit
I've owned a dozen high end pairs of headphones but got out of the revolving cycles a few years back. This is the first combo I've enjoyed for extended periods since my first combo (WA6/HD650) in 2006. I nit pick the details but I'm very happy with this combo and will continue to make small tweaks.
@Dan, PB had another design in mind using EF86's. I went with the S.E.X. because I needed something....... It would be cool if you guys could come up with a kit for the Stax crowd at some point. If you can afford Stax you can afford a nice kit
johnsonad
New member
So grid chokes, from reading through past posts I was very worried about noise and hum pickup but in the S.E.X. they are quite easy to place. In my case I just super glued them to the plate chokes centering and lining up the laminations. In a standard S.E.X. they would mount on the OPT as an option.
Sound wise they increase resolution. Like getting a new prescription from your optometrist, you didn't realize things were a little fuzzy around the edges until you get the new glasses. The grid chokes are the new glasses. Decay, note sustain and air sound more realistic. They don't make a huge difference but they do make a difference for the better.
This still has a way to go. My SS amp and speakers continue to sound better than the S.E.X./Stax combo.
Sound wise they increase resolution. Like getting a new prescription from your optometrist, you didn't realize things were a little fuzzy around the edges until you get the new glasses. The grid chokes are the new glasses. Decay, note sustain and air sound more realistic. They don't make a huge difference but they do make a difference for the better.
This still has a way to go. My SS amp and speakers continue to sound better than the S.E.X./Stax combo.
johnsonad
New member
Rio (my wife) and I were having issues with the sound today going back in forth between the speakers and headphones. Voices were great but piano in the 300-500Hz range was off as were strings in the upper range. As I'm waiting on caps to roll anyway I swapped the 0.47uF Audio Caps for the 1uF Auricaps. This made a large improvement in the overall sound. I never thought cap rolling could be fun until now
johnsonad
New member
Last night I put in a pair of 1uF ClarityCap MR caps thanks to Rob (Corndog71). There is one word to describe these things and that is clarity. What a difference in sound compared to the AudioCap and Auricaps! Don't get me wrong, the Auricaps sound great and are cheap compared to other caps but these MR's are impressive in many ways. Here are a few of our initial impressions. On the initial attack of the notes, especially piano the Auricaps are rounded off where as the MR sound correct. Strings finally sound like strings, especially with violin in the upper octaves. The soundstage (headstage) has moved forward some and instrument placement is closer to that of my stereo. Detail is amazing and better than my stereo at this point. Listening to Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Wiener Philharmonker (F32G 20249) was beautiful and we could understand the words which we couldn't do before. The fullness to the midrange is thinner and this could be the deal breaker on these caps. The sound is overall detailed but not painful to listen to.
I'm amazed at how much the PF cap can influence the overall sound. I've got a few other mods to make and trial to include 18uF ClarityCap SA's in the power supply and trying various coupling capacitors. Maybe a coupling cap that is a little heavy in the midrange will help to balance it out some.
Given the outcome of this trial it makes me wonder how much of a change I would get by putting in MR or Auricaps in my BeePre?
I'm amazed at how much the PF cap can influence the overall sound. I've got a few other mods to make and trial to include 18uF ClarityCap SA's in the power supply and trying various coupling capacitors. Maybe a coupling cap that is a little heavy in the midrange will help to balance it out some.
Given the outcome of this trial it makes me wonder how much of a change I would get by putting in MR or Auricaps in my BeePre?
johnsonad
New member
Two changes. First, I switched back to the Auricaps from the Claritycap MR's. The MR's are more accurate but I like the tonal presentation of the Auricaps better at this point. The Auricaps make the digital nasties a little more palpable.
Second I shoe horned in the Claritycap SA 18uF's as replacements for the 22uF electrolytics. There were no changes in voltage that I noticed though they just barely fit under the hood. There where no earth shattering changes from the get go. I do notice a little more hum than before. I'll let them settle in some and get used to the sound, then change back to the electrolytics and give impressions.
