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The Stax SRM-1 is a classic pure Class-A solid-state driver unit (energizer) built specifically to power Stax’s legendary electrostatic headphones (ear speakers). Produced from the early 1980s through 1995, this model remains a cornerstone of high-end audio, celebrated for its robust build quality, ample power headroom, and exceptional sonic neutrality.Specification Amplifier Type: Pure Class-A solid-state (transistors).Frequency Response: From 0 Hz (DC) to 20,000 Hz.Maximum Output Voltage: 370 Volts RMS.Power Consumption: 33 Watts.Weight: 2.1 kg (approx. 4.6 lbs).Normal Bias Socket: 6-pin layout / 230 Volts (for vintage Stax headphones).Pro Bias Socket: 5-pin layout / 580 Volts (for modern Stax headphones).Audio Input: 1 pair of analog RCA jacks.Loop-Through Output: 1 pair of analog RCA jacks (passes the untouched signal to another device).Local pick up / inspection / purchase available at Archer High Fidelity in Falls Church, VA. We are a vintage sales and service specialist covering the Washington DC metro area.All major credit cards accepted, as well as PayPal, check on clearing, and Venmo.Any other questions, please feel free to ask.
Should you pay US$499 for it when recent comps cluster much lower? Based on your database, this sits well above the US$375 75th percentile and far above the US$317 median, so the ask is ambitious rather than fair-market. It’s not a price I’d call a bargain; you’d want some real upside in condition, originality, or included extras to justify it.
That said, this is a respected Stax energizer with a strong reputation for driving electrostatics cleanly and quietly, so a nice example can still be worth chasing. The upside here is mainly in finding a well-kept unit that’s been sitting in a stable home system, ideally with the right power supply and any original accessories, because complete, healthy examples are harder to replace than the market suggests.
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.
