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The SRM-T1S is a notable vintage Stax tube/hybrid energizer, and at US$899 it looks like a strong deal rather than merely fair: it sits below the supplied US$913 25th-percentile comparable and well under the US$927 median. For a properly working example, that is an attractive entry into Stax’s distinctive electrostatic presentation.
Its appeal is the blend of tube character, solid-state drive, and compatibility with Stax earspeakers, making it a more interesting partner than many later, purely solid-state units. The age means condition matters—especially confirmed channel balance, quiet operation, healthy tubes, correct output voltage, and the proper power cord—but the price leaves useful room for routine servicing. Verify voltage and accessories before buying; otherwise, this is a listing worth pursuing promptly.
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.
