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A question for Stax users...

seanrr

seanrr

Well-Known Member
I presently don't really use headphones, but I am thinking about it. I have two very nice single ended amps, but neither has a headphone out option. If I bought a used pair of Stax with one of those Stax adapters that goes into the speaker out of my amp and then had my speakers off of the adapter, would it affect sound through my speakers when running through the adapter? If it did, I could always switch the box in and out as needed to my amp binding posts when I want to listen to headphones, but obviously it would be easier to leave it connected to the amp. I am looking at a pair of Stax SR-30 and SRD-4 adapter. I know that these are the top of the line, but they would probably serve my purposes when I need late night listening....
 
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These Stax adapters have spring loaded clip speaker connections. Some will tell you that you are going to experience signal loss at these points. I personally don't think so.

Really all you have in the signal path (with the energizer switched off) is a switch and the aforementioned speaker connections. I would say unless you are running big power to huge speakers it is a non issue.
 
you could just run separate speaker cables to your adaptor from your amp and just switch it over to speaker mode (i.e. disconnect it) when not using the earspeakers. i have thought pretty hard about getting an earspeaker setup to match the rest of my Stax gear. i've also heard that with a good amp already, the "passive" adaptors are the way to go (as opposed to a standalone SRM-series amp).
 
Cool...I think I am going to check out the SR-30 phones! It looks like it may have resolved my headphone set-up quandary.
 
Yep, all that is inline when set to "speakers" is the switch, that bit of cable and the speaker connectors. I don't know how the SR30's are, but I know my SR Lambra Pro and SRD-7/SB will soak up 20wpc no problem. Though that may be because I am running pro biased earspeakers on a standard bias energizer. I really don't know too much about them.
 
x_25 said:
Yep, all that is inline when set to "speakers" is the switch, that bit of cable and the speaker connectors. I don't know how the SR30's are, but I know my SR Lambra Pro and SRD-7/SB will soak up 20wpc no problem. Though that may be because I am running pro biased earspeakers on a standard bias energizer. I really don't know too much about them.
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So, will 3.5 watts from a 2A3 SET amp be enough juice for them?
 
seanrr said:
So, will 3.5 watts from a 2A3 SET amp be enough juice for them?
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That is what I was wondering. I have run mine off a 5 watt t-amp without too much trouble, but at higher volumes it ran out of steam. Maybe someone with a more "normal" pairing of energizer and headphones can chime in on it.

That said, it shouldn't really be a problem unless you want to listen loud. Just check your levels before switching back to speakers :P (I have done it without and. My nearfields for mixing are 92db.w.m!)
 
I too have a T-amp/SR-30 setup as a laughable "portable" rig, and there's plenty of oomph at 5 watts (more like 3.5 actually), but as we know, tubes are magical and will play even louder without breaking up because of the way they go into clipping. So just do it and don't look back.

I assume you found an SR-30/34 cheap. So often those headphones are priced 'way above their satisfaction level.
 
wualta said:
I assume you found an SR-30/34 cheap. So often those headphones are priced 'way above their satisfaction level.
Click to expand...
. I know this is not Dollars and Sense, but what would be the edge of "cheap" in your question if I may ask?
 
So - I picked up this set, and it does do the job - the headphones sound very nice hooked up to my SET amp. But.... When I turn up the volume, I hear some low level noise now whether I am listening to speakers or headphones. This could be from electronic feedback since the set up is in a room with my computer, modem, wifi network, etc. That said, I was wondering if it might come from the adapter box for the headphones. Are there mods that people make to these boxes to make them noiseless if indeed this is the culprit? Do they have capacitors that may need replacement? If I can't figure it out, I can always only hook up the SRD-4 when I want to listen to speakers, but it would be convenient to keep it hooked up at all times.
 
From my experience you aren't going to pick up sound with the t-box or the STAX themselves. I run my stereo in the same room as my PC/wifi/modem and the only noise I get has to do with the quality of power coming into my amp(it starts buzzing if there are more than a couple florescents on in the house)

I'd be interested in hearing about how much power they need as well. I've used mine with a Sherwood S7210A, S6000, and a Pioneer SX780. The bass was lacking on the S7210A but I'm not sure if that's because of lack of power or because lower end vintage receivers tend to be voiced with less bass. Volume hasn't been a problem with any of them though they all kind of struggle on low-volume levels. I've been thinking about going the low power route to overcome that.

As for your original question on having the speakers go through the tbox. You're be adding the switch and a couple more connectors to the signal. It will work just fine but you'll lose a little bit of SQ. Whether you'll be able to hear it is another matter entirely.
 
They seem to work well with a 3.5 wpc SET amp. Very smooth sound. That said, I have decided that this is some external interference. Are there any ways to avoid that? The sound I am getting is the same I got in my Almarro A205A headphone out. With the Stax, it only comes in at about 12 o'clock on the volume, but this is a bit of an issue with the speakers since I do turn them up sometimes. Should I try to shield the SRD box or should I try to shield my computer/modem/wifi? Somebody must have had this problem before.
 
I'd start looking at the source if you had the same problem with prior amps and headphones. Are you using a DAC built into a computer perhaps?
 
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