Headphone system for the bedroom

[Masterlu]

Georges... you could use a WEE Dynamic to Electrostatic Converter, although it isn’t recommended.

https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wee

[DVass13]

If you're going to go the Stax route with a dedicated electrostatic Energizer then you'll really only need a streaming DAC for it. The Matrix Audio X Sabre Pro, Brooklyn Bridge, Auralic Altair or Aries, PS Audio DSD, dCS Bartok are all examples of streaming DACs that would pair with the energizer in ascending cost.

Of course the setup would blow away your budget, not be compact, and would leak a lot of noise... so essentially not meet any of your initial requirements. This setup would, however, provide you with some of the best sound available. I've heard the 009s out of a Blue Hawaii out of a Schiit Yggdrasil and that was one of the top setups I've ever heard.

Top hit your original list of requirements I would recommend the Focal Stelia closed back headphones with the Matrix Audio Element X as a Roon capable streaming headphone system that won't leak much sound, be compact in size, and fit near your $5k budget.

[enatai252]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Stax-SR009S Electrostats require a special multi-pin connector.

Sorry I must have have misunderstood. I thought OP selected the 009 S and an energizer. The Bridge was my recommendation as the Roon endpoint to connect to energizer. Would me a great system. Not sure I know of something that is Roon Ready and drives Stax

I am awaiting the arrival of my 009S and Woo 3ES Elite. They will connect to a Vivaldi One in my study

I have the original 009 with a Woo WES with the Rossini. I highly recommend both but there are other energizer options from Stax and others that also sound great

The Mytek piece is a perfect Roon source for these office or bedroom systems. I use them in my three of my distributed sound systems for my homes to give high rez audio throughout home rather than just Spotify. No means something that compares to high quality single room system but the SQ improvement is noticible

[Masterlu]

WooAudio dealer here as well for Subscriber Discounts.

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Georges... you could use a WEE Dynamic to Electrostatic Converter, although it isn’t recommended.

https://wooaudio.com/amplifiers/wee

I have one that I thought I could use with my old Audio Research D76, but it did not sound good. I think anyone would just do better ordering Stax or similar products direct from you. Woo does make some nice stuff, but it was a big disappointment. The only real competition I think is from Headamp's Blue Hawaii SE. Maybe you could get them from Justin.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Robert_Anderson

I have one that I thought I could use with my old Audio Research D76, but it did not sound good. I think anyone would just do better ordering Stax or similar products direct from you. Woo does make some nice stuff, but it was a big disappointment. The only real competition I think is from Headamp's Blue Hawaii SE. Maybe you could get them from Justin.

I have no doubt that I can.

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I have no doubt that I can.

When the time is right, you can count on me ordering one from you. They are just simply the finest built headphone amps I have ever seen. I bet you could do wonders for his market!

[antipop]

Originally Posted by DVass13

If you're going to go the Stax route with a dedicated electrostatic Energizer then you'll really only need a streaming DAC for it. The Matrix Audio X Sabre Pro, Brooklyn Bridge, Auralic Altair or Aries, PS Audio DSD, dCS Bartok are all examples of streaming DACs that would pair with the energizer in ascending cost.

Of course the setup would blow away your budget, not be compact, and would leak a lot of noise... so essentially not meet any of your initial requirements. This setup would, however, provide you with some of the best sound available. I've heard the 009s out of a Blue Hawaii out of a Schiit Yggdrasil and that was one of the top setups I've ever heard.

Top hit your original list of requirements I would recommend the Focal Stelia closed back headphones with the Matrix Audio Element X as a Roon capable streaming headphone system that won't leak much sound, be compact in size, and fit near your $5k budget.

The AURALiC seems like exactly what I’m looking for. A streamer and a dad with WiFi. That would just be 2 box then the AURALiC plus the energiser.

Granted this would be slightly above my budget but the number I gave was arbitrary. I wanted to see what I could get at this price point and how much if I go beyond.

I think if I go a “cheaper” route, I’ll end up changing everything in a few years. The overall budget is still less than what some spend on an amp alone.

