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US$899 is on the high side for a used SRM-T1S: recent used examples cluster more around roughly US$470–US$650, with nicer or bundle listings pushing into the upper US$700s, so this asking price reads ambitious rather than a bargain. If the unit is fully serviced, very clean, and includes the right accessories, it can still be defensible; otherwise there’s not a lot of headroom here.
What keeps it interesting is that this is a well-regarded Stax driver with a warm, lively tube-hybrid character that suits many classic Stax earspeakers well. It’s a worthwhile buy when it’s healthy, because these older units can still sound very compelling and are less common than modern Stax amps. At this price, I’d want proof of stable operation, quiet channels, and recent service history before leaning in.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Stax traces its origins to 1938 in Tokyo, Japan, when Naotake Hayashi founded Showa Kouon Co., Ltd. in Chiyoda-ku. Initially focused on wax disc recording, metal master production, and audio equipment for film soundtracks, the company evolved through the postwar era. In 1950, it launched its first high-frequency condenser microphone, adopted by NHK, and renamed itself STAX Co., Ltd. in 1963, honoring its pioneering Stax-1 mic. A brief suspension in 1995 due to economic pressures gave way to revival, preserving its legacy under family leadership.
The brand specializes in electrostatic headphones, known as "EARSPEAKERS," debuting with the world-first SR-1 in 1960. This innovation spawned enduring lines like the SR series, produced for decades with incremental refinements for superior resolution and staging. Stax complements these with dedicated electrostatic amplifiers and select accessories, eschewing conventional speakers, turntables, DACs, or cables to hone its transducer expertise.
Stax commands a niche high-end position among audiophiles and professionals, revered for unmatched transparency and fidelity that rivals cost-no-object loudspeakers. Its 85-year heritage cements it as a boutique icon in electrostatic technology, far from mass-market fare, appealing to discerning buyers seeking pinnacle sonic transduction.
See all Stax listings on RADAR.