All in all, I've very happy with the sound. The soundstage (headstage) has opened up with both width and depth. The detail is outstanding and the tonal presentation is inviting. I can't remember enjoying listening to headphones this much in a long time. Looking back on all the headphones I've owned in the past (HD650, HD600, Sony SA5000, Grado SR60, Headphiled Sony CD3000, Audio Technica AD2000, Denon D5000, Denon D2000, AKG K340) these are my favorite (sound wise, though not in comfort). The S.E.X. compliments these earspeakers and gives a platform where the sound can be tailored to an individuals preference. For what started as an experiment, the end result is just what I was looking for. If you're in the area and would like to give them a listen, let me know.
Second I shoe horned in the Claritycap SA 18uF's as replacements for the 22uF electrolytics. There were no changes in voltage that I noticed though they just barely fit under the hood. There where no earth shattering changes from the get go. I do notice a little more hum than before. I'll let them settle in some and get used to the sound, then change back to the electrolytics and give impressions.
All in all, I've very happy with the sound. The soundstage (headstage) has opened up with both width and depth. The detail is outstanding and the tonal presentation is inviting. I can't remember enjoying listening to headphones this much in a long time. Looking back on all the headphones I've owned in the past (HD650, HD600, Sony SA5000, Grado SR60, Headphiled Sony CD3000, Audio Technica AD2000, Denon D5000, Denon D2000, AKG K340) these are my favorite (sound wise, though not in comfort). The S.E.X. compliments these earspeakers and gives a platform where the sound can be tailored to an individuals preference. For what started as an experiment, the end result is just what I was looking for. If you're in the area and would like to give them a listen, let me know.
johnsonad
New member
I had considered this as I've got a pair. The short answer is no. They are a 1:1 and not rated for it voltage wise. PJ thought that Mike may have an odd ball in his catalog but it was stretching it. O' netics said they could wind something up to order as another option. Not sure on the Mainline and what it needs. Maybe PJ will chime in? You could beta test it in your big headphone rig if you have iron that would work.
I picked up an SR-507 +SRM-600LTD. combo today and letting it break in a bit. Initial impressions are very favorable. There is definitely something special to the sound of these headphones. Although I would be interested in modding my SEX to work with my STAX I need it to drive my Orcas! If a dedicated STAX amp circuit is ever dreamt up I would certainly be interested. Many people seem to think the Headamp BHSE set the high bar for Electrostatic amps, which I think is a hybrid design.
Anyway, having fun listening to these new headphones.
Anyway, having fun listening to these new headphones.
Found the background on my SRM-600. Here's the specs listed for it online:
"HIGH-POWER DUAL TRIODE "ECC99"
All-new driver unit with "ECC99" high-power dual triode on board - designed for best dynamism and vividness of sound. An all-new driver unit has been launched to enjoy STAX ear speakers with the best sound. The excellent performance of the unit opens up a new dimension of music reproduction full of emotion. The output stage of the unit has adopted a high-power dual triode "ECC99" from Slovakia JJ Electronic that draws a lot of attention through its high-grade vacuum tube technology and manufacturing. The overwhelming dynamism and freshness of its dazzlingly vivid sound enhance further the attraction of ear speaker listening pleasure.
PURE CLASS A, BALANCED AMPLIFICATION
The newest hybrid type driver unit with FET input and dual triode output, adopting pure class-A balanced amplification circuit. Output stage employing "ECC99" high-power dual triode. The vacuum tube from JJ Electronic, one of the best and most-advanced devices available today, is manufactured with the assembly accuracy of
"HIGH-POWER DUAL TRIODE "ECC99"
All-new driver unit with "ECC99" high-power dual triode on board - designed for best dynamism and vividness of sound. An all-new driver unit has been launched to enjoy STAX ear speakers with the best sound. The excellent performance of the unit opens up a new dimension of music reproduction full of emotion. The output stage of the unit has adopted a high-power dual triode "ECC99" from Slovakia JJ Electronic that draws a lot of attention through its high-grade vacuum tube technology and manufacturing. The overwhelming dynamism and freshness of its dazzlingly vivid sound enhance further the attraction of ear speaker listening pleasure.
PURE CLASS A, BALANCED AMPLIFICATION
The newest hybrid type driver unit with FET input and dual triode output, adopting pure class-A balanced amplification circuit. Output stage employing "ECC99" high-power dual triode. The vacuum tube from JJ Electronic, one of the best and most-advanced devices available today, is manufactured with the assembly accuracy of