Originally Posted by enatai252

Sorry I must have have misunderstood. I thought OP selected the 009 S and an energizer. The Bridge was my recommendation as the Roon endpoint to connect to energizer. Would me a great system. Not sure I know of something that is Roon Ready and drives Stax

I am awaiting the arrival of my 009S and Woo 3ES Elite. They will connect to a Vivaldi One in my study

I have the original 009 with a Woo WES with the Rossini. I highly recommend both but there are other energizer options from Stax and others that also sound great

The Mytek piece is a perfect Roon source for these office or bedroom systems. I use them in my three of my distributed sound systems for my homes to give high rez audio throughout home rather than just Spotify. No means something that compares to high quality single room system but the SQ improvement is noticible

I still haven’t decided on an energiser. I haven’t compared any of them so this will be the next step.

I’ll check out the Mytek though it’s more expensive than the AURALiC. Not sure which one would be the best suited.

Originally Posted by Robert_Anderson

I have one that I thought I could use with my old Audio Research D76, but it did not sound good. I think anyone would just do better ordering Stax or similar products direct from you. Woo does make some nice stuff, but it was a big disappointment. The only real competition I think is from Headamp's Blue Hawaii SE. Maybe you could get them from Justin.

How much is the BHSE better than the Stax offering? I’m leaning more toward a SS setup for the bedroom rather than tube though. I saw that Headamp has other offering. Do you know about them?

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by antipop

The AURALiC seems like exactly what I’m looking for. A streamer and a dad with WiFi. That would just be 2 box then the AURALiC plus the energiser.

Granted this would be slightly above my budget but the number I gave was arbitrary. I wanted to see what I could get at this price point and how much if I go beyond.

I think if I go a “cheaper” route, I’ll end up changing everything in a few years. The overall budget is still less than what some spend on an amp alone.



I still haven’t decided on an energiser. I haven’t compared any of them so this will be the next step.

I’ll check out the Mytek though it’s more expensive than the AURALiC. Not sure which one would be the best suited.



How much is the BHSE better than the Stax offering? I’m leaning more toward a SS setup for the bedroom rather than tube though. I saw that Headamp has other offering. Do you know about them?

I have had more than 10 Stax amps and currently have probably 40 different Stax models, as well as another 30 high end conventional headphones and maybe 20 amps. I have a weakness for headphones given my travels and need to use confined spaces. I had an older amp Justin made called the Aristeaus. I used it with my Sennheiser HE 90's, Orpheus, original Stax Omegas, and 4070's. At the same time, I had a Stax SRM 727 (solid state version due to ship's noise on certain generator configurations). The Aristeaus bested the Stax in every measurable sense, and I found my favorite combination to be the Aristeaus with the HE 60's (Baby Orpheus), although the bass response was somewhat lacking in comparison.

The SR-009's were truly the breakthrough model for Stax a few years back. Much better than the SR-007's. I bought the upgraded models and 8000 amp from Ivan because I am hooked on all things Stax, and wanted to get as close to their flagship amp, the SRM T-2. I heard the Blue Hawaii in Iceland with a buddy and headphone guru on various models, but without an 8000 handy. I did compare it to other Stax amps and a Cavalli, and there was simply no comparison. I am confident that the BHSE will at least equal my 8000 in some regards and better it in many others based on feedback from my friends who own them. I own some conventional Headamp gear, and I can say the quality is simply the best, both in sound and construction. It takes time for Justin to build these units, and he usually requires a deposit and about 6 to 8 weeks to complete the unit.

He also sells other electrostatic headphones he can advise you about, and sells Stax amps. Justin is honest and fair, and a purist. Talking to him, I think would be enlightening.

Regarding Stax, I have a pair of SR-009 (originals I have half heartedly tried to sell, I really don't want to), but when I am home from abroad again in 9 weeks, if you have not made your decision, I would be happy to ship them to you to audition for two weeks, and then you could return them before I travel again. Making that kind of investment into something so personal and exotic shouldn't be done based on advice and magazine articles alone. If I had to choose one setup, it would be the SR-009's, and I have an insane collection. I can say they are very, very close to the Sennheiser HE-1's for a fraction of the cost. I have not heard the HiFiman Shangri La's and Jr's, but they may be worth a listen to. I am sure Ivan can accommodate any need you have. He also has the Stax combo I bought from him and I am sure he has some insights of his own. I look forward to hearing about your final purchase and impressions.

[antipop]

Thank you Rob for the offer, this is very generous but I'm based in London so this wouldn't be very practical.

I will book another listening session at the store to focus on Stax solely. I want to compare the 009 to the 009S and also various energiser to see what they bring to the sound.