For STAX X9000: EHT-7 vs. newer STAX amps like SRM-700S

[spectre]

Hello, I am wondering if people have any impressions or experience with

ES Lab's EHT-7 energizer + adequate power amplifier (like Topping's LA90D) versus STAX's newer amplifiers, like the SRM-700S. I am curious if there will be any significant improvement in sound quality.

I heard from ES Lab's that the EHT-7 Lundahl + LA90D is comparable and/or better than STAX's T8000, which in theory is better than the SRM-700S. But I've also heard that most people aren't very impressed by the T8000.

Thanks.

 

[spectre]

Just try both and draw your own conclusions.

I've heard that a power amp + energizer setup is generally inferior to a dedicated electrostatic amplifier due to transformer distortion in the energizer. Is this accurate? Are energizer combos more cost-effective but ultimately limited in performance compared to dedicated amps?

It also just takes a bunch of time and money to get my hands on these things, so it'd be great to get impressions ahead of time.

 

[ct06033]

I've heard that a power amp + energizer setup is generally inferior to a dedicated electrostatic amplifier due to transformer distortion in the energizer. Is this accurate? Are energizer combos more cost-effective but ultimately limited in performance compared to dedicated amps?

It also just takes a bunch of time and money to get my hands on these things, so it'd be great to get impressions ahead of time.

I think the SRD models are considered to have inferior internals, but myself and many serious stax owners swear by energizers over the amps. it allows you to have greater variety in your setup, and doesnt limit you to a smaller ecosystem. That said, getting a good energizer is important. I just got in the EHT-7 with lundahl transformers and it is fantastic compared to the SRD-7 or Estatron that ive used in the past.

 

[spectre]

I think the SRD models are considered to have inferior internals, but myself and many serious stax owners swear by energizers over the amps. it allows you to have greater variety in your setup, and doesnt limit you to a smaller ecosystem. That said, getting a good energizer is important. I just got in the EHT-7 with lundahl transformers and it is fantastic compared to the SRD-7 or Estatron that ive used in the past.

Thanks. Do you know how the energizer combo compares against STAX's dedicated amplifiers like the SRM series? (Note the M, not D.) For example, SRM-700S, SRM-700T, SRM-T8000.